Chirk Aqueduct's 225th anniversary celebrated in spectacular style at Chirk Castle
Lanterns, music and a special film premiere bring communities together to celebrate one of Wales' most remarkable World Heritage landmarks.
Image; A special lantern parade across Chirk Aqueduct (Joe Bickerton)
The magnificent surroundings of Chirk Castle were illuminated in spectacular fashion on Friday 16 October as local communities, families and visitors came together to celebrate the 225th anniversary of Chirk Aqueduct.
The free, sold-out celebration brought together music, heritage, film and creativity, marking the culmination of a year-long programme of activities recognising the extraordinary engineering achievement and its enduring importance to communities on both sides of the Wales–England border.
Image; Chirk Castle lit up to celebrate 225 years of Chirk Aqueduct (Credit; Leon Bowen)
The evening featured performances by the renowned Fron Male Voice Choir, the premiere of a specially commissioned anniversary film by local production company **Follow Films**, and a spectacular illuminated lantern parade featuring creations made by local schoolchildren and community participants.
Against the dramatic backdrop of Chirk Castle, illuminated in blue lighting for the occasion, families enjoyed a memorable celebration of the area's internationally recognised heritage.
The event also included an exhibition of community projects and school activities, while the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Jeremy Kent, joined partners and supporters for a special anniversary cake-cutting ceremony, featuring a cake generously created by Chris and the team at Caffi Wylfa.
Image; Joe Bickerton
Celebrating 225 years of engineering excellence
Completed in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct was one of the most ambitious engineering achievements of its time.
Designed by pioneering engineers William Jessop and Thomas Telford, the aqueduct stands approximately 70 feet above the Ceiriog Valley and stretches more than 700 feet across the Wales–England border.
Today, it forms part of the 11-mile Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from across the world and remaining an important symbol of the area's industrial heritage.
Image; Joe Bickerton
The 225th anniversary has been marked throughout 2026 with a series of community activities, including canal-side celebrations, a floating market, heritage exhibitions, school workshops and creative projects.
A particular highlight has been the involvement of pupils from **Pentre, Chirk and Weston Rhyn primary schools**, who have explored the aqueduct's history through educational activities, model-making and lantern workshops.
Their illuminated creations helped bring the anniversary celebrations to a memorable conclusion at Chirk Castle.
David Morgan, Development Manager at Glandŵr Cymru – the Canal & River Trust in Wales, said:
"Chirk Aqueduct is an extraordinary example of engineering innovation, but what makes it truly special is the connection it continues to have with local communities 225 years after it first opened.
"Throughout this anniversary year, we've seen tremendous enthusiasm from schools, volunteers, residents and partner organisations, all coming together to celebrate and learn more about this remarkable landmark.
"The celebrations at Chirk Castle were a wonderful culmination of that work. Seeing the lantern parade, the involvement of young people and the pride that local communities have in their heritage was incredibly rewarding.
"We hope the anniversary film will help share the story of Chirk Aqueduct with new audiences and inspire future generations to appreciate and protect our historic waterways."
Image; Leon Bowen
A special setting with its own place in history
Chirk Castle provided a particularly fitting setting for the anniversary celebrations, having played an unexpected role in the aqueduct's original development.
During the planning of the canal in the 1790s, an initial proposal to construct a large embankment across the Ceiriog Valley was opposed by the owner of Chirk Castle, who was concerned about its impact on the surrounding landscape.
The engineers subsequently developed the ambitious aqueduct design that remains one of the area's most recognisable landmarks today.
Image; Leon Bowen
Lizzie Champion, General Manager for the National Trust at Chirk Castle, said:
"It was a real privilege to welcome so many people to Chirk Castle for this wonderful celebration.
"Chirk Castle and the aqueduct share a fascinating history, so it felt particularly appropriate to bring everyone together here to mark such an important anniversary.
"The lantern parade was a truly special moment, particularly seeing the creativity and enthusiasm of local schoolchildren and families against the backdrop of the castle.
"Events like this demonstrate how our historic places can continue to bring communities together, creating new memories while celebrating the stories and heritage that make them so significant."
Image; Joe Bickerton
Showcasing Wrexham's culture, heritage and communities
The event also highlighted the growing confidence and ambition of Wrexham County as it progresses its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
From its internationally recognised World Heritage Site and historic landmarks to its creative communities, music and traditions, Wrexham has a wealth of cultural stories to share.
The Chirk Aqueduct celebrations demonstrated how heritage can provide a platform for community participation, creativity and collaboration, bringing together different generations and organisations to celebrate a shared sense of place.
Councillor Frank Hemmings, representing Chirk North, said:
"This has been a fantastic celebration for Chirk and the wider community, and something we can all feel incredibly proud of.
"Chirk Aqueduct has been part of our landscape for 225 years, but more importantly, it's part of our identity. Generations of local families have grown up with this remarkable landmark on their doorstep.
"To see our local schools, volunteers, businesses and community organisations playing such an important role in the celebrations has been wonderful.
"As Wrexham looks ahead to its UK City of Culture 2029 bid, events like this show exactly what we have to offer. We have extraordinary heritage, fantastic communities and the creativity and ambition to bring people together for truly memorable occasions.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this anniversary year such a success."
Working together to showcase the very best of Wrexham County
The anniversary celebrations have also demonstrated the importance of strong partnerships in developing and promoting Wrexham County as a visitor destination.
Image; Leon Bowen
Through the This is Wrecsam Tourism Partnership local businesses, attractions, public bodies and community organisations are increasingly working together to celebrate the county's unique identity, develop visitor experiences and promote more reasons to discover Wrexham.
The successful Chirk Aqueduct 225 programme provides another example of how collaboration can bring heritage to life, support local communities and create compelling new experiences for residents and visitors alike.
With Wrexham's international profile continuing to grow, initiatives such as this play an important role in showcasing the diversity of attractions and experiences available across the county, encouraging visitors to explore beyond the city centre and discover its towns, villages, landscapes and historic landmarks.
Watch the official Chirk Aqueduct 225 celebration film
A special anniversary film, produced by Follow Films, has been commissioned to capture the history of Chirk Aqueduct and the personal connections that local people and communities have with this remarkable landmark.
Premiered during the celebration evening at Chirk Castle, the film provides a lasting legacy of the 225th anniversary and an opportunity to share the aqueduct's story with audiences far beyond the local area.
Thank you to our partners and supporters
The Chirk Aqueduct 225 Partnership would like to extend its sincere thanks to all organisations, sponsors, volunteers and community groups who helped make the anniversary programme and celebration evening possible.
Special thanks go to Wrexham County Borough Council, Glandŵr Cymru – Canal & River Trust, Transport for Wales, Caffi Wylfa, the National Trust, Three Counties Connected Rail Partnership, Chirk Town Council, Llangollen Canoe Club, Weston Rhyn Parish Council, and Pentre, Chirk and Weston Rhyn primary schools, alongside the many other individuals and organisations who contributed throughout the year.
Their collective support has helped create a fitting tribute to one of the area's most important historic landmarks and a celebration that will be remembered for years to come.
