Join us as we travel the canals and rivers of England and Wales in our narrowboat. The podcast takes you to places and events around the canal network, meeting the people who live, work, or volunteer on the waterways. The Financial Times said The Water Road "takes nerdy delight in the minutiae of canal life". The Guardian described it as "a soothing sound effects-packed listen ... (that) wouldn't sound out of place on Radio 4". James Marriott in The Times said "How do I join this world? We need more of this sort of thing". If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! Every little bit means the world! https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad
What this show covers
Grand Union CanalPaddington BasinWorking lifeBoat trafficLock keepingRiver ThamesWaterwayscraftsmanshipThameswooden boatsboat restorationriver heritageRickmansworthlocal historynarrowboats
What listeners will find here
Inside the surprisingly complex job of a River Thames lock keeper
This episode follows the keeper of Abingdon Lock on the River Thames and the work behind moving boats through smoothly. It also looks at water-level control, life at the lock cottage, and a retirement after 40 years on the river.
Inside a workshop keeping traditional Thames wooden boats alive
Traditional Thames wooden boats are the focus here, from skiffs and dinghies to canoes. The episode visits Will Howard’s workshop to explore the craft of building and restoring wooden boats, including the work involved in bringing vessels from as far back as 1900 back to life.
A stop at Rickmansworth reveals how canals are kept alive for new generations
This episode visits the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust beside Batchworth Lock on the Grand Union Canal. It looks at the Trust’s work promoting and explaining the waterways, and explores the historic narrowboat Roger, including what family life was like in its tiny back cabin.
A barge for burnout relief: supporting St Mary’s emergency staff in Paddington
This episode explores Caring for Carers, a plan to place a barge in Paddington Basin as a decompression space for staff from St Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department. It looks at how the project aims to help workers recover from intense shifts and process traumatic experiences.
From Godalming to the Thames: a guided trip along the River Wey
The River Wey takes the series to Godalming Wharf, the southernmost point of the connected network, before heading back toward the Thames. Along the way, the episode mixes present-day watersports training with the history of the Wey Navigation and Byfleet Boat Club.
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