Canal and River Trust

About us

Founded in 2012, Canal & River Trust is the UK's largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of stunning canals and navigable rivers.

Connecting many of the UK's urban and rural areas, we provide essential spaces for wildlife and people, helping us all feel happier and healthier.

The 250-year-old waterways in our care – the canals, embankments, culverts and reservoirs as well as the bridges, locks and towpaths – and their vital ecosystems are threatened by the growing impact of climate change and more extreme weather. They need constant upkeep and investment. Without it, they face decline and closure, and we risk losing the incredible benefits they bring.

Together, with your active support, we can keep canals alive. Join us and protect waterways for nature to thrive and everyone to enjoy. Today and in the future.

Work for us

We are one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water.

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings. These all enable us to offer wellbeing opportunities to millions of people each year.

Supporting this varied community who live, work and play on our canals means that we need an incredibly varied workforce. From engineers to ecologists, museum attendants to marketers, hundreds of people work at the Trust, all striving to make sure life is always better by the water. Find out more here.