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Historic Ellesmere Yard set for new visitor season

1st May 2009

Restoration of Ellesmere Boat Yard will be complete in time for the peak tourism season, enabling it to play a key role in the growing visitor importance of this heritage rich town.

The historic site on the Llangollen Canal has been transformed under a £132k partnership project; safeguarding its future and developing its potential as a key visitor destination in the town.

The area has huge historical significance as the former headquarters of legendary canal pioneer Thomas Telford, whose engineering prowess put these borderlands on the Industrial Revolution map.

Wales & Border Counties’ heritage and environment manager, Peter Birch said the site dates from the late 18th Century – and its evolution is well documented.

“The structure is an outstanding example of living heritage. It has been in continuous use for the past 200 years and still serves its original purpose as a canal company maintenance yard,” said Peter.

Now Ellesmere Repair Yard forms an integral feature of the town’s rich heritage, and is an important visitor attraction in its own right.

Most of the buildings at Ellesmere Yard – Beech House, 1 Beech House, the office, dry dock, blacksmith and joinery shop, and timber store – are Grade II Listed structures. The yard also lies within the Ellesmere Conservation Area.

The partnership has delivered a range of improvements, including:
• Repairs to the joiner’s workshop roof;
• Repairs to the general workshop roof;
• Repairs to gutters and down-pipes on all roofs;
• North light repairs to the joiner’s workshop;
• Rooflight repairs to the general workshop;
• Window repairs throughout all of the building;
• External wall repairs;
• Internal timber repairs.

As part of the same project, British Waterways has improved access through Ellesmere Tunnel, a listed structure and a popular part of the towpath walk. Railings have been installed, making the walk through the 90 yard (80 metre) tunnel easier and safer.

“The partnership funding package allowed us to link several smaller project components into the wider context. These included enhancements to the Mereside and a heritage trail, which features the canal,” said Peter.

“It is probably the most complete example of a waterway repair yard in the UK. More importantly, it served as headquarters for legendary engineer Thomas Telford, who put this area on the map,” he added.

Telford based himself at Ellesmere during the design and construction of the Llangollen Canal – originally the Ellesmere Canal – which began in 1793. This canal formed part of a doomed vision to build a waterway linking three arterial rivers – the Mersey, Dee and Severn.

Telford’s legacy upon the picturesque borderlands between England and Wales endures to this day: the A5 trunk road connects London to Holyhead and iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct bear witness to his ingenuity and determination.

The yard will be the hub of Ellesmere Boat Rally in September, when the canal will be alive with colourful craft and visitors flocking into town.

British Waterways is now investigating how the site might be sensitively re-developed, retaining operational facilities while providing opportunities for heritage led visitor attractions and economic activity.

The former North Shropshire District Council has contributed £80k, with £25k coming from Advantage West Midlands Market Towns Initiative scheme. British Waterways funded the remaining £27k. The project will complement Ellesmere Gateway, a recent towpath improvement scheme, which will add value to the yard refurbishment scheme.

Last updated: 01/05/2009