Canal Restoration Volunteers

Waterway Recovery Group runs muddy, fun-filled, canal restoring working holidays. WRG’s week-long ‘Canal Camps’ offer an unique opportunity to volunteer and learn new skills, whilst exploring amazing parts of Britain’s industrial heritage.

This year we have 27 Canal Camps planned on 12 different canal restoration projects throughout England and Wales. No two canal work sites are exactly the same - every canal has its own distinctive features and building materials, as the original canal builders used whatever was available to hand to build the canal. Combine this with the many different jobs involved in restoring a canal you will find that Canal Camps offer a wide variety of types of work. This summer we will be traveling throughout England and Wales – offering volunteers the chance to rebuild bridges on the Ashby Canal, restore a lock on the Stover Canal, or improve towpaths on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation.

Volunteering with WRG is a great experience for anyone who loves being outdoors and enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and of different ages (18+). WRG offer volunteers a fantastic chance to learn new skills such as bricklaying; stone walling; machine operation and restoration techniques! Each week costs £56 which includes food and accommodation. Volunteers need no previous experience; all they require is a willingness to get involved and a good sense of fun.