Britain's Best Canals

2015 • Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Eligible

Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More

Season 2 episodes (6)

1 Peak Forest Canal

6/4/16

Season-only

John travels along the impressive Peak Forest Canal from Derbyshire to Thameside. Along the way he's roped into making Refreshers at the Swizzles sweet factory, joins a team digging up the remains of one of the worlds largest mills and gets into a bit of argy bargy with boxer Ricky Hatton.

2 Rochdale Canal

6/11/16

Season-only

John's barging along the Rochdale from the centre of bustling Manchester up over the stunningly beautiful Pennines. There's "trouble at mill" as he struggles to get to grips with 19th century technology, he tries to make his own pair of clogs and gets well and truly stuck when the canal springs a leek.

3 Lancaster Canal

6/18/16

Season-only

John takes in the delights of the Lancaster Canal, which runs along the coast through the ancient city of Lancaster. En route he gets to re enact his favourite scene from Brief Encounter, marvel at the amazing Lune Aqueduct and learns to smoke kippers before tucking into one of the little beauties.

4 Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

6/24/16

Season-only

John's aboard his narrow boat to enjoy a trip along one of the oldest and prettiest canals in Britain. On the way he marvels at ingenious 18th century engineering, tackles with, um, mixed results, the difficult skill of glassblowing and discovers a secret underground cold war bunker.

5 Oxford Canal

7/2/16

Season-only

John is on the Oxford Canal, which meanders its way through the heart of the gentle English countryside. En route he visits Tooley's Boatyard, the oldest working boatyard in Britain, gets to play a hero of his... Inspector Morse, and bumps into a group of floating thespians.

6 Regents Canal

7/9/16

Season-only

This Canal runs through the heart of the capital linking the docks with the rest of Britain. Along the history filled route John finds the East End's haunted Ragged School, helps make (and sample) a bottle or two of "mother's ruin" at a gin distillery and even finds time to feed the Giraffes at the London Zoo.

About this show

Britain’s canal network is a true national treasure. Forged in the fire of world-changing historic events, yet set within gorgeous scenery, it’s bursting with undiscovered history and home to a vibrant community rooted in a unique way of life. In Britain’s Best Canals, John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal trips Britain has to offer. It’s a waterway journey from top to toe of beautiful Britain: from the gentle downs of Somerset in the south, to the Caledonian Canal in the north of Scotland. And, crucially, at every step of the way, John immerses himself in living history, bringing the past to life by rolling up his sleeves, getting stuck in, and having a go at canal practices past and present.