Exploring the canals

• Thursday, 8 November 2007
• Elizabeth Fowler
• 0 Comments

We have really enjoyed doing a bit of canal exploring following the article in September's Motor Caravan and we would like to learn more about the canals and get out and explore them on foot. Can you help?
Ann and Paul Jackson,
Crediton, Devon

ELIZABETH SAYS

A good series of guides to all the canals is published by Central Waterways Supplies of Rugby (tel; 01788 546692, sales@central waterways.co.uk). These are the 'Canal Companions' and each covers part of the system, such as the 'Severn & Avon' guide, which describes the stretch from Bristol to Birmingham. These are not heavyweight tomes but give historical background, current status, walking status plus helpful notes on food and drink and canal-side shops.

Once you are out on the waterways, if you call at one of the larger chandleries on the system you will find lots of great books and other guides to individual canals. The 'boater's bible' is another series of guides, the Nicholson/Ordnance Survey Guide to the Waterways, which are excellent guides but geared towards travelling on the water. There are also lots of canal walking guides, perhaps try your library as a starter.