The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a perfect example of "Do It Right The First Time."

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Built to last 😊 Or do you mean my video? 😉😂

@jetsons101

4 ай бұрын

Errrrr......... Both, "Yea" both..........@@TrekkingExploration

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

@@jetsons101 😊😊😊😊

@muckle8

4 ай бұрын

What’s the thickness of the bottom plates roughly ant?

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

@@muckle8 that's a good question... One I don't think any of us asked

Oh ja, das muss man jedem sagen, der dort oben arbeiten muss. Passt auf euch auf!!!! Ein wunderschönes abenteuerliches Video. Dankeschön an euch alle ❣️❣️

What a masterpiece of construction. Those people long ago knew how to build. What an experience for all you boys being allowed to film on the Aqueduct and then to share it with us. Thank you Ant. This should be on TV as well for all to see. Brilliant. Awesome. Filming outstanding.

@TheSilmarillian

4 ай бұрын

Yes amazing work indeed , makes some of 2days construction look rather fragile indeed.

lovely bit of work especially combining the drone shots with the walk thru. Well done.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Pete ☺️

@stephensaines7100

4 ай бұрын

Stunning. I can't help but wonder (although I don't watch TV, haven't had one for decades) if this channel is picked-up by a streaming service or TV network.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

@@stephensaines7100 it's not no.

Brilliant thanks from a local person who live around there ❤👌👏👏

This is a terrific insight into the aqueduct. I crossed it in a boat about 11 years ago and watching your well presented video brought back so many great memories. Thank you. John from Australia 🇦🇺

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm very pleased it has rekindled those memories

You are the luckiest group of men in the world to have had that privilege to have seen that. And thank you for sharing.

Boated over it many times. Some would say it was over engineered at the time, but its a testament to many of our great engineering feats of the age. Thats why they are still here today, those Victorians were damn clever, they never cease to amaze me with their planning and enginuity. Like Brunel building in underwater sluices to wash out any silt in Bristol docks. Elsewhere they have to dredge. Great informative film, thanks.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It's a wonderful experience

@t1n4444

4 ай бұрын

😂😂😂 Go to the bottom of the class! Google up the dates of the construction and compare to the Victorian era. Hint: George 3

@raymondporter2094

4 ай бұрын

Built quite some time before the Victorians.....

Happy Birthday, Ant! Brilliant video, better every day. Nice to see Martin and Roy out with you. ❤

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Jeff So pleased you enjoyed it and thank you for watching

What an amazing opportunity to visit when empty. I'd get a lemming feeling if I was on a narrow boat with no railing on one side. It certainly is a marvel of British engineering. I still don't understand the function of those metal loops under 5 feet of water. This reminds me of the plughole on the canal in Manchester that Martin covered. Belated Happy Birthday, Ant. Another great episode. I love the way the music ends on a crescendo. Thanks for sharing.

@timmatthews773

4 ай бұрын

Re: the metal loops - me neither! I thought the CRT man was going to explain but he didn't really make much sense. I can't what they would do in relation the towpath though, I'd have thought they were there to aid construction or transport of the sections? Also odd to have just one drainage grill for the whole towpath, and have it raised above the surface! I guess it probably made sense when the original wooden towpath that in place

@brianfearn4246

4 ай бұрын

From what I'm trying to understand about the metal loops they were part of the original structure when horses were used on the towpath which was built with blue bricks and somehow supported by those metal loops and over the years has been modified with a wooden and steel structure what you see today 😊

It’s nice to see Martin doing a video in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 I’m welsh n proud ….. it’s my first time seeing g your videos on your channel and a video made in wales super proud ❤

On a more serious note your commentary, drone work, research etc is amazing not to mention the application of the music and the editing you do to tie it all together Well done a most interesting exploration of something few of us have ever seen.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

So pleased you enjoyed it. I really do pay attention to comments and feedback and I'm pleased everyone is happy with the format ☺️

As has already been said, they knew how to build and engineer things back then. So good to see that its being looked after for future generations to enjoy. Loved the filming, drone footage and music. Very informative as well. Well done and thank you for sharing.

I have had the pleasure of boating over this beautiful piece of engineering several times. Thanks for your great programme. 😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching Serena 🙂

Wonderful clip! With Roy, Martin & you the perfect team explores a unique historic location, perfectly set in scene with amazing drone shots and atmospheric music. Ant, it a pleasure to follow you and your adventures 😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Very very kind Thomas thanks very much indeed. This is one of those rare special ones I've been too ☺️

It’s almost like the beginning of a movie! Very beautiful surroundings!

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It's so lovely there.. thank you for watching

I remember filming for our channel there a few years ago. What an absolute brilliant bit of engineering and a thrilling walk over. One of my favourite photos ever is a 360 one of the wife and I looking over the edge. So nice you've got access to the empty trough and see the maintenance

What amazed me was when you mentioned that they had to get all the fish out. Who'd have thought? Excellent. Loved the drone shots. All the best.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Imagine how the fish felt a 100 years ago when the Plughole was opened 🤣

@chrisharris4740

4 ай бұрын

@@TrekkingExploration Ride of their lives! Weeeeee!

@Simon_Nonymous

4 ай бұрын

Martin Zero has recently done a video about why and how they do this, it's worth a look. (And yes I am a fan!)

Fantastic! Hard to think back in 1980 my school class went across the aqueduct without any PPE and with that huge drop on one side!! This was a class of 10 and 11 year olds.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Some memories for you there 😊 Thank you for watching David 😊

@adienowed6366

4 ай бұрын

In those days common sense ruled supreme.

@alibenkahn5092

4 ай бұрын

The good old days when people were expected to behave like they had brains.

@qwertyTRiG

4 ай бұрын

I doubt that PPE is generally required today. It's a public footpath.

@ousetunes

4 ай бұрын

​@qwertyTRiG indeed it is but there are railings on that side. When you're on a canal barge there's nothing to stop you falling off!!

What a fantastic feat of engineering.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Definitely built to last

Fantastic, better than I thought it would be, brilliant engineering that would be difficult to achieve today, thanks for taking the time and trouble in making this great video

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Roger that's very kind of you 😊

What a fantastic rare opportunity that was! I must say, I do prefer the side with a railing - the camera looking over the other side made my toes curl a bit! So glad you could get that footage - and a very happy birthday to you, Ant and many more. All the best to you. S.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I thought that about the camera going over the edge when I edited it I thought omg that'll be epic on a big TV 🤣

Great insight into the original construction of this aqueduct….This was manufactured when we were had skilled foundry men making amazing forms out of cast iron which is on display all around Wales and beyond! Many thanks for a great production.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Tony. We really are losing some skills. I wonder how much and how long this would take to build now

Hi guys, I find there’s absolutely incredible how it was built all those years ago and still standing and still being used on a daily basis. Keep up the good work. Love this video from Australia

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much indeed. It was certainly built to last 😊

@t1n4444

4 ай бұрын

The load remains the same so no extra stresses to worry about. Hint: Archimedes Principle and displacement.

Great video as normal. Thanks for filming and sharing with us all.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

So pleased you enjoyed it Roy 😊

53,000 views..... only 2,300 thumbs up? What on earth is wrong with folk! Unbelievable.

@austinscars8588

4 ай бұрын

Well, if you are like me. I watch the videos and then forget to press like. I think the “like” thing should be abolished and replaced with full video watch count.

Great video my friend Richard Dibble took me there l will never forget the lovely time we had, thank u richard,

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching Cliff

I’m so lucky to live, not too far from this beautiful aqueduct…. it really is a special place to walk across… I’ve been living up here for 35 years and I’ve never seen it empty. Fascinating

what a brilliant piece of engineering this is. I crossed this aqueduct in an Indian Canoe with a friend of mine. The sense of exposure was just exhilarating.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It really is an experiance and a thrill. Thankyou for watching :)

With the number of Narrow Boat channels on KZread these days, I am surprised it wasn't full of Go-Pros ! .

A great exploration trio this day. Good to see the trio again. Always a great video, thank you for today’s video. See you on the next, Ant. Cheers mates! 😊😊😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Martin. It was a fantastic opportunity

I came here from Martin Zero's video. Great work on your version, going to make my way thrifty your other videos. Really quality work!

My Grandfather, James Diggory, owned the foundry in Llangollen that did all the ironwork on the Aqueduct working with Telford.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Oh my goodness that's an amazing bit of history 😍 Thanks very much for watching

@wallabybob3020

4 ай бұрын

@@TrekkingExploration No worries. Happy to share it with you.👍🏻

Awesome ... I can remember driving past this when I was probably 5 or 6 years old (1980) heading to Barmouth which we went to several times a year .. I so enjoyed this... You stirred memories I've got so thankyou for an awesome upload 👍🇬🇧

Wow this was so interesting thank you lads what a brilliant day out as Martin said once in a lifetime trip.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Terry. It was quite a rare experience

I lived in Froncysyllte House and worked the drawbridge with my bro and walked across the then fallen in footpath on the aqueduct to Trefor at the age of 4 ! (1959) Great to see it so well maintained.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I've heard about all of the holes etc the footpath had in the 1960s . Good it's sorted. Thanks for watching

They knew how to bulld stuff then!, I was thinking is there a plug lol!..a great vlog once again!. Love the music choices!

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much indeed. I expected it to be a little sluice rather than a plug

Fascinating and certainly something I'll very likely never get a chance to see.. Brilliant video as always.. Hope you had a great birthday 😊👍

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Really pleased you both enjoyed it. Thanks very much indeed ☺️

Thank you for such a fantastic and informative video. Big thank you to the Canals and River Trust for allowing you access to video record a fantastic piece of engineering history. Been over a few times in a narrow boat and also walked over as well. The scariest crossing was early on late September morning and the fog as so thick you could only see 20 yards in front of you. You felt like you were on a floating puddle in the Sky. You could hear the river below and only birds singing not another boat could be heard. Fantastic memories 🙂

After seeing the aqueduct on Countryfile last week, this came along at just the right time to show how work is progressing. Great vid!

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Ahhh brilliant thanks very much. I'll have to have a look at countryfile

@stephenwilliams926

4 ай бұрын

I would not bother. What you filmed is how it should be, they just skimmed over it, not how Fred Dibnah would have done it 20yrs ago.

Always amazes me how well it has lasted

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

And still rock solid. Thank you for watching 😊

@DpacOP

4 ай бұрын

@@TrekkingExploration that’s good wouldn’t won’t to fall through proves thing made 100s of years ago are better quality and no worries dude can’t wait for the next video 🫶🏻

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

@@DpacOP 😊😊😊😊

what amazing video of the drained aqua duct thanks for this x

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Jan 😊

As others have said,great video on all points. I'm afraid I still don't understand those iron "loops" that were used for the original tow path though. And if they opened the plug I'd have loved to see that,seems as though they may just have relied on pumping if I understand correctly. The UK canal system fascinates me, and I love that is has been preserved and maintained. Thanks from Alabama!

I have crossed this on a narrow boat with my wife and two young girls, it was certainly a big part of the trip as well as the tunnel and this was the main reason for doing the trip.

I remember my first trip across there in a Narrowboat. It was 11 years ago and there were four of us on the boat. Three of the guy on there all much bigger than me but they crapped themselves and went below leaving me to man the Tiller. There was sideways rain and quite a bit of wind. Was certainly a good way to get introduced to the insane feat of engineering that is the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. At the time I had wished one of them would take the Tiller and even that the weather was more favourable but by the time I was halfway across and had made peace with the huge drop just inches off to the side of me it actually became very enjoyable and now one of those long lasting and very fond of life memories.

I kayaked down from the Horseshoe Falls and across the aqueduct and on to Chirk Tunnel last summer, leg 1 of 4, all the way to the main Shropshire Union Canal. Amazing piece of engineering to cross over.

at the end of video behind Martin two big pipes pumping water up to the canal to keep it in water Fantastic! wish I could have walk in the aqueduct

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Yes that was the pumping station 🙂 You never know there may be another opportunity in 3 years when it's planned to be drained again

We have paddled a Canadian canoe over the aqueduct , there and back on a couple of occasions - a great experience. Fascinating film - thank you.

Good to see my old stomping exposed again, crossed in the trough myself in the late 90's. The concrete troughs on either side are some of my works as well

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Awwww brilliant. Thanks for watching Mike 😊

Walked across this a few times and took the tourist boat as well, still have nightmares at times, don't know why but this place scares me.

Fantastic. Nice to see Martin too. So much history there I love it. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching as always

Thank you, that was really interesting, naively when you said it had been drained I was expecting it to be almost dry. Loved the drone shots, it gives a really good perspective, when it comes to aqueducts and bridges there’s high and then there’s bloody seriously high.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. I also expected it to be completely dry. At least after this we know it's not completely level with Welly deep water at one end

Brilliant video. Wife and I rented a narrowboat two years ago and crossed this aqueduct so great to see this video and bring those memories back!

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much 😊 It's made me want to hire one again too

Amazing video, and I cringe every time the camera peers over the edge. (And it’s been years since I last jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft) 🤣

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It got me too when I edited it as I hadn't seen what the camera saw on the day 🤣

Brilliant work again, some beautiful sights from up there. Thanks Ant.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Jon very kind 😊

Excellent video, thank you. We took our boat over there last summer and then stayed in the basin at Llangollen for a few days. What about a video on the heritage railway in Llangollen. That was yet another fantastic experience just a few miles down the road.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I'd like to do the railway I've yet to try that. I'd also like to have a boat holiday again too up there Thanks for watching

Brilliant presentation Ant fascinating info really enjoyed it many thanks for making and sharing.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Brilliant thank you John very very kind

Nice video guys/Martin don't normally comment. Went to the Peak District last year .back again in the spring we'll try that walk..

It’s amazing how well built these old structures were. The fact they are still standing and serviceable, is a testament to the workmanship. Much of the construction in the 1970s, is having to be ripped down already. I’m sure this amazing structure will still be standing in 100 years or more, providing it is maintained. I am surprised, modern architects aren’t there making notes. 🙂

Really apprecited it, kinda of reminds me of when I walked on thr Niagara River right at the Niagara Falls when they closed it off in 1968-1969 to do repair work and the used 5 levels of fence so we could walk on the River Bed, amazing.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it 😁

What an experience! Thanks for sharing :)

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching 🙂

Do you know what I genuinely enjoyed this film ! I adore history and you boy hit the nail on the head !, subscribed sir 👌👌👌👌👌👌

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much that's very kind. I was a little out of my comfort zone with this one it's a little different to all my other stuff 😊 Thank you

Absolutely fantastic!!!

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Jane 🙂

Stupendous pics, sound and editing! I was expecting Lawrence of Arabia to be riding across on a narrow boat in the intro. In all seriousness, I can't believe that incidents didn't happen of horses refusing to cross. I don't know if I could do it even as a pedestrian, let alone in wind and rain. My heart is pounding just watching this. Again, excellent production.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Stephen. We couldn't get Lawrence sadly 😂 It's an absolute thing of beauty. To walk across on the towpath still gets me even now. Thank you for watching

Very interesting.I went over there in a Narrowboat many years ago! quiet a hairy experience -Thanks😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It's definitely an experience. ☺️ Thanks for watching 😊

I enjoyed that fond memories Got a photo of my late mother on it

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Aaww that's lovely ☺️

Great video and great commentary.. You mention it was scary crossing the aqueduct in a narrow boat as there was no fence on the other side of the waterway to the tow path. In 1992ish my family and I and my son's mate did just that. It had been raining and the checkerplate floor of the rear potion of the boat got slippy. My son's mate was walking along the towpath and then jumped back on the boat. He slipped and nearly shot off the other side of the boat and over the edge. He just managed to grab hold of something in time. A very near miss.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Wow that's scary stuff 😱 I bet that shuck everyone up for a while afterwards. I can almost imagine it

I walked half way over once and crapt myself ,so turned round 🤣 not good with heights , great video Ant , your real professional with these vids keep them coming

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I was so nervous the first time in 2010. So pleased you enjoyed it thank you ☺️

@patagualianmostly7437

4 ай бұрын

I narrowboated over in my early teens.....I could not believe that we were so close to that sheer drop (on the canalside) the boat was banging into it all the way across..... Due to a strong wind from the footpath side......... Squeaky bum time indeed!

@stephensaines7100

4 ай бұрын

That's halfway more than I would/could do. I'd have done it as a kid, but fear was a different manifestation back then.

@MiscMan

4 ай бұрын

I used to ride my bike over when I was a lot younger, all I remember was the flicker of the railings as you went over. Trying not to let them distract you.

Thanks for that great video, Ant. I went across that viaduct about 10 years ago on a tourist narrow boat, whilst staying at Llangollen to visit the railway. And also a horse drawn ride to horseshoe falls. It was scary going across the viaduct! They pointed out Telford's house in the distance!

Happy Birthday Ant! 🎉🎊🥳🍺🍩

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Awww thank you 🙂

Brilliant video as always,Ant, very informative and amazing drone shots,❤ xx

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much 😊😊😊😊

Being a fan of Telford I was looking forward to see this amazing structure whilst on holiday in Chirk. I was not disappointed. Walked it twice and sailed over it once during that weeks holiday. It left many unanswered questions. Your video has answered quit a few of them .. thank you

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Aaww brilliant Dave thanks very much. If you go again you'll know what's below now 😊

Crossed this viaduct about 20 years ago and there's some very unfortunate poor lady coming the other way on our hands and knees as she was so terrified. It is fantastic experience to walk across it

Marvellous piece of engineering. Imagine working on that!

Really enjoyed watching this. Thank you.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Very kind Hilary thank you

Awesome looking 4D 2 this one 😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoy it 😁

A beautiful structure,many thanks for sharing !

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching ☺️

@chaddamp2894

4 ай бұрын

21 again eh??@@TrekkingExploration

Fantastic drone opportunity. And many happy returns for the birthday. I hope it's really special and you get to treat yourself. Cheers, mate. 🤓🎁🎈

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

I think doing this the day before was a treat worthy of my birthday. Hope you are well

@kimbenson2920

4 ай бұрын

@@TrekkingExploration very well, Ant. Foot recovering after surgery and I am enjoying not going to work. Didn't realise how much I needed to just rest! 👍

I first walked across there in about 1967 on a school trip. We walked all the way from Chirk. Since then I've been across a few times on a boat and on foot with a well earned pint at the Trevor Arms. I think I saw some sort of drain pipe underneath at the end opposite Trevor near the abutment. A good video indeed, Cheers!

Nicely done, great bit of history about this waterway, do watch videos about the boats and so this was very informative.. thanks for sharing.😊😊

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching Frank. Very kind

Absolutely marvellous Adam.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching

Great video, lovely drone shots, really interesting to see the construction. We walked across there about 10 years ago, those railings did not seem to me to be tall enough or strong enough! Thank you again.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It's quite a hair raising experience isn't it? Dread to think what it's like in the wind

Great video as always. And happy birthday mate.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much John. I hope you are both well 😊

Absolutely amazing vlog and so informative. Thanks so much pal. 👍

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Very pleased you enjoyed it and thank you for watching 😄

I’ve been over that several years ago, it’s amazing

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

It really is an experience. Thanks for watching 😊

Great video, thanks. Went over this a couple of times in a narrowboat some years ago. Still don't understand what those metal straps/loops are for. The chap you asked just said they were to do with original walkway but didn't explain anything about their function, unless I missed something...

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

The straps I couldn't really worked out how they worked myself just that they were for the original towpath. I've tried to imagine how they would be used. Thanks for watching

They certainly built things to last back in the day. Wonderful video today.(not that I don't enjoy them all) Have a happy Birthday.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Sheila. Yes they certainly did 😊

How amazing. Thanks

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Jeanette

Brilliant video, thanks for sharing.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching Peter

Superb aerial shots! A once in a lifetime trek inside this magnificent structure. I wonder how they get those huge bolts undone should it prove necessary?

Just think how many years and how much the budget would be to build it now, doubtful it could even be done. Nothing we build today will last this long.

I live by here. I love having this beauty on my doorstep

Cracking video fella!

Great cinematography! Really enjoyed this.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Brilliant Ruth thanks so very much 😊

Birthday greetings from sunny Yorkshire .. .. ..

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Johnny 🙂

Well done mate enjoyed ..

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Brilliant thank you 😃

A wonderful but very scary aquaduct on my list of places to visit one day. Thanks for the literal in depth look 😄

very well done ant very interesting...... as all your videos always are.

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much Clive very kind ☺️

Fascinating thanks from Nova Scotia with love 💕

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching 😁

From the depth of remaining water being so different at each end, is built at a sloping angle

@TrekkingExploration

4 ай бұрын

Yes that was welly deep at one end so there must be over a foot difference