Canals: The Making of a Nation

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.

On iPlayer

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Tuesday 19:00

In pictures: Changing face of Britain's canals

Britain's relationship with the canals of the Industrial Revolution has lasted for some 300 years. In that time they've moved from being vital trade routes to ignored and forgotten relics, but in the past few decades canals have enjoyed a resurgence.
Life on the canals

Liz McIvor tells the story of the people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country at the height of their importance.

She also looks at the reality of daily living on a canal boat and discovers how canal children were subjected to long working hours and poor conditions.