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Handy apps for canal users


The canals might be historic structures that provide an insight into how Britain was 200 years ago, but that doesn’t mean that cutting-edge technology can’t help us to enjoy them. With the advent of smartphones, there are a whole host of useful applications – or apps – that can help waterway users with anything from finding their way to learning new skills.

British Waterways has already started coming up with ways to use smartphone technology to help in its work. This year, for the first time, you can take part in the British Waterways Wildlife Survey direct from your mobile phone, by visiting www.waterscape.com/ws in your phone browser. An app is also playing an important role in the Towpath Access Project, by allowing volunteers and waterways users to enter geo-located and up-to-date information on the condition of the towpaths and how accessible they are.

In addition, there are lots of other good apps out there that might come in handy on your next trip to a canal or river. Here are a few suggestions.

General

UK Map App, iPhone or Android
A detailed mapping app, which could be useful on any expedition, whether by boat, on foot, or any other means of transport. It uses Ordinance Survey maps and data from OpenStreetMap.org. The maps are available at many different levels of zoom, from road maps at 1:1,000,000 and 1:250,000 down to a pixel a metre. Footpaths and contour lines are shown, and there is a 3D option for showing the topography.

The Good Pub Guide App, iPhone
Need to stop for some refreshments? Whether it’s a pub lunch, or a few beers, there’s nothing like a good canalside pub. With this app, you can search for pubs near you, find addresses and opening times, and see recommendations and independent reviews.

Chirp, iPhone
Wildlife lovers frustrated by mysterious bird calls while out enjoying the canals and rivers can use this app to help them identify the calls. It can play users the song of nearly 100 birds, as well as displaying pictures and other useful information about the species.

Panorama, iPhone
The canals and rivers offer many subjects for stunning photos. This app lets you capture 360 degree images, by helping you line the shots up, and then edit the pictures together.

Boating

Knot Guide, Android
Learn to tie more than 90 different knots with step-by-step picture guides. Search by knot name, or category.

Distance Calculator, Android
Track how far and how fast you are travelling on your latest boating journey. This app uses GPS positioning to calculate distance travelled, current speed and average speed. The ‘capture’ feature lets you take a screenshot of your journey, to share with friends, while the ‘pause’ and ‘resume’ functions mean you can save battery while you moor up for lunch or wait at locks.

Spirit Level, iPhone
Suspect your boat is listing to one side? Check with this simple, virtual spirit level.

Walking

iFootpath Mobile, iPhone
Browse a list of walking routes on your phone and download selected routes to your phone library. Each walk has a map, walking instructions, images and notes.

AccuPedo Intelligent Pedometer
If you are walking for health then it is often helpful to have an accurate measure of how much you have done. This app allows you to record this in distance, time and number of steps, by sensing your walking patterns even when in your pocket or bag. It works out how many calories you’ve burnt and displays how many steps you take over each day, week, month and year.

Cycling

The National Cycle Network, iPhone
This app was created by the charity Sustrans, and gives users access to detailed mapping of more than 25,000 miles of cycle paths across the country. Use GPS, or your town or postcode, to find routes near you. Also shows the location of bike shops and tourist attractions.

Bike Hub Cycle Journey Planner, Android
A sat-nav for cyclists, allowing you to find the quickest or quietest routes, avoiding hills where possible. It offers turn-by-turn navigation, with voice instructions and vibrating alerts, as well as a bike shop finder.

Last updated: 07/07/2011

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