Ellesmere Yard has a unique heritage status as the UK’s only remaining operational canal-yards dating back to 1806. It was the office and workshops of the former Ellesmere Canal Company set up by Thomas Telford, pioneer architect and engineer of the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals in the heroic days of canal and bridge building.
It remains a working yard and operational base for the Canal & River Trust who take care of 2000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. The site includes a variety of small workshops and spaces including stores, dry dock, offices and the iconic Beech House. The site is also home to a heritage blacksmith and his company who run the forge.
Early-stage plans for the future of the Yard see it as a hub for canal operations, making & design, sustainable land use, heritage crafts, social enterprise and with public activities that celebrate its significant heritage.
At key dates during the year, the site is opened to the public who visit in increasing numbers to experience the workshops, its canalside and learn more about its heritage and collections.
With a high volume of canal-users and day trippers, the team plan to establish a regular destination which would have positive knock-on effect for local tourism and businesses in Ellesmere and the surrounding area. It could also become the home for new enterprise, studios and food & drink.
LATEST NEWS
September 2024 Ellesmere Yard has received a development grant of £409,933 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside funding from Historic England and Shropshire Council, in support of the yard opening up to the public in the future Full story
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