2. News and views

Your stories

Enjoy the stories of people that live, visit or work on our canals and rivers.

Walking on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal

Victoria & Alex, Farmer’s Bridge Locks

I work with young refugees and my partner Alex is a deputy manager for a company selling electrical equipment. I walk to work every day along the canal, it's so much nicer than getting in the car and sitting in traffic.
Watching winter wildlife

Rob & Jane, Marsworth Locks

We've heard people say there's a good chance of seeing a murmuration of starlings around the water of Tring Reservoirs at the moment, so that's why we're heading there along the Grand Union Canal today. We've travelled from Chesham, which is about ten miles away.
Harvey at Whilton Marina

Harvey, Whilton Marina

I seem to have come full circle. I was brought up in the village of Whilton in Northamptonshire and now here I am again working at the marina.
Watching the wildlife at Thrupp

Caroline, Thrupp, Oxford canal

They can stand so perfectly still, and for so long. If I see a heron I look at them and think, 'Is that a statue?' And then it moves. I just love walking up and down the canal and seeing the wildlife. I come here whenever I can.
Dog walking at Marsworth

Liz & Eddie, Marsworth Reservoir, Grand Union Canal

He's not mine, this is a business walk. I run a dog-walking business and day care centre for dogs and he’s one of my little customers.
John, walking on the Kennet & Avon Canal

John, walking near Devizes

I need to watch out for the size of my tummy, especially with Christmas coming on. I love walking, I always have done, but I do it for fitness too.
A navvy at Bath Deep Lock

John alias a canal navvy, Bath Deep Lock

I don't know why everyone laughs at me when they look at me. I'm an actor for the Natural Theatre Company and we're here today to help with the open day at Bath Deep Lock.
Callum with his shire horses

Long read: Callum, Max & Sam at Devizes

They are lovely, just absolutely lovely. There aren't many working shires remaining in the brewing industry, so Max, Sam and Archie are helping to keep tradition alive.
Tea room at Devizes, Kennet & Avon Canal

George at Devizes Wharf

As a business we're fortunate to be where we are, right by the water, because it works out really well. People like a tea room right next to the water and the canal just brings people to us. And we get people coming in from the Canal Museum too.