Inland Waterways of Great Britain

For anyone who has a boat that can explore more than the canals, this book is an essential reference to all the navigable waterways of England, Wales and Scotland. Originally published by Imray in 1939 and derived from Bradshaw's guide of 1904, the 1998 edition has been out of print for several years and it's good to see it back and improved.

This edition records for the first time a growing network that isn't simply based on restoration of old waterways. The Ribble Link making the Lancaster Canal accessible to many boats and the Liverpool Link connecting the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to Albert Dock are entirely new waterways and are the forerunners of more ambitious schemes whose plans are described here, including the Fens Waterway link with new links from Crowland to Peterborough and the associated Bedford to Milton Keynes link, a new Daventry Canal and the Higher Avon extension from Stratford to Leamington Spa. The Falkirk Wheel represents a new solution to an old problem.

The work of restoration continues with the Droitwich, Stroudwater and Thames and Severn canals among others, and changes in administration include the IWA's adoption of the management of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, a departure for them in their 60th year which may have greater significance in the future.

The layout of the book has been improved by the addition of colour pictures throughout and more colour in the chartlets. Although the level of detail doesn't compare with popular multi-volume guides such as Nicholson's, it does record the position of every lock and many bridges and the size limits for each waterway making it a useful planning tool. The only significant waterway that I found not to be described is the River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire, with several tributaries, which is accessible on the way to and from Ireland (the Towey, Tawe and Usk might also be included). The appendix describing disused waterways has been expanded to a very useful 15 pages and the other appendices have a wealth of information. It's a pity they have decided not to include full size chart that was a feature of previous editions.

Chris Moss