About this season
Liz McIvor looks at who built the nation's canal network, who funded it, those who worked on it and how they were regenerated following WWII.
Episodes (6)
1. Engineering
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
The struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills.
2. Geology
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
How the process of building Britain's canals resulted in furthering geological knowledge, as surveyor William Smith created the first geological map of England and Wales.
3. Capitalism
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
The story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London.
4. The Workers
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
The tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators, or navvies - focusing on their work on the Manchester Ship Canal.
5. The Boat People
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
The people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country.
6. Heritage
Aired 28 August 2015 • 29 min
How the nation's canals were saved following years of postwar neglect, becoming places of tranquillity and popular for boating holidays.