Llangollen Canal

Formerly known as the Llangollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and the Ellesmere Canal at various times in its history the bare facts do not do justice to this beautiful waterway. Rising from Hurleston Junction, Nr Nantwich, through a flight of 4 locks it meanders through 46 miles of rural countryside crossing the border from England into Wales before finally terminating at Llangollen. With a further 17 locks including a staircase of 3 locks at Grindley Brook, Nr Whitchurch, 3 tunnels and 2 towering  aqueducts  it is rightly the most visited canal in the UK.

The traveller has time to bask in the natural beauty of the surrounding country, the wild flowers and the herons, kingfishers and other birds that can be regularly seen along its banks. “The Shropshire Lake District”, passing as it does high above Colemere and skirting around Blakemere before plunging into a short tunnel on its way to Ellesmere is also a delight to the eye. Incidentally, a recently opened Tesco store in the town arm at Ellesmere provides a good shopping stop to replenish your supplies not forgetting of course the other excellent shops in the town itself.

However, what also makes this magical journey a must for every canal enthusiast is the famous aqueduct at Pontcysyllte, recently given World Heritage Status alongside such iconic places as The Taj Mahal, Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China. Completed in 1805 (the same year as the Battle of Trafalgar), and with only 1 fatality in the 10 years of its construction, it was the brainchild of the brilliant Scottish engineer Thomas Telford. It stands a magnificent 126 feet above the Rive Dee at its highest point, is over 1000 feet long and consists of a cast iron trough supported on 18 stone pillars, the top half of which are hollow. Crossing this amazing feat of British engineering you feel like you are floating on air far above the valley floor where sheep look like confetti in the fields and the mighty River Dee looks no more than a playful stream.

Enough of this “jewel in the crown”, many other gems can be seen along this remarkable waterway including the no less impressive Chirk aqueduct, a mere stripling compared to its big brother at Pontcysyllte but exuding a charm all its own as it crosses the Dee valley alongside an even higher railway viaduct, the two modes of transport now living in harmony where they once vied for each others trade. Journeys end is of course Llangollen the small valley town made famous by the International Eisteddfod held here every July since 1947. Whether you choose to climb to the top of Dinas Bran with its ancient castle dominating the landscape or take a trip on the steam railway to Carrog and back, or to walk along the towpath to the Horseshoe Falls or do it the easy way on the horse drawn trip boat there really is something for everyone. In the town itself good pubs and restaurants abound and a walk along the river is a very popular summer pastime whilst there are many events throughout the year from concerts in the Royal Pavilion to canoe slaloms on the river.