Cruising the Lovely Llangoleln Canal

By Cliff K Bayliss

The lovely Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular waterways in the country, and rightly so.

It has everything one could want in a great canal Holiday, tunnels, locks, beautiful stone bridges, lift bridges, lots of character pubs, and of course, two of the wonders of the waterways, the Chirk and Pontcysylite Aqueducts.

Joining the Llangollen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the Hurleston locks offer the canal traveler a taste of things to come, with views back over the Cheshire countryside.

After sneaking a visit to the tempting Snugburys ice Cream, just down the A51, it's a delightful cruise through Swanley locks, to the village of Wrenbury. The highlights of Wrenbury are the Dusty Miller and Cotton Arms pubs and the fun electric bridge across the canal.

Wending its way gently towards the Welsh hills, the cattle studded landscape slides gently past.

The often frenetic scene at Grindley Brook, where one tackles the staircase locks, is usually eased by the very helpful B.W. lock keeper.

A fine pint of Banks is available from the Horse and Jockey pub, just down from the good moorings above the locks.

It's a lock free cruise across the beautiful Shropshire countryside giving one the chance to sit back and absorb the passing scenery. The one and only pub on this section, the Waggoner's, at Platt Lane closed after a fire.

Prees Junction heads off to the left, guarded by a fine three story canal house. A couple of lift bridges are to be negotiated before arriving at Whixall mariner, which looked bit overgrown when we last cruised through there.

The Welsh hills drawing ever closer as we wind our way past Hampton Bank, and Fern Wood, which provides fine mooring spots.

As one approaches Ellesmere, the series of delightful Meres appear. It is well worth pausing here and exploring at least one of these Meres, for these are Shropshires Lakeland.

Cole Mere has a walking path right around it, and there are good moorings just after bridge 55.

Ellesmere is a delightful market town. Be sure and visit Vermeulens deli, in Cross Street. There is also a butcher, several banks, and a couple of general stores. The Black Lion pub is well worth a visit, as is the old White Heart. There are good moorings in the basin, and plenty more out on the canal.

Onwards now to Frankton Locks leading down to the Montgomery canal. The Narrowboat Inn, a purpose built pub, has the friendliest landlord you could wish to mee.

Speaking of friendly landlords, try Jack Myttons by bridge 10. A great little spot with a great atmosphere.

We now climb into the mountains, slide through New Marton Locks, and approach the two highlights of the canal.

First there is Chirk, with is viaduct right beside it, then Poncysylite, over the river Dee towering 127feet in the air, 1,000 feet long, and supported by 18 stone pillars.

And finally, into Llangollen itself. A superb town packed with a variety of shops, information centre, the stunning Corn Mill Pub, and the river Dee running past.

A walk up to Horse shoe falls ends the journey where the canal begins.

For more information on the Llangollen Canal, and Canal Boat Holidays, go to:

http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com/llangollen-canal.html