The Hidden World of Canal Architecture - a lecture by Mr Roger Butler
Tuesday 13 January 2026
2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Menai Suspension Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, the civil engineer responsible for the construction of many of the UK's canals. This lecture examines the unique buildings, bridges and structures associated with the UK's canal network with its vast array of distinctive designs, landmarks and unusual artefacts. Only the National Trust and the Church of England have more listed structures than our waterways.
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER
Mr Roger Butler
Roger Butler is a landscape architect and an experienced writer, photographer and lecturer. He has a particular interest in the unique history, architecture and traditions of our canal network and worked on some of the UK’s major canal restoration projects. He has also acted as a consultant to bodies such as Waterways Ireland, Natural England and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
He regularly contributes to waterway and heritage magazines and writes and provides images for a range of countryside and outdoor titles. Roger is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society and a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. He lives near Stratford upon Avon and lectures to groups such as the National Trust, RSPB, U3A, history societies, etc. across the Midlands and further afield.
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Mr Toby Faber
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