Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Pontcysyllte is a very big word (which means “the bridge that connects”). And it’s quite difficult to pronounce. Although that won’t be the first thing on your mind when you’re about to cross this mind-blowing aqueduct.
Built by Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805 to carry the Llangollen Canal, it’s the small matter of 126 feet high. And 1,007 feet long. Which makes it the longest and highest cast-iron aqueduct in the world.
You can cross the “stream in the sky” on foot. If you have a head for heights and nerves of steel. At least there’s a handrail on the towpath side.
If, however, you take one of the thousand canal boats to cross the aqueduct every year, there won’t be much between you and the river Dee far below. Except for a very large amount of fresh Welsh air.
Love Telford?
Explore the rest of the Llangollen Canal, his first major civil engineering project. It takes three days to cruise one way. Or you can take a horse-drawn boat trip from Llangollen wharf.
what will you do next?
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