Waterways

We’re publishing (1 March 2025) a series of new regional online Places to Visit Guides to inspire great days out by the water. Containing maps, information about visitor facilities and free activities, the Guides will help people get the most out of visiting over 100 different sites across the charity’s historic navigable canal network. Iconic…

Our canals offer local opportunities for millions of people to help much­loved and endangered species. With spring around the corner, we’re preparing the ground for the year ahead and is calling on volunteers to help the much-loved and many endangered species that rely on the historic canal network that connects countryside with towns and cities.…

We’re announcing the decision by Richard Parry to stand down from his role as chief executive this summer after serving 12 years in the post. A recruitment process for our next chief executive will get underway shortly. Richard joined us in 2013, a year after our creation, and has led us through our critical formative…

The government is officially highlighting the role of our centuries-old canal network in responding to climate change. We’ve submitted its first Climate Adaptation Report, putting us amongst the major infrastructure providers that report to Government about managing climate risk. Making the Industrial Revolution possible The canal network was the most important infrastructure project of its…

Londoners are being offered the chance to beat “Blue Monday” – the day dubbed the most depressing of the year – by taking part in organised activities by their local canal. Beating the Blues This year Monday 20 January is seen as the most miserable date on the calendar because post-Christmas bills will have dropped…

Before school begins again, we often go the Circus to laugh at the clowns. But why not laugh at these antics on the water! Already as these images show, people like to dress up and play the fool on their boats. So why not a fancy dress party on board an electric pontoon boat ?…

A new report demonstrates how the UK’s unique network of historic canals, a legacy of the Industrial Revolution, are being repurposed to address some of the greatest challenges facing society. Rochdale Canal, Manchester The interconnected and ecologically rich man-made waterways are today playing a key role in addressing the UK’s biodiversity crisis, improving public health…

The Restoring the Soar project is looking to recruit a local champion to play a leading role in giving people in Leicester a say in how the River Soar can be improved for people and wildlife. The project, which is a partnership Leicester City Council and Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, is looking to recruit…

Over the past 30 years there have been significant changes in the use of our 2,000-mile canal network in the UK. Today, we have established a new Commission to review the legal framework around boat licensing, to explore whether it is appropriate for the network’s future. The Commission The Commission will start its review in…

New research reveals that 87% of people who took a quintessentially British holiday on the nation’s historic navigable canals and rivers would definitely recommend it to others. Attracting domestic and overseas holiday makers from all over the globe, an impressive 92% felt their holiday was value for money and overall satisfaction with the experience was…