Cross Stitch Kits

Canals (England & Wales)

Canals (Scotland)

Townscapes, Buildings

World Heritage Sites (UK)

Castles (UK)

Coastal Scenes(UK)

City & Town Samplers

Birds

Flower Tiles

International

Pillar & Phone Boxes

Samplers

Other Designs

Embroidery Kits

Tube Lined Angelina Kits

Craft Accessories

Embroidery Frames

Offers

NEW !  

BRITISH CANALS and INLAND WATERWAYS

Britain has over 2000 miles of navigable canals and rivers, mostly dating from 1760-1830, the period of the "industrial revolution".  Most are owned and administered by British Waterways, a government agency.  Their Waterscape website includes much information about our inland waterways and details of holidays.  Another major waterway administrator is the Environment Agency, which covers the Thames and many East Anglian and South Eastern waterways.

The Inland Waterways Association has been campaigning since 1946 on behalf of all waterway users, and has been extremely successful in getting many retained or restored.  Their website has links to both national and local canal and boating societies.  The IWA’s National Waterways Festival, the largest event of its kind in the world, is held at the end of August.  Abacus Designs always has a stand there, carrying the full range of kits.

We also exhibit at other national and local waterways shows, including British Waterways’ Crick Boat Show in Northamptonshire at the end of May.

Three UK monthly magazines are devoted to canals and inland waterways—
Waterways World, Canals & Rivers, and Canal Boat.  All carry a wide range of news stories, articles, adverts for boats and related products, and details of waterway events.

And, for more information, visit Jim Shead’s encyclopaedic waterways website, Canal Junction,
Waterways Directory, or the UK Canals Web-ring sites.