Adventure, culture, history - things to see and do in North East Wales

Opened in 1926, Theatr Stiwt Theatre was originally financed with a subscription of twenty pence a week from the hardworking local mining community. After dodging demolition in 1977, it reopened as a state-of-the-art performing arts centre in 1999, and these days it’s a grand historic setting to enjoy modern theatre.

Follow in the footsteps of the dozens of prisoners holed up at Ruthin during the 19th century with a visit to Ruthin Gaol. Once used as the prison for the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Merionethshire, it opened as a heritage site in 2002. It's a great place to learn about the gruesome stories of the past and admire imposing architecture.

Numerous tales of ghost stories surround it, making the iconic white and red Point of Ayr Lighthouse at Talacre is an unbeatable place to daydream on a bright day. Stroll across the soft beach, go for a stomp in the surrounding hills and gaze out to the Irish Sea. Uplifting and invigorating.

Head to St Winifride's Well and you’ll be following in the footsteps of pilgrimages dating back to Richard the Lionheart in 1189. A place of folklore across 13 centuries, these days it’s been modernised to include a library and museum among extraordinary gothic architecture dedicated to the seventh century saint.

From the first records of mining in the mid-13th century to the Tudors and beyond, Minera Lead Mines have an amazing industrial past. Take the dramatic mines as a starting point, then see 300 years of artefacts in the museum, admire the engine and boiler houses and enjoy the 53-acre park.

The Poncysyllte Aqueduct is a piece of architectural wonder built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, carrying the Llangollen Canal 125 feet (38 metres) above the River Dee. Not only is it a Grade 1 listed building and a World Heritage Site, it also has lots of odd quirks, such as the use of ox blood in the making of its mortar.

Wales is a country for foodies, and Celyn Farmers' Market is a vibrant fortnightly mini-festival which lets you meet some of the passionate producers who make it that way. You can pick up delicacies as diverse as handmade bread, petit fours, Welsh buffalo and local relishes. This award-winning market is a sweet and savoury delight.

Llangollen Motor Museum is one of the best-loved museums in Britain, thanks to the passion of its curators and the character of its exhibits. Whether you’re impressed by swish design or old spare parts, these pedal cars, carriages, canal vehicles and classic motorbikes offer an inspirational jaunt down memory lane.