The large-scale Guides were mainly intended for people traveling by boat along the river or canal, but now include a number of non-navigable waterways.
Generally, each page includes a map of a section of the waterway with features such as bridges, locks, boatyards and services.
[1] In 1981 the 'second revised edition' came in only three chapters; 3 North, 2 Midlands, 1 South and dropped the British Waterway Board affiliation.
Collins wrestled with the Ordnance Survey ultimatum for some 14 months, before deciding to proceed with full colour mapping, and seven regional guides were produced, in a format which was still current in 2019.
[1] The 1997/2000/2003/2007 editions were extended to 8 books: There are also two small-scale fold-out maps, one covering Great Britain in its entirety, and one of Scottish waterways.
Jonathan Mosse became part of the research team in 1989, and his first major contribution was to cycle the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal, then reaching the end of a lengthy restoration.