Canals

Rotherham's canals include the South Yorkshire Navigation along the River Don valley and the Chesterfield Canal in the south of the borough.

Canals were built to carry Britain's goods two hundred years ago, long before the advent of railways and motorways. Time moves on and sadly, commercial boats and barges have all but disappeared. However, the waterways still retain their charm and character.

Because of their age, the canals are abound with interesting structures. In fact you will find more listed buildings on the canals than anywhere else in Britain. British Waterways, who look after the canals in this country, are very conscious of looking after their heritage and that any improvements are all built so that they do not clash with the older environment.

Most canals have towpaths that were used by the horses which pulled the boats. They are very pleasant to walk and are teaming with wild flowers and animals, but remember that ducks and swans expect to be fed! You can use the towpaths and local bye-ways to explore the countryside around the canals.

Cyclists

The Waterways Code advises that you need a permit and information telling you which stretches are open to the public. You should only cycle on stretches where cycling is permitted.

You can download the code from the Waterways Code page on the British Waterways website.

Check with the British Waterways Yorkshire Office at:

Fearns Wharf,
Neptune Street,
Leeds
LS9 8PB

Email: enquiries.yorkshire@britishwaterways.co.uk
Tel: 0113 281 6800
Fax: 0113 281 6886

The following is an extract from the cycling section of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation guide, found on British Waterways's leisure website.

The following schedule shows which lengths of towing path are open to cyclists. Please cycle with great care and courtesy to others, observing the Waterways Code for Cyclists. You must display a valid British Waterways permit on your cycle at all times.

• Sheffield Basin to Rotherham Lock (13 km): Take extra care - popular with other users. Do not speed.
• Mexborough to Sprotborough (7 km)
• Kirk Sandall, Doncaster to Bramwith (3.5 km): Take extra care - popular with anglers. Narrow in places."

Useful websites

Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA)
The association represents the inland navigation authorities of the United Kingdom.

British Marine Federation
The federation is the British boating industry's trade association.

British Waterways
BW is the public body responsible for maintaining and developing the waterways and their heritage for everyone to enjoy.

Environment Agency
The EA is the leading public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.

Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC)
The council is an independent statutory body created on 1 April 2007 by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Its function is to advise government, navigation authorities and other interested persons on matters which are relevant to Britain's inland waterways.

Inland Waterways Association
The association was founded in 1946 and has over 50 years of successful campaigning for the Inland Waterways of Great Britain.

National Association of Boat Owners
The association is dedicated to promoting the interests and concerns of boaters on Britain's canals and rivers.

Residential Boat Owners' Association
The association exists to act in the interests of boat dwellers. If you would like to live afloat but you don't know where to start, their FAQ covers the most common questions about living on a boat. You can also find details of our work and a diary of events.

Waterways Liaison Service On-Line

The service brings together waterway related organisations to promote their events to a wider audience.

The Waterways Trust
The trust promotes the widest possible public awareness and enjoyment of the UK's waterways. Working in partnership with individuals, communities and organisations, to conserve, restore, improve and interpret all aspects of waterways.

Contact us

Canals generally: contact British Waterways

Rights of Way issues and highway bridges: contact us