Seven Wonders of the Waterways facts for kids

The Seven Wonders of the Waterways is a special list of amazing places on the canals and rivers in the United Kingdom. This list was first made in 1946 by Robert Aickman. He helped start the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). Back then, many canals were falling apart and not being used.

Today, the Canal & River Trust looks after most of these places. They used to be called British Waterways. But one of the wonders, the Barton Swing Aqueduct, is owned and run by the Bridgewater Canal Company.

Why the Wonders List Was Made

In 1946, the Inland Waterways Association was created. Their goal was to help save the canals and waterways in the UK. Robert Aickman, one of the people who started this group, came up with the idea for the "Seven Wonders." He wrote about them in his book Know Your Waterways.

He wanted to show off the incredible engineering feats on the canals. He also wanted to draw attention to places that were in danger of being forgotten or falling apart. When the list first came out, six of the seven places could still be used by boats.

The Llangollen Canal was officially closed in 1944. But the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on it was still used to carry water to other canals. Robert Aickman and L. T. C. Rolt even traveled through the Standedge Tunnel in Yorkshire in 1948. At that time, it was closed to all other boats and needed repairs.

The Caen Hill Locks in Wiltshire stopped being used by boats shortly after the list was published. The last boat went through in 1948 before they were fixed up. The Anderton Boat Lift was only closed for about 16 years starting in the 1980s. The Barton Swing Aqueduct, the Bingley Five Rise Locks, and the Burnley Embankment have almost always been open for boats, except for regular repairs.

The Original Seven Wonders

The first list of wonders includes two aqueducts, which are like bridges that carry water and boats. It also has two lock systems, a tunnel, a boat lift, and an embankment. Most of these places were built during a time called Canal Mania. This was when many canals were being built very quickly.

Other Amazing Canal Places

Over the years, people have suggested other cool canal spots to add to the list.

In 2002, British Waterways (now the Canal & River Trust) asked people to vote for their favorite canal wonders. This new list removed the Burnley Embankment and the Barton Swing Aqueduct. It was the first time a Scottish location, the Falkirk Wheel, was included.

Another group, Videoactive, made their own list called the "New Seven Wonders of the Waterways." They replaced the Caen Hill Locks, Standedge Tunnel, and Burnley Embankment. They also added a place that boats can't use anymore.

In 2015, the Canal & River Trust held a contest to find the "Lost Wonders of the Waterways World." This list showed three places where boats haven't been able to travel for many years.