Iconic structures to shine for special ten year celebration

Iconic structures along the 11-mile corridor of the Dee Valley’s World Heritage site near Llangollen will be illuminated this month and are expected to draw thousands of visitors.

The event, which runs from 7th-27th October, marks the ten-year anniversary since Thomas Telford’s nineteenth century Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Trevor Basin was given the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2009.

Each structure is unique and is either graded, a scheduled monument or both, and will be lit up by lighting company, Enlightened of Bristol, for two hours each evening from 7:30-9:30pm.
The sites to be lit up are:

• Aqueduct, Chirk (Grade II Scheduled Monument)
• Viaduct, Chirk (Grade II)
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Trevor (Grade I Scheduled Monument)
• Dinas Bran Castle, Llangollen (Scheduled Monument)
• Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen (Grade II)

Illuminated – Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on Llangollen Canal

Organisers believe the 126ft aqueduct will come to life under the cover of darkness and encourage locals and tourists to explore the five structures along the stretch of the Llangollen Canal from Llangollen to Chirk, within the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is intended to extend the length of the 2019 tourism season to boost the local economy of the area.

Adnan Saif, Regional Director, says: “The Llangollen Canal is a beautiful waterway and is a lovely place to visit throughout the year. Research shows that being next to water makes you happier and healthier and this luminaire event will allow visitors to see the canal in a different light whilst helping to celebrate ten years since it became a World Heritage Site.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, says: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this exciting project which is an excellent way of celebrating Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’s tenth anniversary as a World Heritage Site. This project is a great example of what can be achieved by working in partnership and how innovative ideas like this can help us make the most of our World Heritage Sites.”

Boat crossing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on Llangollen Canal

This project has been funded by Visit Wales and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and permission has been granted from private landowners and also from Network.