Then vs Now: The History of the UK’s Waterways
A heritage-rich snapshot into the changing appearance of the UK’s canal network over the past 100 years
Insure4Boats, in partnership with The Canal & River Trust, has created a comprehensive interactive website to celebrate the history of the hugely popular waterways system.
The History of the Waterways depicts how the canals of England and Wales have changed over the past century. With the enhancements of modern technology and engineering, many of these canals are still in working use and regularly enjoyed by the narrowboat community.
The History of the Waterways showcases navigable points of interest including locks, boat lifts, tunnels, aqueducts, ports, wharfs and basins across Britain, with historical imagery dating back to 1900. Some of the key points of interest the website explores are listed below.
|
Region |
Canal hotspot |
|
London |
Bow Locks |
|
South West |
Caen Hill Locks |
|
East Midlands |
Shardlow Canal Port |
|
West Midlands |
Dudley Canal Tunnels |
|
Wales |
Fourteen Locks |
|
North West |
Marple Grand Aqueduct |
|
Yorkshire |
Bingley Five Rise |
Since the canal cruising season runs all year round, now is the perfect time to explore all the wonders of the waterways. Each point of interest on the Insure4Boats microsite has some fascinating facts about its heritage, as well as local information for visitors on what to do in the area.
Insure4Boats have collaborated with The Canal & River Trust, where archivist John Benson from The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port has given his commentary on each canal hotspot.
John Benson, archivist and canal enthusiast, said: “As someone who loves the canals and has an interest in labour and industrial history and has benefitted from pounding the towpaths all my life I’m pleased, on behalf of The Canal & River Trust, to have a connection to this project.”
John Woosey, managing director of Insure4Boats and Ripe Insurance, said: “From regular communication with our customers, we know that heritage is at the heart of the canal community, so we wanted to celebrate this by helping even more people to enjoy the canals and share our passion for the waterways.
From the North West to Wales to the South West, there are brilliant examples of canal history and engineering masterpieces across our country. Our History of the Waterways campaign not only highlights the routes and landmarks to be enjoyed but shows how much our modern landscape has changed.”
For more information on each point of interest and to see plenty more around the UK, please visit the full History of the Waterways microsite.
ENDS
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