Britain's Waterways: A Unique Insight - Softcover

Roberts, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863511155 ISBN 13: 9780863511158

Publisher: GEOprojects (UK) Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

A comprehensive directory of the inland waterways of Britain describing aspects of restoration, preservation and heritage with details of present day navigation authorities and canal societies. Includes detailed maps of 55 selected waterways at 1:350,000 locating related features of interest as well as general tourist information. 21 short strolls at 1:15,000 explore the industrial archaeology and early engineering, giving directions on how to get there. In addition, regional maps show complete coverage of the network highlighting waterways under restoration and alignments of abandoned navigations. Illustrated with photographs, old images and drawings. Full index of places and features of interest.

About this title

Review

... there is something for almost everyone boat trips, wildlife, industrial archaeology. ...this is a valuable publication for anyone using the network whether by land or water and is strongly recommended. -- World Wide Waterways : page 8, Autumn 1999

A different slant on looking at the network ... a colourful and comprehensive gazetteer-style directory and guide structured around the maps of GEOprojects, Attractive, useful and reasonably priced .... We think you will like this one. -- IWA Waterways : Winter 1999

Award winner cartographers GEOprojects have become well known for their increasing range of waterways maps, including a broadsheet of the Thames and a guide to the Thames Ring.

The unique insight reference in the title relates to the authors' selection of areas worth exploring ...{his} style makes an easy and entertaining read with a fresh approach to our waterways system. -- Thames Guardian: Page 38, Winter 1999

Britain's Waterways is described as a ''comprehensive introduction' .. but it is much more than that. Author Brian Roberts brings a passion for his subject which gives the fact-packed, liberally illustrated pages a hard-to-put-down quality ...{they are} laced with contacts, from tourist information centres to boat hirers to useful guide books ... a great way to start. -- British Tourist Authority's Getting About Britain Winter/Spring 2000 Editors bookshelf

Britain's Waterways: a unique insight provides an eminently browsable one-volume companion to the maps. .... The book comes into its own as a guide for the motorist who wants to explore. Brief directions for finding any listed feature are given from the nearest motorway junction. .... For me the combination of maps, waterways, a wealth of illustrations, intriguing facts and good place-name index is quite irresistable. ... I'm sure Britain's Waterways will find a home on most canal enthusiasts' bookshelves or glove-boxes -- Stella Wentworth : BITMites News 8-Oct-99

Did you know that a boatman's horse could haul over 30 tons, and that one narrowboat on a canal equals 250 packhorses? No wonder canals caught on! This book is great fun to dip into. You will come away with so many nuggets of information that you will be keen to pass by a canal and talk about it -- Association of Professional Tourist Guides, Guidelines; page 7, October 1999

If you've ever fancied boating in Britain, this book is a "must have". If you are interested in walking along or picnicking by waterways, his book is a "must have".. If you are a waterway history buff, this book is a "must have".;. In short, this is both a practical and fascinating book on Britain's waterways. -- Britainexpress ... an internet magazine for anglophiles March 2000

There is something for almost everyone, boat trips, wildlife, industrial archaeology... this is a valuable publication for anyone using the network whether by land or water and is strongly recommended. -- World Wide Waterways : Autumn 1999

This book, with it's strolls and instructions about how to reach key features by road or rail, and just enough detail of the history of each feature makes it the perfect bedside companion for planning a visit to a remote part of the network. Listing web-sites and where to get local guides is a very useful bonus. Even a 128 page guide still leaves you with things to find out, however. .... I've asked for a couple of pages of potted biographies with references...in the next edition! It certainly worthy of being put on the "always-in-print" list! -- Waterwaysguides Website where users suggest updates to guides. November 2000.

When I first opened the book, I wondered what market it was aimed at. It's certainly not a cruising guide {it makes no claim to be one} - But what the maps do well is show the relationship of the waterways to towns, roads and railways in their area. So the book would be of considerable use to somebody wishing to explore the waterways by car or train. The maps of suggested walks show a lot of detail and, in conjunction with the detailed commentary, look extremely suitable for their purpose. They include details of how to get there by car or public transport. I don't think this is a book that experienced boaters will choose to keep on their boats, but a waterways enthusiast who drives around the country might well find it useful to keep a copy in their car. It would certainly be useful to somebody who is getting to know the waterways and wants a general introduction to what's where/. -- 'Excalibur', Inland Waterway Association's London Newsletter, Spring 2000

From the Author

hopes you enjoy the book
I have tried to make this a truly comprehensive introduction to Britain's Waterways, "where to find them" and "what to see". 128 full colour pages, 87 clear maps, 59 illustrations.

Many people can show you their local waterway.

They regularly take a look, take a walk or take a picnic beside water.

This book shows you "where to find" over 50 others. Each map locates an individual river or canal in relation to the main road system. Every motorway junction is shown, as are National Trails and nearby tourist attractions. The book also suggests "what to see". Over 400 waterway features are described and directions given to help find them.

21 'short strolls' are suggested - gentle circular walks taking about an hour. All strolls are easy walking, even for a family with a child's buggy. Most are accessible by public transport, many are not far from a railway station. Longer walks in the same areas are also suggested ... for those with more time and energy.

A complete listing of all waterways is cross referenced to seven regional maps. There is full coverage ...

from Caledonian Canal in the North, to the Wey & Arun in the South ...

Brecon Beacons in the West, to the Broads in the East.

All location maps are the same scale 1:350 000 (except BCN & Broads at 1:250 000) All short stroll maps are at the same scale at 1:15 000

(all maps have north consistently at the top of the page)

Waterway guides are suggested and telephone numbers of trip boats & tourist information centres are given. A full index includes all features, and a selection of web-sites

I hope you enjoy the book.

Edition details

• Publisher: GEOprojects (UK) Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863511155
• ISBN 13: 9780863511158
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 136