The Cross Keys, Llanfynydd

The last time I was in Llanfynydd I think the pub looked very shut.  Today, I fancied a few hills and saw The Cross Keys on Google Maps when hunting for a lunch location.  So, after pouring over maps (I could do that for hours anyway!) I decided a morning coffee at Gwersyllt (or maybe Alyn Waters, if the visitor centre does coffees), and then up to Llanfynydd.

A late notification of the ride meant no-one there when I took my initial photo, but I was set on going anyway - so it was delightful when Chris turned up.  Chris has done a few Summer Evenings with us, until 'work got in the way'!

So, we set off and I checked if he was OK to head along Dukes Drive, as we are well into autumn and the trees are looking particularly glorious!

And it was not too muddy at all.

After heading through Eccleston and the Old Wrexham Road (old A483), I pointed us into the lanes at Rossett, wending our way through Burton to come out halfway up the B5102 road to Llay.  We rode on the pavement as we were turning right again very shortly, but it did not give us any relief from the hill! 

I was kind to Chris and did not take him on the back road and then the steep-down-and-steep-back-up further into Llay, instead we turned in at The Miners Institute and picked up the cycle path, before heading into Alyn Waters.

Alyn Waters was once the estate of Gwersyllt Hall,
now demolished

After asking someone, We agreed to try to find the visitors centre, as yes, it does have a cafe.  Crossing onto the other half of the park (it is split by the road), the tracks were rideable but variable, and did in the end bring us to a marvellous cafe. 

Refreshed, we now needed to peruse the maps (as my original planned route was via Gwersyllt!), and the first thing out of the Country Park was to cross the main A541 (which was quite quiet), and use the footpath until we could turn off into the lanes.  After a short climb, we followed the top end of the Moss Valley, until we hit the B5101 and this in turn brought us to the B5104 - known as 'The Steps' when I was riding in the '80's.

Here I did add a little hill - and chose to drop down to the ford and up to Cymau - there was a bridge but it did then entail a short walk as we could not get going again on the hill!

Nearly there and a lovely descent, just espying the viaduct through the trees (but no photo as we were enjoying a well earned downhill!).  Disappointment at Llanfynydd - the bronze telephone box was no longer bronze, and was red again!  I am not sure why, and the pub staff did not know ("it has always been red")- but no, I was here in 2022, and it was bronze then.

January 2022

November 2024

Chris did not want to stay for lunch so I sent him on his way onward towards Mold, and headed into the pub, for my reduced table from the optimistic 6 to 'just me'. (I had phoned from Alyn Waters, so that was all fine).  Small Sunday lunch, extra gravy (they did offer me extra veg!) and a pint of Guinness, for just over £13 so that is OK!

After lunch I wanted to head to The Stone Zoo (as I call it) - Rhos Uchaf Hall. It did involve a couple of arrows (just for fun, tell that to my lungs as I gasped my way out of Llanfynydd!). I know I looked this up last time - but here is the link of a little background to the stone figures.

These guys are so cute, I remembered seeing them on Sunday runs when I first started riding - and here I am forty years on still hunting them and showing other people (although not today!)

I returned back down the hill with two arrows to Llanfynydd, and crossing the road set off up the back of Hope Mountain. It was quite misty and damp, especially on top, so no views today.

My return home was a steep descent, hanging on my brakes, then more lovely downhill around Kinnerton, and Lache Lane back to Chester. But I did find another new cafe!

Route with Komoot