UK Canal Boating

Day 1

Going north from the marina the canal twists and turns through the beautiful Welsh countryside but does not pass any civilisation until the small village of Llanover on your left. The canal clings to the side of the hills, with small aqueducts taking the mountainside streams down to the valley below you. To the west the hills are very steep, rising to over 1800 ft, at times almost vertically away from the canal. The village of Llanellen is to the east from Bridge 92, there is a PO & stores here.

There are traces on the hills of the old 19th century tramways that used to carry the coal down from the hills, and as you approach Llanfoist look out for the old tramway by the Boat house. The old wharf buildings were originally built for the tramway, there is a lovely walk along the old tramway into the mountains.

You can moor up in Llanfoist for the 1st night, close to the Boatyard bridge if possible.

It is 2.25 hours cruising from Goytre marina.

There is an Indian restaurant in Llanfoist – Exotic East tel 01873 850509, or you can walk across the boatyard bridge into Abergavenny, about a mile away.

Abergavenny is a picturesque town situated in the South Eastern corner of Wales, only 20 miles from the English border. It lies beside the fast flowing River Usk & is steeped in history and enjoys an enviable position bathing in the beauty of the Brecon Beacons national park- Sugar Loaf, Blorenge & the Skirrids overlook the town. The museum & castle are in Castle street, the mound of the castle dominates the town. It was built in the 11th century and now houses the museum which tells the story of the town from prehistoric to modern times.

In addition to High Street stores there are loads of local shops selling a huge range of individual gifts as well as local arts &crafts. Plus, Abergavenny is still very much a market town with a recently refurbished market hall hosting Antiques & Collectors Fairs, Local Produce Markets and more.

With a wide variety of pubs, take-aways & restaurants in Abergavenny there is bound to be an establishment to cater for your your culinary tastes.

Day 2

Still heading north you start off towards Govilion, which cannot really be seen from the canal, but steps by the aqueduct lead down to it. There is a PO & stores here & the Bridgend Inn is below the aqueduct. Tel 01873-830177. There is also the Lion Inn in the village tel 01873 830404.

Gilwern is soon reached – the canal turns sharply before the Wharf. There is a useful well stocked gift shop at bridge 103, and a PO & stores in the village, pubs are the Bridgend Inn & Navigation Inn canalside at bridge 103 or Beaufort Arms just down the hill from the bridge.
The approach to Llangattock is through flatter country, the village is best approached from bridges 114/115, Llangattock wharf is a busy mooring site, and there are a range of old limekilns by the stone wharf buildings. There is a pub called the Horseshoe Inn to the east of bridge 116.

Through the village of Llangattock, about a mile from the canal, is the lovely town of Crickhowell.To the south the town is bounded by the River Usk which has a 16th century 13 arch bridge across it , to the north are the Black Mountains, the eastern range of the Brecon Beacons national park, this area is a good base for exploring the Brecon Beacons. There are opportunities for caving in the surrounding hills, and easy or strenuous walking, also horses can be hired from Golden castle Riding stables in Llangattock.
There are 2 challenging mountain bike trails starting from Crickhowell, and bikes can be hired locally. There are a variety of shops & pubs in the town. The Bridgend Inn Tel 01873 810338 is well worth a visit, and the Bear Hotel has won many awards for its excellent food tel 01873 810408.

It is 3 hours cruising from Llanfoist wharf to here.

Day 3

The canal continues its north westerly route along the River Usk valley and you can moor up near bridge 129 which is the best access point for Llangyndir. The Red Lion pub is in the village.
The Llangynidr flight of 5 starts just after bridge 132. By bridge 131 there is a useful shop.

The locks mark the beginning of the short climb to Brecon, and thick woods surround the final three, the locks should always be left empty with the bottom gates open when you have gone through them. There is a pleasant picnic area in the shade of the woodland.

Canalside at bridge 133 is the Coach & Horses, an attractive pub in the small hamlet of Cwmcrawnon, tel 01874-730245.

Just before Talybont on Usk there is a short tunnel of 375 yards, you can moor near the bridges, there are 3 pubs in the village and a Po & stores at bridge 144. Talybont is a quiet holiday centre with facilities for fishing, pony trekking, mountain biking and hill walking, details of which can be obtained from the Talybont Venture centre in the village. The large wharf overlooks the village, which is clustered around the Caerfanell aqueduct.

It is 5 hours to here from Llangattock

Day 4

At the end of the village is an electronic lift bridge, instructions are clearly posted. There are 3 lift bridges on this section, which are sometimes fixed in the open position to stop livestock crossing, they should always be left as you find them.

The journey to Brecon takes you through the village on Pencelli where the mound of the old castle
dominates the village. There is a canalside pub by bridge 153 – the Royal oak.

The canal starts on a long horseshoe bend that carries it through flat wooded country before it crosses the Usk on the Brynich aqueduct. You can access the village of Llanfrynach by bridge 158
the White Swan is a 300 year old pub in the village. In 1775 mosaics & a villa bathhouse were uncovered dating back to the 5th century, parts of which are on display in the national Museum of Wales in Cardiff.

North of bridge 163 is the Three Horseshoes pub. On the final mile into Brecon the canal is high on the hillside, with the River Usk below.
The entry into Brecon is attractive with many pretty houses & gardens flanking the canal.

The canal ends in the Theatre Basin, where you can moor, or turn your boat.

Brecon is a busy market town, with a fine 13th century cathedral. The Cathedral New heritage centre is in the beautiful cathedral close and houses n exhibition on cathedral life. Brecknock museum in Glamorgan street includes a large archaeology from pre-roman to medieval times. The South Wales Borderers museum is housed in the Barracks, and gives a history of the 2 famous regiments over 200 years.

In the Theatre basin overlooking the canal, is the Theatre Brycheiniog, which plays host to many touring productions.

It is 4 hours from Talybont to here.

Day 5

Cruise back to the village of Llangynidr

It is 7 hours cruising to here

Day 6

Cruise back to Goytre marina

It is 7 hours cruising to here

Day 7
Day 8


On the last day you can cruise to the end of the canal through Pontypool and Cwmbran and back to the marina,

The canal continues it rural route with no villages by the canal on this section, but a short walk from the canal is Penperlleni to the east of bridge 72, and Mamhilad to the east of bridge 62. There are steep hills to the west and the valley to the east. In the churchyard at Mamhilad are some massive yew trees, the biggest is about 38 ft wide, which must date back 2-3000 years. The Goytre Arms is ¼ mile east of Bridge 72, and the Horseshoe Inn ¼ mile north of Bridge 65 (a haunted pub with lovely scenery). The Star is 200 yds east of bridge 62.

The Horse & Jockey is 100 yards east of bridge 55, at Pontymoile the town centre of Pontypool is about a mile to the north west through the lovely Pontypool park. Pontypool is a rural market town with plenty of shops and pubs. The Pontypool museum is situated in the stable block of Pontypool
Park House.

The Masons Arms is south of bridge 50, the Open Hearth canalside at Bridges 48/49, and the Crown Inn canalside at bridge 48.
After Cwmbran Tunnel you can moor up for some lunch at Five Locks basin, just up by Bridge 45 is the Cross keys Inn. The basin is the limit of navigation, but you can walk past the next lock to the pub.

After lunch cruise back to Goytre marina, perhaps stopping near Penperlleni for the night and cruising to Goytre marina to be back by 9 in the morning.

It is 6 hours to Cwmbran & back to Penperlleni.

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.