Clopton's Wharf Winding Hole

The winding hole at Clopton's Wharf is one of those proper canal features that barely registers as a tourist attraction, yet it's exactly the sort of thing that makes a walk along the Montgomeryshire Canal worth doing. It's a widened section of the canal where narrowboats could turn around - essential infrastructure on a waterway that didn't have many turnaround points. You're looking at a roughly circular basin carved into the towpath, and if you visit when boats are about, you'll see the manoeuvre in action. Frankly, it's not dramatic or particularly photogenic, but it tells you something real about how these waterways functioned.

Walkers and canal enthusiasts will find this loop most interesting. Kids might enjoy spotting narrowboats from the towpath, though they won't be captivated for long. Allow ten minutes to take it in properly - there's no charge, no gates, just accessible bankside.

The winding hole sits near Llanymynech, a small village that sits right on the Wales-England border. If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Grantley Court and Tanat Holiday Park are closest at under two miles - this makes an easy morning stroll before heading elsewhere. The Montgomeryshire Canal restoration is ongoing, so the towpath quality varies, but this particular stretch is well-maintained. It's not a destination in itself, but it slots nicely into a longer canal walk, especially if you're exploring the broader Tanat Valley area.