Welcome to Canal-Mania

Maps of the lost canals of England and Wales

A trip into our industrial revolution heritage. Here you can see the canals of the past through modern eyes and modern technology.

If you are:

  • a boater who wonders ‘what was behind the wall?’ or ‘where did that go?’;

  • a canal enthusiast;

  • a member of a canal restoration group;

  • a local historian;

  • a walker looking for interesting new paths to explore; or

  • simply interested in the history of where you live;

you might find something engaging here.

You will find maps of lost canals and the industries they served set in the context of the existing canal network, presented on modern technology that you can carry on your phone or explore from home.

You will also be able to create and add to your own copy on Google Maps/Earth if you wish.

This site shows maps of the canals of England and Wales as they were in about 1900. To be precise, they are based on the 2nd edition of the OS 6” map of Great Britain produced between 1888 and 1915. I have referred to this as the ‘1900’ map throughout. I have used this as the primary source because it is certainly the most comprehensive, most accurate source available, and there was little or no canal construction after this time, apart from the New Junction Canal (1905), which is still with us. Other sources have been used to augment / correct this map (see the Explanatory Notes page for details.

I have generally described these canals as ‘lost’. This is my shorthand for those completely eradicated and those existing in some form but un-navigable. All are covered.

The canal network enjoyed by people today is extensive, but much has been lost. At its peak the navigable network extended to some 4,700 miles including navigable rivers. Many canals had already been closed or abandoned by1900 but their traces were still visible in the landscape. Others were to last longer but failed to survive long enough for appreciation of their amenity value. Some are being restored by dedicated enthusiasts. Some, in whole or in part, have been completely replaced by railways, roads or other developments and will never be restored. The connected network now covers 2,700 miles.

This site covers ~65 of those lost canals. A few of the trickier examples remain to be traced and work continues…..

Access to the maps is via the Regional Index, but if you’d like a broader historic view take a look at the time-lapse video first.

Explore and enjoy.