Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

St. Asaph

St. Asaph is a tiny cathedral city on the River Elwy in North Wales, 5 miles from Rhyl. Its Welsh name is Llanelwy.

St. Asaph Cathedral is a mediaeval building, but there has been a church on the site since the 6th century, when a monastery was founded by St. Kentigern, who in turn was succeeded as abbot by St. Asaph. It was rebuilt after being sacked by Owain Glyndwr, and is the smallest cathedral in Britain.

William Morgan, who translated the Bible into Welsh, was Bishop of St. Asaph in the 17th century.

There is a fine 18th century bridge over the Elwy.

The Wales footballer Ian Rush was born at St. Asaph.

Places in St. Asaph

St. Asaph Cathedral