Chirk Basin, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5DA
Chirk Aqueduct & Viaduct
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free once parked, according to the Canal & River Trust
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2Completed in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal 70 feet above the River Ceiriog on ten masonry arches. The neighbouring railway viaduct makes this a rare meeting of canal and railway engineering above the same valley.
Chirk is more than a place to look at a bridge: you can cross the canal aqueduct on the border between England and Wales, then follow the towpath towards Chirk Tunnel and see the aqueduct’s great arches from below. Its industrial history is still part of the landscape.
Dramatic · Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapChirk Basin, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5DA
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk the towpath across the aqueduct, notice the England–Wales border, and continue towards Chirk Tunnel. For a longer visit, explore more of the canal-side landscape; use the Trust’s map to plan your route.
Things to do
Walk across the aqueduct
Follow the canal towpath across the 220-metre aqueduct, which carries the Llangollen Canal about 70 feet above the River Ceiriog.
Not specified
Find the England–Wales border crossing
The aqueduct straddles the border, making it possible to stand with one foot in England and one in Wales.
Look down towards the River Ceiriog
From the aqueduct, take in the height of the canal crossing above the river and the scale of the masonry structure beneath you.
Continue towards Chirk Tunnel
Follow the towpath to the nearby canal tunnel. The Canal & River Trust notes that it was among the first UK tunnels to have a towpath.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; exact duration not stated by the source
Quick Escape: Cross the aqueduct
- 01
Reach the towpath from Chirk Basin or another suitable access point; the Trust describes a small amount of nearby parking and further parking in Chirk town centre and at Gledrid.
- 02
Walk across the aqueduct and pause to take in the River Ceiriog below and the England–Wales border crossing.
- 03
Return the way you came, or continue briefly along the towpath towards Chirk Tunnel.
Half day · Half day; exact duration not stated by the source
Make a half day of it: Aqueduct, tunnel and canal
- 01
Start at Chirk Basin and follow the towpath to the aqueduct.
- 02
Cross the aqueduct, looking for the ten arches below and the point where the canal crosses the national border.
- 03
Continue along the towpath towards Chirk Tunnel, then retrace your steps or use the Canal & River Trust’s local map to plan a longer canal-side outing.
- 04
Finish in Chirk town centre; the Trust identifies public toilets there and notes local pubs and cafés.
Verified history
Designed by William Jessop and Thomas Telford, Chirk Aqueduct was completed in 1801. It is 710 feet (220 metres) long and carries the canal 70 feet above the River Ceiriog on ten circular masonry arches. The nearby Chirk railway viaduct is a separate structure. The aqueduct forms part of the Llangollen Canal and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site. The Canal & River Trust also identifies 1.43 kilometres of canal between Chirk Bank and Gledrid Bridge as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The nearby Chirk Tunnel was among the first tunnels in the UK to have a towpath.
Hidden details
A canal crossing on the national border — The aqueduct straddles the England–Wales border; the Canal & River Trust notes that visitors can stand with one foot in each country.
A towpath through the tunnel — Chirk Tunnel, just along the towpath, was among the first tunnels in the UK to include a towpath.
When to go
· No specific time of day is identified in the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not identify a best season. The towpath is reported open every day; check current access and conditions before visiting.
No site-specific weather guidance is provided by the supplied sources. Check local forecasts and towpath conditions before setting out.
What to look for
Look for the ten circular masonry arches carrying the canal above the River Ceiriog, the adjacent railway viaduct, the border crossing on the aqueduct, and Chirk Tunnel on the towpath. The tunnel was among the first in the UK to have a towpath, according to the Canal & River Trust.
The story
Industrial heritage; canal and railway engineering
Best time to go
Year-round; check weather and towpath conditions before setting out.
No particular season is identified by the supplied sources. Choose a day with suitable conditions for walking the towpath, and check current access information before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; allow longer to explore the towpath and tunnel
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Canal & River Trust says the towpath is open every day. The aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Ceiriog and straddles the England–Wales border. The Trust says access is free once parked. Check current conditions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The Canal & River Trust reports a small amount of parking close to the canal, with further parking in Chirk town centre and at Gledrid. Parking details may change; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Public toilets are available in Chirk town centre; the Trust also notes facilities for customers of local pubs and cafés. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The Trust notes pubs and cafés in Chirk town centre; no on-site café is verified.
Dogs
Check current signage and Canal & River Trust guidance before visiting with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance, but does not establish the accessibility of the full towpath or aqueduct route. Check route conditions and access details with the Canal & River Trust before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free once parked, according to the Canal & River Trust
Water
River and canal
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Chirk Aqueduct & Viaduct
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
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