Chirk aqueduct was built between 1796 and 1801 by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, like the Pontcysyllte, to carry the Ellesmere Canal.
70 feet high and 710 foot long, the navigable aqueduct now carries the Llangollen Canal (the canal formerly known as the Ellesmere Canal) across the Ceiriog Valley. Oh and it’s Grade II* and CADW listed.
Like Telford’s first aqueduct, the Longdon-on-Tern, it has a cast iron trough hidden within the masonry, to contain the precious water. It is on the same canal as Telford’s even bigger Pontcysyllte Aqueduct nearby.
The setting of this aqueduct is particularly delicious. Not only does it spring out of the Chirk tunnel (a scary 1200 ft long), but it also runs alongside Henry Robertsons’ railway viaduct (opened in 1848). The scene is one of majestic industrial triumph!
“The Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal must be one of the most spectacular and scenic canals in Britain.”
The all-important ironwork was supplied by Telford’s trusted colleague and iron master, William Hazledine.
Nowadays, industry has subsided, but the pursuit of leisure keeps the canal thriving. The Telford pair Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts together make up a World Heritage Site, because of their innovative genius!
Find visitor information HERE!
Chirk, Wrexham SY13 1DD.
Chirk aqueduct was built between 1796 and 1801 by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, like the Pontcysyllte, to carry the Ellesmere Canal.
70 feet high and 710 foot long, the navigable aqueduct now carries the Llangollen Canal (the canal formerly known as the Ellesmere Canal) across the Ceiriog Valley. Oh and it’s Grade II* and CADW listed.
Like Telford’s first aqueduct, the Longdon-on-Tern, it has a cast iron trough hidden within the masonry, to contain the precious water. It is on the same canal as Telford’s even bigger Pontcysyllte Aqueduct nearby.
The setting of this aqueduct is particularly delicious. Not only does it spring out of the Chirk tunnel (a scary 1200 ft long), but it also runs alongside Henry Robertsons’ railway viaduct (opened in 1848). The scene is one of majestic industrial triumph!
“The Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal must be one of the most spectacular and scenic canals in Britain.”
The all-important ironwork was supplied by Telford’s trusted colleague and iron master, William Hazledine.
Nowadays, industry has subsided, but the pursuit of leisure keeps the canal thriving. The Telford pair Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts together make up a World Heritage Site, because of their innovative genius!
Find visitor information HERE!
Chirk, Wrexham SY13 1DD.
