Join us
Join us and together we can continue to campaign to protect and restore the waterways you love. Become a member for as little as £36 per year – or you can choose to give more.
Boating on the UK’s beautiful network of rivers and canals is enjoyed by thousands of people – as homes, holidays and workplaces.
We work hard to make sure we can pass on the UK’s invaluable waterways heritage – and the joy of messing about in boats – to future generations.
Boating Activities
Buying a boat
Everything you need to know if you’re thinking of buying a boat, including types of boat, legal requirements and advice for buying a secondhand boat.
Living afloat
Many people choose to live afloat on canals, rivers and coasts; either cruising continuously, permanently moored or a mix of the two. Find out everything you’ll want to consider before taking the plunge.
Training
Find out what boat handling training is available: the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate and the IWA Certificate of Boat Management scheme.
Route planning
Information to help you decide which waterway route to take, including information on cruising rings and how long different routes take.
Waterways heritage
Our waterways heritage is what makes Britain’s canals and rivers special and it must be actively protected – through the local planning system and sufficient funding – for the future.
Waterway underfunding
Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.
Waterway restoration
Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.
Waterway businesses
The government needs to intervene at the earliest possible opportunity to save this vital sector of the British economy and what could be a core element of the British stay-at-home leisure and holiday sectors in the coming years.
Waterways affected by HS2
We’re campaigning to protect canals and rivers from the damaging effects of HS2, especially where the tranquillity of the waterways is under threat.
Sustainable boating
We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.
Love the waterways?
Love the waterways?
Stay up-to-date with the latest waterways news, campaigns and articles.
Shop
Map of the River Thames (Imray)
£7.95
The River Nene Guide – Roger Green (Imray)
£12.95
The Complete Guide to the Lancaster Canal
£4.50
Trent & Mersey Canal: Preston Brook to Fradley Junction (Geoprojects)
£1.00
Trent and Mersey Canal: Great Heywood Junction to North Clifton (Geoprojects)
£1
Grand Union, Oxford and Kennet & Avon Canals (Wilde’s Leisure Guides)
£2.00
The Grantham Canal Guide
£2.50
Canal Time Map by Chris Clegg
£4.00
Love your waterways
Together we can protect and restore our waterways; the UK’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers need your help.