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Narrowboats voted icon of England

6th Jan 2009

Narrowboats on canals have come third in a poll of the most popular icons of the English countryside.

The poll, by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, featured icons nominated by award-winning actors, writers and film-makers, with the results decided by an online public vote. Narrowboating on canals was nominated by actor Kevin Spacey.

Pub signs claimed the number one spot with 14.5% of the public vote, closely followed by red post boxes. Bonfires, country houses, cattle grids and the dawn chorus also featured in the list of top 25 countryside icons.

This is not the first time that narrowboating has gained iconic status. In 2006 narrowboats joined an exclusive band of 74 official Icons of England through the ICONS project.

Last updated: 08/01/2009