Canoed Over The World’s Tallest Aqueduct.
14th September 2022 - New Experience Number 17.
‘Canoe’ believe there is a river in the sky that you can go over in a boat? Rowing across the World’s tallest aqueduct? Paddle do nicely as a new thing to try!
Hidden in North Wales is an impressive piece of engineering. For such a grand structure, it’s quite well concealed in the Dee valley.
Spotting there were canoe trips over the World’s tallest aqueduct, I thought this would be an excellent new experience.
The World’s Tallest Aqueduct Is High And Mighty
- At 38 metres high, (the equivalent of around eight and a half double decker buses, or just over 22 Tom Cruises), Pontcysyllte is the world’s tallest aqueduct!
- At 3.7 metres wide it is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain!
- It apparently holds enough water to fill over 16,000 baths!
- It also seems to me like the hardest named aqueduct to pronounce. (According to the official website for Pontcysyllte it’s pronounced Pont – ker – sulth – tay).
- Every day, boats and walkers cross this UNESCO World Heritage site and the 18 arches that carry the Llangollen Canal over the river Dee.
An Afternoon Of Adventure
Our water based afternoon experience was with the company Bearded Men Adventures.
We had a great instructor, and yes, he did have facial hair. He gave us the low down of the trip, told us how to manoeuvre the canoes, and the etiquette of the waterway. This included what to do when other boats are coming along. Barges are much bigger than canoes so it’s wise to move in to the side and let them pass.
There were eight others that made up our group of ten for the afternoon. A family of 4 from Australia included the adventure on their tour of the UK. There was also a nervous lady – her own children had told her they didn’t think she would do it.
I’d paddled in boats before so was looking forward to that part. I wasn’t quite so sure what it would be like crossing a very narrow strip of water a very long way off the ground.
'Water' Way To Spend An Afternoon
“It isn’t that uncommon for people to fall in” – wasn’t something I really wanted to hear from our guide!
He did offer reassurance that the canal is not very deep. Our life jackets would keep us afloat if we did end up overboard, and he was on hand to help people quickly and safely back onto dry land.
I’m not afraid of water and I can swim, but a murky brown canal is not particularly inviting for a dip. I was really hoping I’d be staying in the boat.
All Aboard Ready To Canoe Over The World’s Tallest Aqueduct
Getting in and out of small boats is the part I enjoy the least. Clearly “You’ve Been Framed’ has given me the lasting impression that most people fall in.
Once myself and the other half were safely seated in our two person canoe, we took a few strokes of the paddles to get into our rhythm, managing not to crash into any of the other boats.
With everyone happily settled, we followed in line and gently made our way along the still water under the shade of the trees.
Our instructor walked along the towpath so that he could easily keep one eye on us, and one eye on what was coming up ahead. Occasionally he’d get into one of our boats for a lift.
After what seemed like only a few minutes into our excursion, the canal carried on straight and level ahead of us. Yet the trees and grass at the sides seemed to drop away to nothing. We were already there. About to cross over the river Dee. 38 metres in the air, in what is basically a big cast iron bath.
High And Thankfully Dry
The aqueduct is narrow and can only accommodate one boat at a time. We waited in anticipation for the barges to cross from the other side before we started our own paddle over.
We steadily pulled our oars and began our crossing. To our right many people were enjoying an afternoon stroll along the footpath. Several of them took photos of our convoy of canoes as we paddled by. It looked a narrow walkway to me but had a nice high railing keeping everyone safe from the 38 metre drop.
On our left side as we paddled out, was the narrow edge of the aqueduct. As our boats were sitting low down in the water, I couldn’t quite see over the iron trough and appreciate exactly how far up we were. Probably a good thing! I could however, admire the beautiful views across the valley. It was a spectacular vantage point to soak up the green countryside.
Despite seeming to have a good rhythm together, the other half and I didn’t seem to be able to propel ourselves in a straight line. We zig zagged our way across the 18 arches bumping into the sides numerous times along the way. It was a little nerve wracking when it came to hitting the narrow side with the drop!
Row The Boat
Once across, and without loosing any one – or any thing – over the side of the boat or the side of the aqueduct, we paddled further along the canal. This was an opportunity to refine our canoeing technique as we went under several bridges, by a family of ducks, and navigated around novices captaining hired barges.
Aside from a few close scrapes with brambles overhanging the banks, we all did well and enjoyed the calming flow of being on the water.
At the half way point of the afternoon, we pulled in for a breather.
Finding our land legs once we were on terra firmer, we absorbed the resplendent views from a small bridge.
Looking back along the canal and amongst the leafy green trees we could just see a boat passing over the aqueduct. Considering it’s the World’s tallest aqueduct, and an impressively big structure, it blends in surprisingly well with the scenery.
The World’s Tallest Aqueduct - A Heritage Site
Handing out sugary sweets for a burst of energy before our return journey, our guide shared some of the history of Pontcysyllte with us.
- Thomas Telford, the man behind many iconic bridges, designed the aqueduct.
- It was completed in 1805 and became an efficient way of transporting goods.
- The 18 stone arches that the cast iron trough sits on, were made using a more macabre material in amongst the mortar – ox blood. It’s evidently quite good at holding things together whatever the temperature.
- Every four or five years the aqueduct is closed at both ends, and the plug is pulled – see, it really is like a giant bath tub! The water drains into the river Dee below over several hours. The empty trough is inspected and any work needed is carried out.
Back On The Boats
Break over, and we were in the boats returning the way we had come – under the bridges, passing more ducks, and patiently waiting for the tourist boats to pass.
We all enjoyed crossing back over the aqueduct. Taking pictures and capturing the moment, we felt more comfortable and confident having already been over it once.
Everybody enjoyed the afternoon. Nobody went overboard and we all crossed the aqueduct. The lady who had been nervous had faced her fear! I hope her children told her how proud they were of her.
Cruising Along
The other half and I never did quite master the technique of maintaining a straight rowing line. What we lacked in direction we made up for in speed getting to a swift pace on some of the emptier stretches of water.
It had been a great afternoon and a wonderfully gentle way to experience the Llangollen Canal, the World’s tallest aqueduct and the Dee Valley. I’d highly recommend a visit.
Want To Try It Yourself?
There are a few companies that you can book with to take a boat over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. We went with Bearded Men Adventures and had a great time.
It was really easy to book online, and the communication before hand contained everything we needed, including the What Three Words location finder.
The minimum age for participants is 8 and they recommend a basic level of fitness.
There are also plenty of pleasure boats, so if you’d rather sit back, relax, and let someone else drive over the aqueduct, there are several companies available.
- Apparently, some people have stand up paddle boarded over the aqueduct! That is brave! If you don’t have such a head for heights, why not try stand up paddle boarding at land level instead?
Cost Of Experience
- We paid £45 per person for our September 2022 trip.
- You can also experience the impressive aqueduct for free if you choose to walk across it.
Recommendations
What to take –
- Take a camera – and if you’ve got one, a dry bag, just in case of any splashes or overboard mishaps.
- It’s a two and a half hour trip so you might want to take a drink with you.
- The canoes are fairly big and there is easily room for a bag, just remember that there is a possibility it could get wet.
- Hopefully you won’t need them, but just in case, why not pop a towel and change of clothes in a bag and leave them at the meeting point.
- You may or may not be pleased to know that beards are not essential if you book with Bearded Men Adventures.
What to wear –
- Of course it will depend on the weather so do take a look at the forecast before you go.
- It’s still probably best to take a waterproof jacket – in case or any showers.
- Sturdy footwear
- Bearded Men Adventures provided the lifejackets.
How long do you need –
- Our trip with Bearded Men Adventures was around two and a half hours.
- They run the sessions daily with two time slots – one starts at 9am and the other starts at 1.30pm so hopefully you can fit it in if you’re in the area.
Wow… great article and lots of very useful information. I have passed by that aqueduct on many occasions when on my way to do some hiking or rock-climbing in Wales, and I always hesitated to book myself onto the experience, because it didn’t look like it was for me. You are obviously much braver than me, but reading your blog post didn’t change my mind. I’m not afraid of heights, but this activity is definitely not for me hahaha… Kudos to you and your other half.
Thank you! We were really well looked after, but it did look a long way down without a safety barrier. I’ve seen some people have been over it on a paddle board! I do not have the guts for that!
I love Wales, great to hear you’ve been active around there too.
:o)