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Powys County Times
4 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Project to create new wetland habitat in Powys underway
A project to create a new wetland habitat in Powys is well underway. Spearheaded by Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, the initiative aims to extend the habitat for protected aquatic species as part of the Montgomery Canal restoration. The new conservation area, situated at Wern Pond near Coppice Lane, is an integral part of the UK Government-backed canal restoration. The Montgomery Canal is recognised as a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare plant life, including the protected species Luronium Natans. The 1.5-metre deep pond at Wern Pond will provide a suitable environment for these plants. Richard Harrison, principal project manager at Glandŵr Cymru, said: "This protected space for nature next to the canal will create a new area of wetland habitat that will help boost the aquatic life that can be found in this area, not least the protected water plants, which subject to consents, can be carefully moved from the canal. "It is a really important milestone in the restoration of the historic canal; part of ensuring that the canal and the habitats it supports will be here for generations to come." The pond is due for completion by the end of the year and will have an inlet and outlet to connect it to the canal. The creation of wetland habitats is part of the overall long-term restoration plan to enable boat traffic to resume and reach Welshpool, providing economic growth through increasing visitor numbers to the area. This is one of two proposed ponds along the canal, aimed at providing the necessary environment for the unique plant life and other wildlife species. John Dodwell, chair of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, said: "I welcome this further step towards achieving the restoration of the canal to Welshpool so it can be enjoyed by local people and tourist visitors bringing money into the area. "We are extremely mindful of the special ecological importance of the canal and its rare water plants. "The creation of new wetland habitats will enable such plants to be translocated to the new reserves." The construction at Wern Pond comes as work at Carreghofa Lane, near Llanymynech, for a new road bridge across the canal. is set to start The UK Government has confirmed an 11-month extension to the £14 million restoration project, which now has until February 2026 to be completed.
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Wales Online
Britain's prettiest canal you can paddle down has wildlife, water lilies and a cafe worth stopping for
Britain's prettiest canal you can paddle down has wildlife, water lilies and a cafe worth stopping for Winding its leafy way through the Welsh countryside, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is often dubbed one of Britain's prettiest paddles This scenic section is a boater's favourite and a paddleboarder's playground. (Image: Portia Jones ) I wasn't expecting to be given terrapin-spotting tips by a walker in Cwmbran, but this is Cymru, and things are different here. 'He's usually sunbathing just near the bridge,' the friendly woman said, pointing casually like this was a perfectly normal wildlife encounter in Wales. A terrapin. In a Welsh canal. Wild. I was barely 20 minutes into a five-mile-long guided paddleboarding trip on the scenic Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Torfaen when local intel came bulletin-style from the towpath. "Watch for that goose, he's an angry one", was a cheerful instruction from one runner. "There's ducklings up ahead", shouted a smiling cyclist. Who needs Google when welcoming dog walkers are dishing out live updates? Winding its leafy way through the Welsh countryside, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is often dubbed one of Britain's prettiest paddles, and for good reason. It stretches a whopping 35 miles from Brecon down to the Five Locks Basin in Cwmbran, with a further seven miles of unnavigable canal to Newport on the main line and seven miles to Cwmcarn on the Crumlin Arm. Up north, the canal is in the capable hands of Glandŵr Cymru (aka the Canal & River Trust in Wales), while the lower stretches, from Pontypool south, are looked after by a trio of local councils: Torfaen, Newport, and Caerphilly. It's a bit of a patchwork, but it all comes together to create one seriously scenic waterway, largely thanks to tireless volunteers and campaigners. As sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, I glided along the still waters (Image: Portia Jones / Kris Roach ) As sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, I glided along the still waters, doing my best Springwatch impression on a guided paddleboarding tour between Five Locks and Pontymoile. Birds chirped, ducks bobbed, and I tried not to fall in while my paddle pro guide kept things moving. Article continues below "This section of the canal was made navigable around 2020," explains my enthusiastic guide, Kris Roach. "It's still relatively unknown, which makes it feel like a hidden gem in south Wales." Kris should know; he's the man behind the paddle at Sup Hike Explore, a relatively new outdoor company specialising in guided SUP trips in locations across Wales. As a regular paddler with my own board and kit, I usually go SUP alone, but the promise of a hassle-free paddle in a scenic new spot, with someone else leading the way, was too tempting to resist. (Image: Kris Roach ) The Five Locks to Pontymoile route is one of several guided trips Kris offers to aspiring and experienced paddlers who want to SUP with a pro. This scenic section is a boater's favourite and a paddleboarder's playground. It's packed with bridges and tunnels where you'll need to drop to your knees, flick on your headtorch, and stay on your board while navigating in the dark. 'This stretch is ideal for beginners,' Kris explains as we drift by boundless greenery, 'calm, sheltered, and full of wildlife surprises like kingfishers and herons and even grass snakes.' While expertly guiding me past furious geese, Kris explained that his paddleboarding journey started somewhere equally as picturesque: Slovenia, which inspired him to embrace the SUP life in Wales. SUP guide Kris loves an adventure (Image: SUP HIKE EXPLORE ) "I love travelling and paddling abroad, but what South Wales has to offer is breathtaking—especially from the water, he enthuses. "The region has incredible places to explore, from stunning mountains and coastlines to lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and our historic canal system." Motivated by paddling abroad, he came home and launched SUP Hike Explore, a name that nods to his habit of traipsing across the UK in search of adventure. 'We officially kicked off in 2020,' he tells me, "I wanted to take my hobby to the next level and find a better work-life balance. The pandemic and becoming a dad also pushed him to take his SUP venture full-time, and he hasn't looked back. Since launching, he's racked up a string of qualifications (Paddle UK Inland, Open Water, River Leader, the works) and become a Paddle UK Delivery Partner, offering 'own kit' guided trips, intro sessions, and even a Sunrise SUP Club for early risers who want a board meeting on the water. This canal is perfect for a SUP (Image: SUP HIKE EXPLORE ) As a regular paddler with my own board and kit, I usually go SUP alone, but the promise of a hassle-free paddle in a scenic new spot, with someone else leading the way, was too tempting to resist. 'This canal's perfect for a SUP,' Kris explained as we passed a row of fluffy ducklings. 'You get scenery, and wildlife, and you can paddle straight to a pub or café. It's peaceful but never dull, you'll always have a chat with a dog walker or someone fishing off the bank.' He's not wrong. We'd barely gone a few paddle strokes without someone striking up a conversation, walkers, cyclists, even the pub staff giving it the hard sell. 'One for the road?' a smiling bar lady called as we floated past the popular Open Hearth Pub. Frankly, that's the kind of upselling I can get behind. Who needs energy gels when you've got cold cider and canal-side banter to keep you going? There's loads of wildlife to spot (Image: SUP HIKE EXPLORE ) It wasn't always such a smooth SUP here. Fed by the clear waters of the River Usk, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, 'the Mon & Brec' is now a serene ribbon of green winding through south Wales. But despite its glassy surface and friendly towpath vibes, this waterway has a gritty industrial past. Once known as the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal, this 35-mile stretch between Brecon and Pontymoile was a coal-powered hub built to ferry iron, limestone and coal from the Welsh valleys to Newport. According to the Canal and Rivers Trust, tramroads snaked down these hillsides to feed the canal, and in its heyday, places like Pontymoile Basin were buzzing with noise and steam due to the busy Lower Mills Sheet Metal Works and the Phoenix Galvanising Works. By 1948, those heavy industries had vanished, replaced by glassworks, which have also disappeared, leaving behind a peaceful pocket of heritage and wildlife. The landlocked canal which runs from Brecon to Cwmbran relies entirely on tourism and leisure (Image: John Myers ) The Trust also explains that neglect slowly choked parts of the canal for years, leaving sections unnavigable. At Bevan's Bridge, a housing development dumped spoil straight into the waterway, shallowing it so much that boats couldn't pass. Thankfully, the modern story of the Mon & Brec is a revival saga driven by passionate locals and community groups. 'There's an amazing volunteer group—Bridge 46 to Five Locks—who do fantastic work maintaining and updating the area,' says Kris. 'The community support here is really special.' They're not just weeding towpaths either; they're campaigning for full restoration of the canal from Brecon to Cwmbran, one overgrown lock at a time. Paddleboarders like me can now float past heritage sites, pubs, and curious terrapins thanks to their heroic efforts. And the canal's not just for walking or SUP-ing either. 'There are some fantastic independent businesses along the route,' Kris adds. 'Two we regularly visit and highly recommend are The Open Hearth Pub and The Canal Boat Café.' From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here There are some fantastic independent businesses along the route (Image: Portia Jones ) Let's face it, no epic paddleboarding adventure is complete without a pint in a pub garden or a bacon bap dished up from a narrowboat café. Feeling hungry, we pulled over at Pontymoile Basin, our halfway point on the return leg to Five Locks, and the southernmost tip where boats can still navigate the Mon & Brec. Sandwiched between Bridge 51A and Bridge 53, this basin was the former junction where the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal met the Monmouthshire Canal. These days, it's a busy spot where boaters, walkers and paddlers can stop for a coffee and a bap and admire the view. Just upstream of the elegant, Grade II-listed Bridge 52, the canal pinches in this narrow spot, which was once a toll point where boats were gauged for charges as they passed from one canal to the next. The Boatyard Tearoom, a charming Dutch barge turned café, makes for a cracking pit stop mid-paddle (Image: Portia Jones ) But we weren't just here to admire canal heritage, we had toastie business. The Boatyard Tearoom, a charming Dutch barge turned café, makes for a cracking pit stop mid-paddle. I treated myself to an enormous cheese and ham toastie while Kris filled me in on the more complex side of canal life. 'Restoration's come a long way,' he said, 'but it's not without its challenges.' One of the biggest? Water retention. A long-running dispute between the Canal & River Trust and regulator Natural Resources Wales has threatened sections of the waterway. As previously reported by Wales Online, the CRT is now required to limit its abstraction from the Usk, which poses a serious risk to the future viability of the canal. Boats on the stunning Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Image: John Myers ) The trust now faces a choice of having to pay an eyewatering £1 million or more for the water supply that has been free for two centuries or severely restrict use of the canal. If water levels drop too low, it's not just the boating community that suffers; everyone who depends on canal life will, too. And that's a lot of people. The Mon & Brec winds its way through towns and villages that thrive on the visitors drawn to its peaceful towpaths, places like Talybont-on-Usk, Llangattock, Govilon and Goytre Wharf, where pubs, cafés, bike hire spots and little shops all rely on the passing trade of walkers, cyclists and boaters. If the canal dries up, so does a vital source of local income for communities. While the water issues may still be ongoing, there's plenty of faith in passionate community groups like Bridge 46 to Five Locks, who continue highlighting the challenges, rallying local support, and pushing for lasting solutions. Their determination and the efforts of volunteers and canal enthusiasts are a big part of why this gorgeous waterway still has a fighting chance. And if you want to explore it for yourself? The best way is to hop on a paddleboard with someone who knows the canal inside out. (Image: SUP HIKE EXPLORE ) And if you want to explore it for yourself? The best way is to hop on a paddleboard with someone who knows the canal inside out. Kris from SUP Hike Explore offers guided SUP trips along the canal that are perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers. 'Booking with a provider like us takes the stress out of planning,' Kris explained. 'We handle everything from the canal license and insurance to providing all the gear you need, like wetsuits and PFDs.' With a qualified SUP Leader, you'll get local insight, safety tips, and a few pointers to level up your skills. Plus, you won't have to worry about the logistics. Article continues below It's also a brilliant way to meet fellow paddlers, soak up canal history, and get a few paddle-perfect photos along the way. Come for the paddle, stay for the toasties and leave with a newfound love for this beautiful canal. Book your guided trip here.
South Wales Argus
01-05-2025
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
Canal charity issue swimming warning during hot weather
Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, has warned people to stay out of inland waters during the hot weather. The charity, which looks after 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, has said there are hidden risks under the surface of the water. Anne Gardner-Aston, director of health and safety at Glandŵr Cymru, said: "Spending time on or by Britain's waterways is a lovely way to spend a spring or summer's day and they are excellent places for families to explore during the warm weather. "But it's also important that people, especially children and teenagers, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip. "The consequences can be devastating." The charity has said that locks and weirs have hidden risks that make them dangerous to swim in. Locks have hidden 'shelves', called cills, which can seriously injure someone should they jump in, and weirs have strong currents which can pull even the strongest swimmers under the water. The charity has said that if people do end up in the water and find themselves in difficulty, they should remember 'Float To Live'. This involves tilting your head back with ears submerged, relaxing and trying to control your breathing, and using your hands to help you stay afloat. If you see someone in difficulty in the water, remember 'Call Tell Throw'. This involves calling 999 to get help, telling the struggling person to float on their back, and throwing the person something which floats, such as a life ring, a football or a bottle. For more information, visit the Canal Rivers Trust website.
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
Seven of the UK's most idyllic canal boat holidays
There are more than 2,000 miles of waterways to navigate in the UK — equivalent to sailing from London to Lisbon and back again. Spending time out on the water is salve for the soul and Britain's rivers and canals occupy a special place in our national psyche, from stately rivers such as the Thames and the Avon to the web of canals built during the Industrial Revolution. Most choose to explore the water on a narrowboat, and while basic tuition is typically included at the start of a hire, first-timers should aim for a route that's light on locks and get up to speed on what's included; mooring fees and fuel may be extra, depending on where you go. The waterways are at their quietest in spring and autumn so we've chosen packages from reputable companies that operate in those seasons. For background and planning, there are two great organisations to consult: the Inland Waterways Association ( and the Canal & River Trust ( Happy boating. This pastoral corner of East Anglia is a maze of waterways bordered by reedbeds, fens, meadows and ponds, perfect for lazy days of picnics, puttering and paddling. Four nights is enough time to explore: from the base in Martham, you could sail up to Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve, renowned for its birdwatching, visit Horsey Mill and its National Trust-owned windpump, or head for the peaceful Bure Marshes, where you might spot great crested grebes, marsh harriers and many a wading bird. It's worth making time too for the less-frequented backwaters of the Great Ouse or the Nene, which receive much less boat traffic than the Broads. Martham Boats has a fleet of elegant, traditional motor launches, mostly built during the 1950s, which have between two and nine Four nights' self-catering for four from £788 ( • Seven of the best National Trust properties to visit Spanning southern England from the Bristol Channel to the Thames, the Kennet and Avon is one of England's most impressive feats of canal engineering. Boaters can look out for structures including the 459m-long Bruce Tunnel and the series of 29 locks at Caen Hill, which rise 72m over two miles. Classic English scenery unravels as you glide along: Georgian architecture around Bath, chalk plains and neolithic remains in Wiltshire, the medieval towns of Bradford-on-Avon and Pewsey –— with plenty of riverside pubs at which to stop along the way. You'd need a couple of weeks to navigate all 86 miles, but shorter journeys, Bath to Bradford-on-Avon say, or Reading to Newbury, are doable in a few days. Foxhangers in Devizes, a great midway base, has three classes of narrowboat, so you can choose your level of Four nights' self-catering for four from £1,095 ( First-time narrowboaters can enjoy 41 miles of lock-free cruising on the Lancaster between Preston and Kendal, the longest such stretch in the UK. It was once known as the Black and White Canal, a reference to the products it was built to transport — coal from Lancashire and limestone from Cumbria. Its most impressive piece of architecture is the five-arched Lune Aqueduct, a grade I listed masterpiece by the Scottish engineer John Rennie, which sails gracefully over the River Lune at a height of 18m. Garstang is the home base for Duck Island Boat Company, which steps up the swank level on its four boats, squeezing in a Chesterfield sofa, breakfast bar, wood-burner and proper showers. They look handsome too, in purple and cream livery, with traditional hand-painted signs. They're booked up for much of the summer, but have good availability from September onwards, perfect for autumn Seven nights' self-catering for two from £1,095 ( • Discover our full guide to the UK The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal slices through the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) from Brecon to the Five Locks in Cwmbran. Chug through the patchwork countryside of central Wales as the tawny slopes of the Brecon Beacons loom in the distance and while away days spotting kingfishers, exploring market towns such as Abergavenny and Crickhowell, or hopping off for hikes of Sugar Loaf or Pen Y Fan. You'll need a week to do it all, but with only six locks to navigate (five at Llangynidr and one at Brynich), it's a good bet for beginners. Unusually, it doesn't intersect with any other canal, so opt for a local company such as Brecon Park Boats, based near Crickhowell, which has a fleet of narrowboats named after birds. Go for Drake or Grouse for their luxurious dining rooms and wood-burners, or Coot, the company's first diesel-electric Seven nights' self-catering for four from £2,277 ( • 100 of the Best Places to Stay in the UK The UK has several canal rings, which enable you to make a loop without having to backtrack. The Cheshire Ring is a classic, traversing six canals on its 97-mile course: the Bridgewater, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey, Rochdale, Peak Forest and Ashton canals. The route's blend of urban scenery, industrial history and wide-open views makes it a joy, travelling from the Peak District and the Pennines all the way into central Manchester. Several museums along the way explore England's industrial past, including Macclesfield's Silk Museum, Northwich's Lion Salt Works Museum, and Manchester's Science and Industry Museum. A week is enough and Floating Holidays, in Middlewich, north of Crewe, has some lovely canal boats to pick from: the crimson Casanova sleeps Seven nights' self-catering for four from £1,048 ( Officially the longest canal in the UK at 137 miles, the Grand Union runs all the way from Birmingham to London. The southern end of the canal links up with the Thames and Regent's Canal, offering capital views without an obscene price tag, while the starting point in the north, at Market Harborough, is close to the fabulous grade II listed Foxton Locks, overseen by friendly keepers who are a boon for beginners. The Leicestershire countryside rolls by, offering ample opportunities for biking and hiking, and there are plenty of waterside pubs at which to moor up en route. Boutique Narrowboats has traditional boats as well as three contemporary beauties, complete with rainfall showers, coffee machines, wine fridges and antique French Four nights' self-catering for two from £552 ( • 15 of the most beautiful places in England Running from Glasgow to Edinburgh, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal — jointly known as the Scottish Lowland Canals — were restored at a cost of nearly £80 million in 2001, the largest project of its kind in the UK. They're now a brilliant way to explore Scotland's biggest cities, taking you past the 35m Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boat lift, and the Kelpies, the striking 30m-high horse-head sculptures by Andy Scott. From its Falkirk base, Marine Cruises' boats look the part, and for added canal kudos, featured on Great Canal Journeys. Maia is its most affordable boat, painted in royal blue, and suitable for four: there's wi-fi for the kids, a proper shower and pocket-sprung beds for a good night's Seven nights' self-catering for two from £1,514 ( • I love Scotland more than anywhere else. These are my 25 top stays Have we missed your favourite waterway? Share your tips in the comments
BBC News
27-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Section of Lancaster Canal reopens to boaters after bank breach
A section of a canal has reopened eight months after a breach on an embankment led to a towpath collapsing and grounded charity Canal & River Trust has reopened the Lancaster Canal to boaters following a £1.6m project to repair a breach at Hollowforth Aqueduct at Woodplumpton, canal at the Grade II listed aqueduct was breached in July causing extensive damage with parts of the embankment, towpath and sections of aqueduct wingwall washed repair works included a land drain and a clay liner on the canal bed to prevent a future breach. Jon Horsfall, North West director at Canal & River Trust, which cares for 2,000 miles of historic canals across England and Wales, said: "Hollowforth Aqueduct is a piece of living heritage, and we've taken care to protect its historical aspects while repairing the damage to make it safe for the future."We've kept boaters at the forefront of our thinking as we've carried out these works, creating an unusual three-sided dam to allow boaters to navigate across the aqueduct before the navigation was closed for the repairs to get underway." The trust's project team created a plan to rebuild the embankment, reinstate the canal towpath and the footpath underneath the aqueduct, and sensitively repair and restore the aqueduct, using original archive drawings to replace all the masonry in its original was particularly challenging as the breach was located away from local roads and required a temporary track to be built and along the bed of the drained canal, so materials could be brought to site. Renowned civil engineer John Rennie designed Hollowforth Aqueduct, using an engineering solution of three barrel-shaped stone pipes to carry the Lancaster Canal over New Mill Brook in the 1790s. Rennie later designed the Lune Aqueduct, near Lancaster, and also the Caen Hill Lock Flight on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
