Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction
We are fortunate to have, in this country, a canal network like no other in the world. It was the
first commercial canal system, leading the way for the Industrial Revolution, but has remained
largely as it was originally built. The canals are mostly small and intimate. Restoration in re-
cent years, supported by lottery and other funding, has outstripped the pace of construction
even during the 'canal mania' years.
Overseas, where canals have been enlarged to take modern commercial craft, you can look
at the distant bank and wonder whether you will be run down by something the size of an
office block. In this country the biggest risk is running aground and you can usually wade
through the mud to either bank; a canal is a safe environment in which there is limited scope
for getting into serious trouble. For the walker and cyclist, canals provide routes that are
mostly flat. As far as possible, descriptions are given downhill and with the flow for those who
have a choice of direction.
We have canals with scenery that changes frequently: open countryside, wildlife, heritage
industrial buildings, canalside public houses, modern city centres, wild moorland and coastal
harbours, all mixed up. Anywhere on the system fantastic engineering structures can be found.
