canal holidays

30 years ago Britain's canal system lay hidden from view by neglect, overgrown banking, damaged infrastructure and no-one saw the potential. British Waterways eventually saw there could be an untapped leisure facility in our canals and waterways so invested hundreds of man-hours and financial investment to provide an escape from the rat-race for everyone to use. This photo shows a view of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal in rural West Yorkshire. There are hundreds of miles of navigable canals which now provide an idyllic retreat from daily life, a valuable habitat for wildlife and unique views of our cities and countryside. Barges carrying coal, cotton, wool, wood, building materials and other trade goods no longer haul their cargoes throughout Britain and the families which lived on those barges no longer exist. Nowadays families can use these waterways and canals for holidays, fishing trips and relaxation. They can travel round Britain's towns, cities and through the landscape seeing a different and unique picture of scenes they thought they knew well. Enjoy them-canals and waterways provide an antidote to our hectic lives!