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
5 August 2022
You asked, we answered. Now you can look forward to stories from a canal or river near you every quarter. This month, we’re turning the tide against pollution in Gloucester, exploring Birmingham on foot after the Commonwealth Games, and catching up with vital improvement works in Leighton Buzzard.
Posted by: Waterfront
You asked, we answered. Now you can look forward to stories from a canal or river near you every quarter. This month, we’ve got plastic-busting pirate ships on the Trent, an art crawl in Leeds, and a celebration of the Rochdale Canal’s 20th year since restoration.
After another hugely successful summer of Let’s Fish! over 11,000 people will give angling a try this year. At over 520 free events we’re welcoming youngsters catching their first ever fish and older anglers alike. While some like spending time outdoors in solitude, others enjoy the fun and companionship of matches. That’s why we’re now putting on our very own Commonwealth competition, giving our most promising youngsters the chance to develop their angling skills and celebrate their heritage.
There’s no better place to be than by the water this August and September. With a host of events still planned nationwide, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy time on our canals and rivers. Here are all the ideas and inspiration you need.
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.
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.
30 May 2022
Because we believe life is better by water, we do everything we can to ensure our canals and rivers are open and accessible to everyone. That’s why we welcome people living with disabilities to our waterways and towpaths and make sure our activities and opportunities are open to all.
You're reading Waterfront, the online home of our supporter magazine.
