There is no perfect place for “useful links” on this website, they are for anyone interested in the BCN, they are for boaters, and they are for BCN Society members.

This list is by now means complete. Please let us now about any resources that should be included here, by using the comment form below, or by writing to webmaster@bcnsociety.com. 

Canal societies

Lapal Canal Trust

The eastern part of the Dudley No 2 Canal, from Selly Oak Junction (with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal) to Halesowen, has been closed since the collapse of the Lapal Tunnel in 1917. Whilst the restoration of the 3,470-metre (11,385 ft) tunnel seems almost impossible, the Lapal Canal Trust has done an incredible amount of work to restore the link, and has succeeded, on the Eastern end, with the restoration in the Harborne Lane area.
Lapal Canal Trust website and Lapal Canal Trust on Facebook

Coombeswood Canal Trust

The western part of the Dudley No 2 Canal, from Hawne Basin to Windmill End, is the area where the Coombeswood Canal Trust does great work to keep this “dead end” in the best possible condition, and in the public interest. It is a beautiful area, well worth a visit, with lots of history.
Coombeswood Canal Trust website and Coombeswood Canal Trust Facebook page

Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust

Jumping from the south of Birmingham to the northern side, the link between aims to restore two links that had disappeared: The Lichfield Canal, linking the Daw End Branch with the Birmingham and Fazely Canal, and the Hatherton Canal, linking the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal with the Wyrley & Esssington Canal.
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust website 

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society

Once the Hatherton Canal has been restored, the beautiful and popular Staffs & Worcs Canal could be reached directly from the northern reaches of the BCN network, and should bring many more visitors to the BCN as a new way to reach Birmingham.
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society website

Worcester & Birmingham Canal Society

At the western end of the BCN network, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal is the link to the River Severn. Another beautiful canal, well maintained by the WBDCS.
Worcester & Birmingham Canal Society website
Worcester & Birmingham Canal Society Facebook page

Love the Birmingham Canal Navigations, clean it and Cruise it!!

A nicely made, well maintained, and very active Facebook page, highly recommended!

Essington & Wyrley Canal-Wednesfield Supporters

An active Facebook group of people that care about the Curly Wyrley

CRT, in charge of the British canals and (most) rivers, has lots of information about the BCN area as well.
Canal & River Trust website

 

Books and guides

Of course it’s convenient to order books online from the one huge company that once started by selling books, but, for anyone interested in the canals, there’s an alternative that offers online ordering as well, and that is dedicated to canal related publications – the Canal Book Shop at Audlem Mill. It’s a great shop in a beautiful location, with a wide range of publications. They are online as well, offering an excellent mail order service.
Canal Book Shop website

Canal Route Planner

This online, interactive route planner is an invaluable tool not only for planning a trip, but also for detailed information about almost every mile of canal.
Canal Route Planner website

Canal Junction

A website dedicated to information about (not only) the BCN – maps and guides, canal holidays, information for boat owners, etc.
Canal Junction website

The Canal Shop Company

A small, family run business, offering a wide range of canalia
The Canal Shop Company website

BCN related websites

Captain Ahab’s Watery Tales

A brilliant blog by Andrew Tidy, who lives with his wife Helen on the canals of the northern BCN, and is an expert in anything BCN. He has created the excellent Canal Hunter series of videos about the lost parts of the BCN.

Narrowboat related websites

Historic Narrowboat Club

Formerly known as the Narrowboat Owners Club (NBOC), the club works at a national level and is “dedicated to preserving the working heritage of the canal system, from the boats themselves to details of the waterways in which they travel:.

Historic Narrowboat Club website