Canals of Britain: A Comprehensive Guide (2nd edition)

The canal network is one of Britain's national treasures. Once the transport arteries of the nation, canals helped pump the industrial revolution, but by the middle years of the twentieth century many had become neglected and derelict, rendered largely redundant, first by the railway and then by the heavy goods vehicle. In more recent times canals have become primarily leisure conduits. Those that remained navigable or have been restored are now mainly chugged by the narrow boats of holiday‐makers and boat‐owning enthusiasts. Walkers, and on some sections cyclists, traverse the towpaths, while canoeists and others keen on aquatic pursuits splash...