The charity making life better by water
Making life better by water
Spring is in the air, and to celebrate, we’re bringing you a packed schedule of exciting waterside events, from historic festivals to endurance races. So mark your calendar and get ready for some fun.
This month sees the return of our Easter Historic Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum in Cheshire. Over the Easter weekend, heritage boats from across the country will moor up at Ellesmere Port for four days of fun, food and festivities. Celebrations kick off on Good Friday with a flotilla of brightly coloured narrowboats cutting along the Shropshire Union Canal. And with live music, craft workshops, and artisanal stalls, there’s something for everyone.
Join us on Thursday, April 17 for a day of discovery and photography on Diglis Island, on the River Severn. Improve your camera skills with the help of our photography expert, explore the island’s hidden beauty, and capture some truly breathtaking shots of Diglis’s Victorian workshops, historic crane and rare wildlife. If you’re a bit of a shutterbug, a history nut, or just looking for an enjoyable day out, this is one experience you won’t want to miss.
Longing to get back to nature? Grab your binoculars and join us at London’s idyllic Welsh Harp Reservoir on Sunday, April 27, for a morning of walking and guided bird-spotting. This tranquil oasis is home to a beautiful array of songbirds, waterbirds and warblers, and led by our local bird expert, you can observe them all in their natural habitat. If you’re a keen twitcher, nature lover, or just looking for some fresh air and fun, why not tag along?
Searching for your next big fitness challenge? Paddle boarders from across the region will be lining up in Nottingham later this month for the UK’s longest downriver race, ‘Race to the Castle’. The gruelling 40 km course will test paddlers’ courage, strength and strategy, taking them on a white-knuckle ride through the lush, rolling countryside of the Trent Valley. If you’d like to test your endurance, meet like-minded people, and make memories for life, sign up today.
Looking for something a little more sedate? Led by our wonderful volunteers, we’re stepping back in time in South Yorkshire this month with a historic walking tour of Sheffield’s waterways. Get your steps in, as we guide you through 200 years of history at Victoria Quays, on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal, taking in some of the city’s most famous landmarks. It’s the perfect way to shake off those cobwebs and brush up on your local history.
Throughout April, we’re hosting a series of health and wellbeing classes at our National Waterways Museum in Gloucester. So, if you’re feeling the winter blues, a little stressed or sluggish, why not pop along? Connect your mind and body with a spot of yoga, balance your chakras with our transformative seven-week course, or improve your breathing with our respiratory health expert. All ages and abilities are welcome, and you can book your spot today.
Feeling creative? Join us for a chat and a brew at one of our ‘Craft & Chatter’ sessions at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruene. If you’re already working on a craft project, bring it along. If not, we can get you started with wool and knitting or crochet patterns. You’ll make new friends, improve your crafting skills, and get those creative juices flowing. There’s no need to book. Just drop by.
These are just some of the exciting events happening across our network this spring. To find more fun waterside activities near you, check our events calendar.
Last Edited: 21 March 2025
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