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Originally constructed over two hundred years ago,
the Monmouthshire and Brecon and Abergavenny canals were built for
carrying coal, iron and limestone. Their commercial demise came as a
result of competition from the Great Western railway, and the
present navigable section (leisure traffic only now!) consists of
the Brecon & Abergavenny Canal from Brecon to Pontymoile, where it
then joins the northern end of a short length of the Monmouthshire
Canal, navigable (though slow going) down to Five Locks Basin.
Beyond is the now defunct section which drops through thirty
(unusable) locks in some six miles to Newport. |
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The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal |
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The journey itself
Those who have had canal holidays before
will know that as well as providing
fascinating ever-changing scenery, the slow
pace of cruising is in itself relaxing. The
scenery of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
as it winds around the hills on its way to
Brecon is varied and views are often
spectacular. These views are sometimes even
more dramatic if from time to time you walk
at the pace of the boat along the towpath. |
Relax aboard
Relax in the comfort of the boat and read,
or listen to music (cd radio player is
fitted on the boat) or simply enjoy the
changing views as the countryside glides
past your windows. |
Walking
There is plenty of opportunity for walking,
from the easy level towpath (get on and off
as you pass through bridges), to footpaths
and leafy lanes through to more serious
walking amongst the Brecon Beacons for
energetic or experienced walkers. |
Explore
Explore the six villages on the canal and
the market towns of Brecon, Crickhowell and
Abergavenny - include a meal or a drink at
one of the many hostelries.
Try a walk along the old railway to Talybont
Reservoir (and over the dam and back along
the lane if you prefer a circular route).
Take a shady walk up the feeder stream which
joins the canal just below the second lock
at Llangynidr.
At Llangattock, a walk up the Escarpment
will reward you with some spectacular wide
views.
Walk under the canal through the tunnels at
Gilwern, Govilon Llanfoist or Pontymoile.
Climb down to the Usk from below Brynich
Lock to look up at the four arches of the
massive aqueduct you crossed earlier.
Visit the River Promenade on the other side
of Brecon and discover the source of the
canal's water. Brecon also has a cinema,
Cathedral and theatre.
There are Museums at Brecon, and Canal
Centres with tea-rooms at Goytre and by
bridge 158.
It is a short walk at Llangynidr down from
Bridge 131 to the old packhorse bridge
across the Usk, where there is also a walk
along the river (a similar bridge can be
found linking Llangattock to Crickhowell).
On the way back from Brecon walk over the
top of the tunnel and look down the shaft on
your boat as it passes below (and listen to
the conversations!)
For those who like shopping, visit Brecon
(bank and a good variety of craft and gift
shops) and Crickhowell (bank, shops and
bakery). For fish & chips try Brecon,
Gilwern or Goytre. |
More physical activities
Mountain bike hire is available near Gilwern
and at Brecon. There is pony-trekking before
Llangattock (ask us for details). Pontypool
and Brecon have leisure centres with
swimming pools. There is a Golf course at
Llangattock. |
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Our base at Gilwern, four miles west of
Abergavenny, is situated approximately mid-way along the canal: we
are 20 miles below Brecon and 15 miles above Pontymoile. You can
thus choose between a cruise to Brecon, incorporating the locks,
tunnel, lift-bridges and the more spectacular scenery, or the more
secretive, peacefully-isolated winding waters southward towards
Pontymoile. Gilwern itself is just off the A465, within easy reach
of the A40 and motorways. If you plan to arrive here by railway, we
can collect you from Abergavenny Railway Station, which has good
links to the main network via Newport. |
