British Canal Guide

The Grand Union connects London to Birmingham, forming the main artery of the English canal system. The southern section from Brentford to Braunston features wide locks and relatively easy cruising through the Thames Valley and Chiltern Hills.

The Leicester Arm branches north from Norton Junction, adding another dimension to this network. The northern section includes the challenging Hatton Flight of 21 locks and passes through rural Warwickshire before reaching Birmingham.

Running from the Thames at Oxford to Hawkesbury Junction near Coventry, the Oxford Canal offers peaceful rural cruising through Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. The southern section features the winding original line through farmland and villages.

The northern section from Napton to Coventry was straightened in the 1830s, creating faster cruising with long straight sections. The canal passes through historic market towns including Banbury and connects to the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction.

The longest single canal in Britain crosses the Pennines between Yorkshire and Lancashire. This trans-Pennine route features dramatic scenery, major lock flights, and varied cruising from industrial heritage to remote moorland.

The Bingley Five Rise is the steepest lock staircase in Britain. The summit pound at 487 feet above sea level crosses exposed moorland. The canal passes through Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Burnley, Skipton, and Leeds.

Connecting the River Trent to the Bridgewater Canal near Manchester, the Trent & Mersey forms a crucial link in the national network. The canal passes through the Potteries, featuring distinctive bottle kilns and industrial heritage.

The route includes the Harecastle Tunnel, one of the longest navigable tunnels in Britain. The southern section provides access to the Potteries towns, while the northern section climbs through the Cheshire countryside.

Linking the Thames at Reading to the River Avon at Bath, the Kennet & Avon traverses southern England through varied landscapes. The canal includes both river navigation sections and artificial cuts with impressive engineering works.

The Caen Hill Flight near Devizes consists of 29 locks in 2 miles, including a dramatic 16-lock staircase section. The route passes through the Vale of Pewsey and features the Crofton Pumping Station with historic beam engines.

Branching from the Shropshire Union at Hurleston, the Llangollen Canal is considered one of Britain's most scenic waterways. The canal follows the Dee Valley into Wales, featuring dramatic engineering and mountain scenery.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries the canal 126 feet above the River Dee on a World Heritage structure. The canal continues through Llangollen to Horseshoe Falls, a weir that feeds water to the canal system.