Canals: The Making of a Nation

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  1. Engineering

  29m

  The struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills.

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  2. Geology

  29m

  How the process of building Britain's canals resulted in furthering geological knowledge, as surveyor William Smith created the first geological map of England and Wales.

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  3. Capitalism

  29m

  The story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London.

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  4. The Workers

  29m

  The tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators, or navvies - focusing on their work on the Manchester Ship Canal.

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  5. The Boat People

  29m

  The people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country.

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  6. Heritage

  29m

  How the nation's canals were saved following years of postwar neglect, becoming places of tranquillity and popular for boating holidays.

Cast

Liz McIvor

Self - Presenter