Cool canals: Waterways Directory & Information Guide. Waterside Walks & Cycling, Boating & Holidays in the Great Waterways Outdoors

About Martine & Phillippa

When we and our four cats abandoned a 'land-lubbed' life to build a narrowboat home, called 'Bhaile', we had little idea where our obsession for Britain's canals would lead. We explored Britain by boat and then, not content with just a view from the water, we decided to swap our boat for boots. Swapping the boat for boots
We took on the challenge of walking the towpaths from Cornwall to Scotland and discovered even more waterways' secrets, hidden gems and amazing things to do in one of Britain's quietest, slowest places. We got the bug and wanted to tell everybody everything we loved about the waterways. THE GREAT CANAL WALK
A long stroll across Britain Our mission is to keep walking all the canals of Britain, backpacking from the Highlands of Scotland to the sands of Cornwall, in every season and all weathers! Over 2,000 miles of canals meandering almost every contour of the land. We've trundled Britain's canals end to end, from the beach in Bude to the mountains of Wales, over the Pennines, across the Peak District, through the nation's cities, along the Great Glen Way and onto the secret canals hidden in the quietest creases of the land. "This is real 'slow' walking and could take us some time...to hurry would be to miss the point." back to top About Coolcanals
Our first Coolcanals book was published in 2009, and 'Britain's Great Waterways Outdoors' is our 4th title. What Coolcanals say about the waterways environment
We want to inspire visitors to discover and keep using their waterways to help Britain's canals stay alive. Without careful management, and constant costly maintenance our canals could be lost forever. At the same time, because we respect the special community and traditions that make canals unique, we appreciate the dangerously fine line between unhealthy neglect and irresponsible commercial development. So we share some of the best secrets we discover but never knowingly support any business or activity not in keeping with the traditional values and special culture of the canals. What about their green ethics?
Because we care about the whole earth as well as the waterways, we 'think' green throughout every part of the process of making our guides. From choosing the environmental award-winning Butler, Tanner and Dennis to print our books to using Ecotricity for our electricity and never driving anywhere if we can walk instead. back to top