There's nothing better, on a warm sunny day than going on a lazy walk with your family and friends and ending up in a pub, with the drinks flowing all day long. And one route in Wrexham has now been recognised as among the best pub walks in the UK.
A walk which starts and finishes at the Cross Foxes pub in Erbistock, this two-and-a-half hour route is classed as moderately difficult but will be a great way to work up your appetite for that pub grub dinner as a reward.
The study unearthing the best pub routes was undertaken by property company David Wilson Homes and found walks in Kent, Wolverhampton, Shropshire and Conwall - to name a few - to be amongst the best in the country. In fourth place is the Wrexham route, which is 8.7km in length. For more what's on stories, sign up for our newsletter here.
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The route is described as follows: "Set out from the Cross Foxes in Ebinstock and head east over pastures and pretty woodland, before meandering back along the banks of the River Dee. Somewhat challenging, this route involves several climbs and descents, as well as a total of seven stiles. There will be dairy cattle grazing on some of the pastures at this time of year so keep any dogs on leads.
"A little off the beaten track, this route can get very muddy after long periods of rain. However, this means you can often go the whole trail without encountering another soul before arriving back at the Cross Foxes where you can enjoy a refreshment while spotting wildlife along the banks of the River Dee."
Along this picturesque riverside route, you'll see stunning patches of wild garlic, daffodils and ferns as well as pass by the weir at Erbistock Mill, a little woodland, farmland - you may come across some dairy cattle - quaint cottages and a churchyard - of Grade II listed St Hilary's church. Pooches are welcomed on this route, but if they are skittish around cows as it may be best to leave them at home.
With the route being a mixture of woodland and fields - as well as stiles to get from one field to the next - waterproof shoes that can withstand the mud are encouraged. Even better if you have a change of shoes ready for the pub - no-one wants soggy socks as they sip on a Stella Artois.
It's recommended to check whether the River Dee has flooded after heavy periods of rain beforehand as, understandably, some paths will be inaccessible. If you're in need of inspiration for more pub walks in Wales, see here. For the full list of best pub walks from this research, see here.
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