Waterways Links

This page does not attempt to give links to all the sites with a waterway interest - there are others who are far more capable such as George’s: Canal Boating in the U.K. and Europe (see below). However, you might wish to try some (or all) of these to whet your appetite.

All links listed below will open a new browser window or tab.

Main Waterways Links
Organisation Link
Inland Waterways Association (IWA) This is the national body that fights for the future of our inland waterways system at both a local and national level.
Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) The national co-ordinating body for voluntary labour on the restoration of the inland waterways of Britain.
National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) NABO is dedicated to promoting the interests of private boaters on Britain’s canals and rivers and lakes.
Historic Narrow Boat Club (HNBC) HNBC is dedicated to preserving the working heritage of UK canals, from the boats themselves to the details of the waterways on which they travel.
Canal & River Trust (CRT) The Canal & River Trust is the charitable body that now runs a large part of the waterways system in this country having taken over from British Waterways. As well as highlighting the Trust, this site includes ideas for days out by the water and the facility to book hotels, cottages and boating holidays.
Environment Agency (EA) This site provides access to various boating facilities and information, primarily with the Environment Agency as a navigation authority, through this government website.
The Canal Museum This site provides an introduction to the original canal museum at Stoke Bruerne run by CRT.
National Waterways Museum This site provides an introduction to the excellent museum at Ellesmere Port - sometimes known as the Boat Museum and run by CRT.
National Waterways Museum Gloucester This site provides an introduction to the waterways museum at Gloucester Docks - formerly known as The National Waterways Museum and run by CRT.
George's: Canal Boating in the U.K. and Europe This comprehensive site is an introduction for those unfamiliar with the pleasures of canal and waterway cruising, as well as a resource for the more experienced enthusiast.

 

The following links are to sites about ‘nearby’ waterways within about 50 miles of Southampton:

‘Local’ Waterways Links
Organisation Link
Basingstoke Canal Society (formerly Surrey & Hampshire CS) As the guardian of the beautiful Basingstoke Canal, the Society promotes and campaigns for the sustainable future of the Canal as a navigation.
Basingstoke Canal Authority The authority was set up in 1992 to manage the Basingstoke Canal on behalf of its joint owners: Hampshire and Surrey County Councils.
Chichester Ship Canal Trust The Chichester Canal is under restoration joining the West Sussex city to the sea. The canal formerly formed part of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal.
Cotswold Canals Trust A little further afield, but the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames & Severn Canals are now to be fully restored, work having recently started on the second phase.
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust This navigable waterway runs across southern England linking Bristol in the west to the Thames at Reading.
Somersetshire Coal Canal The Somersetshire Coal Canal was built to carry coal from the Paulton and Radstock coal fields near Bath to the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Sussex Ouse The River Ouse in Sussex was once navigable from the sea for over 20 miles. The Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust is presenting a case for making the river a priceless asset to its surrounding communities.
Wey & Arun Canal Trust The Wey & Arun Canal runs through Surrey and West Sussex and when restored will once again link the River Wey with the south coast.
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust The canal is under restoration and runs from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham through Swindon to the River Thames at Abingdon. The prospects for large scale restoration seem to be improving.