• The Cotswold Canals - Stroudwater and the Thames & Severn Canal
• The Wilts & Berks Canal System - The Wilts & Berks Canal main-line and the North Wilts Canal.
• The Kennet & Avon Canal
• The River Thames

• The first important for historical reasons is the Somerset Coal Canal. During the nineteenth century coal from the Somerset Coal-fields produced much of the traffic for the complete network. Today the Somerset Coal Canal Society is working to preserve some of the important structures on the canal.
• · The other important canal is the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, originally known as the Gloucester and Berkley Ship Canal. This was completed in 1827 to take sea-going vessels from the Severn at Sharpness to Gloucester. It can take boats weighting up to 600 tons. The canal continues to take commercial traffic and hence pleasure boaters will have to take care. However, it provides a vital link between the Stroudwater Canal and non-tidal river Severn north of Gloucester.

The waterways of the network have always been dependent on each other. The fortunes of each waterway are closely linked. This is best viewed via the timeline. The version presented here is a simplified version of the CD-ROM. On the CD-ROM, more information can be obtained of actual events shown on the timeline.

The term "Wessex Waterway Network" was introduced by Richard Porter in the Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity Group's discussion document "Boats to Lacock and Beyond".

Here is a chance for you to test our knowledge of the Wessex Waterway Network. Most of the answers in this quiz can be found in the pilot CD-ROM, these online questions complement the questions that are on the CD-ROM.

We are always looking to improve the website. If you have any suggestions on the web site or would like to add your own questions about the Wessex Waterway Network, please feel free to contact John Henn.