Inland Waterways Association

Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp

Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp. A digger is shown, with a cement mixer and a volunteer walking across the site, whilst another brick lays.

Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp, sited on scaffolding and using power tools.

3 volunteers, 2 working and one looking at the camera, on a canal camp.

Bookings are open for the 2026 Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) Canal Camps! These week-long working holidays are a great way to learn new skills, meet people, and give back while having fun. Some camps fill up fast, so book now on the events section of our website! #canalrestoration #workingholiday

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Happy St David's Day! To celebrate, here are some of our favourite images from our members on the Welsh canals. Pictured in order is Frankton Locks on the Montgomery canal, Llanover on the Mon & Brec, Autumn on the Mon & Brec and Berriew Lock on the Montgomery canal. #stdavidsday

An image of a derelict Hanwell Ponds.

Part of the lock mechanism at Hanwell Ponds.

An image of the derelict Hanwell Ponds with overgrown vegetation.

The Hanwell Ponds in Ealing, built in 1815, are being restored! Highlighted on our Risk Index map due to the current condition of these rare side-ponds used for saving water during lock operations. Volunteers can join the Canal Camp with the Waterway Recovery Group in April '26. Book on our website.

A canal boat is stationary on the water with a background of vibrant spring blossom on the trees.

A close up shot of a bee in flight pollinating a blossom flower.

Daffodils about to bloom in the foreground with a narrow boat and the canal just visible behind.

There are signs of spring everywhere on the waterways by the end of February - it won't be long until things are bursting into life. Share any of your spring photos with us.
#springiscoming #inlandwaterways

Eisey lock, part of the Thames and Severn canal restoration, was abandoned in 1927 and was restored with significant volunteer work led by the Cotswold Canal Trust, Waterway Recovery Group and restoration group Dig Deep #canalrestoration #inlandwaterways

A collie dog relaxes on the front of a blue and red narrowboat

A chocolate Labrador sleeps on the back of a narrowboat.

A white and grey terrier lies at the feet of its owner on the back of a narrowboat

A man paints the hull of his boat whilst floating on a small raft in the water. His dog is barely visible on the raft with him.

🐶 Dogs on boats!
Some of our favourite pictures of our doggy friends enjoying the waterways. Bonus points if you can spot the dog in the last picture! Share your pictures of dogs on boats with us.

Great video!

There's some interesting sights to behold on our waterways! Whether it's unusual craft, out of place wildlife or more swans than you thought possible, there's always something to see! What's the most unusual thing you've ever seen? Share them with us in the comments #inlandwaterways #unusualsights

The plight of our waterways has come to the attention of the international news media. Read more in this article by the Associated French Press today.

www.france24.com/en/live-news...

The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Shown here with crumbling walls.

The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Shown on a sunny day, with low water and ivy climbing over the crumbling walls.

The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Blue sky, winter trees and calm waters.

The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales.

Our Risk Index Campaign highlights the heritage features most at risk on the network, such as the Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. We are collaborating with Neath & Tennant Canals Trust, CADW, and other stakeholders to discuss conservation steps. More information can be found on our website.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a £6.5 million investment in Britain's canals. This funding aims to increase resilience against climate change, which is a major threat to our waterways. While it's only a fraction of what's needed, it's a positive step forward.

Do you have any favourite wildlife you spot when spending time on or around your local waterway? Let us know who you've seen and where in the comments below.
#wildlife #inlandwaterways

Aqueducts are pretty amazing, but maybe don't give it too much thought if crossing the 126ft high Pontcysyllte Aqueduct! It's also 100ft long, completed in 1805. #inlandwaterways #ukcanals #acqueduct

A family with young children walk beside a canal on a sunny winters day.

Do you have a favourite winter wander?
Share with us your favourite waterside walks for the winter time in the comments.
#winterwalks #ukcanals #riverwalks

Plans announced from government today will be scrutinised in the relevant IWA committee. There is only one mention of canals, in the context of the Grand Union water transfer project so we are going to go over it in detail in the coming days. Full paper can be read here:
www.gov.uk/government/p...

A narrowboat crosses under an arched bridge on a sunny day with cow parsley in the foreground and a blue sky.

Canal boats moored along a still canal, with a bright blue sky and a lot of green trees and bank surrounding.

A summer day, green hills with grazing cows, blue sky and the river meandering through, reflecting the sky.

A canal boat navigates along the late summer canal, with tall grasses in the foreground and mown golden fields with green trees in the background. 2 people are at the tiller of the boat, with their backs to the camera.

Some might say this week is a tricky one (anyone feel Blue Monday yesterday?!) But don't worry - here's some sunny images to remind you that summer on the waterways isn't far away. Do you have any summer waterways plans yet?

Did you know 96% of Britain's waterways lack public access? This week, @paddleuk and @theoutdoorswimmingsociety were on BBC Countryfile at Cromford Canal, Derbyshire, pushing for legislation to open up our waterways. Our upcoming Waterways magazine features a family walk along this historic canal.

Canals are not valued by the government, Shropshire man says Michael Limbrey, of a Shropshire canal trust, says more government maintenance funding is needed.

As highlighted in our Risk Index Campaign, our waterways need investment!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

January can feel a bit...January. A quiet walk beside the water can help more than you think. These peaceful areas are vital, but they're at risk from chronic underfunding and a changing climate. Propel IWA action forward and join us for as little as £4.50 a month. waterways.org.uk/support/ways...

Explore the waterways of the UK in our interview with Uy Huang, a dedicated enthusiast who has captured over 150,000 images of canals & rivers for Google Streetview. Learn more in our spring Waterways magazine, which you receive for just £4.50/month as a member. Join on our website. #waterways #iwa

Thanks Lesley! ☺️

🎈This year, we'll be sharing our story - all 80 years of it! Inland Waterways Association turns 80 in 2026! Follow along for all our celebrations this year. 80 is going to be all about looking back with pride and forward with purpose #iwais80 #inlandwaterways #happybirthday

New Year, new miles to protect! If you plan to get outside more in 2026, the waterways is a great place to turn to. With 75% of them underfunded, they need our help. Join us for just £4.50 a month to make a difference waterways.org.uk/support/ways... #ukcanals #nonprofit #protectrestorechampion

From frosty mornings to summer evenings on the towpath, our waterways have given us so many moments to treasure this year. Tonight, as we welcome 2026, we're grateful for every supporter of our inland waterways. IWA turns 80 in 2026 so there is plenty to celebrate! Happy New Year from all at IWA!

As we come to the Christmas break this year, we'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas! May the season bring still waters, clear towpaths and time to enjoy the waterways we all care about.

Man describes narrow escape after boats pulled into giant hole on Shropshire canal Major incident declared as 50-metre-long breach opens up in waterway previously flagged as ‘amber risk’

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Guardian story also covers our unique Risk Index which takes a look at all of the risks to our 5000 mile network. We found that almost everywhere was at risk of flooding, and that seems to be part of the problem with this latest canal breach.

Life on water can be hard and lonely, especially this time of year. We are deeply grateful for Waterways Chaplains: volunteers who offer an uncritical listening ear, support, and practical help where needed.

If you’re struggling, or become aware of anyone who is visit:
waterwayschaplaincy.org.uk

All updates here: canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/019b...

Yes, absolutely - it does really look like everyone who needed to respond did so impressively quickly, and at least nobody has been hurt. What a shock though, as you say.

Major incident declared over Shropshire canal 'sinkhole' A multi-agency response is under way at the scene in Whitchurch, with the public asked to stay away.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Canal suffers sinkhole incident, raising flooding fears. This stoppage will be recorded in our new Risk Index that maps all problems across the network but multi-agency teams have responded quickly, and people who need support are getting it.