Family holiday activities at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Our Explorers programme, which aims to introduce children and young people to the wonders of the national waterway network, has been awarded a Quality Badge by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

During the school summer holidays, the award-winning team will be available on Wednesday 2, 23 and 30 August, 11.00am – 3.00pm, offering a different range of exciting activities each week designed to keep children entertained and engaged.

Katie Hutchinson, our education coordinator said: "The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the highest and longest canal aqueduct in Britain and the 11-mile Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site around it provides a stunning backdrop for some great holiday adventures.

"The activities are suitable for all primary age children and there's lots to keep mums and dads occupied too. Places don't need to be booked – just come along on the day for a fun-packed way to learn all about our amazing canals."

Most weekends over the summer, we are hosting something special next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, from songs and stories to crafts and charity stalls. (Full list below)

For an advance preview of all that Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has to offer, check out a stunning two minute aerial film below about Thomas Telford's engineering masterpiece which has catapulted to the top of the Canal & River Trust's social media rankings as the most popular waterway video of the year.

We care for 2,000 miles of the nation's waterways, including hundreds of aqueducts and bridges. Constructed by famous canal engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop between 1796 and 1805, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a masterpiece of civil engineering and forms the centrepiece of the 11-mile World Heritage Site.

Measuring a record-breaking 1,000 feet long and 126 feet high, the aqueduct carries the beautiful, rural Llangollen Canal over the River Dee valley. A cast iron trough is supported by 18 slender sandstone piers and 19 elegant arches, each with a 45 foot span.

Summer activities this summer

In addition to the August Wednesday Explorers activities, summer events at Trevor Basin include:

• Saturday 29 July – Songs and stories with Ruth Moore Williams
• Sunday 30 July – Local scouts group charity stall
• Saturday 5 August – Children's crafty Saturday, suitable for children age 3-10
• Sunday 13 August – Shropshire Canal Society charity stall
• Sat 19 August – Walks & Talks with Sarah Jones, qualified area guide
• Saturday 26 Aug – Songs and stories with Ruth Moore Williams
• Saturday 27 Augustust – Local scouts group charity stall
• Saturday 2 September – Children's crafty Saturday, suitable for children age 3-10