This year the Lancaster Canal celebrates its bicentenary and the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, slightly older, hits the 210-year mark. These are just two of the notable anniversaries happening across the canal network in 2026 and I’ll be telling you about them in future editions.
Given the immense societal changes during their lifetimes, it is testament to countless hours of love and dedication by committed volunteers and others that they are here today. At times, it’s been a close shave. Here are two marvels of engineering, one from each waterway, that deserve to be celebrated.
Underground
Connected to the rest of the canal network by the Ribble Link in 2002, the Lancaster Canal has just one tunnel, Hincaster. Sadly, it’s no longer navigable, at least not yet, as the northern reaches of the canal were severed by the M6 motorway in the late sixties. But the southern section has gradually edged northwards, thanks to the wonderful volunteers at the Lancaster Canal Trust, and gets nearer to Hincaster every year.
Work on constructing the tunnel started in May 1813, but the first engineer, William Williams (perhaps a lack of imagination on his parents’ part…), had his contract terminated after the project suffered financial difficulties.
Construction continued under the guidance of Thomas Fletcher until John Pritchard was contracted in August 1814. In that same month, Fletcher made the unusual suggestion to the canal committee that bricks be used in the construction of the tunnel.
While bricks were already in use for similar projects further south, it was unheard of in the north of England and the committee required considerable reassurance that brick would be suitable. They eventually did agree, and a source of clay was identified three miles from the tunnel site on Milnthorpe Marsh to the west of Heversham. It would go on to contribute two million bricks. Here’s hoping that, in the not-too-distant future, you’ll be able to cruise through and see why Fletcher was right.
Hincaster Tunnel
Overground
Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon has been in the spotlight recently with the film Hamnet (based on the conception story for Hamlet) winning awards all over the place. The great man pre-dated the canal by over 170 years, otherwise no doubt it would’ve become the backdrop for one of his fine plays.
Building of the canal began in 1793 and only reached from King's Norton junction to Hockley Heath - where the money ran out. It eventually reached its full 36km (25 ½ mile) length 23 years later, arriving in Stratford-on-Avon in 1816. The canal has a northern and southern section, with the divide at Kingswood Junction where it joins the Grand Union Canal .
It’s on the southern section that you’ll find three cast iron aqueducts. One of these, Edstone, remains the longest of its type in England at 145m (475 feet) long. That’s not its only claim to fame. It’s also a very early example of a prefabricated structure – a kind of giant self-build kit that’s assembled onsite. Another anomaly is that if you walked alongside your boat as it crossed Edstone, your head would just be above the waterline as the towpath is level with the bottom of the trough!
However, it nearly became nothing more than a memory. By the 1900s, the South Stratford was already a backwater by-passed by the Grand Union. And, by 1958, its very existence was threatened as the County Council applied for a Warrant of Abandonment for the canal. Fortunately, committed and forward-looking enthusiasts successfully rallied to save the canal and with it Edstone Aqueduct.
So, if you’re wondering where to head on your boat this summer, then why not cruise to either of these and raise a glass to the amazing ingenuity and endeavour that left the nation with such a remarkable legacy?
PS Sorry if the title to this article has given you an irritating earworm!
Longest cast iron trough in England - Edstone Aqueduct
World War II pillboxes given new role
Designed to protect in the event of an invasion, World War II pillboxes on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire have been given a new role, over 80 years later, as homes for bats.
Their thick concrete walls and roofs create the perfect environment for bats to thrive. The canal is home to a vast range of wildlife. In Berkshire alone you can find 12 of the UK’s 18 bat species such as crevice-loving bats like the common pipistrelle and whiskered bat, or cave-dwellers like the greater and lesser horseshoe bats.
We held heritage training courses to train volunteers in the skills they can use to conserve these and other historic structures on the canal, bringing benefits to historical assets for decades to come so they can be enjoyed by future generations.
Pillboxes such as at Hamstead Lock have had four of the five slits in the concrete walls of the structure, that allowed weapons to be fired at an approaching enemy, covered and a door added to create a dark and undisturbed environment. Boxes have also been installed inside, providing cosy roosting places.
The work to convert the pillboxes and time spent by volunteers has been made possible by a grant from Historic England and through funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Morgan Cowles, heritage team manager south said: “Repurposing these pillboxes to become new homes for bats is a fantastic way of repairing and transforming the historic structures that line the canal to give them a new lease of life and purpose to boost important species and habitats along the canal. This work last year allowed for us to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the impact the canals had during this period in the country.
“We’ve worked with enthusiastic volunteers to provide them with the training that's needed to continue caring for these and other historic structures that are a part of our heritage along the canal.
“Volunteers have also undertaken survey work to identify the locations of the pillboxes as there are over 130 that were built on the canal alongside 45 anti-tank obstacles built as defences. We're grateful to the volunteers for their hard work and to players of People's Postcode Lottery and Historic England for enabling us to deliver this work to protect our heritage and boost biodiversity."
Interpretation panels have been installed at Garston Lock and Hamstead Bridge to tell the past story of the pillboxes and of their new purpose as bat habitats.
Where will you, a boater, feel most at home?
Crick Boat Show is where! Why not save yourself 10% on the entry price by grabbing an advance ticket - which are now on sale! The Crick Boat Show (sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston) takes place at Crick Marina, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, across the late May Bank Holiday Weekend 23-25 May 2026, with an exclusive Trade & Preview Day on Friday 22 May.
Britain’s biggest inland waterways event, Crick Boat Show is organised by Waterways World in association with the Trust and Crick Waterside & Marina and is expected to attract over 26,000 visitors.
As well as being the canal world’s largest marketplace with over 200 exhibitors showcasing the inland waterways industry, Crick Boat Show offers a fantastic weekend or day out with more than 30 new boats to view. There are also used boats, free boat trips, free advice seminars on boat ownership, technical masterclasses, a live music festival sponsored by Aquavista, a beer festival sponsored by LeeSan, and a great variety of food and drink stalls.
Peter Johns, Publisher of Waterways World and Show Director, says: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people to our 2026 Crick Boat Show, to be held over the Whitsun May Bank Holiday weekend. Crick Boat Show is firmly established as the top destination for boaters and waterways enthusiasts looking to buy a new boat, upgrade or improve their existing boat with new cost effective technologies, for newcomers wanting to get afloat for the first time and for those seeking a day out by the water.
“Now in its 26th year, the Show hosts the largest display of new inland boats, both narrowboats and wide beams, and for four days it becomes Britain’s largest chandlery when over 200 exhibitors bring together the complete range of equipment and materials for inland boating.
“Our ‘Trade & Preview Day’ is exclusively designed for those who want to speak with boating related exhibitors – from boat builders to equipment suppliers. Friday 22 May offers a maximum of 1,000 pre-booked visitors the opportunity to talk in-depth with these companies and to see the boats before everyone else.”
Boats being craned in for Crick Boat Show 2025 (3)
Alex Hennessey, national boating manager for Canal & River Trust, adds: “Every year Crick Boat Show celebrates Britain’s fantastic network of canals and rivers and the boaters who cruise them.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Crick for a fantastic day out by the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line in the Northamptonshire countryside. Visitors to the Canal & River Trust Marquee can discover more about the boating, walking, fishing, wildlife spotting and volunteering opportunities our waterways offer today, as well as the work our charity carries out to maintain the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales.”
All advance tickets will be sent out in May and delivery is free of charge. Advance tickets can be ordered online or by phone until noon on Friday 15 May 2026.
For more information and to book tickets, camping pitches and moorings, visit www.crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742970, Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
River Canal Rescue’s stats show impact of drought and cost of living
Don’t let the seemingly endless grey skies and wet weather of late jade your memory, because last year the hottest summer followed the driest spring in over 100 years in southern England. The drought extended to all parts of the network and business on the water was curtailed as supplies ran dry in certain parts. We thought you’d be interested in what the rescue stats from River Canal Rescue (RCR) tell us.
RCR reports it responded to 123 major incidents in 2025 (down from 171 in 2024), largely emergency situations involving grounded boats. Last year saw fewer general call-outs, 2,057 (down from 3,485), for electrical, fuel and engine issues, flat batteries, over-heating and gear box failures etc. Around 500 were return visits organised by RCR’s ‘Plus’ service for work, including: plumbing and electrical installations, gearbox replacements, inverter, solar installations and general engine maintenance.
RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton, says the 28% and 41% drop in major and minor call-outs is primarily due to low levels on the canal system and the fact that many people were unable to move.
The company's engineers responded to 87% of call-outs (with the remaining 13% handled by approved-contractors) and undertook 544 combined engine service and inspections, 8% fewer than the 592 a year earlier.
RCR subsidiary, Key Diesels, whose team fits and supplies new and refurbished engines nationwide, sold fewer engines last year. 16 new and used engines were sold direct to customers, a 64% drop from 2024, indicating the impact of the financial crisis.
Stephanie comments: “Although low water levels brought certain parts of the inland waterway system to a standstill, at least it resulted in fewer call-out situations for boaters. Out of those who did need our help, 92% rated us excellent for customer satisfaction and call-handling, 91%, for engineer response time and 93% engineer knowledge. Away from call-outs, we’re always on-hand to answer any queries and give advice, so just get in touch.”
Maintenance, repair and restoration work this weekend
Winter works
As our major winter repair and restoration programme is underway it means there will be more closures than usual as we replace lock gates, mend sluices and complete a whole range of jobs to prepare the network for cruising. You can find out where we’ve started, and in some cases finished, work with this link.
Of course, as we’re in the more volatile months of winter there’s a higher chance of extreme weather which may also impact navigation.
When this does happen, or we have to unexpectedly repair something, we get notices up on to our website as soon as we can – it’s always best to have a scan while you’re planning your cruise and also just before you set off. You can find out how to get stoppage notification alerts on your smartphone in this article.
Follow this link to see where navigations are shut this weekend.
If you have any questions about a specific closure, or spot an error in our system, please get in touch.
Life made easier for Waterside Moorings customers
We all have to do life admin no matter how streamlined our lifestyles are – things like car and boat insurance, TV licence, gym membership – it’s a chore that no-one enjoys so everything we can do to help is a bonus!
With this in mind, the team at Waterside Moorings has added a new online ‘click to renew and pay’ facility. This will make the renewal process as seamless, and quick, as possible. So, next time you come to renew your mooring, you’ll only need to set aside a few minutes!
Last Edited: 26 February 2026
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