Herts to see waterway history in action

British Waterways (BW) is offering Hertfordshire people the unique chance to step inside two of the most fascinating working waterway buildings in the area in special tours on Saturday 12 July.

Tringford pumping station and Bulbourne workshops date back to the last 200 years and are still in full working order today.

The pumping station, located just outside Tring, was built in 1817 to pump water from local reservoirs into the Grand Union Canal, via the Wendover Arm, to maintain water levels at Tring Summit – a three-mile stretch of water with descending locks at each end. The pumping station reaches deep inside the ground and has a ghostly atmosphere created by its extraordinary acoustics.

At Bulbourne workshops just a couple of miles away, the traditional methods of carpentry and welding are still used to make the lock gates and other canal furniture seen throughout Britain's waterway network.

BW's Caroline Houghton said: "This is a rare opportunity for members of the public to see inside both of these historic buildings in the same day. At Bulbourne, visitors will be able to see the machinery in motion and chat to the skilled craftsmen who use them on a daily basis. This will be a unique behind the scenes tour of the workings of the Grand Union Canal."

Each session on Saturday 16 July involves a tour of the buildings with a bus transfer linking the two and tours start at either 9.00am or 2.00pm. Tickets cost £10 and need to be bought in advance from BW on 01442 825938. Due to Health and Safety implications the minimum age of visitors is 16 years.