Canal Boat Hire from Monmouthshire

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Canal Boat Hire in Monmouthshire

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled canals in Britain and is located within The Brecon Beacons National Park. This landlocked canal meanders for 35 miles from the old market town of Brecon to Five Locks, Cwmbran, following the scenic Usk Valley. It offers glorious views of the Brecon Beacons and passes through fascinating villages including Talybont-on-Usk, Llangynidr, Llangattock, Gilwern, Govilon and Llanfoist. The industrial heritage of the canal is still visible in many places with the remains of the lime kilns and old tramways that brought coal, iron and limestone down from the surrounding hills. At our base in Goyte visit The Wharf Heritage Centre and discover the history of the canal and learn about the people who have lived on the Wharf since 1811.

The canal has over 22 miles of lock free cruising but the Llangynidt flight have five locks in a row. Cefn Flight and Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre is a flight of 14 locks which is currently derelict but there are plans to restore them and the unnavigable Crumlin Arm of the canal. There is a Canal Heritage Centre adjacent to the top lock where you can enjoy a cuppa in The Dadford Tea Room, named after Thomas Dadford who was the engineer involved with the construction of the locks. Navigate your way across the Brynich Aqueduct, this impressive four-arch aqueduct carries the canal over the River Usk in the beautiful Usk Valley.

When visiting Brecon take a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway, travel through the beautiful scenery into the Brecon Beacons National Park. Shopping in the town is a real treat explore the narrow streets and passageways lined with Georgian and Jacobean shopfronts. Abergavenny is set in the valley close by to the banks of the River Usk and is surrounded on three sides by the hills which form part of Black Mountain range. The High Street is home to a wide range of local shops selling a huge range of individual gifts. Abergavenny is a market town and the recently refurbished market hall houses the local Antiques and Collectors Fairs and Local Produce Market.

For an exciting day out take a tour of The Big Pit Mining Museum, become a virtual miner, learn about what life would have been like for the men and boys who worked the coalface. Go 300 feet underground and take a guided tour of the coal face, engine house and stables. If you want to do some walking during your Canal Boating Holiday moor up near Crickhowell. The town is ideally situated for walking and you can enjoy a gentle stroll along the canal towpath or a guided walk through the Brecon Beacons.

Crickhowell is a friendly market town offering many wonderful shops and restaurants. The canal runs for almost all its course through the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty covering over 500 square miles. The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated in 1957 and is surrounded by traditional Welsh towns an stunning landscape. The National Park has its own history and heritage, and its own cuisine, traditions, myths and culture.The scenery is very diverse from the rolling countryside and valleys to splendid waterfalls and caves. If you want to have a go at an outdoor activity there are plenty of centres which hire equipment and teach new skills.