List of canals of the United Kingdom

Map showing canals of the British Isles. Canals in orange, rivers in blue, streams in grey.

Canals of the United Kingdom; see also Canals of the United Kingdom.

The following list includes some systems that are navigable rivers with sections of canal (e.g. Aire and Calder Navigation) as well as "completely" artificial canals (e.g. Rochdale Canal).

Canals in England

This includes only canals that are currently open or being restored and are at least partly in England. See also Abandoned Canals. Click on the diamond to sort by any column.

CanalLengthLocksMax boat length (ft)Width (ft)Where[1]Year openedYear abandonedYear restored
Aire and Calder Navigation34 mi (55 km)1220020NE1704
Andover Canal22 mi (35 km)24658.5S17941859
Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal22 mi (35 km)0727M18041918, 1966
Ashton Canal6 mi (10 km)18707NW179619611974
Barnsley Canal14.5 mi (23 km)158414NW17991893, 1946in process
Basingstoke Canal32 mi (51 km)296813S179419101991
Beverley Beck0.5 mi (1 km)16517.5NE1744
Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal[2]2.5 mi (4 km)6707M1844
Birmingham Canal Navigations[3]29.8 mi (48 km)34707M1772–1794
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal[4]20.5 mi (33 km)44707M1789
Blyth Navigation7 mi (11 km)65014EA17611911
Bridgewater Canal40 mi (64 km)07214.75NW1761
Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, Somerset14.5 mi (23 km)6509.83SW182719071994
Bude Canal35 mi (56 km)2[5]205.5SW18231891
Calder and Hebble Navigation21.5 mi (35 km)385514NE1794
Caldon Canal18 mi (29 km)17727NM1779
Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation13.8 mi (22 km)136016EA1797
Chesterfield Canal45.5 mi (73 km), now 31.5 mi (51 km)62727NE17771907 (part)
Chichester Canal4.5 mi (7 km)38518S18221906
Coventry Canal32.7 mi (53 km)13727M1769, 1788
Dearne and Dove Canal[6]9.8 mi (16 km)195814.83NE18041961
Derby Canal14 mi (23 km)177214NE1796
Derby and Sandiacre Canal14.5 mi (23 km)97214NE17931964
Digbeth Branch Canal[4]1.25 mi (2.0 km)6727M1799
Driffield Navigation, East Yorkshire11 mi (18 km)66114.5NE17671955 (part)
Droitwich Canal7.3 mi (12 km)1571.57.08M1771, 185419392011
Dudley Canal[4]10.3 mi (17 km)M1770, 179219481973 (part)
Erewash Canal[2]11.8 mi (19 km)147812.5NE17791962 (part)
Exeter Canal5.2 mi (8 km)212226.25SW1563
Fairbottom Branch Canal1 mi (2 km)0NW17921932
Foss Dyke11.3 mi (18 km)174.515.17E1121
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal16.5 mi (27 km)224030SW1826
Grand Junction Canal[2]129.4 mi (208 km)907214.7M1800, 1805
Grand Union Canal[7]286.3 mi (461 km)2367214M1927
Grand Union Canal (old)[2]24.3 mi (39 km)17727EM1814
Grand Western Canal10.5 mi (17 km)0SW1838
Grantham Canal33 mi (53 km)187514EM17971936
Hatherton Canal[4]4 mi (6 km)8707NM18601955
Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal34 mi (55 km)22707W1798, 18451881
Hertford Union Canal[2]1.3 mi (2 km)37814.5SE1830
Hollinwood Branch Canal4.5 mi (7 km)4707NW17921932
Huddersfield Broad Canal3.8 mi (6 km)957.514.17NE1780
Huddersfield Narrow Canal19.9 mi (32 km)74707NE1811
Ipswich and Stowmarket Navigation15.9 mi (26 km)155514EA17931934
Islington Branch Canal0.6 mi (1 km)0NW18011952
Kennet and Avon Canal86.5 mi (139 km)1057012.5SW1727, 1810(1950)[8]1990
Lancaster Canal60.9 mi (98 km)147214.5NW1797, 182519552002 (part)
Leeds and Liverpool Canal142.6 mi (229 km)10562[9]14NE, NW1816
Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Union Canal[2]48 mi (77 km)227213EM1807
Lichfield Canal[4]7 mi (11 km)30707M17971955
Limehouse Cut2 mi (3 km)08819SE1766[10]
Llangollen Canal46.3 mi (75 km)2170’6.83W1808
Louth Navigation11.8 mi (19 km)87215NE17701924
Lydney Canal1 mi (2 km)110024SW182119772005 (part)
Macclesfield Canal26.3 mi (42 km)13707NW1831
Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal12.9 mi (21 km)176814.17NW1797, 18081941, 1961
Manchester Ship Canal37.4 mi (60 km)560065NW1894
Market Weighton Canal9.5 mi (15 km)17014.83NE17821971[11]
Melton Mowbray Navigation11 mi (18 km)12EM17971877
Middle Level Navigations90 mi (145 km)78011E1608–1832
Montgomery Canal33 mi (53 km)24706.83W182119441996 (part)
New Junction Canal5.5 mi (9 km)121522.5NE1905
North Walsham & Dilham Canal7.3 mi (12 km)45012.33EA18261927 (part)
Nottingham Canal14.7 mi (24 km)[12]188114.5NE17961937 (part)
Oxford Canal78 mi (126 km)43706.83M1774, 1790
Peak Forest Canal14.8 mi (24 km)16707NW180519601974
Pocklington Canal9.5 mi (15 km)95714.25NE18181932
Regent's Canal[2]8.6 mi (14 km)137214.5SE1820
Ribble Link3 mi (5 km)96210.5NW2002
Ripon Canal2.5 mi (4 km)35714.25NE177319061996
River Soar Navigation[2]21.9 mi (35 km)187213EM1794
River Lee Navigation[13]29.1 mi (47 km)228516SE1577, 1769
Rochdale Canal32 mi (51 km)917414.17NW1800
Royal Military Canal19 mi (31 km)0SE1804
Sankey Canal15.2 mi (24 km)117213.83NW17571963
Selby Canal6 mi (10 km)278.516.5NE1776
Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation[14]28 mi (45 km)2461.515.25NE1802
Shrewsbury Canal25 mi (40 km)34817W17971944
Shropshire Union Canal76.5 mi (123 km)5172[15]7[16]NM1835
Sleaford Navigation12.5 mi (20 km)77015NE17941940
Somerset Coal Canal18 mi (29 km)SW18021898[17]1986 (part)[18]
Southwick Ship Canal1.75 mi (2.8 km)124040SE1855
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal46.1 mi (74 km)43707NM1772
Stainforth and Keadby Canal14.9 mi (24 km)361.6717NE1802
Stockport Branch Canal4.9 mi (8 km)0NW17971962
Stort Navigation13.8 mi (22 km)158613.25SE1769
Stourbridge Canal7.8 mi (13 km)21707M1779
Stratford-upon-Avon Canal25.5 mi (41 km)56707M1802, 1816
Stroudwater Navigation8 mi (13 km)137015.5SW1779
Tame Valley Canal[4]8.5 mi (14 km)13727M1844
Thames and Medway Canal[19]6.5 mi (10 km)124.56.5SE18241935
Thames and Severn Canal28.8 mi (46 km)447412.75SW17891933
Trent and Mersey Canal93.4 mi (150 km)76727[20]NE1777
Uttoxeter Canal13 mi (21 km)19NM181118492005 (part)
Walsall Canal[4]9.6 mi (15 km)16727M1785–1841
Wardle Canal0.1 mi (0.2 km)1NM1829
Warwick and Napton Canal[2]14.2 mi (23 km)25727[21]M1794
Warwick and Birmingham Canal[2]24.3 mi (39 km)28707[21]M1794
Wednesbury Old Canal[4]4.4 mi (7 km)3707M17691955 (part)
Wey and Arun Junction Canal[22]23 mi (37 km)266811.5S18161871in progress[23]
Wey and Godalming Navigations19.5 mi (31 km)167213.83S1651, 1760
Wilts and Berks Canal52.5 mi (84 km)42727SW181019141995 (part)
Worcester and Birmingham Canal30 mi (48 km)5871.57M1815
Wyrley and Essington Canal[4]23.5 mi (38 km)39707M17971900 (part)

Canals in Northern Ireland

Lagan Navigational Canal (disused) at Broadwater, near Aghalee)
CanalLength (miles)LocksYear openedYear abandonedYear restored
Broharris Canal21820
Coalisland Canal[24]7.2717871954
Dukart's Canal3[5]17771787
Lagan Canal272718021958
Newry Canal211217421938
Shannon–Erne Waterway[25]3916178019481994
Strabane Canal4217921962
Ulster Canal462618421931

Canals in Scotland

CanalLength (miles)LocksMax boat length (ft)Width (ft)Year openedYear abandonedYear restored
Aberdeenshire Canal181818051854
Buchan Canal
Caledonian Canal6229150351822
Crinan Canal91586.7519.651817
Dingwall Canal1.1018161840
Forth and Clyde Canal353868.5819.75179019632002
Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal11018111881
Inchfad Canal0.25019th century
Inverarnan Canal0.3301844c. 1870
Monkland Canal12.2518[26]711417941942
Stevenston Canal2.2501317721830
Union Canal[27]31.53[28]6312.5182219302000

Canals in Wales

CanalLength (miles)LocksMax boat length (ft)Width (ft)Year openedYear abandonedYear restored
Aberdare Canal6.75218121900
Cyfarthfa Canal21770s1830s
Glamorganshire Canal255217981898, 1942
Glan-y-wern Canalc. 1.5by 1790c. 1810
Kidwelly and Llanelly Canal188[29]1768, 18371865
Llangollen Canal46.321706.831808
Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal3548639.17179619621970
Montgomery Canal3324706.83182119441996 (part)
Neath and Tennant Canal21.5216091795, 182419341990 (part)
Swansea Canal16.536657.517981931

Abandoned or unnavigable canals in England

CanalCountyLength (miles)LocksOpenedClosed
Andover CanalHampshire222417941859
Arbury CanalsWarwickshire61317861819, 1973
Baybridge CanalSussex3.5218261875
Beaumont CutEssex0.6018321932
Bentley CanalWarwickshire3.41018451953
Bradford CanalWest Yorkshire3.51017741922
Black Bear CanalCheshire818041965
Caistor CanalLincolnshire4518001936
Cann Quarry CanalDevon218251839
Car DykeLincolnshire850120 (appr)1200 (appr)
Chard CanalSomerset13.54[5]18421868
Cinderford CanalGloucestershire1.25017971810 ?
City CanalLondon1218051829
Coombe Hill CanalGloucestershire2.75117961876
Charnwood Forest CanalLeicestershire617941808
Cromford CanalDerbyshire14.51417941900
Croydon CanalLondon9.252818091836
Donnington Wood CanalShropshire5.517671904
Eardington Forge CanalShropshire0.5117821889
Fletcher's CanalGtr Manchester1.5218001952
Galton's CanalSomerset1.4118221897
Glastonbury CanalSomerset14218341854
Grand Surrey CanalLondon4118101940
Grosvenor CanalLondon0.8118251858, 1925
Hackney CanalDevon0.6118431928
Hollingwood Common CanalDerbyshire20??
Horncastle CanalLincolnshire111218021889
Itchen NavigationHampshire101717101869
Kensington CanalLondon1.75118281859, 1967
Ketley CanalEast Shropshire1.51[5]17881880
Leominster CanalHerefordshire181617941858
Leven CanalYorkshire3.25118051935
Liskeard and Looe Union CanalCornwall62518281910
Newcastle-under-Lyme CanalStaffordshire3.75018001935
Newport Pagnell CanalBuckinghamshire1.25718171864
Nutbrook CanalDerbyshire4.51317961895
Oakham CanalLeicestershire15.51818021847
Ouse NavigationSussex221918121950
Par CanalCornwall2.25318471873
Parnall's CanalCornwall0.5017201732
Petworth CanalSussex1.25217951826
Pidcock's CanalGloucestershire1.5317891845
Portsmouth and Arundel CanalHampshire, Sussex28618231926
Rolle Canal[30]Devon62[31]18271871
Salisbury and Southampton CanalHampshire13[32]1618021808
Shropshire CanalShropshire10.53[5]17911912
Sir John Glynne's CanalFlintshire117681779
Sir Nigel Gresley's CanalStaffordshire3017761857
Stamford CanalLincolnshire6.51016701863
Stover CanalDevon1.7517921943
Tavistock CanalDevon42[5]18031873
Titchfield CanalHampshire
Tremadoc CanalMerionethshire1.5018151840
Ulverston CanalCumbria1.5117961944
Westport CanalSomerset3.3118401875
Wombridge CanalEast Shropshire1.751[5]17881921

Proposed canal routes

Active proposals

Former proposals

  • Grand Contour Canal: First proposed in 1943, was intended to connect the major industrial centres of London, Bristol, Southampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Chester, Manchester, Blackburn, Bradford, Hartlepool and Newcastle.
  • London to Portsmouth canal: Proposed on several occasions, this route would utilise existing canals and rivers, with new links constructed, to provide an overland route between the cities of London and Portsmouth, removing the need to enter the English Channel.

See also

References

  1. M=midlands, EA=East Anglia, NE=North-East etc.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 now part of the Grand Union Canal
  3. Main line, incl old main line and branches
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 part of Birmingham Canal Navigations
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 inclined planes
  6. South Yorkshire
  7. Total holdings 1929
  8. never officially closed but unusable till reopened
  9. 72 from Liverpool to Wigan incl Leigh branch
  10. connection to Limehouse Basin 1968
  11. but passage still possible
  12. only 1.1m remains open making 3.7m total including the Beeston cut
  13. includes Bow Back rivers
  14. the river section from Bramwith to Rotherham takes boats 229’8" long and 20’ wide
  15. The Middlewich branch is 70’
  16. The old Chester canal from Nantwich to Ellesmere Port is 9’
  17. The Radstock arm closed in 1898
  18. About 0.5m only, for moorings on the Kennet and Avon canal
  19. also known as the Gravesend and Rochester Canal
  20. Preston brook to Croxton Aqueduct is 9’ wide
  21. 1 2 Increased to 13' in 1933
  22. includes Arun Navigation
  23. "About the Wey and Arun Canal". Wey and Arun Canal Trust.
  24. also known as Tyrone Navigation
  25. Originally the Ballyconnell andl Ballinamore Canals
  26. an inclined plane was later used
  27. originally known as "Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal"
  28. includes the Falkirk Wheel
  29. includes 3 inclined planes
  30. Also known as the Torrington Canal
  31. included an inclined plane
  32. only part of this was built
  33. "Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway". Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  34. "The Fens Waterways Link". Environment Agency Waterways Team. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  35. "IWAAC Inland Waterway review 2006" (PDF). Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council. Archived from the original (pdf) on 22 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  36. "The Maidenhead River Project". Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  37. "Upper Avon Extension (Proposed)". Inland Waterways Association. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
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