Great Canal Journeys

Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel across canals in both Britain and Europe.

Cast:Timothy West , Prunella Scales , Sheila Hancock , Gyles Brandreth , Juliet West , Samuel West , Joseph West , Kirsten Elliott , Nick Wilding , Stuart Moodie , Benedicte Sire , Andrew Sachs , Clive Francis , Antoine Danglas , Frank McCabe , Mark Davies , Richard Millar , Krister Henriksson

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Kennet & Avon

Mon, Mar 10, 2014

Back in 1990, to promote the fully restored canal, Tim and Pru were invited to be the first boat in 42 years to travel the full length of the K&A. Almost a quarter of a century later, they navigate the 21 miles along its most picturesque stretch, starting in Bath and ending in Devizes.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ The Rochdale

Mon, Mar 17, 2014

Prunella and Tim travel the Rochdale canal, past once mighty mills, the epic beauty of the Pennines and the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ The Llangollen Canal

Mon, Mar 24, 2014

This third canal journey takes Pru and Tim back to their honeymoon destination, Llangollen, in North Wales

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Canal Du Nivernais, France

Mon, Mar 31, 2014

Tim and Pru conclude their odyssey in the Burgundy region of France, where they travel along the Canal du Nivernais, which passes through towns and villages steeped in history.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Oxford Canal

Sun, Mar 15, 2015

Timothy West and Prunella Scales begin their first canal journey of the second series in the romantic city of Oxford. It's here that Tim and Pru began their courtship many years ago and where they went on their first-ever canal trip together. They follow the gentle contours of the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley, where they meet author Philip Pullman and are joined by their son Samuel West. Tim and Pru follow in the footsteps of author Tom Rolt, whose vivid account of his journey down this canal in 1939 ignited a campaign that went on to save Britain's canals from extinction. Tim enters the National Town Crier's competition to extol the virtues of the Oxford Canal, and issues a warning to those who would seek to destroy it.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ London Ring

Sun, Mar 22, 2015

Timothy West and Prunella Scales have lived all their married life in London, but have never explored the canals on their doorstep. In this episode, they journey along the London Ring, as it's known to narrow-boaters, in a voyage of discovery through their home city. Starting in Brentford, they follow the Union Canal, and then the Regent's Canal, through the heart of the capital, until it meets the Thames at Limehouse. They meet up with Andrew Sachs and Sir Ian McKellen, and visit the cemetery at Kensal Green, and the grave of friend Harold Pinter. It's a tale of two cities: from the urban edge of Kentish Town, to the glorious grandeur of Regent's Park; from idyllic daylight moments, when they encounter nature and wildlife, to the darker night times when they become strangers in their own city.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Canal du Midi, France

Sun, Mar 29, 2015

Built nearly a century before the British canal system, the Canal du Midi in the south of France has been designated a world heritage site for both its historic importance and its beauty. Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore its most picturesque stretch, as it gently meanders towards the Mediterranean. They visit Beziers; the Malpas Tunnel - the first navigable tunnel in the history of mankind; and taste the delights of cervelles d'agneau - lamb's brain fritters - and brandy that's almost 200 years old.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Forth & Clyde and Union Canals

Sun, Apr 5, 2015

Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal through the stunning backdrop of some of central Scotland's most glorious countryside. The coast to coast adventure starts in Edinburgh and concludes in Glasgow, taking in Scotland's highest aqueduct and longest canal tunnel, some monumental sculpture, history stretching all the way back to the Romans, and a Scottish love affair from long ago. The two canals feature some striking examples of 21st century engineering and illustrate the potential for the restoration of the nation's waterways, ensuring their long-term future.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ London's Lost Route to the Sea

Sun, Oct 25, 2015

Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales go in search of the lost route between London and the sea. The journey gives them the chance to revisit their own past.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Birmingham to Braunston

Sun, Nov 1, 2015

Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel from Birmingham to Braunston, Northamptonshire, for a festival of canal boats and to unveil a plaque to a late friend and canal campaigner.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Shannon Erne Waterway

Sun, Nov 8, 2015

Timothy West and Prunella Scales head to Ireland and the Shannon Erne Waterway, where they try some folk singing, Irish dancing, and visit the ruins of Crom Castle.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ The Göta Canal, Sweden

Sun, Mar 20, 2016

Tim and Pru set forth from Gothenburg on the first half of the Göta Canal, one of the longest and most beautiful waterways in the world, travelling 350 miles, coast to coast across Sweden.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ Stockholm and the Archipelago

Sun, Mar 27, 2016

Tim and Pru follow the ancient route of the Vikings, visiting Stockholm and the nearby islands of its archipelago.

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ Stratford-upon-Avon

Sun, Apr 3, 2016

A trip from Kingswood Junction on the Grand Union Canal, down the South Stratford Canal on a Kate Boats narrowboat. After arriving in Bancroft Basin in Stratford they took the boat out onto the Avon River and moored near the church.

1Season 5

S5.E1 ∙ Venice

Wed, Aug 17, 2016

Tim and Pru travel to Venice, following the route once taken by Casanova and Byron, escaping the crowds of St Mark's to find tranquillity as well as beauty.

2Season 5

S5.E2 ∙ Amsterdam

Wed, Aug 24, 2016

Tim and Pru explore the canals of the Netherlands, taking them to the famous tulip gardens of Keukenhof and Amsterdam's 17th century Grachtengordel's canals.

3Season 5

S5.E3 ∙ Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Wed, Aug 31, 2016

Tim and Pru take another journey into their pasts, via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2016.

1Season 6

S6.E1 ∙ Bristol and North Devon

Sun, Oct 23, 2016

With Tim playing King Lear in Bristol, he and Prunella Scales tour the city and also some West Country waterways further afield, including Devon. They also take a paddle steamer.

2Season 6

S6.E2 ∙ The Caledonian

Sun, Nov 6, 2016

Tim and Pru cross the Scottish Highlands on a sun-kissed voyage along the spectacular Caledonian Canal, a waterway that links the North Sea with the Atlantic.

3Season 6

S6.E3 ∙ The Crinan Canal

Sun, Nov 13, 2016

The Crinan Canal was built as a shortcut from the Hebrides to the Glasgow region. Tim and Pru work their way on board an old steamer.

1Season 7

S7.E1 ∙ India, Kerala

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

Tim and Pru explore the extraordinary backwaters of Kerala, with spices, dancing and a visit to a temple.

2Season 7

S7.E2 ∙ India, Brahmaputra

Fri, Jun 23, 2017

Tim and Prue travel up the Brahmaputra river in the North of India, encountering local Monks and then later getting a ride on an elephant.

1Season 8

S8.E1 ∙ The Norfolk Broads

Sun, Oct 29, 2017

Tim and Pru explore one of Britain's most ancient and picturesque waterways, discovering the area's unique way of life, its ruins, fens, marshes and woodlands.

2Season 8

S8.E2 ∙ Marne-Rhine Canal

Sun, Nov 5, 2017

Tim and Pru travel past enchanted forests, fairy-tale castles and picturesque mountains and valleys, on a trip Alsace and Lorraine in France.

3Season 8

S8.E3 ∙ Rio Douro

Thu, Nov 30, 2017

Tim and Pru voyage through the dramatic landscape of north-west Portugal, with deep locks, hilltop vineyards and some port in Porto.

4Season 8

S8.E4 ∙ Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Fri, Dec 8, 2017

Tim and Pru visit the famously beautiful Welsh canal with a haunted castle on route.

1Season 9

S9.E1 ∙ The River Nile

Sun, Oct 7, 2018

Tim and Pru explore one of the world's great waterways - the River Nile, travelling from Luxor to Aswan, visiting a Nubian village and dancing by moonlight.

2Season 9

S9.E2 ∙ North Italy

Sun, Oct 14, 2018

Tim and Pru cross Italy's largest lake and travel down Europe's oldest working canal to Milan. Their journey includes spectacular gardens, singing and wine.

3Season 9

S9.E3 ∙ Manchester

Sun, Oct 28, 2018

Tim and Pru embark on a voyage through canal history, as they explore the waterways of north west England - heading from the suburbs of Manchester to the great canal port at Ellesmere.

4Season 9

S9.E4 ∙ Argentina

Sun, Nov 4, 2018

Tim and Pru take a boat ride in the Argentine jungle. There's gin and tonic with some remote Anglo Argentines, hummingbirds, honey, and a spot of tango.

5Season 9

S9.E5 ∙ Lancaster Canal

Sun, Nov 11, 2018

Tim and Pru navigate the Lancaster Canal, an early masterpiece of the waterways - travelling up along the coast of Morecambe Bay and visiting Carnforth and Lune Aqueduct.

6Season 9

S9.E6 ∙ Rideau Canal, Canada

Sun, Nov 18, 2018

Tim and Pru embark on an epic journey along Canada's Rideau Canal, a world heritage site - from the backwoods of Ontario to the nation's capital.

1Season 10

S10.E1 ∙ Asian Odyssey (Part One)

Sun, Jun 9, 2019

Timothy and Prunella start their tour on Vietnam's waterways. They explore the limestone islands of Halong Bay, then travel along the Red River to Hanoi and the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. They also attend the famous lantern festival in the trading port of Hoi An.

2Season 10

S10.E2 ∙ Asian Odyssey (Part Two)

Sun, Jun 16, 2019

Timothy and Pru complete their grand tour of South East Asian waterways on Vietnam's Mekong Delta and the world-famous Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat.

1Season 11