National waterways charity the Canal & River Trust has published a series of new regional online guides. Called Places to Visit Guides they are designed to inspire great days out by the water. They contain canal maps, information about visitor facilities and free activities. The Guides will help people get the most out of visiting over 100 different sites. And they are across the charity’s historic navigable canal network.
From hidden gems and rural retreats, to UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic lock flights and museums. There are numerous places to visit for great family days out.
Last year over ten million people visited the charity’s 2,000-mile network of canals and rivers. They enjoyed walking, cycling, running, boat trips, fishing, wildlife spotting, feeding ducks, watching boats go through locks. Paddleboarding, visiting museums, enjoying food and drink at canalside cafés and pubs are other highlights. As well as marvelling at some of the world’s finest examples of working industrial heritage.
Extensive network.
Nicky Lister works for the Canal & River Trust. She says: “Our extensive network of navigable canals and rivers provides free to visit outdoor open spaces. And the chance to connect with nature and our past. Every year, millions of people visit our waterways to be active, relax and to enjoy the scenic landscapes. Our canals offer in both urban and rural areas.
“Our visitor destinations provide free and low-cost family-friendly days out by the water. And the chance to have some fabulous waterside experiences. Even in towns and cities, people can spot a variety of birds, animals, insects and plants along our canals and rivers. And from locks and bridges, to tunnels and aqueducts, there are thousands of historic structures to marvel at.
“We want to encourage more people to visit our canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks. So they can experience the physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits they provide. And find out more about the work of our charity to care for the nation’s world-famous historic network.”
Green corridors.
Canals provide vital green corridors for wildlife and habitats for nature to thrive. Including 304 conservation sites and 68 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s).
The network is home to 2,700 heritage structures, 304 conservation areas, four World Heritage Sites and 46 scheduled ancient monuments.
Over the past five years, hundreds of miles of the Canal & River Trust’s towpaths have been upgraded. 737 miles of the network have been awarded Green Flag Status, the internationally recognised standard for managing outdoor public spaces.
The Trust cares for over 15,000 historic objects and 76 national historic ships. Last year 98,000 visits were made to the charity’s museums. These can be found at Gloucester Docks, National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port and the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne.
Over 143,000 people experienced the Trust’s visitor centres at Anderton Boat Lift, Standedge Tunnel, Diglis Island and Trevor Basin.
The Canal & River Trust’s new regional Places to Visit Guides cover eight regions.
- London
- South East
- South West
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- North West
- Yorkshire and the North East
- Wales.
The Guides are available to download at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/free-guide or to pick up at Canal & River Trust Visitor Centres.
For more information on Canal & River Trust including how you can donate money or volunteer to support the work visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk or by calling 0303 040 4040.
