Chirk Aqueduct
Planning your visit
Address: Chirk Basin, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5DA View on Google map
Opening Times: The towpath is open everyday
Price: Once parked up it's free
Toilets: There are public toilets in Chirk town centre and for customers of the pubs and cafes
Chirk Aqueduct is part of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, which stretches from Chirk to the Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen itself. And 1.43km of the canal leading through Chirk Bank to Gledrid Bridge is also an Ancient schedule monument in its own right.
A terrific place for family outings, it's one of the best places in the country to see awe-inspiring canal architecture. It's also one of only a couple of places on our waterways network where you can stand with one foot in England and one foot in Wales as it straddles the border between the two countries.
Completed in 1801 by William Jessop and Thomas Telford, the aqueduct is 710 foot (220 m) long and carries the canal 70 feet above the beautiful River Ceiriog across 10 circular masonry arches. Just along our towpath, Chirk tunnel (known locally as 'The Darkie') was one of the first in the UK to have a towpath. So if you're feeling brave take a trip into the dark.
Things to do and see
- Trevor Basin Visitor Centre at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
- Walking and dog walking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Chirk Castle & Gardens (National Trust)
Places to eat:
Boat trips:
Trails:
Wildlife spotting:
As well as resident ducks and moorhens, look out for buzzards
Getting here
By car - there is a small amount of parking close to the canal with further parking in Chirk town centre and at Gledrid
By train - Chirk has a station but it's a 25 minute walk to the best place to access the towpath to reach the aqueduct
