Curator and Historian Liz McIvor recounts the history of canal building in Britain which transported the goods produced by the Industrial Revolution, and creating the modern Britain we have today.
Where to Watch Canals: The Making of a Nation • Miniseries
6 Episodes
Engineering
E1
EngineeringThe struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills.
Geology
E2
GeologyHow 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.
Capitalism
E3
CapitalismThe story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London.
The Workers
E4
The WorkersThe tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators, or navvies - focusing on their work on the Manchester Ship Canal.
The Boat People
E5
The Boat PeopleThe people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country.
Heritage
E6
HeritageHow the nation's canals were saved following years of postwar neglect, becoming places of tranquillity and popular for boating holidays.
