Canals: The Making of a Nation

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

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.

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

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

Liz McIvor tells the story of the people who operated the canal boats, carrying fuel and goods around the country.

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