Canals: The Making of a Nation

2015•1 series

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Liz McIvor looks at who built the nation's canal network, who funded it, those who worked on it and how they were regenerated following WWII.

Episode 1Engineering

The struggles of those tasked with creating a landscape of canals around the Pennines.

Episode 2Geology

How the process of building Britain's canals resulted in furthering geological knowledge.

Episode 3Capitalism

Charting the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy.

Episode 4The Workers

Liz McIvor recounts the tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators or navvies.

Episode 5The Boat People

The story of the people who operated the canal boats carrying goods around the country.

Episode 6Heritage

Liz McIvor explores how the nation's canal network was saved following years of neglect.

How to watch Canals: The Making of a Nation