Art & culture

The spirit of art is rooted firmly in canal life. When you walk in the world of canals, you are really following an historic art trail, created by ordinary canal folk who would not have called themselves artists. Roses & castles
The unexplained origins of traditional canal art, 'roses & castles', add mystery to the landscape. Over 200 years ago, in the industrial heyday of the canals, the traditional boat-family would have decorated their narrowboat with roses and castles - daubed gaudily in red, green yellow & blue paint. Pots and pans, galley utensils and even the boat horse’s nosebag would have been decorated too. No one knows why the boat families chose the theme of roses and castles – but, perhaps living in cramped quarters and economic hardship left them with dreams - and an English Rose might have been their garden and, as the saying goes, 'an Englishman’s home is his castle'. Guilds & Associations
Waterways Craft Guild >>
Aims to maintain high standards of the traditional skills of waterways' arts and crafts. Membership for painters of narrowboats, giftware, roses & castles, also signwriters, and makers of fenders, ropework, crochet work and cabin lace. They run courses in most traditional crafts at locations throughout the UK - details of courses and members on their website. Guild of Waterway Artists >>
Formed to accredit and promote commercial art. Their website lists members of the Guild, and exhibitions of their art around the country. Go shopping
Canalside and floating shops line their shelves with canalia - souvenirs and waterways paraphernalia painted in traditional colours. Everything from trinkets to treasures... collectable brass plaques, fancy fenders, deck shoes, bandanas for boat-dogs, mugs decorated in roses and castles, or even ornamental duck doorstops!