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Ways to get involved

Volunteer

Love the waterways? Find volunteering opportunities near you. 

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Events

Find out what’s happening on – or next to – a river or canal near you.

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Join

Join with us to support Britain’s 7,000 miles of canals and rivers.

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You can make a difference

We are the charity that works to protect and restore Britain’s 7,000 miles of canals and rivers. We campaign for better existing waterways and help bring forgotten waterways back to life. Your support – joining in with a local event or volunteering – can make a real difference.

Enter our photography competition

We invite photographers to submit entries for our 2022 competition. By entering, you can expect to see your imagery used across our website, blog pages, printed leaflets, reports and other communications materials.

Waterways affected by HS2

We’re campaigning to protect canals and rivers from the damaging effects of HS2, especially where the tranquillity of the waterways is under threat.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

LATEST NEWS

LATEST NEWS

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News

CRT Changes To Boat Licence Fees

The Inland Waterways Association understands the extraordinary economic climate that is affecting Canal & River Trust and appreciates the reasoning…

News

IWA petitions against HS2 (Crewe – Manchester) Bill

IWA petitions against HS2 (Crewe – Manchester) Bill The Bill received a second reading on 20 June and was referred…

News

Successful Campaign to protect Boaters’ Facilities on the Middle Level

Thanks to campaigning from IWA, Fox Boats and The Middle Level Commissioners, Fenland District Council have reversed their decision to…

freight barge on the Aire & Calder

News

IWA responds to DfT’s Future of Freight Plan

IWA, and other campaign groups working to get more freight off roads and on to waterways want the government to…

News

Waterways APPG to hear about CRT’s future funding

At its next meeting, the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways will be hearing from Richard Parry about Canal…

a double cast iron bridge over the canal with a narrowboat in the foreground

News

IWA responds to CRT Government Grant Review Update

The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that the outcome of their review into Canal &…

Broad Street Bridge BCN – IWA Christmas cards

£3.99

Old Turn Junction – IWA Christmas cards

£3.99

Trent & Mersey Canal – IWA Christmas cards

£3.99

Bridge 75, Milton Keynes – IWA Christmas cards

£3.99

Winter Cruising through Audlem – IWA Christmas cards

£3.99

The River Nene Guide – Iain Smith (Imray)

£4.95

Milton Keynes to London, London Ring and the East London Ring Map (Heron)

£5.99

European Waterways Map & Directory (Imray)

£19

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.