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The charity making life better by water

World Heritage Site status

It was back in 1999, when the aqueduct and surrounding area was first submitted to the 'tentative list' of properties being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site map 2018

A visit from UNESCO

The length of canal from Rhoswiel, Shropshire, to the Horseshoe Falls, including the main Pontcysyllte Aqueduct structure as well as the older Chirk Aqueduct, were duly visited by assessors from UNESCO.

The aqueduct was finally inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List on 27 June 2009.

Today the World Heritage site is managed by a range of organisations, including the Canal & River Trust in Wales, working in partnership to deliver to protect, preserve and promote its outstanding universal value.

Not just an aqueduct…

As partners, we contribute to UNESCO's www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk website. It has a handy tool to help you build an itinerary so you can make a weekend of it and really explore the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site.

Our canal starts at Horseshoe Falls, Llantisilio near Llangollen and along though Trevor and Froncysyllte on to Chirk, travelling under our many bridges, over two aqueducts and through two tunnels.

Last Edited: 10 August 2023

photo of a location on the canals
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