Canal News
Grand Union Canal approaching Catherine de Barnes near Solihull
Catherine de Barnes Bridge, No 78 is ahead. Visitor moorings here are good. The pub is more of a restaurant with bar, but does still serve real ale. © Copyright Roger Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Advice: Grand Union Canal
GUN Hedgecutting South East Waterway
Monday 8 October 2012 – Friday 1 March 2013
We have commenced the annual hedge cutting round, starting on the 1st October running until 1st March. Please be aware this work will result in thorns on towpaths. The specification includes the clearing of cut thorns from the tow path following a cut of the previous year’s growth, our contractors will blow/sweep/rake/clear the thorns off the path, however there will be areas where some thorns remain on the towpath or blow from the hedge onto the towpath following windy conditions. If you are planning a cycling trip please follow link http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/hints-and-tips for helpful tips. If you have a pet be mindful of tender paws picking up thorns on the path and under the hedgerows following this work.
Enquiries: 03030404040
Cycling along the Grand Union Canal
Cycling
Cycling is a great way of seeing our network of canals and rivers and getting some exercise at the same time. If you’re planning a day out on your bike why not incorporate our canals into it? Our towpaths offer traffic free routes next to some of the country’s most stunning waterside scenery.
Our canals and rivers attract over 21 million visits from cyclists each year and with thousands of miles of towpaths, which by their nature tend to be fairly level, it’s easy to see why. Where else can you take in such a diverse range of wildlife and the country’s finest heritage structures while you’re out on your bike?
Providing green corridors through our cities and linking our towns and villages together, canal towpaths are used by a range of cyclists from boaters running errands on their bike to experienced cyclists on week-long tours and families taking an afternoon ride together.
Cycling by the Trent & Mersey Canal
The Canal & River Trust welcomes considerate cyclists to its towpaths and you don’t need a permit to use your bike on any of our towpaths. However, we would ask that you take a look at our Greenways Code for Towpaths before you take to the towpaths. Lots of people visit the waterways, for many different reasons, and everyone is entitled to feel happy and safe whilst they’re visiting.
Pontcysyllte aqueduct
The undated plaque nearby says: “Built by Thomas Telford 1795-1805 there are 18 piers made of local stone, the central ones over the Dee being 126′ high up to the ironwork.
The canal runs through an iron trough, 1007′ long, 11’10” wide and 5’3″ deep, the largest in Britain. The iron was supplied by William Hazeldine from his foundries at Shrewsbury and nearby Cefn Mawr. Total cost £47,000. Water is fed from the Dee at the Horseshoe falls at Llantysilio near Llangollen.” © Copyright Peter Craine and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Llangollen Canal to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
A flat canal, tow path cycle route which takes you from the beautiful Welsh tourist town of Llangollen to the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
This route is not recommended for road bikes, as the tow path is mainly a crushed gravel surface with some tarmac stretches along the way. Make sure you take care when cycling near water and give way to pedestrians.
Llangollen is a beautiful welsh tourist town standing on The River Dee with Castell Dinas Bran standing high above the town. The bridge in the centre of the town which crosses the River Dee was built in 1345. Llangollen also has a fantastic steam railway which runs daily in the holiday season up and down the banks of The River Dee.
1. Start – Llangollen
Start from Heoll y Castell (the main high street in the town).
2. Llangollen to the Wharf Hill
Cycle across the Llangollen Bridge, over the River Dee, away from the main town centre. At the end of the bridge, turn right on to Mill Street and, after 50 yards, turn left up Wharf Hill, which is a very short steep hill. You might like to walk this short section.
At the top of the hill, you will see the Llangollen Canal. When you reach the canal, turn right along the towpath, away from the canal cruise shop, and cycle along the towpath under the bridge and along the right-hand bank of the canal.
3. Wharf Hill to Pontyscyllte
After 100 yards, you will be cycling along the towpath past a wooded area and then you will be cycling out in the open countryside along the canal and under several bridges. The canal roughly follows the route of The River Dee as it meanders along its way, which is over on your right hand side.
After about four miles you will reach Pontyscyllte and will come out at the canal basin by the aqueduct.
Cross over the bridge to the other side of the canal and cycle across the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is now a world heritage site. It was built in 1805 by Thomas Telford, is 1,007 ft long, and 126 ft high and you can enjoy some fantastic views of the surrounding area from the aqueduct.
Distance
3.98 miles / 6.41 Kilometers
Route Type
Cycling
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