Ledbury Focus September 2019 Ledbury Focus September 2019 v2 | Page 31

Leisurely Travel
I
f you like to travel at a slow and
leisurely pace, then you will
love cruising on the canal. My
husband, Michael, and I joined
friends on a trip along part of the
Llangollen Canal, which in 2009
was awarded world heritage status,
by UNESCO. We were going to
cross the world famous Pontcysyllte
Aqueduct. The eighteen pillars
that hold the aqueduct are made
from local stone. I had heard
about the famous aqueduct and
had long wanted to sail across it.
We boarded our boat just before
lunch at Llangollen Wharf, and after
instructions of what to do in an
emergency, we started our leisurely
trip. Our boat could seat forty
passengers, with a kitchen, bathroom
and viewing platform. We had room
to spare and we were a happy group
having a day away.
As the boat started to move we
could see the rooftops of Llangollen
Town, and it wasn't long before we
passed Dinas Bran Castle - this is
locally known as Crow Castle and
King Arthur's fame. We also heard
about how the workers in years
gone by removed lime from the
hills, bringing it perilously down
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the steep slopes to the canal and
loading it onto the waiting barges.
The barges were also used to carry
coal along the canal.
We next passed through the Dee
Valley with its breath-taking sights,
and were each given time on the
viewing platform. As we glided
along, viewing majestic scenery, we
saw kingfishers, herons, buzzards,
mink and water voles, after which
we enjoyed a delicious salad lunch
and some excellent locally made
cheeses.
After cruising for nearly two hours
we reached the highlight of our trip:
the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We
cruised across the aqueduct slowly,
at 126ft above the River Dee below;
the views were breath-taking. We
could see for miles; it was magnificent
and I never stopped taking photos.
We then reached the village of
Froncysyllte, where our boat turned
around ready to start back upstream
to Llangollen
The Aqueduct was opened in 1805
by its proud designer and engineer,
Thomas Telford, and was part of
the Shropshire Union system. The
Furniss family, who operate the
wharf, are renowned for their level
of customer service. Family holiday
boats can be hired, and full instruction
is given on driving, mooring and
canal etiquette. Smaller boats can
be hired to celebrate birthdays
afloat, or simply get together with
friends, as we did. If you're on
holiday in North Wales, then it is
an ideal day out for all the family.
The address for more information
is: Welsh Canal Holiday Craft,
Llangollen Wharf, Wharf Hill,
Llangollen LL20 8TA. Telephone
enquiries 01978 860702, or simply
go to the website; www.llangollen.
co.uk. If you prefer an even slower
pace you can email: enquiries@
horsedrawnboats.co.uk. You won't
be disappointed with the scenery,
food or service: it's an ideal relaxing
way to spend a day away.
article & photos by Pamela Green
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