Canals and rivers atlas?

[Peter Mugridge]

Does anyone know if there is a canals and rivers atlas similar to the Baker rail atlas please?

I'm interested in an actual atlas style book that would show the towpaths and river paths including on which side they are as well as the more obvious features like bridges and locks.

Looking on Google, I do find results but on a close examination it's just a large fold out map of the waterways and that's not really what I'm looking for.

 

[Western Sunset]

I don't think there has ever been a comprehensive, detailed historical atlas of Britain's canals and waterways. Doubtless, there are maps of individual towns, but not one countrywide.

This is something I drew of Derby a couple of years ago; now totally lost and abandoned...

 

[ABB125]

There are a number of online maps if that helps.

Rail Map online - Canals

UK, Ireland and US historic railways, railroads, canals and trolleybus routes. Includes waggonways, tramways, stations, metro and narrow gauge lines displayed on an interactive Google Map.

www.railmaponline.com

Open Canal Map - Free UK Canal and River map for Desktop, Android and iPhone / iPad - created through user contribution and Canal and River Trust Map Open Data

Free UK Canal and River map for Desktop, Android and iPhone / iPad - created through user contribution and Canal and River Trust Map Open Data

opencanalmap.uk

 

[D6130]

Although not in atlas format per se, the best publications for the sort of details that you are looking for are the Collins Nicholson guides to the waterways in several volumes covering different areas of the country. They include extracts from the relevant 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey maps superimposed with symbols for locks, winding holes, sanitary stations, towpath locations, changeline bridges, canalside pubs, etc....coupled with a detailed description of the route and scenery with relevant historical notes.

 

[satisnek]

Although not in atlas format per se, the best publications for the sort of details that you are looking for are the Collins Nicholson guides to the waterways in several volumes covering different areas of the country. They include extracts from the relevant 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey maps superimposed with symbols for locks, winding holes, sanitary stations, towpath locations, changeline bridges, canalside pubs, etc....coupled with a detailed description of the route and scenery with relevant historical notes.

Yes, these guides are probably the most comprehensive canal mapping available. I've got a very early edition which used to belong to my parents - the 1:25,000 maps are just poor photocopies and the canal/river is shown as a much thicker blue line than today. They've certainly improved.

This is something I drew of Derby a couple of years ago; now totally lost and abandoned...

That's fascinating!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I don't think there has ever been a comprehensive, detailed historical atlas of Britain's canals and waterways. Doubtless, there are maps of individual towns, but not one countrywide.

This is something I drew of Derby a couple of years ago; now totally lost and abandoned...

That's neat.... pretty much exactly the sort of level of detail I'd be looking for....

Although not in atlas format per se, the best publications for the sort of details that you are looking for are the Collins Nicholson guides to the waterways in several volumes covering different areas of the country. They include extracts from the relevant 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey maps superimposed with symbols for locks, winding holes, sanitary stations, towpath locations, changeline bridges, canalside pubs, etc....coupled with a detailed description of the route and scenery with relevant historical notes.

Hmmm.... interesting... I'll see if I can have a nosey at one in a bookshop...

 

[507020]

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network Even the Canal and River Trust has a map of it’s network which also includes waterways not under it’s control such as the Bridgwater Canal. I’ve always found it good enough for my purposes.

 

[zwk500]

Hmmm.... interesting... I'll see if I can have a nosey at one in a bookshop...

I agree the Nicholson's are probably the nearest you'll get. https://www.canalshop.co.uk/acatalog/nichs.html
My aunt and uncle have a narrowboat and are still using their copies, suitably amended and updated over the years with which pubs/marinas/walks etc they liked and those that were problematic!

 

[DelW]

Many years ago when my friends and I were regular canal goers, there was an annual publication called The Canals Book (plus the year), which had descriptions and maps of all the navigable waterways in a single volume:

The mapping wasn't as good as the Nicholson guides but it was obviously much cheaper, and was adequate for our navigational needs.

I've no idea when it was last published, but you might find a copy in a charity bookshop or similar.

 

[John Webb]

The magazine "Waterways World" (waterwaysworld.com) publish in every issue a 'pull-out' section covering a particular canal or part thereof. I think they may then make these available for sale. Another company www.waterwayroutes.co.uk have a range of digital maps advertised in Waterways World; never used them myself so can't comment on their effectiveness. Another potential source may be the Inland Waterways Association at www.waterways.org.uk - they have an extensive on-line bookshop.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thank you, so there are options out there.... just not in a single, complete, convenient atlas.

This is starting to look like an interesting gap in the market...

 

[D6130]

About twenty years ago, you could buy the 'Imray's Map of the Inland Waterways'. I don't know whether or not it's still available.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

About twenty years ago, you could buy the 'Imray's Map of the Inland Waterways'. I don't know whether or not it's still available.

They are, but they're the large fold out maps I mentioned in my opening post...

 

[swt_passenger]

I have a large size Phillips Navigator Britain road atlas on my boat, I think it’s generally 1.5 mile to the inch, (so almost as good as an OS map), and it‘s coverage of the canals is excellent, definitely showing individual locks and bridges clearly, but I’d have to go and look at it to see what it’s like for marking the towpath side. Likewise I’d be guessing about how detailed the information about rivers is, but I’ll be able to check it out in a few days time.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

They are, but they're the large fold out maps I mentioned in my opening post...

...and having found nothing else, I have settled for one of these - the one that does at least have the whole country in one map.