Ep 3. Llangollen

Great Canal Journeys is a British television show that follows the adventures of Timothy West and Prunella Scales as they navigate the UK's canals. Season 1 and episode 3 of this show is titled Llangollen.

The episode starts with Timothy and Prunella setting off from Ellesmere in Shropshire, in their narrowboat called 'Kelpie'. They are joined by their daughter, Juliet, and her family. The plan is to navigate the canal to reach the Welsh border town of Llangollen, which is famous for its aqueduct and canal.

As they proceed, the family is awed by the stunning landscape of the Welsh countryside, and they all enjoy the slow pace of canal travel. On the way, they stop at Chirk aqueduct, which was built in 1801 and stands at 70 feet high and 710 feet long. Timothy and Prunella give a historical account of this magnificent structure, and they also participate in some fun activities, such as feeding the ducks and flying kites.

Their journey continues through the breathtaking scenery of the Dee Valley, where they encounter many locks, and the family works together to navigate through them. Prunella is particularly proud of her contribution to the team, as she has learned to operate the locks very well.

As they travel further along the canal, they reach the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which was built in 1805 to transport goods across the Dee Valley. The family spends some time exploring this impressive structure, which is 1000 feet long and 126 feet high. They marvel at the engineering feat that made it possible to build such a structure over 200 years ago.

The journey culminates in reaching the town of Llangollen, which is an idyllic place to visit, surrounded by the Welsh hills. Timothy and Prunella take the family on a walk around the Horseshoe Falls, where they have a picnic and enjoy the pristine surroundings. They also visit Plas Newydd, a house with a unique history, which was once the home of two remarkable women, The Ladies of Llangollen.

The episode ends with the family enjoying a well-deserved meal in a local restaurant, reflecting on their time spent on the canal, and appreciating the beauty of the countryside they had seen.

Overall, Great Canal Journeys, season 1, episode 3, Llangollen, is a delightful watch, perfect for exploring the stunning scenery, the history, and the culture of the UK's canals. The host couple, Timothy and Prunella, bring a unique perspective to the show, as they reflect on their own experiences of canal life and share their historical knowledge of these incredible engineering feats. The family's involvement adds a human touch to the show and makes it a perfect family-friendly watch.