Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, is inviting people to step behind the scenes of the nation’s historic canals as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, taking place during September.
From exclusive tours of the Trust’s two working lock gate workshops to boat trips, free entry to some of the Trust’s museums and guided heritage walks, the events showcase the rich history that has shaped our waterways for more than 250 years.
The free events offer visitors a rare chance to experience the waterways’ most fascinating industrial heritage, discover hidden stories, and explore places that are not usually open to the public.
Enjoy more Towpath Talk reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
Highlights include:
- 12 September: National Waterways Museum, Gloucester. Enjoy free access and explore the museum, take a tour with a volunteer, and see demonstrations of traditional canal crafts such as rope making and crochet.
- 13 September: Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire. Visitors can enjoy free entry to the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ and boat trips from the base of the lift along the River Weaver.
- 20 September: Standedge Tunnel, Marsden, Yorkshire. Discovery boat trips through the UK’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel, where visitors can experience one of Britain’s most impressive feats of canal engineering.
- 26 September: Bradley lock gate workshop, West Midlands. Free behind-the-scenes tours offering a rare insight into the craftsmanship involved in building and maintaining traditional lock gates at one of the Trust’s two lock gate workshops.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, celebrating local heritage through thousands of free events, tours and experiences across the country. The 2026 theme, ‘Everyday Histories’, shines a light on the working lives, communities and stories that have shaped our shared heritage.
Campbell Robb, chief executive at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our waterways are packed with fascinating stories, engineering wonders and living heritage, and Heritage Open Days are a great opportunity for people to discover them for free.
“These events bring our waterways’ remarkable past to life and help people connect with the history that can still be seen and experienced along our canals today.”
The canals and river navigations cared for by Canal & River Trust are home to some of the world’s finest examples of living industrial heritage, from historic locks, bridges and aqueducts to the waterways themselves that continue to serve communities today.
For more information and to book Canal & River Trust’s Heritage Open Day events, visit:www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/heritage-open-days
