A charming and insightful exploration of the amazing architecture and
engineering wonders that surround Britain's inland waterways.
In Britain's Canals, two inland waterways experts and much-loved
authors come together to produce the definitive word on the man-made
wonders that make Britain's canals so special, so loved and enjoyed by
so many. They explore features from the awe-inspiring 30-lock flight on
the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, to the downright delightful
chocolate-box lock-keeper's cottages that line the cut of every canal,
to masterpieces such as the 18-arch Pontcysyllte aqueduct, the highest
aqueduct in the world, to beautiful bridges, grand company buildings,
the social hubs that were, and still are, canal-side pubs, plus so much
more.
In contrast to many inland waterways books which are organised
geographically by canal, Britain's Canals is structured thematically,
with chapters on The Line (the shape of the canal itself), Locks,
Lock-keeper's Cottages, Bridges, Aqueducts, Lifts and Planes, Company
Buildings, Wharves, Basins and Quays and finally (and perhaps most
importantly) the Canal-side Pub. Each chapter explores how these
features were created and have changed through history, right through to
the present, with plenty of ideas for places to visit--plus full
information on how to get to them. An abundance of full-color
photography throughout, both historical and modern-day, will delight
readers and inspire them to explore Britain's wondrous inland waterways,
whether on boat, by foot or by bike.
