Old Moaner Travel

Canals were the motorways of the 19th century. As industry developed means were needed to transport goods round the country and this is where the canal boom began with these man made waterways linking the major centres in the country.

 

The heyday of canals did not last that long as the development of the railways and then the internal combustion engine led to goods being moved by road and rail and the canals fell into disrepair.

 

The decline looked to be terminal but nostalgia and enthusiasts meant many canals remained and even those which fell into decline were lovingly restored.

 

Now there are around 2,200 miles of navigable canals in the UK. Birmingham, alone, has 36 miles of canals - even more than Venice which only boasts 25 miles. Canals are still used to transport goods, they are the home of relaxing canal boat holidays and even if you want to remain off the water then the tow-paths are ideal for walking and cycling.

 

Now nobody will argue the UK rivers compare with some of the great rivers of the world in terms of size, the United Kingdom has some very important rivers which have had a major influence on the development of the country. None more so than the River Thames, around which the nations capital city grew. 180 miles long, the entire length of the river can be followed via the Thames Path, beginning at the source in Gloucestershire and ending at the Thames Barrier in London.