As part of his journey, Dan investigates a series of our remarkable conservation projects. It’s a chance to get up close to some incredible engineering, from the historic flight of locks at Stoke Bruerne, to the incredible boat-carrying aqueduct at Pontsycyllte, known as ‘the stream in the sky’.
These fascinating projects reveal the hundred-year history of canal-mania, from their earliest years in the 1760s and 70s, when they were dug to shift coal and drive forward the ceramics industry of the Potteries, right through to the gigantic Anderton Boat Lift, dubbed “the cathedral of the canals”, a massive engineering solution to the challenges of geography.
Dan looks into the stories of the people who inspired and designed the canals in Georgian and Victorian Britain - famous names like Josiah Wedgwood, Thomas Brindley, Thomas Telford - and the armies of humble navvies who did the dirty work.
Today's modern engineers are working in the footsteps of all of them, preserving a living piece of history, 250 years old.
Of the film project, Snow said 'Thank goodness the industrial pioneers of 250 years ago built canals! Although their intention as transport motorways was largely short-lived, it's hard to imagine our nation without them, such has been their transformation into wellbeing refuges and nature havens. It's been fascinating to see, first hand, the work that that goes into keeping their history alive and their heritage thriving, ensuring these national treasures continue to be around for generations to come.'
The film is now available on History Hit, the streaming service and podcast network founded by historian Dan Snow. Use the exclusive discount code 'CANALS' for a full month's free subscription.
