Resources
Here you can find a wide range of waterway resources for learning, visiting and fun activities to do at home or in the classroom.
Topic Packs, Fact Files, activities and trails make learning about canals and rivers easy and fun. Take a look at on the kid’s pages for Fun things to do, project help and games?
The resources can be used to guide a term’s learning in the classroom and combined with a visit, help schools meet Every Child Matters, Learning Outside the Classroom and Find Your Talent agendas.
Search
Search here by location, or use the GO buttons below to browse through our resources
Topic Packs
Our Topic Packs give a themed or subject based overview to waterways.
They are a great way to introduce the topic of canals and rivers and are designed to encourage greater understanding through research and discovery. Containing archive material, historic images and personal memories they are a lively way to deliver the curriculum.
Life on the English Waterways
Take a glimpse into the life of the people living and working on the waterways between 1760 and 1960.
Habitats
Find out which organisms live in and around the waterways and why they choose the waterways as their home.
Building and Carrying
Explore how waterways were built, who built them and what was carried on them.
Waterways Today
Discover how waterways were restored, why they are so important today and uncover different ways to enjoy your local canal or river.
Waterways at War
Find out how the waterways played a vital role during WWI and WWII and how life on the waterways changed during these years.
Fact Files
Learn more about the waterway places near you, by downloading a Fact File about your local river, canal or museum.
You’ll find lots of photos, fascinating facts and some strange but true information.
Did you know the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales was built using ox blood? Or that it takes 4 hours to leg through the Standedge Tunnel?
Trails
A fun and interactive way of exploring the waterways. Be prepared to touch, listen, look and smell your way around!
There are many characters from the past and present waiting to explore with you.
Be a lift inspector at Anderton Boat Lift or explore Gloucester Docks with a wharfinger’s son.
Teaching Resources
Curriculum resources
Download the curriculum map to see how the waterways can be covered in a cross curricular topic.
Or, look through the rest of our teaching resources.
Activities
