Waterways Past and Present is a unique photographic record of Britain's magnificent and varied waterways heritage. Through the superb photography of Derek Pratt, this book looks at 40 transitional years when Britain's inland waterways changed from being a thriving commercial transport system to the varied and beautiful pleasure cruising network it is today. Each double page spread juxtaposes superb atmospheric black and white photos of the locations as they were 40 years ago with vibrant colour photos showing how they look today. 
 From quintessentially English rivers to London's busy canal network, all are captured in this wonderful celebration of Britain's inland waterways heritage, highlighting the architectural legacy and natural beauty that attracts thousands of visitors to go boating or walk along the towpaths.

Waterways Past & Present: A unique record of Britain's waterways heritage

Arts & Photography

Pratt, Derek

Photography & Video

Adlard Coles

The Thames is an extraordinary river: linking London to the countryside and the sea, the Thames is the heart of the capital and its waters the lifeblood of England. Following the river is a voyage through Britain's history, as its varied path joins landmarks of the past with the urban landscape of the modern world. This stunning photographic journey offers a unique and comprehensive showcase of the Thames we know ? and the Thames we don't? Derek Pratt's photography gives readers a unique insight into the river's many facets, comparing the rural idylls with the urban landscapes, the industrial buildings with the famous views, the royal landmarks with the river used by people all along its course for daily recreation and famous events. London has so often been the beginning and the end of the Thames story, and whilst it forms a major part, this book gives an altogether more complete and unexpected view of one of the most famous, remarkable and well-loved rivers in the world.With a stylish design, beautiful photography and interesting insights, this gorgeous coffee table book will appeal to a wide range of readers. It will be the perfect gift for anyone living near, visiting or enjoying this magnificent river, with its visual variety, hidden secrets and fascinating history.

The Thames: A photographic journey from source to sea

This book is for people who want to discover the canals of London on foot or by boat. There are about 60 miles of waterways in London waiting to be explored by visitors who want to look further than the obvious tourist attractions. Popular stretches of London's canals are now busy with walkers, joggers and people who just want to sit and watch the boats go by.

London's Canals (Shire Library)

History

Europe

Shire

From snake bridges for horses to the Falkirk Wheel, this well-illustrated survey covers the various structures that make canals function: bridges, aqueducts, locks, tunnels and waterside buildings.

The Architecture of Canals (Shire Library)

Architecture

Discover the beauty and delights of London's waterways, on foot or by boat, with Derek Pratt and Richard Mayon-White's fascinating and thorough guide. To really explore London's canals is to see the city in a way you've never seen it before. A different world, away from the hustle-bustle of overladen streets and towering skyscrapers, the waterways offer a unique paradise, full of wildlife, brightly coloured narrowboats, lush greenery and an environment steeped in history. London's Canals will open your eyes to this world and show you all it has to offer, walking with you along the vast stretches of each canal, pointing out the many sights to see and enjoy, pubs to quench your thirst in and history to marvel at. Enjoy whole days out with family and friends, or just an hour or two, choosing a stretch of canal and discovering so many sights and attractions either on or within a short walk from the water's edge. With information boxes, travel directions, clear maps and beautiful photography, along with insightful travel writing from the kings of the waterways, Derek Pratt and Richard Mayon-White, London's Canals is the perfect guide for anyone who loves walking, wildlife and the waterways of the great city of London. Go out there and see for yourself - there is a wonderful network of waterways just waiting to be explored in parts of London you hardly knew existed.

Discovering London's Canals: On foot, by bike or by boat

Sports & Outdoors

Mayon-White, Richard

Hiking & Camping

London boasts not only one of the most famous and awe-inspiring rivers of the world, but is also home to beautiful and majestic canals such as the Grand Union and Regents Canal - ever popular with tourists and increasingly sought-after by waterside residents. Tucked away in the city are also lesser-known (and in some cases completely hidden) waterways, which this book magically opens up for the reader. Rivers flow through shopping centres and across tube platforms as well as creating surprisingly rural settings within the capital. This visually stunning and often unexpected look at the iconic landscapes, beautiful scenery and secret places all around London's waterways is the first book of its kind. By the same author as the popular "Waterways Past and Present and The Thames: A Photographic Journey from Source to Sea", this book teems with fabulous photography and fascinating information, giving readers a unique insight into both well-loved and relatively unexplored aspects of London. With its stylish design, beautiful photography and quirky captions, this gorgeous coffee table book is the perfect gift for inland waterways enthusiasts, as well as tourists and Londoners.

London's Waterways

Thomas Reed Publications

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.

Urban Waterways: A window on to the waterways of England's towns and cities

The Thames is unique, emerging as a small stream in idyllic countryside and growing to the country's largest river, passing through some of the world's most iconic urban environments. Linking London to the countryside and the sea, the Thames is the heart of the capital and its waters the lifeblood of England. 
This beautiful book celebrates the entire river from source to sea, and with wonderful photography and quirky text follows it on a voyage through Britain's history, as its path joins landmarks of the past with the urban landscape of today. London has so often been the beginning and the end of the Thames story, and whilst it forms a major part, this book gives an altogether more complete and unexpected view of one of the most famous, remarkable and well-loved rivers in the world. We see the famous views and also learn lesser-known facts, such as Dick Turpin's secret hideaway (complete with an underground stable for Black Bess), the home of the notorious Chancellor Sir Francis Dashwood (the only Chancellor to have delivered his budget speech drunk) and the scene of the Monty Python fish-slapping dance. 
First published in 2007, this gorgeous coffee table book has been updated for its second edition with new text and photography, and continues to be the perfect gift for anyone living near, visiting or enjoying this magnificent river, with its visual variety, hidden secrets and fascinating history.

Thomas Reed

This is a guide to circling England using its inland waterways by boat or on foot. Along the way we'll learn about the country's industrial heritage--how cities grew and thrived--and pass through spectacular landscapes and idyllic countryside.
Beginning in leafy Surrey and ending at Bristol Docks via north Yorkshire, this 780-mile journey passes through the industrial landscape of the West Midlands and the stunning Pennine hills, as well as famous cities, including Oxford and Bath. Taking you via the first canal in Britain, you'll see Hampton Court Palace, Cadbury World, idyllic Shropshire villages, and iconic examples of Victorian engineering.
The route is split up into different sections, so readers can either take on the whole circumnavigation or only one part of it. Celebrating the restoration of the canals that make this journey possible, the book features (and uses, if you're traveling by boat) famous pieces of waterways history, such as the Anderton Lift, the Barton Swing Aqueduct, and the twenty-nine locks at Devizes. Each section of the route is illustrated by a map and features practical information on locks, tunnels and aqueducts, nearby places of interest, good pubs, useful transport links, and more.
Giving readers a unique way to discover the beauty and variety of England's waterways, and laying down a new challenge to inland waterways enthusiasts, this is a practical and fascinating guide.

Great Waterways Journeys: 20 Glorious Routes Circling England, by Canal and River

A bestseller in hardback, this beautiful celebration of Britain's rich waterways heritage is now available in paperback for the first time.Through the superb photography of Derek Pratt, this lovely and quirky book looks at fifty transitional years when Britain's inland waterways changed from being a thriving commercial transport system to the much-loved pleasure cruising network it is today. Each two-page spread features a black-and-white image of each location from fifty years ago as well as a vivid contemporary color photo, with many new photographs and updated captions for this edition.From quintessentially English rivers to London's busy canal network, this wonderful book highlights the architectural legacy and natural beauty that attracts thousands of visitors to go boating or walking along the towpaths.

Waterways Past & Present: A Unique Portrait of Britain's Waterways Heritage

Water Sports

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Pratt, Derek. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Pratt, Derek

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Pratt, Derek. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Waterways Past & Present: A unique record of Britain's waterways heritage

The Thames: A photographic journey from source to sea

London's Canals (Shire Library)

The Architecture of Canals (Shire Library)

Discovering London's Canals: On foot, by bike or by boat

London's Waterways

Urban Waterways: A window on to the waterways of England's towns and cities

The Thames: A photographic journey from source to sea

Great Waterways Journeys: 20 Glorious Routes Circling England, by Canal and River

Waterways Past & Present: A Unique Portrait of Britain's Waterways Heritage