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Berriew, Montgomery Canal

Accessible for local, portable and trailable craft

Silver Propeller Challenge

Location

Welshpool

Visit Berriew on the Montgomery Canal by boat or canoe.

This Silver Propeller Location is at the southern end of the unconnected 12 mile length of the Montgomery Canal in Wales. The present limit of navigation is at Refail winding hole, which is five miles from Town Wharf at Welshpool, with five locks to navigate. Trailable and small portable boats can access the canal at the slipway at Welshpool Town Wharf, where parking is available.  A photo of your boat or canoe at Refail winding hole will be a good proof of your visit.

Complete our challenge by visiting 20 locations from our list, you will receive our exclusive plaque and goody bag.

 

About the Montgomery Canal

The present day Montgomery Canal runs from Frankton Junction for 35 miles to Newtown with 25 locks. The original Montgomery Canal, from Llanymynech to Newtown, became part of the Shropshire Union amalgamated canal network and was constructed mainly to transport limestone from the Llanymynech quarries and coal from Chirk and Oswestry to canalside kilns. Quicklime was made and used to improve the soil quality and crop yield. With the introduction of the motor lorry, the use of the canal gradually diminished and it was formally closed in an Act of 1944 following de facto closure in 1936 after a major breach.

The section of the Montgomery Canal through Welshpool was one of the first sections to be reopened. A proposal for a new bypass in 1969, using the route of the derelict canal, prompted the start of the restoration project. The whole navigable isolated section is twelve miles long with eleven locks. The original cast iron locks gates from Welshpool Town Lock have been preserved at the Waterways Museum in Stoke Bruerne.

The Silver Propeller location is at the present southern limit of navigation of this isolated section. Refail winding hole is 5 miles and 5 locks from the Town Wharf in Welshpool, just after Berriew Aqueduct.

Notes for Visitors

Boat Dimensions

The maximum size of boat that can navigate the Montgomery Canal is:-

  • Length: 73′ 10” (22.51m) – Frankton Locks
  • Beam: 7′ 0″ (2.13m) – Frankton Locks
  • Height: 7′ 0″ (2.13m)
  • Draught: 3′ 11″ (1.20m) – Frankton Locks

Trailable and small portable boats can access the canal at the slipway at Welshpool Town Wharf, where parking is available.

Location

Postcode: SY21 8QA

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Canoeing, Trip Boats and Hire Boats

Canoeing is encouraged on the Montgomery Canal with a Canal & River Trust licence or British Canoeing or Canoe Wales membership.

The Heulwen Trust operate a trip boat from their wharf at Welshpool.  There are no boats to hire on the isolated Welsh section of the Canal.

Challenge Location

Berriew

Montgomery Canal

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