Locks and Quays

Fred Talbot travels around the region by boat, making his way along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, before visiting the Inland Waterways Festival. He also meets the horses still earning their keep in North Wales.

Fred Talbot takes a trip along the Leeds-Liverpool canal and learns its extraordinary history. He also meets the elderly residents of Eccles, who regale him with tales of the region's past. Plus, the work of a boat restoration team based in Runcorn.

Fred Talbot visits the Wigan Flight of Locks, a stretch of waterway with 21 locks in 2 miles. He also talks to a man still working a coal boat on the canals and meets a group of football fans travelling to a match in style.

Stranded locals are rescued from the waterways, and the luxury cruise liner Hebridean Princess visits Salford Quays.

Fred Talbot continues his exploration of the region's waterways, meeting the people who keep them clean. On the Leeds-Liverpool canal, an injured bat is saved and released back into the wild, and there's the story of a man who built a lighthouse on the Bridgewater canal.

Fred Talbot travels across the Ribble, one of the longest rivers in the north-west of England and joins a Diwali celebration on the canal.

Fred Talbot explores the Lancaster Canal travelling north towards Billsborrow, and discovers the history of Ellesmere Port. He also visits a hotel boat and meets people designing their own narrowboat.

Fred Talbot meets people living on the Lancaster Canal and visits the 18th-century Glasson Dock. He also discovers the stories behind the decoration on narrowboats and barges, and examines the history of Cheshire's famous boat lift.

Fred Talbot visits the North West's waterways, learning about the history of the Manchester Ship Canal and the regeneration of Salford Quays. He also takes a trip across the Lune Aqueduct in Lancaster, and travels down the Bridgewater Canal with a party of schoolchildren.

Fred Talbot takes the final leg of his journey through the Northern Reaches and looks at the plan to take the canal right up to Kendal. He also sees the final stages of boatbuilding with the design team and visits North Wales for a special 200th anniversary celebration.