Which is the longest canal in Britain?

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal holds the title for the longest canal in Britain, stretching approximately 127.25 miles (204 kilometers). This canal was constructed primarily to facilitate the transportation of goods between the cities of Leeds and Liverpool, linking various towns and regions along the way. Its extensive length and the historical significance in trade and transportation reflect the importance of waterways in Britain’s industrial era.

Other canals listed, while significant in their own right, do not exceed the length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. For example, the Grand Union Canal, which is a well-known waterway connecting London to Birmingham, is notably shorter at around 137 miles when considering its branches, but the main line is less than that of the Leeds and Liverpool. The Oxford Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal, while also important historical transport routes, do not come close to the overall length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This distinction solidifies the Leeds and Liverpool Canal's status as the longest canal in Britain.