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Making life better by water

History features and articles

Articles and blogs relating to canal history and heritage.

Open days bring heritage to life
Every September, Heritage Open Days invites people to uncover the hidden stories that helped to shape our nation’s history. Here are just some of the unique experiences you can enjoy with us this year.
29 July 2026
A modern take on a timeless art
Read about an evolution in lock gate manufacture for Britain's largest canal charity
29 June 2026
Keeping our canals flowing this winter
Every year, we carry out a major programme of winter works across our historic canals.
17 November 2025
Restoring our heritage at Ellesmere Port
Last month, work began to restore the Grade II Listed pumphouse at Ellesmere Port. Read more
22 September 2025
The picture-perfect life of Harry Arnold
For more than 60 years, the late, great Harry Arnold MBE championed, documented, and helped to restore our canals and rivers. Read more
22 September 2025
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.
20 June 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.
18 June 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.
18 June 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.
23 May 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.
28 April 2025

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Last Edited: 26 September 2025

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