Is a photgraphic record of Britain's magnificant and varied waterways heritage.

Through the superb photgraphhy of Derek Pratt, this book looks at 40 transitional years when Britain;s inland waterways changed from being a thriving commercial transport system to the varied and beautiful pleasure cruising network it is today. On many pages superb atmospheric black and white photos from 30 and 40 years ago, are juxtaposed with vibrant colour photos showing the waterways today.

Hardback 160 pages colour and black white photos thoughout

After this the canal had numerous unsuccessful owners, including the New Basingstoke canal Company, formed in 1947, which ran the canal for nearly 20 years. However, by the late 1960s, the company was proposing to close the uneconomical navigation and sell off parts for building land. The surrey & Hampshire Canal Society was formed to campaign for its restoration and persuaded the county councils to buy it. A partnership with the Canal Society and other voluntary bodies succeeded in reopening the canal in 1991.

The Basingstoke Canal has always enjoyed the affection of the local population and still provides a green corridor for the crowded towns of south-east England through which it now passes as well as being a haven for wildlife.

Dieter Jebens, the principal author of this book, was a founding member of the Canal Society.

Paper back 128 pages

Michael Ware sets the scene with nearly 300 photographs and extended captions.

But what do we really know about them? Why and when were they built? What exactly does a particular part do? And, most importantly, why don't they fall down?

In this easy to follow book, Trevor Yorke uses his own illustrations, diagrams and photographs to explain the basic principles and styles of bridges so the reader can better appreciate them, recognise how they work and from what period they date.

The book is divided into four sections. The first gives the background to the subject; the second describes arched bridges; the third explains other forms of bridges and investigates viaducts and aqueducts. The fourth section is a quick reference guide with a list of bridges to visit and a glossary to explain any familiar terms.

Soft back 160 pages

This second edition includes a substantial number of new photographs.

published 2005 hardback

It describes the work undertaken to restore individual canals to a 'fit for purpose' condition in order to serve a recreational need which has boomed in recent years. It is well illustrated, mainly with images by Harry Arnold, editor of the "IWA" magazine.

This book is the definitive work on the restoration of Britain's canal network.

Softback 246x174mm 192 pages

Eric De Mare writes ' It is often thought that canals pass in endless straight lines between nightmare perpectives of industrial squalor. They sometimes do so, but by far their greater length winds sweetly through the remotest unspoilt countryside- some., like the Shropshire Union and the Lancaster, across the finest landscapes in England.'

Many photographs date from the early 1900.

An accurate record of the traditional paintwork and colour of the working boats of Britain's rivers and canals

Today the historical importance of the Cromford Canal has been recognised by the inclusion of its top section in the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site - the only canal in the UK to gain such an accolade.

Hugh Potter is Archivist for the Friends of Cromford Canal, and Editor of the best-selling national inland waterway magazine Waterways World. He lives beside the Cromford Canal and has been collecting photographs and historical information on it for many years.

128 pages Paper back

From Cromford it ran south following the 300-foot (91 m) contour line along the east side of the valley of the Derwent to Ambergate, where it turned eastwards along the Amber valley. It turned sharply to cross the valley, crossing the river and the Ambergate to Nottingham road, by means of an aqueduct at Bullbridge, before turning towards Ripley. From there the Butterley Tunnel took it through to the Erewash Valley.

From the tunnel it continued to Pye Hill, near Ironville, the junction for the branch to Pinxton, and then descended through fourteen locks to meet the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The Pinxton Branch became important as a route for Nottinghamshire coal, via the Erewash, to the River Trent and Leicester and was a terminus of the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway.

In 1889, subsidence closed the Butterley Tunnel for four years, and further subsidence in 1900 closed the Tunnel permanently. Most of the canal was abandoned in 1944 with the exception of a half-mile stretch to Langley Mill which was abandoned in 1962. The Bullbridge Aqueduct was removed in 1968 when the Ripley road was widened. In 1985 the Codnor Park Reservoir was lowered by 6 feet (1.8 m) and a lock was removed as part of a flood prevention scheme.

After closure, the canal was taken over by the British Waterways Board and sold to the Derbyshire County Council in 1974. Attempts are being made to restore the canal and about 5 miles of it remains in water.

The towpath from Ambergate to Cromford is now a very popular walking route, with the Derwent Valley Line adjacent, Leawood Pumping House and the High Peak Junction of the Cromford and High Peak Railway.

Softback 128pages 248x172mm 150 colour illustrations

The river Thames is constantly changing, from cool, calm waters in the summer to raging torrents in the winter. Each change has gradually shaped the Thames into the river we see today.

Brian Eade's "Forgotten Thames" illustrates the changing face of Britains favourite river, delighting visitors and historians alike.

128 pages, paperback

Helen Harris is an authority on the history of canals in the westcountry. The Grand Western Canal has long been recognised as the standard work on the history of the canal.

Some events in Waterway History

Waterways engineering, Facilities and Features

Canal and River Navigations

Boatbuilding

Canal and Rivercraft

Carrying, Carriers and Crew

Appendix and Glossary

Bibliography and Maps

Fully illustrated with pictures and line drawings A4 size softback 384 pages

James Brindley successfully constructed steam engines. The turning point came when he joined the Duke of Bridgewater and John Gilbert in constructing the Worsley Canal to Manchester, Britain's first arterial canal. Its success led to the construction of 4000 miles of inland waterways, largely by James Brindley, assistants trained by him and their successors, so that every town of size was on or near to a canal.

James Brindley well deserves the title of 'Father of British Waterways.'

Most people's awareness of London's canals is restricted to Camden Lock and the stretch through the Zoo in Regent's Park, but there are about 60 miles of waterways in London waiting to be explored by visitors who want to look further than the obvious tourist attractions.

Using both picture and words you travel and discover the beauty of the river and the towns and villages that it passes only it's route.

160 pages of full colour pictures and text

Produced by the publishers of the Pearson's Canal Companion series.