Overton-on-Dee

The town of Overton-on-Dee in Wrexham, Wales lies on the River Dee that can be crossed at the nearby hamlet of Overton Bridge, just west of the town. The picturesque River Dee attracts anglers and walkers as it journeys from Wales to England; rising in Snowdonia and flowing east, marking the border with England before heading out to sea. Overton is home to one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Wales’, the 21 ancient yew trees that are found at the church, St. Mary the Virgin which dominates the high street. The yew trees are up to 2,000 years old and celebrated in the anonymously written rhyme about the Seven Wonders of Wales. The church is far younger than the trees, with its earliest stonework dating to around Norman times. In 1292, a Royal Charter was granted to Overton by Edward I and in 1992, the present Queen of England commemorated the 700^th anniversary of the granting of the charter with the planting of a new yew tree. Overton-on-Dee has an interesting and sometimes bloody history and was a primary target in the revolt of 1294-95 that was led by Madog ap Llywelyn against King Edward I.

Overton is an attractive town with ample amenities and a wonderful collection of listed buildings primarily dating from the 18^th and 19^th centuries as well as an iconic old telephone box that is also listed and part of the Conservation Area that is the centre of the village. The current library is housed in the terracotta ‘Cocoa and Reading Rooms’ that were built in 1890 to encourage temperance. Overton attracts visitors who come to explore this area that is rich with history and beautiful natural scenery; walkers in particular pass through as Overton is on the map of the Maelor Way, a 38 km long-distance footpath that links up with the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail.