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UK Canal Map

Our UK canal map shows all the navigable British waterways. It includes all the rivers and canals in England, Wales and Scotland that are suitable for boating along.

UK Canal Map

Moored boats at the Bridgwater docks on the Bridgwater and Taunton canal.
Task Party 5th Nov 23
Volunteer Stone Walling
Task Party
task party March 22
Painting a lock
task party March 22
Task Party 5th Nov 23
UsingCRTchipper
Volunteer, around M1 bridge
Volunteers at Work
Volunteer, around M1 bridge
Volunteer_15March22
TP 18 May
Bridge 1, Buckingham Canal
Wootton Brook Towpath upgrade
Volunteers working on the Wey &Arun canal restoration
Volunteer_15March22
lock maintainence
M1_Lock
Annual Dinner 2023
Loughborough Mooring Rings Location
wootton brook towpath
task party March 22
task party
work party 2nd July 23
Heritage guided walk
Three Men on The BCN
Campaign Cruise event graphic
Himalayan Balsam flower
WoottonBrook_Path
gasholder development, Regent's Canal
Salterhebble Lock Cottage (Iain Duncan)
Limehouse Basin
Volunteers at Dukinfield
Historic green steel girder bridge over the river
John Bradley Works Footbridge
Birstall Lock
Gronwen Wharf on the Montgomery Canal
Burslem Branch Canal Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area
Crown Wharf planning protection for heritage
Aberdulais Aqueduct waterways heritage at risk from climate change
Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss
new signage
Hammersmith Bridge with boats underneath
Volunteer wearing a pink top holding uprooted himalayan balsam
Worcester Cathdral overlooking the River Severn
scraping paving
Boats in Bowling Basin, Forth & Clyde Canal
volunteers
Volunteer strimming vegetation along the Northampton Arm
Work Party Volunteer
IWA London Walks guide, Charlie Forman
Camden Lock, Regent's Canal
Tree planting team, Wendover Arm
Moored boats at Snarestone Wharf on the Ashby Canal
Limehouse Basin
Rubbish in workboat on the Grand Union Canal
Project team at Wappenshall Basin
Hurleston lock flight
Moored boats on Snarestone Wharf Ashby Canal.
Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss
Kayaks at Lowdwells lock on the Grand Western Canal.
Moored boats and rowers at Exeter basin on the Exeter Ship canal.
Moored boats at the Bridgwater docks on the Bridgwater and Taunton canal.
Junction bridge at Brockmoor on the Stourbridge Canal.
Narrowboats at South Kyme winding hole on the Sleaford Navigation.
Straddle Warehouse at Sheffield Basin on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal.
A narrowboat at Ripon Basin on the Ripon Canal.
Campaign cruise at Welches Dam on the Old Bedford River.
Reaching Horseway Lock by dinghy on the Middle Level Navigation.
Boats at Liverpool Docks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
A boat cruising at Wendover Arm on the Grand Union Canal.
A boat festival at Slough Arm on the Grand Union Canal.
Boats at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
A boat leaving Langley Mill Basin on the Erewash Canal
Alveston Weir in Warwickshire on the River Avon.
Springfield Basin, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Automatic Weir, River Chelmer
Derelict and overgrown Frodsham Lock
Bridge 25, Middlewich Branch
Waterworks River Path, Bowback Rivers
Work Party Volunteer
Canoeists in a lock with building and people around
Canal hire boat on canal in front of house

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British waterways map

All the British waterways that are suitable for boating on are plotted on our UK canal map. This includes canals and navigable rivers.

Also on our UK canal map are many of the waterways that were used for boating on in the past. Some of these canals are being restored, whilst others are derelict.

How many miles of canals are there in the UK?

There are 5,000 miles of canals and rivers that are navigable in Britain. 2,700 miles of UK canals and rivers are connected up to form a waterways network.

Waterways Directory

There were once 7,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers in mainland Britain. Today 5,000 are navigable, with 2,700 of those miles forming the connected waterways system of England and Wales.

You can find information about all the navigation authorities, and more facts and figures about the waterways, by signing up to receive a copy of our Waterway Directory.

By providing your email address you will receive updates to the directory as they become available. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy.

We would love to keep you updated about the vital work we do and our fundraising activities. If you would rather not hear from us, or would like to change how we contact you, please get in touch. Just call 01494 783453. You can update your preferences at any time.

Who maintains the UK’s canals and rivers?

The UK’s canals and navigable rivers are managed by navigation authorities