Canal Boat Diaries
Canal Boat Diaries is a TV show on BBC4. Robbie Cumming offers a look at life on his narrowboat while travelling through England. The program has been available since 2026. A total of 47 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in August 2026.
Last episode
30:00
30:00Canal Boat Diaries
Robbie Cumming explores a Victorian village in West Yorkshire, moors up in Leeds Dock, and goes in search of an abandoned Aire and Calder Navigation waterway.
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30:00Robbie Cumming crosses the Pennines on the picturesque Leeds and Liverpool Canal before lending a hand to hire boaters in Gargrave in North Yorkshire.
30:00Robbie Cumming begins a new 170-mile journey across the north of England but soon runs into difficulty with a problem with his craft's propeller in Wigan.
Series 2
30:00
30:00Robbie crosses an epic aqueduct near Stratford-upon-Avon and gets stuck in a lock in central Birmingham.
Series 6 1:00:00
1:00:00Robbie navigates the Oxford Canal, bumps into a hire boat and a hedge and tackles large river locks on the scenic Upper River Thames.
Series 7 1:00:00
1:00:00Robbie takes a detour to investigate a local UFO legend in Todmorden, and the UK's deepest canal lock springs a leak, causing trouble for the Naughty Lass.
Series 6 1:00:00
1:00:00Robbie Cumming navigates the scenic Oxford Canal onboard Naughty Lass, explores its twists and turns, and helps tow a stranded broken-down boater.
Series 2 30:00
30:00Robbie navigates the mighty River Severn and takes an unexpected bath as he takes a tumble at the Tardebigge lock flight in Worcestershire.
30:00Robbie gets stuck in the mud in Woodseaves Cutting and explores the charming canal-side village of Kinver in Staffordshire.
30:00Robbie Cumming battles his way through blanket weed on the Shropshire Union Canal and discovers industrial secrets in Audlem in Cheshire.
Series 1 30:00
30:00Robbie Cumming concludes his journey by travelling from Barton Swing Aqueduct to Liverpool Docks - but experiences engine problems on the way.
Series 7 1:00:00
1:00:00Robbie struggles with grounding out, a tangled prop and constant challenges on the Rochdale Canal - known as the 'Everest of Canals' - to reach its highest point.
Series 4 30:00
30:00Robbie Cumming has problems with ice on the Grand Union Canal, and ends his journey in Braunston, Northamptonshire.
30:00Narrowboater Robbie Cumming faces a journey of many challenges as he runs aground and breaks down in Nottingham.
30:00Robbie Cumming navigates the tidal Trent and joins a night-time illuminated boat parade on the picturesque Chesterfield Canal.
30:00Robbie begins his 300-mile adventure across the north of England and the Midlands. He is forced to make a running repair while on the Tinsley lock flight.
Series 3 30:00
30:00On the last leg of his epic journey across the north of England, Robbie tackles the fast-flowing River Ouse and is forced to make an emergency stop.
Series 7 1:00:00
1:00:00Fallen trees block Robbie's journey on the Peak Forest Canal. Later, he meets TV host Terry Christian, whose dad once worked a local waterway.
1:00:00Robbie helps rescue a runaway narrowboat on the scenic Macclesfield Canal and cruises through autumn scenery toward Congleton to see a shipwreck up for sale.
Series 1 30:00
30:00Robbie Cumming travels along the Rochdale Canal from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester, but disaster strikes when he runs aground.