0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:00 > 0:00:01- Welcome to Codi Pac.
0:00:02 > 0:00:05- I'm Geraint Hardy, - and I'm travelling across Wales...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08- ..to find some of our treasures.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11- If you want a weekend away, - you needn't travel far.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13- It's all on the doorstep.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- Places to eat, places to stay, - things to do and see.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- They're all here on Codi Pac.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- Several things spring to mind - when I think of Wrexham.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Beer, industrial history...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- ..and as I'm a big football fan, - Wrexham football club.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- Where better to start my journey - than with the Dragons?
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- Wrexham's ground - is called the Racecourse.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- It's no ordinary club, - it was established in 1864...
0:01:07 > 0:01:12- ..a year after the - Football Association first met...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..to write the rules of the game.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20- Wrexham is the oldest club in Wales - and the third oldest in the world.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- I'm meeting Spencer Harris, - the club's director.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29- Spencer won the Welsh Learner - of the Year competition in 2001.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- Spencer, we're here at what must be - one of your favourite places.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- You're a huge fan of Wrexham AFC.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- I remember sitting behind the goal - over there.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- I remember watching games - against Swansea.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- I was a little lad. - The crowd was massive.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- At the time, we were - in what is now the Championship.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- It was a great time for the club.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- What are Wrexham's aims now?
0:01:57 > 0:02:02- Wrexham are trying to win promotion - back to the Football League.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- That's the club's main aim.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Hopefully, we'll do that next year.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09- The fans own this club - at the moment.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- Yes, 4,000 of us own the club.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- The fans took over the ownership - in 2011.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- Since then, the club - has done fantastic off the pitch.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- We've been to Wembley three times.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- They were our first visits too.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- We've just missed out on promotion - twice as well.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- I hope that will come next year.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- Do you have meetings - with all 4,000 of you?!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- Almost every week - when we have away games!
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- There are elections to appoint - people to various positions...
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- ..to run the club - on behalf of the fans.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- A lot of famous people - have played for the club.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01- Yes, players like Joey Jones, who - won the European Cup with Liverpool.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- He still coaches here today.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- Ian Rush played for Wrexham too.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- He didn't score many goals - for Wrexham!
0:03:11 > 0:03:12- No.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13- No.- - Unfortunately.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- The stadium is in the town centre.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- How important - is the club to the town?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- The club's important to the town - and to North Wales.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- It's where the largest crowd - gathers every fortnight...
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- ..to support - North Wales' professional club.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- There are larger towns than Wrexham - around the country...
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- ..which no-one talks about.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44- Wrexham AFC is what puts us on the - map in Britain and across the world.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Here's the big moment.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Hardy's ready to go.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00- Superb!
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- That's enough messing about - on the football field.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- It's now time to find out - what else Wrexham has to offer.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- I'm going to have a wander - around town.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Wrexham is the main town - in North Wales...
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- ..with a population - of around 60,000.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- The history of the town - dates back 8,000 years.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- It's a market town.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- Wrexham is a Saxon name.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- It comes from "Wryhtel's Ham" - - the farm of a man called Wryhtel.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- It's been a worthwhile walk - around town.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- There are plenty of lovely little - streets and interesting buildings.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- This church, St Giles, - can be seen throughout the town.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- The St Giles church tower is one - of the seven wonders of Wales.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- It's an incredible building.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- The town's pubs - are worth seeing too.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- I've heard about a local bank that's - been turned into a restaurant.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Here it is - The Bank. - It's lunchtime.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- This bank was built by a family - of merchants from Liverpool.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- There's a similarly-designed - building in Liverpool too.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- In the cellar, - the old safe still stands.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- It's hard to believe that the door - weighs two and a half tons.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- This place is packed - and it's easy to see why.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- It's so posh with its incredible bar - and amazing staircase.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13- It's also homely.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- I just hope that the bank's - paying for the food!
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- You can't beat home-made lasagne, - garlic bread and salad.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- It's time to tuck in.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- As you'd expect, there's - a wide choice of places to stay.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41- The Lemon Tree hotel and restaurant - has 12 comfortable rooms.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- If you want to stay - in a luxury house...
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- ..which combines - the modern and the traditional...
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- ..go to the Old Vicarage Cottage - in Minera.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- On the other hand, - I'm staying in a different place...
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- ..in a field - on the outskirts of Minera.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- This is where I'll be staying - tonight - a shepherd's hut.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- The decor is modern and neat.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- This is great - original wheels.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Look at the view - - I'm in the middle of nowhere.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30- There are animals in the nearby - fields. There's no-one else around.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- I'm excited, that's for sure.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Let's open the door.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40- Here it is - wow!
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- It's small but it's very cosy.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- There's a kitchen - and a table which opens out...
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- ..which makes use of the space.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- This is the sofa - which turns into a bed.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- It slides out.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- I can't wait - to curl up in this bed tonight...
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- ..in front of that great fire - over there.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- It's been a busy day.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- I've walked the streets of Wrexham - and been in the football stadium.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- In this rural retreat, I can't wait - for a night in front of the fire.
0:08:49 > 0:08:49- .
0:08:54 > 0:08:54- Subtitles
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- Welcome back to Codi Pac - from a shepherd's hut near Wrexham.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- After a good night's sleep, - I wander to the farmyard.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Good morning.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- If you choose to stay here...
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- ..there's plenty of local produce - for a breakfast feast.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- You can even collect your own eggs, - if you like.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- This breakfast is for me, - not you, OK?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- OK? He's coming. Behave.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- On day two, I get to wander around - the streets of Wrexham once more.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- I'm on my way to Saith Seren...
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- ..an old pub that also promotes - the Welsh language.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Here we are, - the Saith Seren community pub.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- People come here to speak Welsh too.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- There's a pool table, - which is good news.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- It's spacious, - with pictures of familiar faces...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- ..from Gareth Bale - to Richard Burton.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- It's also the perfect place - to see some live music.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35- I'm meeting poet Sophie McKeand - to learn more about the place.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Two, three.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Sophie, we're in Saith Seren.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Why is Saith Seren - important to Wrexham?
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- There are many Welsh speakers here.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- They support the language.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- It's a lovely place to come...
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- ..to have a chat in Welsh - over a pint or a cuppa.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- It's nice just to come here - and practise speaking Welsh...
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- ..without feeling awkward...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- ..you know?
0:11:15 > 0:11:20- It's nice just to relax, - have a chat.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- There's lots of music - and poetry here.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- You've learnt Welsh.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Do you come from Wrexham?
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- I was born in Flint - but was raised in Chester...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- ..so I didn't speak Welsh - as a child.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- So why did you decide - to learn Welsh?
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- I'm a poet, so I love languages.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- The Welsh language - is beautiful and very interesting.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- I was born here - so I should learn the language.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- You're a poet. That's your job.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- You have a special title too, - a very nice one.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Yes, the Young People's Laureate - for Wales.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15- If you had to describe Wrexham - in two words, what would they be?
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- I'd choose complex and passionate.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22- Passionate.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23- Yes.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- Sometimes, it's important - to rest for five minutes...
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- ..in a place like this - that's full of local characters...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- ..and, of course, sweet things!
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- I'm now going - to The Fat Boar restaurant.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Lovely - is the word that springs to mind.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- This is spacious.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- I love the black and white - on the bar and on the floor.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- There are old and new chairs - which fill the space...
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- ..and there's space outside - to have a drink or some food.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38- Upstairs, however, is a restaurant - with a different ambience.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- A number of the workers here - speak Welsh.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- The owners - use local and seasonal produce.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- We're now upstairs - in the restaurant.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53- You can sit outside.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- There are many parts - to the restaurant.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- This is the modern part - with plenty of natural light...
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- ..and bright colours on the walls.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- In here, things change.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Industrial orange bricks...
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- ..and then wooden panels - with lots of plants...
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- ..which creates - an outdoors-indoors feel.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Wow! Look at this. Quite a dish.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- This place is called The Fat Boar.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- After I eat this, there'll only be - one fat boar in this building.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- After eating my fill, I'm off - to find the old police station.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- It's been converted into a museum.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- I'm going to meet local historian - Gareth Vaughan Williams there.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- Gareth, this lovely building - is the museum.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- You've lived here for many years. - What's Wrexham like?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- It's a very busy town.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- It's been busy for centuries.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- It's a border town, so people - have been coming here for centuries.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- It's on the border - between Wales and England.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- It's on the border - between two languages..
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- ..between - the highlands and lowlands...
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- ..and between industry - and agriculture.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- There are two cultures here.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- That's still evident in the town.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- At one time, - it was very industrialized.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- Yes, but one shouldn't just think of - Wrexham as an industrialized area.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- It was a market - and agricultural town...
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- ..before it was an industrial town.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- The museum tries to show the history - of the area from the early ages.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- This is one of the earliest things - they've discovered.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29- An ancient coffin, a cist, - was found in 1958.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- Inside the cist was a skeleton...
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- ..which dates back - 2,000 years before Christ.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- They were known - as the Beaker people.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- Their remains - would be buried in a cist.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- They were special people.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- They'd travel far - and they knew how to work iron.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- The height of Brymbo Man - has been worked out.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- He was around 5'8".
0:16:58 > 0:16:59- Taller than me!
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- He'd also received - a nasty head injury.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- The fact that he was discovered...
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- ..has provided a lot of information - about the area.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18- It takes us back - much further than the Romans.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- Gareth, one of my favourite things - in the world is football.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- What do we have here?
0:17:39 > 0:17:45- It's an exhibition, not just of the - Racecourse but of football in Wales.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- People from the area - who've played for Wales.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- That's Billy Meredith's cap.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- He was one of the first men to - play for Wales. He came from Chirk.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- There are shirts and caps belonging - to some Welsh heroes from the area.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- People like Ian Rush.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- You notice the difference in boots.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11- It's hard to believe how much - the shirt and boots have changed...
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- ..even the ball itself.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- I remember wearing boots - similar to those...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- ..when I started playing football.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- It's been a pleasure - talking to you today.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- I've walked around town. I'm now - going to walk the Clywedog Trail.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- What am I going to see?
0:18:39 > 0:18:40- It's a lovely walk.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42- It starts in Minera.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- You follow the area's - industrial past.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- There was a lead mine in Minera.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- Lead mining might be one reason - why the Romans came to the area.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- You'll also see many mills - on your journey...
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- ..which shows how important - water used to be.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- Though the River Clywedog - is small...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- ..it's very important - in the running of the water wheels.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- It's a beautiful walk.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- The Clywedog Trail is a great way - of enjoying the outdoors...
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- ..while learning more - about Wrexham's industrial past.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- You don't have to walk - the nine miles in one go.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- You could do it in stages.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- But it's worth ending up - at Erddig house and gardens.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- It was owned - by the Yorke family until 1973...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- ..when it was given - to the National Trust.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- It's an inspirational place.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22- Gareth was right.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- The Clywedog Trail is worth doing - to see the industrial remains.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- Next, I'm going to - a world-famous historical site.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- Many people have told me...
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- ..I must visit - Pontcysyllte aqueduct.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- It was built by Thomas Telford, and - I'm told it's a challenge to cross.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- Looking around, I'm not sure why - as it's so tranquil.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Now that I'm standing - on Pontcysyllte, I understand.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- It's extremely high.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- I'm safe enough but if I was - on a boat and fell that way...
0:21:26 > 0:21:27- ..I wouldn't be safe.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- Off you go.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- There are some lovely views here.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- You can see fields...
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- ..and a pretty bridge - which shows how high up we are.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- We're not halfway yet.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52- Let's go.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- We're now halfway - along Pontcysyllte.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- What an incredible view!
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- We're high up, that much is certain.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- I'm not sure how high, - but, wow, it's high.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Very high.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19- Look at the view.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- I feel like I'm standing - in the centre of the world...
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- ..with no-one near me.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26- Superb.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- I've had a great time in Wrexham.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- What an interesting place.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- It started on a football pitch - and it's ending above one.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31- .