28th UK World Heritage Site

[FamilyWiggs]

They made the obviously sensible decision:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/8115190.stm

"Aqueduct crowned world 'wonder'

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

A 200-year-old aqueduct near Wrexham has been crowned as one of the heritage "wonders" of the world. The aqueduct is one of the region's most popular tourist attractions

Pontcysyllte aqueduct was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The structure, built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain.

There are about 900 such sites including Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China and Taj Mahal. "

Whilst it is undoubtedly a a marvellous structure, the Taj Mahal it ain't! Certainly well worth a visit if you're in the area. The walk is not for the feint-hearted (nor those not fleet of foot!)

Anyone wondering - it's almost pronounced "Pont-cuh-suhc-tah" but the "suhc" has quite a bit of tongue action.

 

[ilona73]

Common sense prevailed then?
My mum was born in Hope near Wrexham and always said it was likened to the "great wall of china" for her and her friends as a child growing up,my grandparents used to take her for picnics nearby and they would sit and marvel at it. she has many happy memories of being around there as a little girl.
so a big thumbs up in this house!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

I live just outside Hope on Hope Mountain (more of a gentle hill, but don't tell the locals that!). Apparently the graveyard for the village used to be in the next village along - giving rise to the saying that you "Live in Hope, but die in Caergwrle".

 

[Gareth Hughes]

But as one door opens, another closes. Dresden is delisted because of a new road bridge:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/522

 

[Feltwell]

The walk is not for the feint-hearted (nor those not fleet of foot!)

Pfah! If you really want to scare yourself, go across it on a narrowboat that has no guardrail for the poor bugger who is steering. There is a handrail on the towpath side, but nothing at all on the other side - just space between you and several hundred feet down to the River Dee....... I can report that it is more than a little un-nerving!

Have they opened the canal beyond the end of the aqueduct yet Robin? It's been quite a few years since I've been up there, the canal beyond the marina on the other side was closed due to a land-slip last time I was there.

 

[Feltwell]

[Bad Word]

Oooh! A profanity filter! Didn't know the site had one of those!

 

[Feltwell]

[Bad Word]

Oooh! A profanity filter! Didn't know the site had one of those!

 

[Feltwell]

Ohh dear, I've reached the age where I start repeating myself.....

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Have they opened the canal beyond the end of the aqueduct yet Robin? It's been quite a few years since I've been up there, the canal beyond the marina on the other side was closed due to a land-slip last time I was there.

As far as I know yes - haven't travelled it, but apparently there's 46 miles of the Llangollen canal and I think it joins in with the Shropshire Union canal too.

 

[DaveBrigg]

This is about half a mile from the aquaduct, where the cunningly designed counterbalance drawbridge provided an ideal setting for an impromptu game of football.