Typical questions

Considerations

After decades of decline and disuse, canals and inland waterways are seeing increasing leisure use (and some commercial use as well). Cruising in owned or hired narrowboats, and walking the large network of towpaths, are popular occupations. For the librarian this translates into enquiries about using the canals, their history, and perhaps even volunteering to help in restoration work. A ‘navigation’ is a river that has been made navigable, often by making a new ‘cut’ to avoid rapids, etc.

Where to look

History

The standard history of the canals of the UK are the eight regional volumes by Charles Hadfield, published by David & Charles.

An excellent historical encyclopedia is:

Paget-Tomlinson, E. (2006) The illustrated history of canal and river navigation, 3rd edn, Landmark

General

Waterscape www.waterscape.com

Gives information about waterside areas and the national waterway network.

Edwards, L. A. (1985) Inland Waterways of Great Britain, 6th edn, Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson

A detailed account of every canal and navigable river, giving history and detailed technical information.

Towpath (monthly). Mortons Media Group www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Newspaper for waterways users.

Maps and guides

Inland Waterways Map of Great Britain (2006) Nicholson/HarperCollins

Full colour map.

Nicholson guides to the waterways, Nicholson/Collins, 7 vols

Nicholson's detailed regional guides to the canals and navigable waterways of the UK, with maps based on the Ordnance Survey showing locks and towpaths, and giving information on navigation, boatyards, services and local information, are the canal user's ‘Bible’.

Pearson's canal companions, J. M. Pearson & Sons

Less detailed than Nicholson, but adequate for the water user. The candid observations of places covered are a feature.

Organizations

British Waterways

Customer Service Centre, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD17 4QA

Tel: 01923 201120; Fax: 01923 201102

E-mail: enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk

www.british-waterways.org

British Waterways manage a network of two thousand miles of canals and navigable rivers. It has regional offices.

Inland Waterways Association

3 Norfolk Court, Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1LT

www.waterways.org.uk

The campaigning group for the use, maintenance and restoration of Britain's inland waterways.

Tips and pitfalls

Like most hobbyists and enthusiasts, the user will often know far more about the subject than the librarian.