Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Trevor Basin
Trevor Basin Visitor Centre & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Trevor Basin, Off Station Road, Trevor, Wrexham, LL20 7TY.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Trevor Basin are located on the Llangollen Canal and are both part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site – this means that they are as important as the Pyramids! Finished in 1805, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was designed by famous engineer Thomas Telford and stretches over 300 metres across the Dee Valley.
A visit to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Trevor Basin can help you to learn about local history, engineering, wildlife and geography. If you can't come to us, outreach visits are available.
Workshops
Foundation Phase & KS2 Build an Aqueduct
Children understand the challenges of building a canal through a mountainous area and how engineers designed solutions to cross valleys. Build a scale model of the aqueduct to appreciate the mammoth skill set that were required by engineers and local builders. KS2 children can also build an arch bridge, similar to the stone arches at Chirk Aqueduct.
Foundation Phase & KS2 Build a Canal
This session helps children to understand how and why canals were built, how they changed Britain and how they are different to rivers. It provides an interactive way of discussing the local industry and how the arrival of the canals shaped the landscape.
Foundation Phase & KS2 Habitats
Exploring Trevor Basin’s wildlife, this activity includes identifying and classifying animals and investigating food chains.
Aqueduct Adventure
All children will be taken on an Aqueduct Adventure! Join our volunteers on a guided trail of Trevor Basin. Discover how Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was built over 200 years ago, what tools were used and how many people it took to build it.
Learning Resources
Use the following resources to support learning on your trip and back in the classroom:
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Fact File - English
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Adventure Trail - English
All About Canals
Find out more about Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Facilities
Free facilities for teachers include pre-visits and downloadable resources.
Practicalities include public toilets, car park, visitor centre, gift shop and outdoor picnic area.
Main Car Park - off the A539 (Sat Nav LL14 3SG follow the appropriate signs)
Disabled Car Park - off the A539 (Sat Nav LL20 7YT follow the appropriate signs)
Coach Parking - off the A539 (Sat Nav LL14 3NP follow the appropriate signs)
To ensure your visit runs smoothly and safely by water, we offer visits for one class per booking (roughly 30 children). Visits are 2 hours. If you need to bring two classes, then you could book a morning and afternoon slot e.g. 10am – 12noon and 12:30pm – 2:30pm.
Don't forget a boat trip!
Add excitement to your visit by travelling across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Seren Fach. A 45 minute trip with commentary included is £5.40 per child. The first trip departing at 11am, and the last at 3.30pm, seating up to 48 passengers.
Price
School visits to Trevor Basin and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct are FREE! Parking is pay and display.