THE opportunity to climb one of “the Seven Wonders of Wales” is being offered by St Giles’ Church in Wrexham.

Visitors to the ancient church will be able to book a slot to climb the famous tower, mentioned in an eighteenth-century poem, and at the top, get up close to medieval pinnacles with carvings of heads and faces and experience amazing panoramic views of Wrexham. On a good day, visitors will be able to see across to the Berwyn Hills, the Mersey Estuary, and the Cheshire Plains.

The 135-foot climb is available on the first Saturday of every month between now and September, with two time slots, 11am or 12noon. Each visit will take around an hour. On the climb, visitors will learn more about the ancient skills of bellringing in the Ringing Room and see the only peal of ten bells in North Wales, which are almost 300 years old.

The vicar of St Giles, the Revd Canon Dr Jason Bray, said he has seen a real increase in tourism in recent years. He said: “Our Tower Climbs continue to be popular and add an exciting addition to what we offer here at St Giles Church.

"The diversity of our visitors – from worshippers through to international tourists on almost a daily basis - never fails to amaze me and to be able to offer a warm welcome to Wrexham is very special for myself and all of our volunteers who work tirelessly.”

The Tower of St Giles is mentioned in a famous anonymous poem, called The Wonders Of Wales, dating from the end of the 18th century. It read:

"Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple,
Snowdon's mountain without its people,
Overton yew trees, St Winifred's Well,
Llangollen's Bridge and Gresford's bells."

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The poem is credited with bringing visitors to Wales at the end of the 18th century as good roads, like Thomas Telford’s London to Holyhead route, began opening up and making journeys more comfortable.

The Tower Climbs are open to anyone aged eight or over. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Climbers must be suitably fit and able to climb and descend. The climbs must be booked in advance with Wrexham Visitor Information Centre (tourism@wrexham.gov.uk or +44(0)1978 292015) and cost just £5.

St Giles is Wales’ largest Medieval church. It is a member of the Major Churches Network, an informal group of around 600 churches in England and Wales including, amongst others, Tewkesbury Abbey and Beverley Minster.