Canal habitats

Our 2,000 miles of canals and rivers provide habitats for all kinds of plants and wildlife.

For many creatures that rely on both water and land, there's no beating a canalside location. Learn more about the six key habitats found along our waterway network, and which species call them home.

Habitats

Picturesque image of Brecon Basin through a bridge. Sunny day with pretty houses next to the canal.

Buildings and structures

Many structures along our canals are over 200 years old and play an important, often overlooked, role in biodiversity

Grassland

Grassland and towpath verges can extend for miles and support a rich variety of flora and fauna

Hedgerows

Hedgerows create a 'superhighway' for nature, allowing a variety of species to move through the landscape freely

Tring Reservoir surrounded by green fields

Open water

Many of our open water sites are protected areas because of their importance for water birds

Scrubland

Scrubland can sometimes look messy and neglected, but this is actually a sign of a richly biodiverse habitat

A little egret with its distinguished plumage and black beak stands guard among wildflowers on a river bank.

Waterway banks

Waterway banks are ideal habitats for many species including insects, birds and water voles

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Last Edited: 31 March 2025