January 2026 issue
On the cover of the January issue... A snowy scene on the Staffs & Worcs Canal near Kidderminster.
Buy this issue
On Sale Now
January 2026 on sale from 28 November
A Home For One
Boat Review
Let it Bee is a 60ft cruiser-stern narrowboat that’s custom built for solo living. Mark Langley finds out more….
WW Canal Christmas Quiz
Festive Fun
Put your waterways knowledge to the test and win one of £350-plus worth of prizes
Why I live on a Boat
Liveaboard Life
Fiona Burt discusses her boating background and why life afloat works for her
WW Guide to the Caldon Canal
Cruising Guide
Staffordshire’s best-kept secret, this delightful waterway offers welcome respite from the bustle of the Trent & Mersey. Steve Elliott explores its quiet charms…
Lost Industry
Looking Back
We look back at well-known parts of the inland network where industry once thrived
Propelled by a Plaque
Around the Waterways
After six years, Hope and Polly Talbot Waller (aka the Windlasses) finally achieved Silver Propeller success. They relate their adventures, from becoming continuous-cruisers to visiting remote canal locations after they sold their boat
Latter Days of Carrying on the L and L
Looking Back
In the 1960s Ian Moss photographed the cargo-carrying activity of John Parke & Son shortly before it came to an end
Christmas Gift Guide
Christmas Gifts
Stocking fillers and present ideas inspired by our inland waterways network
Chasing the Boats - part 2
Around the Waterways
In the second part of his series, photographer Kev Maslin shares how he finds historic narrowboats on the move and the techniques he uses to capture them
Forever Flowing
Water Supply
Lack of water caused many canal closures in 2025, but the Llangollen wasn’t among them. Adam Porter explains why this popular route never dries up
Autumn Holiday on the Lancaster
Hire-Boat Holiday
Lock-free and with scarcely another moving boat in sight, Paul Rowlands relives a weeklong hire cruise on the Lancaster Canal
A Waterways Journey
Reader's Story
Richard Carden reflects on over half a century’s involvement in the inland waterways, including campaigning, hire holidays and a shared-ownership narrowboat
Moving Lady Teal
Last Word
Nick Mead recalls the difficulties of running a hotelboat during a drought year
All our Regular Features –
On the Cut
Place to go and things to do
Waterlines
Debate and opinions
Reviews
New waterway publications
Waterways News
All the latest from around the waterways
Boats & Pieces
New products for boatowners
Boating Forum
Your technical questions answered by our team of experts
