Watch Great Canal Journeys

Great Canal Journeys is a travelogue program from Channel 4 that follows the canal voyages of renowned British actors Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales, along with their friend and fellow actress Sheila Hancock. The show premiered in 2014 and has been captivating viewers with its picturesque landscapes, insightful historical explorations, and heartwarming personal stories.

The premise of the show is simple yet effective; the trio travels to different parts of the UK and Europe, exploring the canals and waterways on a narrowboat. It is not just a series about canal boats, but a program that sheds light on the fascinating history, culture, and traditions of canal life. The audience gets a glimpse of the route of the waterways and the importance they have played in the lives of the people living alongside them. The actors aim to retrace the history and culture of these waterways, bringing to life centuries-old stories of the people who traversed them.

West and Scales sit at the wheel and navigate the canals themselves, and we see them navigate several locks with aplomb. Sheila Hancock joins them for much of the journey, providing witty commentary and insights on their surroundings. The trio's dynamic feels incredibly natural, and their joy and enthusiasm for this new adventure they are undertaking together are infectious. Watching the trio tackle the locks, steer their way through bridges, and navigate the narrow waterways provides a fantastic insight into their daily adventures.

In every episode, the trio's journey begins somewhere new, such as France, Venice, or Scotland. Each location has a rich history related to its waterway, and the program explores these histories in vivid detail. The show touches on poignant historical moments, visits to famous monuments, and even meeting different cultures and hearing their life stories.

The program also highlights the transformative power of travel, as it reveals the personal stories of the actors as they manifest in different locations. They share the emotional highs and lows of their personal journeys, both on the canal and off it. The show is a testament to the therapeutic nature of travel, as it provides an escape from the mundane issues of daily life and helps one find self-discovery.

One episode, for example, sees the group visiting the fascinating Scottish Caledonian Canal, with West and Scales engaging with locals and learning about the legendary sea monster of Loch Ness. They later meet a woman who has battled against cancer, who explains the life-changing value of her narrowboat. Another episode sees the group traveling to Venice, and we witness Prunella Scales' struggles with dementia as she struggles to navigate the narrow canals, the frustration when recognizing that she's lost all sense of direction, even with the use of maps; it's a rare and heartwarming insight into the struggles of individuals with such a condition.

Great Canal Journeys has something for everyone; it's equally engaging for history lovers, travel enthusiasts, and those curious about the waters that surround us. It is a show that provides a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, inviting us to relax, explore, and revel in the fascination of our waterways' historical and cultural heritage.

Overall, Great Canal Journeys is a thoroughly entertaining, heartwarming show that makes the audience feel like they're part of the journey with West, Scales, and Hancock. With stunning scenery, engaging storytelling, and relatable personal stories, viewers will be hooked from start to finish.

Great Canal Journeys is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (19 episodes). The series first aired on March 10, 2014.