Our Great Canal Journeys: A Lifetime of Memories on Britain's Most Beautiful Waterways

by Timothy West

For more than half a century, a shared love of canals and narrowboats has been inseparable from the marriage of Timothy West and Prunella Scales. The two iconic actors have spent many of the happiest days of their life together enjoying the calming pleasures of watching land and nature unfold before them at four miles an hour.

In 2014, Tim and Pru took to the canals of Britain and beyond with a television crew and a brief to record their best-loved trips along the most beautiful waterways they could find. Little did anyone guess that their seemingly light-hearted travelogue, and the story of their lives that it revealed, would transcend the program's gentle façade, becoming something entirely more powerful. From the outset, the reflective undertones of the possibilities of later life, and the realities of Prunella's dementia, struck a chord with viewers around the country. Now in its seventh series, the show has been described as "beautiful and meditative" by the Guardian , "touching" by the Independent and "a hymn to the possibilities of later life'"by the Telegraph , there is no finer, nor more thought-provoking, travelogue on British television.

In this handsomely presented book, Timothy West tells the story of the couple's life and travels. Illustrated throughout with beautiful photography, Our Great Canal Journeys recounts their storied careers as actors while recording their remarkable journeys along some of the world's most scenic waterways. Beyond this, however, it explores with sensitivity the trials, but also the joys, of ageing, and how Prunella's struggle with dementia has both changed, and yet failed to change, their lives together.

By turns humorous and poignant, Our Great Canal Journeys is at once a beautifully observed ode to a unique, magical method of travelling the world, and a warm meditation upon love, learning and life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, History

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2018

About the author

Timothy Lancaster West was an English actor and presenter. He appeared frequently on stage and television, including stints in both Coronation Street (as Eric Babbage) and EastEnders (as Stan Carter), and Not Going Out, as the original Geoffrey Adams. He was married to the actress Prunella Scales. From 2014 to 2024, they travelled together on UK and overseas canals in the Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful listening experience. I truly enjoyed learning about Timothy (Tim) West's family life and especially his travels by narrowboat on various canals over the course of about fifty years with his wife Prunella (Pru) Scales. They were well-renowned, even iconic actors in the UK. Sadly, Pru was diagnosed with dementia and Tim passed away recently making this book all the more poignant. It was lovely to listen to Tim narrate their adventures with enthusiasm and fondness.

Additionally, I learned some interesting trivia such as: Sir Ian McKellan owns a pub called, The Grapes.

Favorite quote:

"Apparently the secret recipe for the liqueur [Drambuie] was kept in a locket around her neck and every week she went out to a little shed in the garden to mix the concentrate."

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The humorous generosity in this book matches the TV series, but also stands as a good read anyway, as Timothy & Prunella share background, experiences & anecdotes of their lives & travels on the waterways of Britain, Europe & beyond. Their sense of theatre, together with joys (& possible hazards) of life by water come across well - thoroughly recommended, whether you caught the TV programmes or not (they'll have to be repeated).

[Amy W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this looks like a really boring book, but hear me out!

I listened on audiobook when in bed with a cold & headache. It was the perfect read for when I wasn't up to looking at TV or books but didn't want to go to sleep either. It's a short, gentle tale of their lives and of some of the waterways the couple enjoy exploring, to accompany the TV series (which I admit I've never seen but will look out for repeats now).

Timothy West read the whole thing and his voice is great, like a David Attenborough type authority with the same twinkle of humour bubbling just under the surface.

They've both led pretty interesting lives but we're not bogged down in detail as a lengthy autobiography would be. There's just enough to give context to where they're at now e.g. Prunella suffers from a form of dementia and some of the difficulties of this are mentioned by Tim. Facts about the canal journeys were interesting, but again weren't too lengthy so as to be a really indepth account.

It was all just very pleasant and I'm glad I took the chance to pick it up. It's going to be a sad day when one of them dies as they seem like a lovely, fun couple.

[Giles Burrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having had some audible credits to use, I bought this on a whim as I like Timothy West as an actor & narrator and have seen and enjoyed a few of the canal journey programs. This is mostly recollections about the making of the programs but it includes autobiographical side pieces of him and his wife and anecdotes from their time spent on the water over the years. It is a very light read but affecting and I enjoyed it.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little light read to read along with the TV series of their canal journeys

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little account. Essentially a short autobiography meets canal enthusiasm. I will check out the TV show as a result.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in hardcover, necessary I think for the full pleasure of the photographs (although as West points out "Pru and I have a terrible habit of getting in the way of the views I'm afraid") I haven't seen any of the several Channel 4 canal journey series Timothy West and Prunella Scales have made together, and I think it would have added to the enjoyment if I had (off to the on-demand facility with me I think) However, this reflection on the experience of the programme making in particular and of the couple's lives, personal and professional, more generally stands up well enough without. And deserves a wider readership than those with an interest in canals or luvvie autobiography for it details a relationship into which hearing loss and vascular dementia have intruded... and been accommodated.

[Kirsten Thomson Ivano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserved more than five stars! A beautiful book detailing the behind the scenes of the TV series of the same name. Timothy West provides a sensitive and humorous outlook on his life with Prunella Scales with the connecting thread throughout the years being canal boat holidays.

Each chapter focused on a different episode of Great Canal Journeys providing greater details into the filming of each episode and revealing information that I had not even previously considered (sleeping in hotels instead of on their boat, making sure crew members were hidden from view etc).

My only criticism is that the book wasn't long enough, I would love a sequel covering the later journeys that weren't covered in this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the TV series and loved the book. Timothy West and Prunella Scales have travelled many canals and this book details the first TV series - the canals travelled - along with theatrical anecdotes from their long and illustrious careers. I loved the splashes of humour even in the midst of dealing with dementia. A lovely, uplifting, feel good read. As Prunella says, ‘It’s going to be a lovely day.’

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book on Audible took me 2days to finish

[Elvis2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed their series Great Canal Journeys immensely, I thought this book would follow the episodes closely. It follows them in only a haphazard way. It's a true mixed bag and definitely has a feeling of being put together to benefit from the popularity of the show and also has too much of Timothy West's career thrown into it. Even so, it's a beautiful book to handle and read and I enjoyed it even though I felt it could have been much better.

West gives us a little bit, and not enough, of what goes on behind the scenes. Of course, the show is not what it appears to be. I expected more from this book and may read it again one day to see if I like it any better. If you have not seen their series, I highly recommend it for its beauty, charm, and the opportunity to learn many new things.

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book because I stumbled upon Great Canal Journeys while on vacation in England and I think it's amazing. This book is a mixed bag, but mostly good. I love hearing about the canal journeys, naturally. I also like Timothy West's take on acting and theatre. He really thinks theatre is for everyone, which is refreshing. I'm interested in how Prunella's dementia is dealt with on the show, and he has a really loving tenderness toward her that comes through in his writing. Sometimes he will say something eye-rolly in a "get off my lawn" kind of way, but mostly this is a soothing and lovely book.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming saunter through fairly familiar territory, alternating between an insight to the TV shows and some autobiography. There's a slight sense of the book being thrown together to capitalise on the success of the series - lots of Getty library images and a fair few typos that a decent editor should have picked up (Petra was not a Roman city for example), but fun enough for all that. I raced through it in a couple of sessions.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy West mentioned the book may have influenced people to go hire a boat I agree, and I agree, this really would make you want to get out onto the water and just explore the Water Ways. a truly wonderful read. A few laughs and history behind an actor's life and the good life if the canals.

[Sjones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Tim reading this and for the ending comments. I did enjoy watching the series and parts of the book were a review of the episodes. Some of it provided more details. And enjoyable read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a joy from start to finish. Funny, educational, poignant, just lovely!

[Booksnpieces · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the TV series you will enjoy the behind the scenes view in this book.

[Stephen Tubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining account with some excellent anecdotes not only about canals but the couples acting careers.

[Janet Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A companion to the TV series Great Canal Journeys and a charming book! A must-read for lovers of narrow boats and fans of Tim West and Pru Scales.

[Joanne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend

A really good read for boaters based on an informative and excellent tv series. Thank you for all the information.

[Tamara Catlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, sweet book.... I guess it's twee to call it a love letter to England and his wife... but that's what it feels like xx

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and charming sad he has passed away . She has dementia and quite old

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a gentle winding read for a pleasant few hours

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant reminiscences.

[Sue]

A very good read, shows us the relationship between both of the people involved and is at times emotive knowing about Prue's condition. The descriptions of the canal trips are lovely and although I have never felt inclined to travel on the canals they now make me wish that I had done so.

[Diane]

I watched all eight of the tv series that this book is based on. They were thoroughly enjoyable, packed full of history and wonderful stories. What is very obvious in the series is the brilliant and touching love story of the their marriage: Timothy West and Prunella Scales. They are very upfront about her dementia but they are now both in their 80s and still work their way through the locks in the canals around England. Great reading.