An activity guide full of fun and affordable things to do over the summer holidays, many of which are by the water, has been launched by the Canal & River Trust.
For the first time, the Trust is using a TV campaign to promote the waterways to a wider audience and hopes to encourage parents and grandparents to help children enjoy some quality time.
From making a bird kite, a windmill or a leaf boat to spotting birds or recognising bird song, and with quizzes to enjoy on rainy days, you can get your guide by going to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/summer or texting Sunny to 70060.
The Trust’s website also has a Plan a Day Out section where you can check out the historic structures to visit and wonderful places to take a cycle ride or a walk. Plus, on Tuesdays throughout August, youngsters between the ages of seven and 14 can have a go at being a lock-keeper on Wiltshire’s historic Caen Hill Locks. Booking is essential so, to reserve your place, contact Elaine Stanley on 07733 124565 or email elaine.stanley@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
And, turn to page 41 for CB’s own round-up of attractions around the cut to visit with children.
The summer marketing campaign follows the success of spring’s call to keep ducks healthy by avoiding bread, which saw 23,000 people request a ‘quack pack’ and resulted in 1,400 new people signing up to become regular givers.
Meanwhile, the CRT reports visits to the UK’s waterways are up 30 percent since 2010 and estimates there were 360 million visits to canals and rivers in 2014 alone.
