Britain’s best footballing cities

Thanks to Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham is back in the spotlight. Watch the Red Dragons in action at The Racecourse and hang out with the locals at The Turf Pub, decked out with football memorabilia. Mark your calendar for 2026, when a new football museum in the town will showcase Wales’ brilliant ball skills. Fuel up with Welsh and international grub at Tŷ Pawb’s food court, then discover the Great British outdoors at nearby Erddig or Llandegla Forest. 

Once used for horse racing, the STōK Cae Ras is now Wrexham’s home turf – and a stomping ground for film stars, too, as seen in Welcome to Wrexham. We can’t promise Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be here when you visit, but if you’re attending a game you’ll see some of Wales’ finest footballing talent in action. Take time to explore the Fourth Wall Temporary Kop Fanzone before kickoff, with food and drink stands, live music and family entertainment. Fun fact: This is the world’s oldest international football stadium and hosted Wales’ very first international match, against Scotland, in 1877. 

An ice-cold pint and a warm welcome await at this Wrexham institution, in the grounds of the STōK Cae Ras. It’s a real record-breaker, being the oldest public house at any sports stadium in the world, and even predates the football club. You may recognise landlord Wayne Jones from Welcome to Wrexham – he’s been behind the bar of this watering hole for almost 20 years. You won’t go hungry here either, with a packed menu from breakfast butties to burgers to feast on. 

Arts centre, community hub, street food sensation – Tŷ Pawb is the place to be. Its name translates from Welsh as ‘Everyone’s House’, and you really do feel right at home in this welcoming space. Browse the art gallery for ever-changing exhibitions from Welsh and international artists, and get stuck into family-friendly creative workshops. It’s hard to come away empty-handed from the market, where you’ll find crafts and collectibles that make the perfect souvenir. And no visit is complete without a meal at the food court, where traders are dishing up everything from smash burgers to homemade pasties. 

This is no ordinary watersports trip: the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the tallest navigable aqueducts in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by glorious countryside views. Are you brave enough to peek over the edge to the river 38 metres (126ft) below? The adventure is suitable for those of basic fitness level, and all gear is provided – you’ll just need a head for heights.