Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct And Canal (2009). Thomas Telford'S Cast Iron Trough, 307 M Long And 38 M Above The River Dee, Opened In 1805 And Is The Longest And Highest Aqueduct In Britain. Narrowboats And Walkers Cross It; The Towpath Has A Drop On One Side. · Llangollen, Wales

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee valley at Froncysyllte, near Llangollen in Wales. Thomas Telford's cast-iron trough is 307 m long and stands 38 m above the river, opened in 1805, and is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 with its canal. You can walk across on the towpath, or glide over in a narrowboat, and either way the feeling of floating above the valley is the point. The towpath has a handrail on one side and the open edge of the trough on the other, so check the railing and drop, and avoid it if you dislike heights. Crossing is free on foot. Boat trips from Trevor Basin and Llangollen are run by several operators, with prices that vary. It suits families, canal fans and walkers. Allow half a day. It is busiest on sunny weekends, and cyclists and boats share the narrow towpath, so expect queues in summer.

Canal aqueduct carrying the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee valley at Froncysyllte near Llangollen in Wales, with a towpath on one side and a trough for narrowboats beside it, Llangollen, Wales, United Kingdom

The aqueduct and towpath are open on foot at all hours and are free to cross, though darkness, ice and wind make the narrow towpath a poor idea after dusk or in bad weather. The Trevor Basin visitor facilities, cafe and canal boats run mostly in daytime, with the fullest service from spring to early autumn and a reduced offer in winter. The horse-drawn boat at Llangollen is seasonal, so confirm dates and times. Several boat operators run trips from Trevor and Llangollen on their own timetables; check each one. Canal stoppages for repairs can close the water for weeks in the off-season, so confirm before you plan a boat trip.

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