Canal heritage & architecture

With almost 3,000 designated examples of industrial heritage and engineering feats nationwide, we want even more people to visit their local waterways and discover our fascinating canal architecture.

Our heritage estate

Our heritage estate currently includes:

2,707 listed buildings
50 Scheduled monuments
304 conservation areas
7 historic parks and gardens
6 historic battlefields
4 World Heritage Sites, one of which is directly managed

Great things to see

Soaring aqueducts
The idea of a 'canal in the sky' was ridiculed initially both by engineering sceptics and the canal builders themselves
Soaring aqueducts
The idea of a 'canal in the sky' was ridiculed initially both by engineering sceptics and the canal builders themselves
Locks
An iconic feature on our well-loved canals
Locks
An iconic feature on our well-loved canals
Pubs
It's no surprise that boatmen of old were fond of their canalside pubs
Pubs
It's no surprise that boatmen of old were fond of their canalside pubs
Tunnels
A daunting prospect for canal engineers
Tunnels
A daunting prospect for canal engineers
Mileposts
Once these helped canal companies calculate toll charges
Mileposts
Once these helped canal companies calculate toll charges
Cottages
Canal cottages once housed the workers who kept our truck routes running
Cottages
Canal cottages once housed the workers who kept our truck routes running
Canal bridges
A whole host of historic bridges dot our canals and rivers
Canal bridges
A whole host of historic bridges dot our canals and rivers
Boat lifts
Some of our most impressive canal architecture
Boat lifts
Some of our most impressive canal architecture

Cultural Heritage Advisory Group

Find out more about this group and how it provides specialist advice and guidance

A Statement of Principles for the Waterways Heritage

To make sure that we continue to care for our canals and rivers in the best possible way, we have enlisted the help of our Heritage Advisory Group to draw up a statement of six principles. These reflect our charitable objectives and our responsibilities to all of our heritage assets.

Base our policies and practice on a sound understanding and recognition of the history and significance of the waterways' heritage.
Apply the optimum conservation standards to maintain the integrity and authenticity of our heritage assets.
Accept a presumption in favour of conservation of these heritage assets, while recognising the wider aims, objectives and resources of the Trust.
Work with others to secure the conservation of the wider context and setting of our waterways.
Benchmark and report on our heritage conservation performance at regular intervals.
Maintain a Heritage Advisory Group to advise us on our policies and to monitor performance.