Derek Pratt 
Urban Waterways [PDF ebook] 
A Window on to the Waterways of England’s Towns and Cities

Before roads and rail, the industrial hubs of Great Britain were linked

to the ports by a network of manmade waterways. These canals fell into

disuse in the early part of the twentieth century, but in the last

fifty years they have undergone a complete revival. Opened up,

developed and transformed, the urban waterways have become attractive

leisure destinations, and waterside properties rank high on estate

agents” ”most sought-after” lists. For newcomers to a city, walking its

waterways will unlock famous highlights as well as hidden delights. And

that is just what this book does too.







With the lavish colour photography for which he is renowned, Britain”s

”biographer photographer” Derek Pratt explores all the major cities and

towns linked by waterways, bringing to life the canals and their

environs with images that are stunning and beautiful. Through

interesting, informative and typically quirky text, Derek also reveals

lots of fascinating things most people don”t know about these

industrial landscapes, whilst also revealing the commercial history of

the waterways, their subsequent decline and recent revitalisation.







Towns and cities covered include: London, Oxford, Bristol, Liverpool,

Manchester, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent and the Potteries, Leeds,

Gloucester, Reading, Birmingham and the Black Country, Rugby,

Worcester, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Bath.