Most canal users are not in boats, but on the towpath – walking, cycling, fishing, or just out there enjoying the tranquility. In wooded areas, the Japanese call it shinrin-yoku – forest bathing – but just being by water engenders feelings of relaxation. Part of this is being in the presence of wildlife, and canals, as blue-green corridors, have wildlife aplenty!

Dragonfly is our narrowboat, probably the best known and loved attraction on the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration project. She has worked hard and reliably as our main canal trip boat for 10 years giving laughs and smiles to residents and visitors to Swindon alike and even been the venue for a marriage proposal. She is crewed by our volunteers and has been cruising the Wichelstowe canal happily, join us in supporting her for the next ten years. Please donate generously.

The Trust has set as one of its top priority targets the completion of the canal from Swindon to Royal Wootton Bassett, where there are already significant lengths in water and more planned and consented. The big barrier, of course, has always been the M4 motorway, which cuts the original line of the canal near Junction 16. A new crossing point has been identified, where the road is high enough to get the canal underneath. This image shows the planned location.