Making life better by water
Specialist teams
Find out how our expert teams work together to make life better by water
Work for us
We have vacancies across all of our waterways and in the offices, museums and attractions that support them. We're one of the UK's biggest charities and we take pride in everything we do
Contact us
If you're thinking of getting in touch then please take a moment to look through these pages as we probably have the answer on our website
Summer safety by the water
As the weather is warming up we want everyone to be able to enjoy our canals and rivers in the safest possible way
Stoppages and notices
We're continually carrying out work to improve our canals and rivers. Find out if we're working along your route before you set off on a boat trip
10 reasons to take up canoeing
It's a great way to get fit and explore our waterways at the same time
Share the Space
Take a look at our common sense guide to sharing the towpath
Winter open days
Our open days offer a different perspective of our waterways, a behind-the-scenes look at the great work we do. A free day out for all the family.
Find a place to fish
From reservoirs to club-managed canals and river stretches - find your nearest place to fish
Get your free guide
Download your free guide today and start exploring the waterway nature near you
Download your free guides
You've nine free days out guides to choose from - where will you go first?
Find a walk near you
Are you ready to ramble? Find a waterside stroll or a satisfying hike along our beautiful canals and rivers
Wellbeing with Well-B
Discover how you can recharge when spending time by water
Art Events
Take a look at our upcoming events here.
Something for everyone
Help us make a difference and have fun along the way. Find your perfect volunteer role today
Join our team
Could you join your local Towpath Taskforce team and help us to keep our canals looking lovely?
Volunteering in partnership
Want to make a real difference to your community? You could join over 400 groups who volunteer with us every year
Donate today
100% of your donation will be used to make life better by water
Canals are better with Friends
Becoming a Friend by making a monthly donation is one of the most effective ways to support our work
Leave a gift in your Will
Will you leave a gift in your Will to keep the canals and rivers you care about alive?
Give in memory
Celebrate the life of a loved one by giving a gift in their memory
Give in celebration
Got a favourite place in mind? Dedicate it in celebration of a loved one today
Corporate giving
Make a difference to the wellbeing of your community
We care for our supporters
We are caring and open and aim to put our supporters at the heart of everything we do
Use My Location
Read the latest blogs from the team at the Canal & River Trust.
5 July 2022
This article is brought to you, courtesy of Jason Webb of the National Anguilla Club.
Posted by: The fisheries & angling team
4 July 2022
Walking your worries away by water is good for anyone, of any age. But this month we’re launching a new campaign encouraging young people in particular, to find their happy place by their local canal. Sadly, government statistics suggest young people still have a low sense of mental wellbeing after the pandemic. And while many young people have yet to discover the tranquility of their local canal, 23-year-old David McEntee has explored everything the Grand Union Canal has to offer.
Posted by: Waterfront
Every Sunday throughout the summer, Canal Town is coming to the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port and we’d love to welcome all our Friends to come along for a fantastic, free day out. Through canal boats and costumes, music and machinery, and with plenty of fun, games and treats for the children, (and your dog), Canal Town takes you back in time to when trade and shipping boomed, where canals and the mighty Mersey meet. Waterfront paid a visit to find out more.
To mark our 10-year anniversary, our very own finance director, Steve Dainty, kindly agreed to share some of his reflections on our changing canals. Born and raised in Tipton in the Black Country, the way he enjoys life by water today is very different from his early memories of canals.
Angling match results brought to you by Steve Cope.
Posted by: Angling match results
1 July 2022
Welcome to the latest edition. It's a bumper one with everything from an update on recent maintenance for boaters and displaying your boat index and name through to boat parades and events in July with a lot more in between! Of course, the regular news roundup and this weekend's stoppages are also included.
Posted by: The boaters' update
28 June 2022
Every journey has a beginning, and that is very much where I am. Although fishing has been a part of my life since a young age, perhaps more years to go back on than I care to remember, let’s fast-forward to 2019.
27 June 2022
