Main Line Canal Length
41 Miles
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The Llangollen Canal has been described as one of the most beautiful canal holiday trips in the UK. This scenic waterway and canal system crosses the border between England and Wales, linking the Llangollen in Denbighshire, North Wales to Hurleston in south Cheshire, via the town of Ellesmere.
History of the Llangollen Canal
The Llangollen Canal’s history began when the canal was part of the Ellesmere Canal, first proposed in 1791 by a group of industrialists who owned coal mines and ironworks near Llangollen. If they could link this mining area to the River Mersey in the north and the River Severn in the south with a Mersey canal then they could distribute their goods more easily.
As part of the Shropshire Union system, the Chester canal thrived until the end of the First World War, after which it saw very little traffic and the navigation was formally abandoned.
The route was designated as a cruiseway for Llangollen Canal boat trips in 1968 and as leisure use of the canals grew, the route was rebranded as “The Llangollen Canal” in the 1980s, becoming one of the most popular UK canals routes for holidaymakers. In 2009, when the 11-mile (18 km) stretch from Gledrid Bridge near Rhoswiel to Horseshoe Falls including Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Top Llangollen Canal Facts
Llangollen Canal Route Map & Overview
A Llangollen canal map shows the waterway leaving the Shropshire Union Canal in Hurleston in rural Cheshire and climbs through the peaceful Shropshire countryside, passing through the little towns of Whitchurch and Ellesmere to cross the border into Wales near Chirk.
From Chirk the canal continues to cut though increasingly hilly countryside to finish alongside the River Dee which falls out of Snowdonia, just above Llangollen. The small town of Llangollen, known as the ‘gateway to Wales’, has lots of attractions for couples and families, from the steam railway to a whole range of outdoor activities. Llangollen is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along eleven miles of beautiful canal from Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls via the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This is a hugely popular destination for Llangollen canal boat trips.
The Llangollen Canal is 41 miles long and takes at least three days to cruise the canal system and rivers (one-way), more when busy.
You can find out more about our boat hires, cruise guides and waterways maps on our canal boat holiday base information pages for canal boat holidays in Wales.
Engineering landmarks of the Llangollen Canal
Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk aqueduct is an impressive structure of brick and stone pillars, 70-foot high and 710-foot long which carries the Llangollen Canal across the Ceiriog Valley. Designed by Thomas Telford, the water is carried in a cast iron trough. It was completed in 1801 and the railway viaduct runs alongside it, carrying the main line railway through to Holyhead at the same time as it carries the canal. As you cross the aqueduct you enter Wales and immediately after the aqueduct comes Chirk Tunnel.
Chirk Tunnel
This short tunnel opens out at the end of the Chirk Aqueduct. It is 421 meters long, designed by William Jessop and Thomas Telford and is unusual for having a complete towpath inside. Llangollen canal boats cannot pass each other in the tunnel but fortunately, it is straight enough to be able to see if a boat is already inside.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Perhaps the greatest feat of engineering on the entire canal network, not just on the Llangollen canal map, is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is a highlight when it comes to tourist attractions on the Llangollen canal walk.
The aqueduct was designed and built by Thomas Telford, who realised that such a high crossing of the River Dee was necessary to complete the route of the canal to Llangollen. He had already built the Chirk aqueduct and so used similar techniques, building stone piers and placing the cast iron troughs on top of them.
The aqueduct has 18 arches, is 12 ft (3.7 m) wide and is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain at 336 yd (307m) long. It is also the highest canal aqueduct in the world at 126 ft (38m) high.
Every ten years or so the aqueduct is drained for maintenance. It is emptied via a giant plug in the trough in the middle of the aqueduct!
Hurleston Flight & Grindley Staircase
The Llangollen Canal is fed from the River Dee at Llantysilio and has twenty-one locks. The last four are in a close flight at Hurleston Junction where the canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. There, the four locks drop the water level by 34ft 3in (almost 10.5 metres).
The Grindley Brook locks are called ‘Staircase Locks’ as one lock opens directly into the bottom of the next lock. These locks raise the boats up from the Cheshire Plains to the Welsh hills.
Did You Know?
Llangollen Canal Boat Trips & Cruising Routes
Canal boats on the Llangollen Canal start from our narrowboat hire base at Chirk in County Wrexham. Check out our canal maps and cruise guides on our base page for more information about canal boat hire in this region, including cruising on the Montgomery Canal.
Llangollen Canal FAQs
Can you take a canal boat trip on the Llangollen Canal?
Yes, the Llangollen Canal is one of the UK’s most popular waterways for canal boat holidays and short breaks. Known for its stunning scenery, peaceful countryside and famous aqueducts, it’s ideal for exploring by narrowboat at a relaxed pace. Self-drive canal boat hire allows you to cruise the canal and stop at waterside villages, pubs and attractions along the route.
Where do Llangollen Canal boat trips start?
Many Llangollen Canal boat trips begin from Black Prince’s Black Prince Chirk Hire Base. Located near Chirk Castle and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, it’s perfectly placed for exploring the most scenic sections of the canal. From Chirk, you can cruise towards Llangollen, Ellesmere, Whitchurch and beyond.
Is the Llangollen Canal suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Llangollen Canal is considered one of the best canals for first-time narrowboat holidays. Many stretches are relatively easy to navigate, with scenic lock-free cruising available around Chirk and Llangollen. Full tuition is provided before departure, so no previous boating experience is needed.
How long does it take to cruise the Llangollen Canal?
The full Llangollen Canal route takes at least three days to cruise one way, although most visitors choose a week-long holiday to explore more comfortably and enjoy stops along the route. Short breaks are also popular from Chirk, especially for cruising across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and through the Dee Valley.
What are the highlights of the Llangollen Canal route?
The Llangollen Canal is famous for spectacular scenery and historic engineering landmarks. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Chirk Aqueduct, peaceful cruising through the Dee Valley and visits to market towns such as Ellesmere and Llangollen. The route is also known for picturesque canalside pubs, nature reserves and panoramic Welsh countryside views.
Can you hire a canal boat near Llangollen?
Yes, you can hire a canal boat close to Llangollen from Black Prince’s Chirk base in North Wales. A range of narrowboats are available for couples, families and groups, with flexible holiday durations including short breaks and week-long cruises. The marina offers direct access to the Llangollen Canal and some of its most famous landmarks.
Do you need experience to drive a canal boat on the Llangollen Canal?
No experience is required to enjoy a canal boat holiday on the Llangollen Canal. Before setting off, Black Prince provides a full handover and boating instruction covering steering, locks and safety. Most beginners quickly gain confidence and enjoy the relaxed pace of narrowboat cruising
Is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct included on Llangollen Canal boat trips?
Yes, many Llangollen Canal boat holidays include crossing the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing 126 feet above the River Dee, it is the highest canal aqueduct in the world and one of the most memorable experiences on a narrowboat holiday.
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