If you'd like to plan an event on our waterways, please fill out our online event form. Please submit your event application at least three months prior to the scheduled event date. This allows sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and approved.
Please Note: If you submit your application with less than four weeks' notice before your event takes place, it's likely that we will have to decline your application due to insufficient time to process it. Once registered, you'll have a live dashboard where you can view the progress of your application.
To help cover the cost of processing event applications and ensuring our charity’s funds remain focused on maintaining and preserving the waterways, an administration fee applies to third-party event applications.
From 1 April 2025, we are introducing a two-tier application fee system:
- Small Community Events (under 25 participants) – If your event is free to attend, not fundraising for a charity, and for fewer than 25 people, you will not be charged an application fee.
- Rate 1 (£105 +VAT) – For non-commercial event organisers, the current £95 application fee will increase to £105 in line with inflation.
Rate 2 (£250 +VAT) – This new rate will apply to:
- Charity events that are not free to attend and are primarily held for fundraising purposes.
- Businesses or/and Commercial events.
Please note that an additional event fee may apply depending on the scale and type of event.
You can find out more information on the events rate card and FAQs on charging on our website.
How to apply
To apply for permission to hold your event, just follow the steps below:
- Fill in the online event application form and include your risk assessment and public liability insurance.
- After we have assessed your application and confirmed approval, we will issue an Event Agreement (terms & conditions).
Each week, we receive numerous requests to promote events along our waterways that are raising funds for other causes. While we applaud this, we’re afraid that we can't promote them all for you. However, if you're interested in raising money for the Canal & River Trust, then get in touch, and we’ll give you all the help we can.
Are you considering hosting an event on our land or water but feeling uncertain about the impact of the charges? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Just drop us a line at events@canalrivertrust.org.uk, and we’ll gladly discuss your event before you apply. As a charity, it’s important for us to cover the costs of enabling events and preserving our historic network for everyone to cherish for years to come.
