Category Archives:     MAPS

Chesterfield Canal DVDs

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I am pleased to say our Chesterfield Canal DVDs have just been released and they will make great Christmas presents.

Chesterfield Canal Combined DVD Cover.

The Chesterfield Canal DVDs are available in our usual three formats:-

  • Popular – like a television programme showing the highlights of the canal
  • Bowcam – a forward facing camera, speeded up for a little fun, showing the whole canal
  • Combined – both Popular and Bowcam in one box for the best of both worlds, saving money and postage.
Chesterfield Canal DVDs
(Popular, Bowcam and Combined)

The DVDs follow the navigable canal from the River Trent at West Stockwith to the limit of navigation at Kiveton Park.  We follow the section proposed for restoration from Kiveton park to Staveley on foot.  Then, with kind permission from the Chesterfield Canal Trust, we follow one of their trip boats from Staveley into Chesterfield.

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Map showing the route covered by the Chesterfield Canal DVDs.

The Popular and Combined DVDs each include an information booklet and a fold-out map.

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Contents of the Chesterfield Canal Combined DVD.

Enjoy this lovely canal from the comfort of your armchair.  These Chesterfield Canal DVDs, or any others from our great range of waterway DVDs, will make a great Christmas present.  Why not treat your family and friends, or start dropping hints about what you would like for Christmas.

We also have the Chesterfield Canal Maps which are available to download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats..

Chesterfield Canal Map
Extract from the Chesterfield Canal Map

The Chesterfield Canal Maps are also available on CD in a presentation box which makes them another great Christmas present idea.

Chesterfield Canal Map Cover.

A big thank you to the members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust who helped on their trip boat and with proof watching the DVDs.

River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs

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I am pleased to say our River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs have just been released and they will make great Christmas presents.

River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVD cover (combined version)
River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVD cover (combined version)

The River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs are available in our usual three formats:-

  • Popular – like a television programme showing the highlights of the canal
  • Bowcam – a forward facing camera, speeded up for a little fun, showing the whole canal
  • Combined – both Popular and Bowcam in one box for the best of both worlds, saving money and postage.

River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs. Popular, Bowcam and Combined (left to right).
River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs.
Popular, Bowcam and Combined (left to right).

Starting at Weybridge and the junction with the River Thames we cruise along the River Wey, past Woodham Junction and through lovely open countryside to reach Dapdune Wharf in Guildford and the limit of navigation at Godalming.

From Woodham Junction, we work the locks on the Basingstoke Canal and pass the visitor centre at Mytchett. We operate the swing and lift bridges on our way to the limit of navigation at Greywell Tunnel.

Continuing on foot, we follow the route of the abandoned canal into Basingstoke.

Route covered by the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs
Route covered by the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs

The Popular and Combined DVDs each include an information booklet and a fold-out map.

Contents of the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Combined DVD. Both Popular and Bowcam discs, a fold-out map and an information booklet.
Contents of the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Combined DVD.
Both Popular and Bowcam discs, a fold-out map and an information booklet.

Enjoy these lovely waterways from the comfort of your armchair. These River Wey and Basingstoke Canal DVDs, or any others from our range of waterway DVDs, will make great Christmas presents. Why not treat your family and friends, or start dropping hints about what you would like for Christmas.

We also have the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Maps which are available to download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats.

Extract from the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Map
Extract from the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Map

The River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Maps are also available on CD in a presentation box which makes them another great Christmas present idea.

River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Map presentation box (thin DVD size)
River Wey and Basingstoke Canal Map presentation box (thin DVD size)

A big thank you to the Basingstoke Canal Authority and the National Trust for permission to film along their waterways.

Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Maps

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Extract from Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Map

I am pleased to announce the December release of my maps includes Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Maps and, like all my maps for restoration projects, these are FREE to download.

Route of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal

The canal once ran from Salford (not Manchester!) to Bolton and Bury and is proposed for restoration.

There’s more information on the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society’s website.

River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDs

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I am pleased to say our River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDs have just been released.

River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVD Cover (combined version)

The River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDs are available in our usual three formats:-

  • Popular – like a television programme showing the highlights of the canal
  • Bowcam – a forward facing camera, speeded up for a little fun, showing the whole canal
  • Combined – both Popular and Bowcam in one box for the best of both worlds, saving money and postage.
River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDsPopular, Bowcam and Combined (left to right)

Starting in Bristol, we’ll cruise under the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the tide takes us down the River Avon, to the Severn Estuary and the marina at Portishead.
With our pilot, we’ll cruise up the River Severn from Portishead, passing under the two road suspension bridges, to reach Sharpness.
The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal will lead us past Saul Junction to Gloucester.
Re-joining the River Severn, we’ll continue upstream, passing Tewkesbury and Worcester to reach Stourport.

Route covered by the River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDs

The Popular and Combined DVDs each include an information booklet and a fold-out map.

Contents of the River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Combined DVD. Includes both Popular and Bowcam discs, a fold-out map and an information booklet.

Enjoy these waterways from the comfort of your armchair. These River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal DVDs, or any others from our range of waterway DVDs, are great for planning your cruise, or just for fun.

We also have the River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Maps which are available to download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats.

Extract from River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Maps.

The River Severn and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Maps are also available on CD in a presentation box which makes them ideal for giving as a present.

River Severn and Basingstoke Canal Map presentation box (thin DVD size)

Melton Mowbray Navigation and Oakham Canal – FREE Maps

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I’m pleased to announce the latest release in my series of free maps supporting waterway restoration projects.

Route of Melton Mowbray Navigation and Oakham Canal

The Melton Mowbray Navigation runs from the junction with the Grand Union Canal’s Leicester Section at Syston, just North of Leicester, to Melton Mowbray.  The Oakham Canal continued from there to reach Oakham.

Restoration is proposed for both, although I think the Melton Mowbray Navigation has more chance of success, at least in the early years of restoration, but I’m sure the Oakham Canal is possible too.

Extract from Melton Mowbray Navigation and Oakham Canal Map

I’ve produced a Melton Mowbray Navigation and Oakham Canal Map and this is available as a free download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats.

There are many more free maps for restoration projects.

I also sell a great range of Maps and DVDs for the open waterways which I sell to cover the costs of producing the free maps.  The maps are the most up to date waterway maps available, with monthly updates, and available for instant download.

Wey & Arun Canal – FREE Maps

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I’m pleased to announce the release of the next in my series of free canal maps for restoration projects.

This covers the Wey & Arun Canal, the River Arun, the River Rother, and the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal, all in one map.

Route of the Wey & Arun Canal, the River Arun, the River Rother, and the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal

The Wey & Arun Canal is under restoration, and will link the River Wey, between Guildford and Godalming, to the River Arun at Pulborough and through the River Arun to the sea at Littlehampton.  Branching off this the River Rother was once navigable to Midhurst, and the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal once navigable past Chichester.

Extract from Wey & Arun Canal Map (also covering the River Arun, River Rother, and the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal)

I’ve produced a Wey & Arun Canal Map, which also covers the River Arun, the River Rother, and the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal.  This is available as a free download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats.

There are many more free maps for restoration projects.

You might like to browse my range of Maps and DVDs coving the open waterways too.  I sell these to cover the costs of making the restoration project maps free.  The maps are available for instant download and, with monthly updates, they are the most up to date waterway maps available.

Kennet & Avon Canal DVDs

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I am pleased to say our Kennet & Avon Canal DVDs have just been released.

Kennet & Avon Canal DVD Cover (combined version)

The Kennet & Avon Canal DVDs are available in our usual three formats:-

  • Popular – like a television programme showing the highlights of the canal
  • Bowcam – a forward facing camera, speeded up for a little fun, showing the whole canal
  • Combined – both Popular and Bowcam in one box for the best of both worlds, saving money and postage.
Kennet & Avon Canal DVDsPopular, Bowcam and Combined (left to right)

Starting at Kennet Mouth, the junction with the River Thames, we’ll cruise through Reading as we climb through the valley of the River Kennet.  We’re soon into lovely countryside then passing through smaller settlements on our way to Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford.

We reach the summit level at Crofton, pass through Bruce Tunnel, and start our descent.  The 16 broad locks of the Caen Hill flight provide spectacular views.

Continuing through Bradford on Avon we reach Bath and join the River Avon for our cruise into Bristol where we finish our cruise in the docks.

Route covered by the Kennet & Avon Canal DVDs

The Popular and Combined DVDs each include an information booklet and a fold-out map.

Contents of the Kennet & Avon Canal Combined DVD. Includes both Popular and Bowcam discs, a fold-out map and an information booklet.

Enjoy these waterways from the comfort of your armchair. These Kennet & Avon Canal DVDs, or any others from our range of waterway DVDs, are great for planning your cruise, or just for fun.

We also have the Kennet & Avon Canal Maps which are available to download in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats.

Extract from Kennet & Avon Canal Maps

The Kennet & Avon Canal Maps are also available on CD in a presentation box which makes them ideal for giving as a present.

Kennet & Avon Canal Map presentation box (thin DVD size)
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You can save 10% by purchasing a Kennet & Avon Canal DVD and Map in the same transaction.

Lawton Locks

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Having recovered from a very busy Crick Boat Show where we met lots of lovely customers, we were ready to set off for our summer cruise this morning.  We’ve travelled a long distance if you add total the up and down movements and the side to side swaying as we stayed on our home mooring at Sherborne Wharf in Birmingham.  With torrential rain and strong winds we weren’t going cruising.

I’m not sure about tomorrow, but we’ll be heading towards Lapworth when the weather improves.  We’re filming the River Nene, the Middle Level Navigations, and the River Great Ouse and tributaries this summer, as well as checking all the information on our maps is up to date.

While moored up I took the time to investigate information sent  a few weeks ago by Brian on Harnser who is one of several kind boaters who contribute updates to my maps.  Brian has identified a former route of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Lawton Locks which I can add to my maps.

Lawton Locks on the Trent & Mersey Canal on 1882 OS map.

The current route is clearly shown on this 1882 OS map extract.  An alternative route, passing further north, seems to be identifiable on the map, although the details, such as the lock positions aren’t shown.

Google Maps satellite photo of Lawton Locks on Trent & Mersey Canal.

Google Maps satellite photo suggests the alternative route to the north was there, with the three Lawton Locks visible on the open route.  These were all paired, although the middle lock is no longer paired.

Extract from Waterway Routes Trent & Mersey Canal Map for Lawton Locks.

My maps show winding points above and below Lawton Locks at the points where the routes diverge.  I’d like to add the former route but I’ve been unable to find any further details.

I’m hoping a blog reader will be help me out with a little extra information, particularly:-

  • Is there an old map which shows the former route, particularly the position of the locks?
  • When was the route changed?
  • Why was the route changed?

Any extra information, left as a comment or emailed to paul@waterwayroutes.co.uk, will be greatly appreciated.

Wisbech Canal Maps

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The Wisbech Canal once ran between the tidal River Nene at Wisbech and Well Creek at Outwell on the Middle Level Navigations. It was closed in 1926.

Wisbech Canal Location.

I have added the Wisbech Canal to the range of free canal maps that can be downloaded from my website.  From the November 2017 issue onwards, it’s also included in these maps

Extract from Wisbech Canal Map.

Visit the Wisbech Canal Map pages to download the free map on its own.

Bradford Canal

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The Bradford Canal once ran from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Shipley to Bradford.  It opened in 1774 and closed in 1922.  There are proposals to re-open it.

Bradford Canal Location.

I have added the Bradford Canal to the range of free canal maps that can be downloaded from my website.  From the November 2017 issue onwards, it’s also included in these maps

Extract from Bradford Canal Map.

Visit the Bradford Canal Map pages to download the free map on its own.