22-07-2025
Nerve-shredding activity at 126ft aqueduct rated among world's best Tripadvisor experiences
A nerve-shredding paddle across the world's highest canal aqueduct has been named among the world's best 'experiences'. Based on its reviews, travel platform Tripadvisor placed the Froncysyllte canoe excursions above trips to Stonehenge and Edinburgh's Harry Potter tours.
The Llangollen Canal excursions are organised for paddlers who often have little experience of canoes. The highlight of the half-day trips is a journey across the 220-year-old Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which towers 126ft above the River Dee in on the Wrexham - Denbighshire border.
Part of the Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, the iconic 'Stream in the Sky' has become a hugely popular destination for sightseeers and walkers in recent years. Crossing it in other ways – in canoes, kayaks and canalboats – is also booming. It's even been navigated by car.
Organised by Llangollen -based Bearded Men Adventures, the canoe experiences are billed as a 'fun-filled activity' that is 'perfect for a stag or hen weekend, a great day-out with your friends or a unique family day-out'.
As well as praised for offering value for money, the Bearded Men guides – some of whom are female – are universally saluted by reviewers for their friendliness and local knowledge.
'Bloody fantastic!' enthused a London woman on Tripadvisor. 'From start to finish it was amazing experience.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
The Bearded Men canoe trips were announced as among the winners of Tripadvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards in its 'Best of the Best Things To Do' category. The awards highlight the highest-rated attractions and experiences around the world.
Based on reviews, the canoe aqueduct tours were cited as the world's third best Water Sports experience – eight places above its next best UK rival, high-speed boat trip on the River Thames in London. Another Bearded Men activity, whitewater rafting in Llangollen, was in 23rd place on the global water sports list.
In terms of all-round experiences, aqueduct paddling was considered the UK's fourth-best. Recommended by 99% of people, 1,679 of 1,720 users have so far given the canoe tours five-star reviews.
Though people clearly loved the experience, a few sighed about the waits that are sometimes necessary on the aqueduct. Canal boats get priority and any canoe failing to observe this rule will certainly come off second best.
Topping the pile, for UK experiences, were tours of London's historical pubs. This activity was also named the world's third best 'Cultural & Historic Experience'.
Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle were acclaimed by Tripadvisor as the UK's second best experience. In third spot was The Manchester City Stadium Tour. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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