One of the reasons - if not the main reason – we so enjoy organising tours for our clients is that we are really passionate and proud of the heritage, landscape and history of the British Isles.

The Montgomery Canal in Shropshire © Friends of the Montgomery Canal

Whether it’s familiar historic buildings like the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle or the magical village of Portmeirion in North Wales, or groundbreaking transport innovations like Concorde, the SS Great Britain or countless heritage steam railways across the land, you are always close to a significant piece of heritage in Britain.

Many of these buildings, boats and planes are world famous and rightly so, but there are thousands of other heritage projects across the country that are far less famous, but nonetheless important or historically noteworthy.

Recently, Janet Redler Travel & Tourism became a member of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, a voluntary group dedicated to the appreciation and restoration of the Montgomery Canal that crosses the English-Welsh border between Shropshire and Mid Wales.

The Montgomery Canal in Shropshire © Friends of the Montgomery Canal

About 30 miles long, the canal was built in this largely rural area to transport agricultural products and limestone from Montgomeryshire (hence its name) and Shropshire to Liverpool, Manchester and beyond.

Two hundred years ago, canals were seen as the super highways of their age and linked many towns and villages together and provided much quicker access than roads could at that time. Pulled by horses – often without stopping – perishable goods like cheese and vegetables could get quicker to market.

A couple of centuries later and these corridors of industry have given way to become much more oases of calm, whether for walking, canoeing, wildlife spotting or relaxing holidays on a canal boat.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: "The Montgomery Canal is dear to our hearts as it is on our doorstep, and we have walked much of its towpath over the years, so we want to support its reopening. This might be a long way off, but when it is open again, you can be assured that people will want to visit the canal for its beauty and its peace and quiet. And we’d love to guide you!"

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of the United Kingdom or Ireland exploring the wonderful canals, whether as part of a walking tour or a canal boat holiday, please do contact our friendly team. We also offer a wide range of tailor-made heritage and industrial heritage tours to meet the interests of our clients.