Before roads and rail, the industrial hubs of Great Britain were linked to the ports by a network of manmade waterways. These canals fell into disuse in the early part of the twentieth century, but in the last fifty years they have undergone a complete revival. Opened up, developed and transformed, the urban waterways have become attractive leisure destinations, and waterside properties rank high on estate agents' 'most sought-after' lists. For newcomers to a city, walking its waterways will unlock famous highlights as well as hidden delights. And that is just what this book does too. With the lavish colour photography for which he is renowned, Britain's 'biographer photographer' Derek Pratt explores all the major cities and towns linked by waterways, bringing to life the canals and their environs with images that are stunning and beautiful. Through interesting, informative and typically quirky text, Derek also reveals lots of fascinating things most people don't know about these industrial landscapes, whilst also revealing the commercial history of the waterways, their subsequent decline and recent revitalisation. Towns and cities covered include: London, Oxford, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent and the Potteries, Leeds, Gloucester, Reading, Birmingham and the Black Country, Rugby, Worcester, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Bath.
Autorentext
Derek Pratt is a professional photographer and specialist writer on inland waterways. His photo library contains a large collection of stunning photos taken over a period of 45 years, and he is the author of several books and articles on the subject.
Zusammenfassung
Before roads and rail, the industrial hubs of Great Britain were linkedto the ports by a network of manmade waterways. These canals fell intodisuse in the early part of the twentieth century, but in the lastfifty years they have undergone a complete revival. Opened up,developed and transformed, the urban waterways have become attractiveleisure destinations, and waterside properties rank high on estateagents' 'most sought-after' lists. For newcomers to a city, walking itswaterways will unlock famous highlights as well as hidden delights. Andthat is just what this book does too.With the lavish colour photography for which he is renowned, Britain's'biographer photographer' Derek Pratt explores all the major cities andtowns linked by waterways, bringing to life the canals and theirenvirons with images that are stunning and beautiful. Throughinteresting, informative and typically quirky text, Derek also revealslots of fascinating things most people don't know about theseindustrial landscapes, whilst also revealing the commercial history ofthe waterways, their subsequent decline and recent revitalisation.Towns and cities covered include: London, Oxford, Bristol, Liverpool,Manchester, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent and the Potteries, Leeds,Gloucester, Reading, Birmingham and the Black Country, Rugby,Worcester, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Bath.