The canal was constructed in the early 19th century by Thomas Telford and William Jessop and, without a doubt, its crowning glory is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.
After the five locks at Hurleston, the canal winds southwards towards Wrenbury and then westwards passing Marbury, a small village with a magnificent church in a beautiful setting on a hill overlooking Little Mere. Just outside Whitchurch are Grindley Brook locks and you might like to take a break here before tackling these six locks. This group includes three staircase locks – if you’re not sure how to tackle them, seek help from the lock keeper.
Shortly after Grindley Brook comes Whitchurch and you may wish to moor in the Whitchurch Arm for a visit to the town. Continuing South the canal enters a fairly deserted area that includes Whixall Moss, a peat bog that is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The canal now crosses the border between England and Wales and continues on to Ellesmere, a charming town where an arm takes you into the town centre.
After Ellesmere the winding canal arrives at Lower Frankton and the junction with the Montgomeryshire Canal, this waterway is being renovated and is navigable as far as Maesbury. The Llangollen then runs through quiet countryside towards Chirk, the aqueduct here runs parallel with a railway bridge and gives a taste of what is to come at Pontcysyllte. After the aqueduct is a short tunnel and the canal continues to the West of Chirk and bends to the West, with magnificent views of the Welsh hills, before crossing the Pontcysllte Aqueduct, some 120 feet above the River Dee. There is a towpath on one side whilst the other side presents a sheer drop – those of a nervous disposition may wish to stay inside the boat!.
At the other end of the aqueduct is Trevor and a sharp turn to the left leads on to the final section to Llangollen, care should be taken here as the canal is narrow and shallow. New moorings at Llangollen will allow you time to explore the town.
|
