Llangollen
Cruise from Blackwater Meadow along the Llangollen Canal one of the most spectacular in Great Britain.
Only hours away is situated the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct built over the beautiful Dee valley.
Built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop and opened in 1805 it spans 1000 feet and is 125 feet high. Cross over in a narrow boat and experience the feeling of being suspended in mid air. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Llangollen situated at the end of the canal.
Llangollen is famous the world over for the annual International Musical Eisteddfod. Each July 4,000 competitors from more than fifty countries come together in a gala of song, music and dance.
By day soak up the festival atmosphere were competitors take part in a street parade whilst in the evenings the Pavilion plays host to concerts by world class artists.
Llangollen was established in the 7th century and is seeped with legend and myths. The town takes it name from its founding Saint, Collen.
The famous Dee Bridge was built by Bishop trevor in 1345. Llangollen is a haven for shoppers and the town has a wealth of shops for interesting and more unusual gifts. Stay and eat at one of the many pubs, Inns, restaurants or tearooms .
Visit Plan Newydd the home of the famous ladies of Llangollen they became the talk of Regency society as the story of their friendship spread. Set in a peaceful gardens the house is now a museum run by Denbighshire County Council.
Above the town, on the north side of the River Dee is the remains of Castell Dinas Bran (Crow Castle). Perched on top of an isolated hill, it commands views along the Dee Valley from the Cheshire Plain to the East, across the town to the Berwyn and Llantisilio Mountains in the West. This site was said to be the possible burial site of the Holy Grail.
Take a picnic to The Worlds End and The Panorama a spectacular outcrop of Carboniferous Limestone. Great outcrops of limestone providing climbers with a challenge. Views from here are stunning and you can see over the Shropshire and Cheshire plains.
Visit the Horseshoe Falls a semicircular weir designed by Thomas Telford in 1806 to supply water to the Llangollen canal. The falls were essential to the efficient operation of a complicated and heavily used canal network and represent one of the first river regulation schemes anywhere in Britain. Water was drawn off the fast flowing River Dee into the canal which acted principally as a feeder for the Ellesmere Canal. Today 6 million gallons a day are metered into the canal.
In the fields beneath the steep sided mountain is the ruin of The Valle Crucis Abbey, founded by Cistercian Monks in 1201 and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537. In Medieval times this spot was chosen because of its wild and lonely location.
The Llangollen railway travels for 7.5 miles along the River Dee and through some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK. Many special events are hosted throughout the year from a real ale train trip to a visit from Santa you can even meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.
Canal boat holiday brochure 
