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Find your local waterway

You are always near a waterway so find out where your nearest one is from British Waterways. Make sure you know and follow the waterways code – you can download a leaflet from British Waterways or contact your local waterway office.

• Contact us - British Waterways Opens new window
• Waterways code leaflet from British Waterways (PDF, 236K) Opens new window

Water safety

Waterways are fantastic places to enjoy but it is vital to keep safety in mind.
Check out the water safety guide from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. You can also find safety information from the Environment Agency.

• Stay SAFE campaign information Opens new window
• Water safety information from Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Opens new window
• Safety information from the Environment Agency Opens new window

Activities on or near the water

If you are keen on freshwater fishing, then check out the angling information provided by the Environment Agency. You can discover the golden rules to help wildlife, find a fishing event and buy your rod licence online.

If you fancy messing about in a boat but haven’t taken the plunge before, then take a look at the beginner's guide to boating from British Waterways. You can also view safety tips for canoeists and rowers.

Whether you want to walk the dog or take a leisurely stroll along the river bank, you can find a walking route by waterways near you from British Waterways.

You can find a route to cycle by water if you check out the British Waterways cycle route finder. Before you set off, check whether you need a cycle permit with British Waterways.

Find out more about the wildlife you can see on our waterways from British Waterways.

• Find out more about fishing from the Environment Agency Opens new window
• Boating guide from British Waterways Opens new window
• Find out more about canoeing from the British Canoe Union Opens new window
• Find a walk near waterways from British Waterways Opens new window
• Cycling information from British Waterways Opens new window
• Discover wildlife on the waterways Opens new window

Where you can go on or near waterways

Rivers, as well as the land adjacent to them, are the property of the landowner. Even if a right of way exists beside a river, this does not give you the right to fish. Sometimes the owner may lease the fishing rights to a club, whose members may have exclusive access to the waterside.

Canal towpaths are legally part of the canal. The towpath beside a canal is usually available for public use on foot, and sometimes by cycle. This is normally on a permissive basis but some towpaths are public rights of way. Many towpaths are owned by British Waterways. You should follow byelaws or restrictions on towpaths and be especially careful at locks.

Natural lakes and their shores may not always be open to the public. Any right of access to the land surrounding the lake does not necessarily give you right of access to the water, or rights to swim, fish or launch a boat.
Reservoirs and their surrounding land belong to water companies, British Waterways, or private industries. There are no general public rights, but there may be some permissive access to their shores.

• Access to the countryside information from the Countryside Agency Opens new window

Nature and wildlife

Wetland areas range from ponds to rivers, reedbeds to bogs, and are home to a huge diversity of plants and animals and a haven for wildlife lovers. If you are lucky you can see otters, voles as well as a wide variety of fish and birds.

To find out more about the wildlife in rivers and wetlands visit the Wildlife Trust website. More information on birds which makes their homes by rivers, lakes and wetlands can be found on the RSPB website.

• Find a Wildlife Trust reserve near you Opens new window
• Advice on watching birds from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Opens new window