Open Doors - The Lengthsman's Hut

The Lengthsman's Hut is situated at the Horseshoe Falls, a horseshoe-shaped weir designed by Thomas Telford to divert water from the River Dee into what is the beginning of the Llangollen Canal. Lengthsman’s huts were historically used as a store and shelter by workers employed on the Llangollen Canal. Huts or hovels like these provided a welcome shelter for the lengthsmen who carried out the maintenance along a length of canal, usually about three miles.

Hand tools and materials would have been stored here, such as grass and hedge cutting tools, weed rakes (kebs), spades and shovels. Lengthsmen would have used clay to stop leaks and chippings to gravel the tow path in muddy places.

The Lengthsman's Hut and stop plank shed have recently been fully restored by the Heritage Lottery funded Our Picturesque Landscape project after being closed up for many years. The hut has been furnished as if the lengthsman has just popped out to work and will be back shortly. The building will be open to the public for Cadw's Open Doors event.

No booking required.

Location - Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen, LL20 8BS.
what3words Location: ///snowy.ended.loaning

Directions - nearest car park is located at Llantysilio Green Car Park, LL20 8BT (Pay and Display).
Just a 3km walk from the town of Llangollen along the canal, or perhaps take the magnificent steam train from Llangollen station if the timetable allows. Get off at Berwyn Station and in around 10 minutes, enjoy the idyllic scene that awaits you at the Horseshoe Falls.