More than 5000 miles of canals and rivers are navigable in Britain. These water corridors create a unique, living heritage surrounded by history and nature.
More than 2,700 miles of UK canals and rivers are connected to form a unique network with a number of active campaigns to connect or restore more.
Campaign
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is one organisation that has, for more than 75 years, campaigned locally and nationally for the waterways and their protection and restoration.
They are organised through a network of 8 regions and 33 local branches.
Scatted throughout the IWA website are a number of walks of various lengths featuring highlights of the local canal and rivers. Sadly these are not available in leaflet form or easily printable so we would suggest taking an iPad or phone with you or making notes ahead of your journey.
Walks
Caldon Canal Heritage Walk – The Caldon Canal was built as a branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal following an Act of Parliament in 1776. The main line of the canal was completed in 1778, with an extension through Froghall Tunnel to the current terminus being added a few years later.
Braunston Village & Canal Circular Heritage Walk – On this self guided heritage walk, you will see the historic Horsley cast iron bridge over the marina entrance and the iconic Stop House.
Stourbridge Town Arm Canal Heritage Walk – This short walk is rich with local artefacts that tell the story of the Stourbridge Canal.
Worcester Heritage Walk – The River Severn was one of the most important industrial arteries of this Country. It was once navigated by trows from Gloucester Docks and the Severn Estuary to Pool Quay near Welshpool in good conditions.
Shugborough and the Staffs & Worcs Canal Walk – A very pleasant 4.3 mile walk taking in parts of the Shugborough estate and the towpaths of the Staffs & Worcs and Trent & Mersey canals.
Stoke Bruerne, short village walk – The walk takes you up to the Blisworth tunnel entrance, where you will also see the blacksmith’s premises, then double back along the canal to the A508 roadbridge, and back again towards the Village Centre. There are lots of points of interest in the village, we will mention them as we get there in the directions. The Canal Museum at the start is well worth a visit.
Melbourne to Bielby, Pocklington Canal Walk – A self-guided walk along the Pocklington Canal and see the restoration work. There is a towpath along the full length and there are a number of Grade II listed bridges and locks. The canal is a haven for wildlife.
Dadlington and the Ashby Canal Walk – Dadlington is a picturesque Leicestershire village, which has close connections with Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth. It is the only recorded burial site for the slain from the battle and the church itself is well worth a visit if it is open.
Shenton Aqueduct & Ashby Canal Walk – Shenton is a picturesque Leicestershire village, close to the site of the Battle of Bosworth, with a station on the Battlefield Line heritage railway.
Kings Cross to Camden Walk – Follow this leisurely self guided walk, highlighting points of interest along the Regent’s Canal. Discover the history of some of London’s industrial warehouses, iconic developments and landmarks along the Regent’s Canal.
Hurleston Locks & Shropshire Union Canal Walk – Follow the route to see the Hurleston flight of locks at the top of the Llangollen Canal, and the junction with the Shropshire Union at the bottom of the flight.
Northampton Arm Mosaic Trail Challenge – A canal mosaic nature trail, featuring 34 mosaic designs, has been installed along the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. This wonderful new feature is made possible by the work of volunteers from the IWA Northampton Branch, pupils from two Northampton primary schools – Briar Hill and Delapre, and mosaic expert David Bowers.
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk – This walk starts at the head of the Navigation in Chelmsford, and runs downstream to Heybridge Basin.
Horseshoe Falls & Llangollen Canal Walk in the Dee Valley – UNESCO made the eleven miles of canal from Chirk Bank to Horseshoe Falls a World Heritage Site in July 2009.
Horseshoe Falls & the Vale of Llangollen Walk – This walk takes you on a round trip from Llangollen to the Horseshoe Falls, starting with taking a train ride from Llangollen town to Berwyn Station. The Llangollen & Corwen Railway opened in 1865, soon afterwards becoming part of the Great Western Railway empire.
Tyrley to Market Drayton & the Shropshire Union Canal Walk – Market Drayton’s canal, now part of the ‘Shropshire Union Main Line’ was the country’s last trunk canal. Engineered by Thomas Telford, it was completed in 1835, a year after Telford’s death and just two years before the railway from Liverpool and Manchester to Birmingham was opened a few miles to the east.
Vyrnwy Aqueduct and Carreghofa Walk – This scenic walk is located on the England–Wales border, between Oswestry and Welshpool. A delightful walk beside arguably the most beautiful section of the Montgomery Canal.
Vyrnwy Aqueduct and Llanymynech Walk – This walk begins in the town of Llanymynech and includes a bus ride to the Four Crosses, where the walk begins. The Vyrnwy Aqueduct and Llanymynech Walk is right on the England and Wales border, between Oswestry and Welshpool.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Walk – Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is eleven miles of canal from Chirk Bank to Horseshoe Falls was named a World Heritage Site in July 2009. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal are early and outstanding examples of the innovations brought about by the Industrial Revolution in Britain, where they made decisive development in transport capacities possible.
Chirk to Chirk Bank and Rhoswiel Walk – This figure of eight walk starts at ‘Glyn Wylfa’ in Chirk and passes through fields, along the Llangollen Canal and across the Chirk Aqueduct. Pleasantly rural and rich with heritage, this is a fascinating area of industrial and transport history, with collieries, a corn mill, turnpikes, tramroads, the Llangollen Canal and the railway.
Ellesmere Wharf & the Llangollen Canal Walk – A short walk from the end of the Ellesmere Canal arm to opposite the historic canal workshops.
Pocklington Canal Walk – Canal Head to Bielby – Enjoy a self-guided walk along the Pocklington Canal from Canal Head to Bielby. The walk features Grade II listed bridges and locks. Built in the early 19th century to transport agricultural goods from the East Riding to the south and west. It was built to allow keels to use it. These flat-bottomed boats were used primarily on Northern waterways.