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History features and articles

Articles and blogs relating to canal history and heritage.

Rolling back the years at Anderton Boat Lift
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire’s iconic ‘Cathedral of the Canals’. To celebrate, we’ll be transporting visitors back in time to 1875, with a Victorian Fair.
Fri Jun 20 2025
Cementing a legacy in Northamptonshire
A historic canal bridge in Braunston, Northamptonshire, is getting a much-needed makeover, thanks to a generous gift from late waterways supporter and local resident, Peter Andrews.
Wed Jun 18 2025
Sharing memories of Diglis Island
October 9, 2024, marked 180 years since the opening of Diglis Island, in Worcester. To celebrate, we launched a unique oral history project to record and preserve memories of this iconic site.
Wed Jun 18 2025
Restoring Rennie's legacy on the Lancaster Canal
In March, the Lancaster Canal was fully reopened after a £1.6 million project to repair a breach at Hollowforth Aqueduct. The works restored a piece of living heritage stretching back over 200 years.
Fri May 23 2025
Remembering the 'Big Dig'
In October 1969, a pivotal event took place on the Montgomery Canal in Welshpool. It embodied the ‘do it yourself’ spirit of the canal restoration movement and inspires restoration efforts to this day.
Mon Apr 28 2025
Celebrating 220 years of Blisworth Tunnel
This year marks the 220th anniversary of Blisworth Tunnel, on the Grand Union Canal. To celebrate this impressive milestone, we dig a little deeper into the remarkable history of this famous old tunnel.
Fri Mar 21 2025
Forging ahead at Ellesmere Yard
As restoration work gets underway, we take a closer look at Ellesmere Yard in the heart of Shropshire. Read more
Fri Nov 22 2024
Charlie and the chocolate factory
Chocolate Charlie was once a local legend on the Shropshire Union Canal. Read more
Fri Aug 30 2024
Restoring living history
In May, we completed the last stage of restoration of the Diglis Crane, a labour of love going back 20 years.
Thu Jun 20 2024
What's in a name?
There are around 3,000 bridges along our waterways and each one has its own story. Read more about the origin of bridge names
Fri May 31 2024

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Last Edited: 20 June 2025

photo of a location on the canals

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