Pioneering BBC Countryfile presenter John Craven and Charlotte Smith have been spotted exploring the Stroudwater canal, where a major restoration project is bringing this historic waterway back to life.
Filming for the show will be screened on BBC1 at 5:15pm on Sunday, April 13.
As the final stages take shape, Charlotte meets the team restoring one of the canal’s 12 locks and joins ecologists carefully relocating resident water voles, ensuring they can thrive as the work continues. She also lends a hand, digging the last mound of earth to create a new wetland for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and helping maintain an ancient orchard – perfect for attracting wildlife.
John enjoys a more leisurely trip on the canal, hopping on a boat to meet volunteers making it accessible to everyone. Along the way, he chats with passengers who love getting out on the water, especially in spring when nature bursts back to life. He also joins a local wildlife expert for a nature safari, discovering the rich biodiversity now thriving along the restored waterway. Charlotte then visits a local farm with deep ties to the canal, uncovering its history and learning how the family is farming for the future.
This special episode will highlight the remarkable progress on the canal restoration so far, which stands as the largest canal restoration project in the country and a key National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the South West.
Viewers will see the positive impact of the restored canal sections on local communities, wildlife, and heritage preservation. The programme features volunteers from The Cotswold Canals Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust at the new water vole pond and nature reserve created at Fromebridge, and Cotswold Boatmobility volunteers taking people out on the canal in accessible boats.
The Cotswold Canals Connected Project Team supported BBC Countryfile in planning the episode. Project director Chris Mitford-Slade, said: “We are delighted that BBC Countryfile has chosen the Stroudwater Canal for this series, showcasing some of the amazing projects being undertaken by volunteers and for highlighting the benefits of the canal restoration to communities, wildlife, and our heritage.
“Cotswold Canals Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and Cotswold Boatmobility play star roles, but this project would not be possible without the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Canal & River Trust and numerous charitable trusts and personal legacies and donations.”
To date, six miles of canal have been restored, with another four miles currently under restoration. The project has won several awards, and the restored sections of the canal have transformed local areas into well-used blue-green corridors, enjoyed by local communities and attracting visitors to the district.
