Illustrated Canal Maps

Client: Canal and River Trust

Canal River Trust commissioned me to design a set of four illustrated canal maps, one large network map and three smaller insets for London. The purpose of the maps was to show the extent of the London canal network as well as showing walking and cycle routes around smaller key areas.

The finished maps were used in an updated version of the CRT folding maplet. The maps also included London transport networks and local attractions.


Following on from the success of the London maplet I was re-commissioned by CRT. The original project was extended to include illustrated canal maps for the other 10 regions of England & Wales:

 Central Shires, East Midlands, Kennet & Avon, Manchester & Pennine, North East, North Wales & Borders, North West, South East, South Wales & Severn and West Midlands Waterways.

These maps show the local canals & waterways as well as some of the interesting regional features and visitor attractions. The maps also show local footpaths and cycle/Sustrans routes.

All the maplets are available at Canal & River Trust Welcome Stations, offices, museums and towpath events as well as quite a few canal side cafés. For more information on where you can pick up a maplet of your region you can contact CRT: enquiries@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Both maplets covering Wales are also available as Welsh language versions.

Working with Bek has been a real pleasure. Canals and rivers aren’t like other forms of transport – they’re part route, part museum, part park and with over 100 miles in London alone they connect to almost everywhere! That’s why Bek’s maps are so special. With her patience, eye for detail and unique style she’s managed to distil the a huge amount of vital information into a beautiful but easy to read and use map that makes anyone viewing it immediately want to jump on a train and take a walk down a towpath. We’re now looking forward to working with Bek on some other waterways and we can’t recommend her skills highly enough.

Dick Vincent, Towpath Ranger, Canal & River Trust
Illustrated London canal network map
London map docklands Waterways
Canal network maps south wales, Severn
folding canal map