Llangollen Canal

The Llangollen Canal, one of the most celebrated narrow-boat waterways in Britain, runs through the landscape immediately north and west of Oswestry — passing through Ellesmere, crossing the Chirk valley on its famous aqueduct, and terminating at Llangollen in the Dee valley. Two of its engineering structures are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For walkers, boaters, and anyone interested in the history of the Industrial Revolution, this stretch of canal country repays serious exploration.

The Canal’s History

The canal was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1793 as the Ellesmere Canal — an ambitious scheme to connect the coalfields and ironworks of north-east Wales with the River Mersey and the nascent national canal network. The Ellesmere Canal Company, formed that year and giving its name to the market town that became its headquarters, employed the engineer William Jessop, but the great engineering achievements of the route were designed and built by his assistant, Thomas Telford — then in the early stages of what would become one of the most distinguished careers in British engineering history.

The through connection to the Mersey was never completed, and the canal’s function shifted over the years. By the 1870s it was carrying primarily agricultural traffic along what remained of the completed sections. The early 20th century brought leisure boating, and the canal narrowly avoided closure in the 1940s and 50s before restoration by volunteers and the newly formed British Waterways in the 1960s established it as one of Britain’s most popular cruising waterways. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, together with the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the associated canal corridor.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, completed in 1805, is Telford’s masterpiece and one of the outstanding engineering achievements of the Industrial Revolution. A cast-iron trough 307 metres long and 38 metres above the valley floor of the River Dee, carried on nineteen slender masonry piers, it remains the longest and highest navigable aqueduct in Britain. The trough is just wide enough for a single narrowboat; the towpath runs along one side, with nothing but the aqueduct parapet — and then a 38-metre drop — on the other.

Crossing on a narrowboat is one of the genuinely vertiginous experiences available in Britain. Walking across on the towpath is only slightly less so. Either way, the views down the Dee valley and up toward the Berwyn Mountains are exceptional. The aqueduct is approximately 11 miles from Oswestry, near the village of Froncysyllte, and is accessible by car via the A539 or by narrowboat from Llangollen.

Chirk Aqueduct

Four miles west of Pontcysyllte, completed in 1801 and therefore four years earlier, the Chirk Aqueduct carries the canal across the valley of the River Ceiriog on ten masonry arches, 21 metres above the river. It is a fine structure in its own right, but what makes Chirk particularly striking is that the Victorian railway viaduct was built immediately alongside it in 1848 — the broader brick arches of the viaduct rising directly beside the narrower stone arches of the aqueduct, so that canal and railway cross the valley in parallel. The effect, viewed from below, is one of layered industrial history compressed into a single viewpoint. The aqueduct is approximately 6 miles from Oswestry, near Chirk Castle.

Ellesmere Wharf

The canal’s headquarters town, Ellesmere, 6 miles north of Oswestry, remains a pleasant base for exploring the canal. The wharf at Ellesmere is a popular narrowboat mooring and the canalside walk from the town is straightforward and enjoyable. Day boat hire from Ellesmere provides the most accessible way to explore the canal without a full boating holiday — the route westward through the gentle Shropshire border country, past Frankton Junction and into the Welsh hills, is particularly attractive.

Boat Trips & Canal Walks

Horse-drawn boat trips from Llangollen Wharf have been running since the Victorian era and remain one of the most popular visitor activities in the area. The trip passes through the Llangollen valley to the head of the navigation, a gentle and scenic journey with commentary. Powered narrowboat trips to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct are also available from Llangollen, departing along the canal and terminating at the aqueduct for passengers brave enough to walk the towpath back.

The canal towpath is walkable along most of its length and forms part of the broader walking network connecting Ellesmere, Chirk, and Llangollen. The 21-mile Llangollen Canal Walk follows the towpath continuously and makes an outstanding multi-day or linear day-walk itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Llangollen Canal a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal — which includes Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts and the section of canal between them — was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.

Can I take a boat trip on the Llangollen Canal?

Yes. Horse-drawn canal boat trips depart from Llangollen Wharf. Motorised narrowboat day hire is available at Llangollen and Ellesmere. The towpath is also excellent for walking and cycling along most of the route.

How long is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct?

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is 307 metres long and 38 metres high at its tallest point. It has 19 stone piers supporting a cast-iron trough carrying the canal across the River Dee. It was completed in 1805 and designed by Thomas Telford.

How do I access the Llangollen Canal from Oswestry?

The nearest canal access points to Oswestry are Ellesmere Wharf (6 miles north) and Chirk Aqueduct (6 miles south-east). Both are easily reached by car. The Ellesmere arm connects to the main Llangollen Canal at Ellesmere Junction.