Our objective is to maximise the social, economic, environmental and leisure opportunities from the restoration of the Melton Mowbray Navigation and the preservation of the Oakham Canal.

What we do

Although there are many waterway restoration groups up and down the country, MOWS is the only one actively concerned with the navigable river corridor in the Wreake Valley and the canal through to Oakham.

We campaign and actively work for the restoration of the Melton Mowbray Navigation and the preservation of the Oakham Canal.

The Melton Mowbray Navigation used the River Wreake for the whole of its course from the junction with the main canal system at Syston. The Oakham Canal extended the route into Rutland, another 15 miles. Our local rural waterways meander for 30 miles through some of the most beautiful countryside in the English Midlands. They link Melton Mowbray Navigation, Oakham in Rutland and countless villages for whom the canal was once the prime mover of coal and other goods.

MOWS supports many interests, including conservation, angling, walking, cycling, boating and local history. If this appeals to you, do consider joining us. We need members if we are to succeed in restoring these attractive waterways.