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Welcome to Canals & Waterways: Roots & Routes, the website
dedicated to the history and routes of Britain's Inland Waterways.
Almost every British canal, whether navigable, derelict or under
restoration is described here. Many river navigation's (including
all of the Norfolk Broads waterways) are also included.
Please Note: This site is not intended
to be an up-to-date news site nor is it a guide to navigating
the canal system. I regard this website as a historical archive.
I very much hope you enjoy reading the history and descriptions
but please do not email me with recent develpments. There are
many other websites covering recent canal news.
WHAT'S IN HERE?
Roots:
Each page contains a chronological history of the waterway in
question, tracing its roots from its initial promotion through
to c2000.
Routes:
Each waterway also has a detailed description of its route. Where
possible I have included up to date instructions on where to find
interesting features along the waterway. Brief descriptions on
how to reach these features are often included.
WHO CAN MAKE USE OF THE INFORMATION?
Everybody! If you wish to look up a particular waterway at a certain
date then it could not be easier. You can also print the pages
out for your own personal use.
The route descriptions are of most use to walkers, cyclists
and people who generally enjoy scrambling along muddy footpaths
for entertainment! Because I visit most canals by car the information
almost always includes road numbers and street names. I use the Nicholson
Guide To The Waterways series of books and a very good road map, Philip's Navigator
which, although expensive compared
to most road maps (at around 20ukp), shows every navigable canal, river and lock
as well as some derelict waterways.
I have not included public transport details but I am (slowly
but surely) including access points and some car parking info.
I don't use OS Maps myself but I am (also equally slowly but surely)
adding OS ref numbers throughout every route description.
My route descriptions are usually written as though a walk is
taking place, starting at one end of a route and following the
line to the opposite end. Please do not assume that this means
there is actually a footpath following the whole route. Most canals
have towpaths but a lot of rivers have no path at all or have
paths which are severed in places. I have not walked every inch
of every route but I try to give walking details whenever possible.
WHERE DOES THE INFORMATION COME FROM?
The main reference books I have used when researching the historical
information are Charles Hadfield's Canals of Great Britain and
Ronald Russell's Lost Canals of Great Britain though many
other sources of information are also used. More recent information
comes from various books, leaflets and the canal press.
Where possible, route information comes from my own findings.
Each year myself and my trusty assistant (the wife) add to our
"research" by visiting many of the routes described.
Route descriptions of completely lost canals come from Ronald
Russell's Lost Canals of Great Britain.
At the moment this is a developing series. If the waterway you
are interested in is not here, please come back soon, it may
not be far away!
Please note, I cannot accept responsibility for you getting lost,
injured or drunk while following one of my descriptions. If you
have not been on a canal walk before I suggest you go well prepared.
Good walking shoes and thick clothing are always advisable. Be
careful where you walk when on derelict routes. NEVER climb into
a canal lock or into the cut itself unless you can see for absolute
certain that it is bone dry. Always respect private property,
leave gates as you find them and don't feed the bears.
HOW DO I FIND THE WATERWAY I WANT?
Use the buttons at the top of this page to navigate the site. Waterways are listed in an alphabetic list as well as by area. Every good canal book attempts to split the UK waterways network
up into regions and areas. These areas are always very debatable
and I have to admit I have not made things any clearer! Sometimes it is difficult
to decide which is the right area in which to put a waterway - especially
if its a long route. If a canal passes through two or more areas,
then it will be listed under both areas in the area index. If
you know the name of the canal you are looking for - use the alphabetical
index!
Contacts
Canals & Waterways: Roots & Routes is written and researched
by Peter Hardcastle - canals@btinternet.co.uk
Disclaimer
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Canals & Waterways: Roots
& Routes © Peter
Hardcastle 1994-2006
Website Design © Shaun
Smith 2003
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