A new year brings the opportunity for new experiences. From wildlife spotting to paddleboarding, our canals and rivers offer an abundance of things to see and do. What will you discover in 2025?
Wildlife & nature
1. Forage for winter nibbles
Get ahead of the game by harvesting sloe gin berries ready for next year's festive tipple from bushes growing by the canal.
2. Spot winter wildlife
Sparse hedgerows and snowy (or muddy!) verges covered in tracks or pawprints can expose an abundance of wildlife you wouldn't spot as easily in the height of summer.
3. Go bird spotting
Our handy species identification guide will help you figure out what type of bird you may be seeing, or hearing, by our waterways.
4. Take a nature walk
Wrap up warm and follow one of our favourite nature trails.
5. Become an otter spotter
A five-claw, webbed paw print on a muddy riverbank is just one of eight tell-tale signs that an otter could be close by.
6. Feed the ducks
Typically a summer activity, there's no reason why feeding ducks shouldn't also be on your winter to-do list. Like many other creatures, finding food is more challenging in the colder months, so why not help them out with some duck-friendly treats?
Time on the towpath
7. Explore on two wheels
We welcome all considerate cyclists to our towpaths all year round.
Arm yourself with a hot flask of tea, find somewhere comfortable to sit, and enjoy watching boats as they cruise past. You can do this anywhere along our canals, but places like the quirky Camden Locks are hive of activity all day long.
10. Admire street-art
Did you know there are street-art trails dotted around our canal network? Each represent the different people who make up the local communities, and bring a burst of colour to a once unloved space.
11. Shop at a floating market boat
Many traders operate all year round, so keep your eyes peeled for floating market boats that are open for business.
Run by volunteers, these popular boat tours take you on a unique trip beneath the Pennines.
Inside Standedge Tunnel
Learn & discover
17. Uncover history
Step back in time and absorb our fascinating museum collection of around 15,000 objects and more than 50 boats.
18. Visit Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Test your head for heights by visiting the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which has been named as the most captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world.
19. Up, up and away at Anderton
Anderton Boat Lift hauls boats and barges 50ft from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent & Mersey Canal, and is well worth a visit.
20. See the fish at Diglis
Take a tour of Diglis Island and the Diglis Fish Pass, which has its own underwater gallery where you can spot a variety of different fish species on the move.
Anderton Boat Lift
Make a difference
23. Wage war on plastic
Help nature thrive by taking part in our #PlasticsChallenge next time you're on the towpath.
24. Volunteer
From lock keeping to planting hedgerows, there are many ways you can volunteer by water.
25. Find a fundraising challenge
As a charity, we rely heavily on support from our canal users. If you enjoy our waterways and want to help #KeepCanalsAlive, why not find a fundraising challenge that suits you?
