The charity making life better by water
Making life better by water
Would you like to get back to nature? Canals and rivers provide homes for all kinds of wildlife, from majestic herons to the elusive kingfisher. Read on for our guide to nature walks near you.
With quacking ducks, ancient hedgerows and even the occasional glimpse of a water vole, our charity's canals are the perfect place for a nature walk. Take a stroll today and see what you can spot.
Every stretch of our 2,000 mile network of canals offers the chance to get close to nature. You can find your nearest towpath on our Local to You page.
Alternatively, read on for our favourite nature walks, in no particular order.
Look out for swans, herons and kingfishers on this walk. Two miles. Silsden to Kildwick
You could spot an otter on this waterside stroll. One mile. Aire & Calder Navigation
There are plenty of water birds to keep you entertained on this five-mile walk to Hawkesbury Junction
Look out for horses, sheep and geese on this one-mile stroll in the Black Country
Escape the city streets on this nature-filled one-mile stroll from Compton to Wightwick
Bird song fills the skies on this short canalside walk through glass-making history. One mile (there and back). Stourbridge
From a mighty lock flight to the Malvern Hills, the scenery is hard to beat on this nature-filled walk. Three and a half miles. Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Frogs, fish and otters are the highlights of this short stroll. One mile. Welshpool
Soaring kites meet a soaring aqueduct on this canal walk. Four miles. Llangollen Canal
Look out for a glimpse of the furry water vole as you walk from Isis Lock. Three miles. Oxford
Look out for herons and buzzards. Four miles. Oxford Canal
Enjoy the hawthorn and wildflowers. One and a half miles. Oxford Canal
Enjoy a nature walk and feel better by water. For more walking inspiration, visit our walking pages
Increase your chances of spotting this elusive bird
Read our A-Z of waterway wildlife
The warmer months tempt a variety of creatures out from their nests and burrows.
What's growing by the towpath
Canals provide habitats for threatened wildlife at a time when biodiversity in the UK is in crisis
Last Edited: 24 September 2025
Sign up to our newsletter and discover how we protect canals and help nature thrive
