Britain has a 200 years old network of inland waterways. See History of the British canal system.
British Waterways manages and cares for over 2000 miles (3,219 km) of canals, rivers, docks, buildings, structures and landscapes.
Half of the United Kingdom population lives within five miles of one of British Waterways' canals or rivers.
There are over 2,800 listed structures, more than 130 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and more than 800 designated areas, as well as more than 100 Site of Special Scientific Interest.