cafe
Ponderosa Cafe
A legendary biker stop high on the Horseshoe Pass above Llangollen with panoramic views across the Welsh valleys.
12 km · about 20 min drive
Photo by Maelor at English Wikipedia
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Ruabon
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Ruabon
Ruabon works well as a base: 10 minutes from Chirk, 31km from B4391 Milltir Gerrig.
Ruabon is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 3,100 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Chirk, about 6 km away.
Ruabon ( roo-AB-ən; Welsh: Rhiwabon pronounced [r̥ɪʊˈaːbɔn]) is a village and community in Wrexham County Borough, Wales. The name comes from Rhiw Fabon, rhiw being the Welsh word for "slope" or "hillside" and Fabon being a mutation from St Mabon, the original church name, of earlier, Celtic origin. An older EnglishRead more
spelling, Rhuabon, can sometimes be seen.
From the mid-19th century, Ruabon became famous across the UK, for its red bricks and terracotta, which earnt the village the nickname "Terracottapolis". The local discovery of high-quality Etruria marl clay led to the rise of the Dennis Ruabon Tile Factory, whose durable and richly coloured products were used nationwide. The tiles were used in landmark projects such as Cardiff's Pier Head and Liverpool University's Victoria Building.
In 2001, more than 80% of the population of 2,400 were born in Wales, with 13.6% having some ability in Welsh.
Where to Stay in Ruabon
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ruabon?
Within an hour or so of Ruabon: Ponderosa Cafe (12 km), Horseshoe Pass (12 km), Horseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) (12 km), Pistyll Rhaeadr (27 km).
Are there any good drives near Ruabon?
The nearest famous roads are Horseshoe Pass, B4391 Milltir Gerrig and Evo Triangle.
Where is Ruabon?
Ruabon is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Chirk.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 3,091
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.9878, -3.0388
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Ruabon
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
Horseshoe Pass
Sweeping A542 mountain pass curling above Llangollen in a giant horseshoe, climbing to 417m past the Ponderosa Cafe with wide views over the Dee Valley. A classic North Wales driving and biking road.
12 km · about 25 min drive
mountain pass
Horseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant)
A sweeping 417m moorland pass on the A542 above Llangollen, with the Ponderosa cafe at the top and views to the Berwyns.
12 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Pistyll Rhaeadr
Wales's tallest single-drop waterfall at 73 metres, cascading through a natural rock arch in a remote Berwyn Mountains valley.
27 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Chester Zoo
The UK's most-visited zoo housing over 35,000 animals across 128 acres with award-winning conservation programs.
29 km · about 35 min drive
racetrack
Loton Park
A 1,475-yard hillclimb running through the deer park of a Shropshire country estate, twisting between mature trees with the hill's Museum Corner and Fallow bends. One of Britain's most scenic speed venues.
30 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
B4391 Milltir Gerrig
A high, empty moorland crossing of the Berwyn range between Bala and Llangynog, all long sightlines and sheep.
31 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
Evo Triangle
Legendary 20-mile loop of the A5, A543 and B4501 across the empty Denbigh Moors, made famous as evo magazine's road-test circuit. Fast, open sightlines past Llyn Brenig make it a pilgrimage for keen drivers.
35 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Ruabon
- Right hereHorseshoe PassSweeping A542 mountain pass curling above Llangollen in a giant horseshoe, climbing to 417m past the Ponderosa Cafe with wide views over the Dee Valley. A classic North Wales driving and biking road.
- Right hereHorseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant)A sweeping 417m moorland pass on the A542 above Llangollen, with the Ponderosa cafe at the top and views to the Berwyns.
- 31 kmB4391 Milltir GerrigA high, empty moorland crossing of the Berwyn range between Bala and Llangynog, all long sightlines and sheep.
- 35 kmEvo TriangleLegendary 20-mile loop of the A5, A543 and B4501 across the empty Denbigh Moors, made famous as evo magazine's road-test circuit. Fast, open sightlines past Llyn Brenig make it a pilgrimage for keen drivers.
- 44 kmBwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross)Wales's highest public road at 545m, a 1-in-4 climb from Llanuwchllyn used for pre-war motoring hill-climb tests.
- 46 kmBwlch y Groes (Hellfire Pass)Wales's highest public road at 545m, a 1-in-4 single-track climb from Llanuwchllyn used for decades as a motoring hill-climb test.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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