Discover Rossett: churches, a mill and walking trails

Explore Rossett through its architectural history and the landscape along the River Alyn. When choosing what to see during your stay, you can focus on different things: Christ Church and other historic buildings tell the story of the village’s development, while walking trails offer different impressions of the surrounding area. Their length, surface and route help you choose trails to suit your interests.

Churches and architectural history

Today’s Christ Church was built between 1891 and 1892, replacing an earlier church dating from 1841. The building is in the late Gothic Revival style and was designed by Douglas and Fordham. The windows also feature their own historical details: the east window has stained glass by Kempe dating from 1905, and the chancel has stained glass by Morris and Co dating from 1907. The church also has a Living Churchyard with several nature conservation areas. If you are planning a special visit, check visiting arrangements and contact details beforehand.

Other buildings add to this picture. Rossett Hall is a Grade II listed building dating from the mid-18th century. It was built for the Boydell family and was known as “The Rossett”. Rossett Presbyterian Chapel was built in 1877 to a Gothic design by Chester architect John Douglas. Rossett Mill, meanwhile, is a Grade II* listed building and a particularly important, striking landmark in Rossett Conservation Area. The history of the site probably dates back to around 1474, when the mill was known as “Upper Merford Mill”.

Walks and the landscape along the River Alyn

The River Alyn forms an important part of Rossett’s landscape. A footpath follows its tree-lined course to Alyn Bridge. Mill Bridge has a different role in the village scene: it is an attractive gateway to the village centre. Together, the river and bridges show how landscape and built surroundings sit side by side in Rossett, without confusing the two bridges.

Two different options are available if you are looking for a circular walk with a clearly stated length. The Tail Trail is 2 miles long and loops around an organically managed farm. Its surfaced path is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The easy “Manor Lane and Cooks Bridge” circular walk starts in Rossett and is 3.8 miles long. This makes the Tail Trail the shorter loop; the two walks also differ in their routes and in the stated accessibility of the Tail Trail. Route information for “Manor Lane and Cooks Bridge” may change. Check the latest information before setting out.

The “Quiet Country Lanes” circular walk runs mostly along quiet country lanes in Burton. This description highlights the trail’s landscape, while the starting point, length and easy rating are known for “Manor Lane and Cooks Bridge”. Comparing these features can help you choose the type of walk that best suits your travel plans.

A farm shop in Rossett

The Solar Shack offers another side of the village: this farm shop sells organic milk, milkshakes and coffee, as well as cheese made from the farm’s fresh organic milk. Its offering differs from the churches, historic buildings and walking trails: the focus here is on farm produce. When planning your visit, you can therefore consider a practical glimpse of local agriculture alongside architectural history and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Bradley, Hanmer, Penycae, Erbistock, Llanarmon Dyffryn-Ceiriog, Chirk, Glyn Ceiriog, Bangor-on-Dee

For the regional travel overview: Wrexham.