Line drawing of the packet-boat ‘Duchess Countess’

The Duchess Countess Trust
This is a community-based, not-for-profit Company whose long-term Project is to re-create the historic canal packet (passenger) boat, ‘Duchess Countess’, built at the end of the 18th century which ended its days on the Montgomery and Llangollen canals in the mid 1950s. The aim is to use the marine architect’s plans, made before she was broken up, to build a full-scale replica of this unique craft and to fit her out as close to the original as modern regulations will allow. She will then operate in the Llanymynech area as a trip boat when the canal is re-opened to its junction with the Shropshire Union Canal at Welsh Frankton.

The black and white photo below shows the Duchess Countess at work.

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Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre

A community-run facility which welcomes visitors and tourists to the “international parish” of Llanymynech. Besides light refreshments, the centre provides displays and exhibitions about the canal, Heritage Area and other local places of interest to the visitor. Guided tours can be arranged, there is a picnic area and the village has a variety of places to eat.  The Centre is managed by the ‘Duchess Countess’ Trust

Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre

Open Sunday and Bank Holiday afternoons, 2.00 – 4.30pm between Easter and end of September, 

and Saturday afternoons in July and August.

The ‘George Watson Buck will be giving public trips in 2008. CLICK HERE for details of the visitor centre and boat trips

For enquiries or if you would like to volunteer to help with any aspect of our work please contact John Martin on

 01691 830506 or e-mail: packetboat@f2s.com
also visit: www.duchess-countess.org.uk

Historic interest
Llanymynech Wharf was an important transhipment point for coal, used in the flourishing local lime industry and for domestic use, and for exporting limestone and farm produce. It is surrounded by the Heritage Area, now run by Shropshire Countryside Service where you can walk the footpaths and discover the remains of inclined tramways and kilns, especially the magnificent and unusual Hoffman lime kiln – one of only three remaining in this country and the best preserved.

Wildlife
The site is rich in wildlife. Interesting nature trails lead through the scrubland surrounding the industrial sites and the old wood of Llwyn Goch. The woodland spring flowers and the meadows in summer are worth visiting. At the top of the inclines you enter the old quarries, now a local Wildlife Trust reserve, with extensive views over the surrounding English and Welsh countryside. This was one of the first Sites of Special Scientific Interest designated as such in Britain.