Top 10 waterways in Britain: new poll reveals spectacular modern marvels

A soaring aqueduct in North Wales, a three-and-a-half-mile canal tunnel in Yorkshire, and a ‘stairway to heaven’ flight of 21 locks in Warwickshire are among the top 10 waterways in Britain, according to a new poll voted for by Britain’s boaters.

The top modern marvels were chosen by boaters and canal supporters to celebrate the renaissance of Britain’s 200-year-old canal network. The poll was run by the Canal & River Trust charity which was launched in 2012 to take over the guardianship of the nation’s waterways in the biggest ever transfer of publicly owned heritage into the charitable sector.

Some of the engineering masterpieces are well-known examples of the nation’s industrial heritage and are joined by new additions, such as Little Venice in London and the longest staircase flight of locks in Britain at Foxton in Leicestershire. The poll reflects both the increasing importance and popularity of the waterways. Earlier in 2022, the Canal & River Trust’s national boat count results revealed an increase in boaters using the canals across England and Wales over the last three years.

The top 10 waterways in Britain are:

Anderton Boat Lift
The ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ in Cheshire is a scheduled monument that lifts boats 50ft from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Bingley Five Rise Locks
The Grade I listed staircase locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Yorkshire is one of the steepest in the UK.

Blisworth Tunnel and Stoke Bruerne
At almost two miles long, Blisworth is the longest widest, freely navigable tunnel in Europe, and just a short walk from the village of Stoke Bruerne.

Brecon Basin
The start of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, often regarded as Britain’s prettiest waterway.

Caen Hill Locks
A stunning flight of 16 locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire.

Foxton Locks
The Grade II* listed site on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line is home to the longest, steepest staircase flight of locks in Britain.

Hatton Locks
The famous ‘stairway to heaven’ flight of 21 locks on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire.

Little Venice
Where the Grand Union Canal meets the Regent’s Canal in the heart of London.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Grade I listed structure and World Heritage Site takes the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee valley in Wales and is 1,000 feet long and 125 feet high.

Standedge Tunnel
The longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel in the country carries the Huddersfield Narrow Canal under the Pennines in Yorkshire.

“Having served as the arteries that fuelled the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago, today the canal network across England and Wales is busier than ever with boats navigating this unique living heritage,” says Richard Parry, chief executive at Canal & River Trust. “The list of must-see spots the public has chosen showcases the breadth of what the waterways have to offer, from stunning feats of engineering to the growing role canals have as beautiful places to spend time and reap the health and wellbeing benefits of being by the water.

“Locks feature highly in the list, and the simple pleasure of gongoozling – watching the boats go by – is an antidote to the hectic pace of modern life. And this barely scratches the surface: with waterways offering free, accessible blue and green space on the doorstep of millions, everyone can find their own special place.”

Once the arteries of the industrial revolution, busy with boats carrying goods like coal, steel, porcelain and food, it’s said canals now play an equally important role in society as green corridors that bring nature into cities, improving community wellbeing and tackling health inequalities, as well as supporting jobs and local economies.

The Trust invited boat licence holders and online supporters to vote for their marvels of the modern waterways from a list of 32 chosen by the Trust’s team of experts, and more than 5,300 votes were recorded.

The Canal & River Trust reports its waterways are visited by around 10 million people every fortnight, and are used by around 35,000 boats for pleasure, for work, and as homes.

The past decade since the Canal & River Trust’s launch has seen a generational change in the number of people volunteering on the canals, donating money, and giving their support, with over a million people supporting the charity’s work. This summer, volunteers will donate their five millionth hour to the Canal & River Trust.

Parry continues: “The creation of the Canal & River Trust 10 years ago has been a great achievement, putting the waterways in trust for the nation and continuing the renaissance of this wonderful living heritage that is the finest of its type in the world. The latest chapter in the story is only just underway and brings its own challenges, with the 250-year-old canals vulnerable to changing weather patterns. We are calling on the public and the government to continue to support the waterways so we can continue to protect and preserve this incredible network and avert the decline we saw last century.

“We hope that people will come out and see these magnificent sites and join us in celebrating hundreds of years of canals playing a vital role in British society and the ways they can continue to serve society in the future.”

All images courtesy of The Canal & River Trust.