Often described as a hidden gem, the Caldon Canal runs 18 miles from Stoke-on-Trent to Froghall in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Its peaceful waters take in industrial heritage, steep wooded valleys, and the remote Churnet Valley. It’s a quieter option ideal for wildlife spotting and exploring lesser-known parts of the Peak District.
Natural beauty and architectural splendourGetty
Linking the River Thames with the River Avon, this 87-mile stretch offers a blend of natural beauty and architectural splendour. Cruisers can pass through the city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before navigating rural Wiltshire and Berkshire. The Caen Hill Locks—a flight of 29 locks in Devizes—are a particular highlight.
Running through the Brecon Beacons National Park, this 35-mile canal is ideal for a short break. With no locks along the central stretch, it's perfect for beginners. Travellers enjoy views of the Black Mountains, quiet towpaths, and welcoming canal-side pubs.
Stretching from Wolverhampton to Ellesmere Port, the “Shroppie” offers a mixture of rural scenery and industrial heritage. Its straight engineering and deep cuttings make for easy cruising. Highlights include the historic town of Chester, with its Roman walls and timber-framed buildings.
For more experienced boaters, the 109-mile Avon Ring loops through Worcestershire and Warwickshire, taking in the rivers Avon and Severn, and parts of the Worcester and Birmingham canals. The route passes Stratford-upon-Avon—Shakespeare’s birthplace—making it ideal for culture enthusiasts. It includes over 130 locks and requires 10–14 days to complete.
Britain’s longest single canal, the Leeds & Liverpool runs for 127 miles through Yorkshire and Lancashire. Offering striking contrasts—from the Pennine hills to the cityscapes of Leeds and Liverpool—it’s a journey through the industrial North. The Bingley Five Rise Locks are a notable engineering feature.
A tranquil, winding route that takes in rolling countryside, sleepy villages, and waterside pubs. The South Oxford section, between Oxford and Banbury, is especially popular for its gentle pace and scenic surroundings. It's well-suited to first-time narrowboaters or weekend breaks.
Peaceful waters and stone-built aqueductsLancaster Canal Trust
This lock-free canal is perfect for relaxed cruising. It runs from Preston to Kendal, with views of the Pennines and Morecambe Bay. Part of the northern stretch is currently unnavigable, but the southern section still offers peaceful waters and stone-built aqueducts. The Glasson Branch connects the canal to the sea.
As the main line between England’s capital and second city, the Grand Union is rich in both history and variety. Boaters can explore the Chiltern Hills, picturesque villages like Stoke Bruerne, and urban areas like Milton Keynes. It’s a long route but can be broken into manageable sections for shorter holidays.
With staycations continuing to appeal, canal holidays offer an unhurried way to see the British countryside. Whether it’s a short trip or a full fortnight afloat, the UK's waterways provide a slower, more scenic summer experience—no passport required.
This wasn’t just about recreating a look from the past. Diljit’s team had tried to borrow the original Cartier necklace, a 1,000 carat marvel made for the Maharaja in 1928, but were turned down, as it remains sealed in a museum. Instead, they chose to reimagine the spirit of it. “The idea was to reflect royalty, but also Diljit’s humility and strength,” said Golecha.
Diljit Dosanjh and Prabal Gurung attend the 2025 Met GalaGetty Images
The look sparked wider interest in the story behind the original Patiala necklace, a necklace so extravagant that Cartier took three years to finish it. Its centrepiece was a De Beers yellow diamond the size of a golf ball. After India’s independence, it mysteriously disappeared. Pieces resurfaced years later, some in antique stores in London. Cartier eventually restored what they could, but the original remains incomplete, like a puzzle with no real ending.
However, at this year’s Met Gala, Diljit didn’t need the original to make his mark. His outfit, from the Gurmukhi script embroidery to the lion-headed kirpan, stood out for its cultural clarity. This was not just fashion. It was a reclamation. A moment of visibility. A Punjabi artist, standing tall at one of the world’s most-watched fashion events, unapologetically rooted in his language, his people and his past.
And in a world that often strips heritage down to aesthetics, that quiet pride might be the best look of all.
Funds raised by the prize draw will help Lepra to provide vital support for some of the world's most vulnerable people, helping them to overcome the emotional and social impact of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF).
As many as one-in-two people diagnosed with leprosy will experience significant mental health concerns, resulting from the stigma and discrimination which is sadly still prevalent. Positive mental health is crucial for people's recovery, as such Lepra provide professional counselling sessions for people affected by leprosy, LF and their families.
Community volunteers are also trained to provide ongoing support and guidance, to help people rebuild their lives with independence and dignity. Many of Lepra's volunteers have recovered from leprosy or LF themselves.
Firoza and RupaliTom Bradley
Understanding and empathy
When Firoza from Bogura in Bangladesh was diagnosed with leprosy her husband divorced her, she was left feeling suicidal but through Lepra's Mind to Heart project she has slowly regained positive mental health.
"I didn’t want to live with this sort of pain. People gossiped behind my back. I also felt bad for myself because of the worsening leprosy – it was difficult to do daily tasks. I didn’t eat or wash properly. Or do any kind of work.”
Fizora’s turning point came when she was referred for counselling followed by support from a Mental Motivator – a community volunteer with basic mental health training. Rupali has recovered from leprosy herself and shows great compassion for the people she supports. Over the past eight years, Rupali has visited Firoza 2-3 times a month.
“It helps to have someone to really listen.
These days I’m feeling much better, and more motivated.”
Open to over-18’s, Lepra Mental Health Awareness Week Prize Draw will run from Monday 5 May 2025 to Friday 23 May 2025, with entries costing £2 each. To enter, click here.
