The Erewash Canal is a broad canal that runs just under 12 miles from the River Trent through 15 locks to the Langley Mill Basin where it joins the Nottingham Canal and the Cromford Canal (both currently in a state of abandonment). The canal obtained its act of parliament in 1777 and was completed in 1779. It was a commercial success from the start mainly transporting coal.

The canal’s success kept it going far longer than many of its contemporaries in the face of competition from the railways. When the Grand Union Canal Company took over the running of the Erewash in 1932 it was still a going concern. The canal was nationalised in 1947. By this time the closure of feeder canals resulting in a loss of trade and competition from other forms of transport was making itself felt and the last commercial narrow boat delivered its cargo in 1952. In 1962 the British Transport Commission closed the top section of canal. However, it was kept in water to supply the lower half of the canal and it remained navigable. In 1968 the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association was formed in response to a threat by the British Waterways Board to close the canal. Today the canal is fully open and is actively used by pleasure cruisers.