Scottish town with one-of-a-kind water attraction that people say is like a theme park ride

AN UNUSUAL water attraction in the UK has been likened to a theme park ride by visitors – and it’s the only one of its kind in the world.

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that carries barges and boats between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.

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Located in Falkirk, Scotland, it is the only one of its kind in the world, making it a tourist attraction in its own right.

After first opening in 2002, it has become one of Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions, with 500,000 visitors every year.

Travel website Secret Scotland described it as an “exceptional” example of engineering, writing: “The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Canals described the Union Canal as “a route to remember” on their website.

They added: “From the iconic Falkirk Wheel to the historic heart of Scotland’s capital city, discover boat trips, inspiring trails and amazing heritage.”

The rotating wheel takes around five minutes to lift boats from one canal onto the other.

Barges can be hired and taken down both canals, with Edinburgh at the end of one and Glasgow at the end of the other.

Although visitors won’t need to hire a barge to give the Falkirk Wheel a go, with tours onboard two boats from the Scottish Canals Trust are also in operation.

The Original Tour lasts 50 minutes and includes two turns on the Falkirk Wheel.

Visitors will depart from the Falkirk Wheel Basin where they’ll enter the lower gondola of the wheel before sailing through the sky to join the Union Canal 35 metres above the basin.

Boat tours will then continue along the aqueduct, heading through Roughcastle Tunnel before reaching the mouth of the Union Canal where boats will turn back to the start.

Tours last 50 minutes, with tickets costing £17.40 for a full-paying adult and £9.60 for children.

The Falkirk Wheel has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5/5 star rating from over 4,000 reviews.

One person wrote: “The area has been turned into a children’s theme park ride”.

While a third person wrote: “It’s more like a theme park attraction than a boat lift”.

There are plenty of other attractions at the Falkirk Wheel, including a splash zone with a huge stone map and mini canal lock gates.

A fleet of little paddle boats lets younger visitors experience the water in the boating pond.

Older children can take to the water on bumper boats, each of which come equipped with a squirt gun.

Other activities include paddle boarding and water zorbing and canoeing on the water trail.

Nearby, there’s also Helix Park where a huge set of two Kelpie statues can be found.

Kelpies are mythical shape-shifting horse spirits that were said to drag humans to their deaths in the water.

The statues were designed by Andy Scott, and they’re the largest equine statues in the world.

Spanning more than 350 hectares, there are plenty of other features inside the huge park, including an adventure zone and splash play area for kids, with fountains spraying from the ground and huge climbing structures.

Meanwhile walking and cycling routes “meander through lush greenery and enchanting woodlands” according to the park’s website.

The paths in and around the park connect 16 communities via 26 kilometres worth of trail, all of which can be explored.

Entry to Helix Park is free, making it ideal for families.

Five new water attractions opening in the UK

1. Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
2. Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
3. Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
4. The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
5. The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.

Meanwhile, Dundee has been named Scotland’s most underrated city thanks to its ties to the Beano and the Dandy.

And we’ve recently revealed our favourite spots for a September break.

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