101 Wonders of the Waterways

Steve Haywood and Moira Haynes

A charming and characterful guidebook to the best of Britain's diverse and fascinating canal network for all waterway enthusiasts.Beautifully illustrated, this compendium uncovers the many extraordinary, notable and surprising places to be found on Britain's waterways. Our canals and rivers link into a diverse 3,000-mile-long network, and 101 Wonders of the Waterways shows you that wherever you find yourself in the country, there will be something nearby to give you a taste of this beautiful and nostalgia-infused world. Canal cruising experts Steve Haywood and Moira Haynes bring our waterways to life with their witty and lyrical prose, including many lesser-known and often ignored places - the best-kept secrets of Britain's canals and rivers. Some examples of wonders include:· Historic Hungerford in Berkshire, where William of Orange was staying when he was offered the crown after the Glorious Revolution· The world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, soaring spectacularly on slender tapered columns 126 feet over the River Dee below· Hest Bank, with its stunning views and the only place where a canal runs so close to the seashore that you can smell the seaweed from the back of your boatAs well as lively personal anecdotes, and insightful commentary on Britain's heritage and history, this guide includes handy recommendations to help you make the most of your visit to each wonder. This is the book you will want to have in the back of your car, or stuffed into your backpack, so you can find an idyllic place for a picnic, or the perfect day trip for a long weekend.

Fully illustrated with beautiful photography - it will be a book to treasure.

Introduction and Dedication Some BasicsThe Inland Waterways Association Locks Distance and Mile Posts 1. The MidlandsBancroft Basin, Stratford-upon-Avon Barrel-roofed Lock Cottages, South Stratford Canal The Birmingham Canal Navigations BCN Challenge Braunston Charity Dock The Chesterfield Canal Cosgrove to Grafton Regis, Grand Union CanalCromford Mills and the Cromford CanalFotheringhayFoxton Locks and Inclined PlaneThe Great Northern BasinThe Harecastle TunnelsHatton LocksLichfield Canal AqueductNapton and the Oxford SummitRoyal Ordnance Depot, WeedonShardlowStoke Bruerne and Blisworth TunnelStourport-on-SevernSouth Stratford Split BridgesTixall WideToll Islands, BirminghamArts and CraftsRoses and CastlesTowpath Art2. The NorthThe Anderton Boat Lift and The River WeaverThe Barton Swing AqueductBingley Five Rise LocksBugsworth BasinBurnley EmbankmentChesterEllesmere PortGargraveGlasson Dock and BasinHebden Bridge and the Rochdale SummitHest BankThe Liverpool LinkNaburn LockThe Ribble LinkThe Rochdale 9SaltaireThe Springs BranchStandedge TunnelWardle CanalWigan PierWorsley DelphCanal CuriositiesRoving BridgesTow Rope GroovesHobbit Houses3. The SouthBlow-up Bridge (Macclesfield Bridge), Regent's CanalCamden LockLittle VeniceThe Thames TunnelMaritime GreenwichThe Thames BarrierThree Mills IslandThe Royal Gunpowder MillsThe River Thames between Goring and WindsorSwan-uppingThe Wey NavigationPort Meadow and OxfordCropredy FestivalSouthern Oxford and Llangollen Lift BridgesTooley's BoatyardTravelling PlayersMikron TheatreTim and Pru4. The EastThe BroadsThe Cambridge BacksDenver SluiceElyThe Glory Hole, LincolnReed CuttersWicken FenTributaries of the Great OuseThe WashWaterways WildlifeWater VolesWater Birds5. Wales and the WestBridge-keepers' Cottages, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Bristol Floating HarbourCaen Hill Lock FlightThe Ellesmere Lake DistrictGloucester DocksPontcysyllte AqueductPulteney Bridge, BathHorseshoe FallsIronbridgeThe Rennie AqueductsSapperton Tunnel and the Cotswold CanalsThe Severn BoreWhixall MossWoodseaves CuttingA Water Way of LifeWaterways PubsTraditional Boatman's Cabin6. ScotlandCaledonian CanalCrinan CanalThe Falkirk WheelThe KelpiesNeptune's StaircaseIndexAcknowledgements