Canals: The Making of a Nation
Liz McIvor looks at who built the nation's canal network, who funded it, those who worked on it and how they were regenerated following WWII.
Episodes6
Engineering
The struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills.
Geology
How the process of building Britain's canals resulted in furthering geological knowledge, as surveyor William Smith created the first geological map of England and Wales.
Capitalism
The story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London.
The Workers
The tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators, or navvies - focusing on their work on the Manchester Ship Canal.
The Boat People
The people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country.
Heritage
How the nation's canals were saved following years of postwar neglect, becoming places of tranquillity and popular for boating holidays.