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
24 August 2021
Some eight million people live within just a kilometre of their local canal or river. But not everyone has yet discovered the delights they can find by the water. While many people want to be active along the towpath, art is a gentler way of introducing waterside wellbeing. That’s why we developed our national Hinterlands project, which helps people uncover the beauty of canals on their doorstep.
Posted by: Waterfront
3 August 2021
Right now, young people are gaining valuable work experience on our waterways, thanks to our active participation in the government’s new Kickstart initiative.
29 July 2021
Once the lifeblood of industry, many of our canals sadly fell into disuse and disrepair in the early part of the 20th century. Much of our beautiful canal network would not be with us today without the canal restoration movement that rescued so many waterways in the following years. But the work of these volunteers and enthusiasts is far from over. Today, we continue to support them as they bring beautiful lost waterways back to life.
23 June 2021
In a break between restoration works at Caen Hill on the Kennet & Avon Canal, our heritage adviser Morgan Cowles explains how we strike a balance between keeping our canals open and safe today, while also preserving the traditional skills, materials and construction techniques that built them over 200 years ago. Some of our canals are so old they are now protected as scheduled ancient monuments. Preserving that heritage is key to our charity’s work.
From reeds to rushes, damselflies to sticklebacks, otters to badgers and water voles, your local canal is full of life. Knowle Locks, on the Grand Union Canal near Solihull, is no exception. Here our ecologist, Shaun Pope, explains how we care for wildlife. It’s just one example of how the kindness of supporters like you is making life better by water every day.
From London to Leeds and Liverpool, monthly donations are enabling us to transform canals and change lives in some of our biggest cities and towns. This short ode to the Rochdale Canal in Manchester shows how we can bring our waterways back to life in our towns and cities.
14 June 2021
This summer will see exciting changes along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Burnley, with the renovation of Finsley Gate Wharf. The former boatyard will become a wonderful waterside attraction for the local community, offering boat trips and boat hire, a café, gardens, function rooms and learning areas where visitors can learn about its history. Waterfront has been digging into the archives with the help of our heritage advisor, Bill Froggatt.
28 May 2021
To mark Volunteers’ Week, we’d like to give our thanks to the many thousands of volunteers who make your support for the work of Canal & River Trust go so much further. By giving up their time and putting in so much hard work every day, volunteers help us maintain miles of canals for everyone to enjoy.
You're reading Waterfront, the online home of our supporter magazine.
