PREES BRANCH CANAL

This stretch of canal was built in the early 1800s, a branch of the Llangollen Canal which was abandoned even before it was completed due to lack of finance. It is valued today as a marvellously long pond, a quiet backwater for all kinds of water creatures, including the fast-declining water vole and the occasional otter, as well as birds such as mallard, moorhen, swans and kingfishers.

Lurking in the depths of the canal are some very rare pondweeds which have earned it protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Uncommon plants such as monkey flower, frogbit, skullcap and water violet grow along the canal.

A fence has been erected on the eastern side of the canal to prevent cattle grazing right up to the water's edge. This will allow vegetation to grow up, giving water voles the foraging areas they need.

The towpath takes you up to the Llangollen Canal, just under 2 miles away.