misc features

Top Easter events by the canals and rivers

The flowers are blooming and the wildlife is waking up from its wintry slumber - spring is truly in the air. Take advantage of your beautiful surroundings and head to your local canal or river this Easter for fun, outdoor activities the whole family will enjoy.

Celebrity boaters

They spend their days jetting to and from exotic destinations, living it up in five-star hotels, and getting stalked by paparazzi. So you may be surprised to learn that quite a few celebrities have tried their hand at boating on the humble British canals.

Enjoy a Mothers' Day on the water

You only get one day a year to thank your mum for all that she does for you, so make the most of it with a Mother's Day she'll never forget.

Going horseboating

For hundreds of years, horses were the backbone of British industry.

They pulled carts and charabancs, ploughed fields and transported everything from coal to soap flakes over the length and breadth of the country.

Go canoeing on a canal or river

For hundreds of years, explorers have travelled the waterways of Britain in canoes and rowing boats.

Anderton Boat Lift

Take a trip to the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire and find out exactly what it is that is attracting thousands and thousands of visitors every year.

Record-breaking rivers and canals

Britain’s waterways are full of superlatives - ranging from canals just a few yards long, to tunnels over three miles in length. But which really are the record breakers?

Waterside theatre

Sit back, relax and enjoy an evening of culture at one of these premier waterside theatres.

Punting along the river

Peaceful surroundings, stunning architecture, wildlife all around and your own personal chauffeur – a trip in a flat-bottomed boat at its best.

Loch Ness

Set in stunning surroundings in the heart of the Scotland’s Great Glen, Loch Ness is one of the country’s biggest lakes, ‘or lochs'. At 24 miles long and one mile wide, there is plenty of space for any strange creatures to hide.

It's cooler by the water

It’s official: the temperature by rivers and canals located close to city centres is up to five degrees cooler than the temperature in town and city centres*.

Fascinating facts about canals and rivers

Discover fascinating facts about the UK canal and river network, from the longest canal tunnel to the shortest lock.

Volunteer along our rivers and canals

Are you a boater, an angler or a nature-lover? Do you enjoy scenic strolls along well-kept pathways? And do you believe in the preservation of British heritage?

Your local canal: yours to enjoy anytime

Escape from your everyday world and relax by your local canal or river.

The River Stort Sculpture Trail

Four freestanding sculptures and a metal and glass walkway form the three-and-a-half mile waterside trail along the River Stort linking Parndon Mill to the Gibberd Garden in Harlow.

Top children’s attractions by the canals and rivers

If you’re struggling for ideas on how to keep the children entertained, you need look no further for inspiration than Britain’s fantastic array of canals and rivers.

40 years of memories

Life continues at 40: How messing about on boats saved Britain’s waterways.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Route 2

Route 2 is one of five walking routes running alongside the Leeds & Liverpool canal in Merseyside.

What to look out for along Route 2

Many reminders of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal's fascinating industrial heritage can be seen as you walk along Route 2.

You tell us

Every day waterscape.com receives questions, queries and comments (some good and some bad) via email from our customers. ‘You tell us’ is where we publish just a few of them, along with a response.

Towpath Tidy 2010

Make a difference to your local waterway.

Are you boater, a walker or a nature lover? Would you like to make an impact on your local canal or river – and make new friends along the way?

Unique places to go for Valentine’s Day

The most passionate day of the year is almost upon us, and once again the mad rush for flowers and chocolates has begun. But you don’t have to shower your loved one with extravagant presents and clichéd cards to show your affections.

Scottish canals photography competition 2008

For the sixth year running British Waterways Scotland ran its annual photography competition in 2008, to encourage budding photographers to visit their local Scottish canal or river.

Weird and wonderful canal boats

Although you may not think it to look at them, narrowboats and barges can be used for all sorts of unusual purposes. From floating cheese shops to bike-selling barges, the simple canal boat can come in many different guises.

A day in the life of a lock keeper

What's it like to be a lock keeper? Natalie Bennett spent a day with Sam Thomas, keeper of Thames Lock on the Grand Union Canal in Brentford.

A day in the life of a patrol officer

I’m Jo Hatch - a customer service advisor for British Waterways in Watford. Since I started, I’ve been fascinated with the role of BW’s patrol officers and Andy Beal, patrol officer for the Lee and Stort, invited me to join him for the day. I had no idea what the day would have in store for me, but I was excited, and a little nervous...

Picnic hotspots by the water

Make the most of the sunshine during the school holidays on a picnic at some wonderful waterside picnic spots...

Grass snake

Britain's largest reptile is shy by nature and wary of humans.

Mallard

Without a doubt the most abundant duck in the world, the wild mallard is as common to our local parks as the children's swings and summer ice-cream van.

British Waterways' Film Map

British Waterways has mapped out the most iconic film and TV locations on the nation’s 2,200-mile network of canals, rivers and docks.

Cooking on a narrowboat: hints and tips

Hiring a boat over the Easter weekend? With the Easter roast looming, those new to life afloat may find that their goose is well and truly cooked – and not in a good way – when it comes to navigating an onboard kitchen. Read on to ensure culinary success with Jean’s tips for cooking on a narrowboat.

Could you restore a historic boat?

Do you have the skills and experience to restore a boat of heritage value?

A number of British Waterways’ work boats are for sale to members of the public who can demonstrate that they have the resources to purchase, restore and maintain them.

Walking the length of the Trent & Mersey Canal

A detailed description of walking the length of the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Eric and Richard Harlow walked the 92 miles of the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath in support of St Giles Hospice at Whittington near Lichfield.