Watching the colourful spectacle of canal boats, being a pirate, feeding the ducks or meeting up with friends for a picnic. Discover the joys of the Canal & River Trust's 120 top heritage gems this summer and make 2016 a summer to remember.

With over 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales to explore the Trust has hand-picked over 100 destinations to help you decide where to go. Best of all, a trip to a canal or river doesn't have to cost anything at all – leaving you with enough money for a monumental ice cream!

Providing visitors with the lowdown on its top spots around the country the Canal & River Trust has put together a collection of local maps and activity sheets in a free mobile app called 'Places to visit' available from the app store and in Google Play or downloadable from www.canalrivertrust.org.uk. Simply choose your destination and have a fun family day out.

For people watching:

Go 'gongoozling', the traditional name for watching boats go by, as you watch boaters navigate the ten locks at Foxton Locks in Leicestershire or the 16 locks at Caen Hill, Devizes, in Wiltshire. These flights are awesome examples of canal engineering and with nearby picnic spots, café and pub they make a great beauty spot for all the family.

Directions: Foxton Locks is less than a mile from Foxton, near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, with pay and display parking. LE16 7RA. Caen Hill, is one mile from Devizes, Wiltshire, with pay and display parking. SN10 1QR.

For wildlife lovers:

The idyllic and once derelict Pocklington Canal, North Yorkshire, has been transformed by energetic local volunteers and is now one of the country's best canals for nature.  

Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest it has 13 species of dragonflies and damselflies to spot, not to mention the water vole and the shy and elusive otter. Boat trips are run by the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (07514 978645) from April to October.

Directions: Canal Head on the A1079 York to Hull road has a picnic site and parking. The towpath runs the entire length of the canal. YO42 1NW

For peace and quiet:

Enjoy a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Little Venice is an oasis of tranquillity where the Regent's Canal joins the Grand Union Canal at Paddington. Stop for a light bite at the floating café (020 7266 1066), hop on a traditional narrowboat for a trip from Little Venice to Camden Lock via the zoo.

Directions: Take the underground to Paddington and turn left along the canal for a 5-10 minute walk to Little Venice. Limited street parking only. W9 2PF.

For sporty types:

The cycle route from Bath to Reading along the Kennet & Avon Canal in Somerset is the country's most popular and accessible waterside route that displays some truly inspiring canal architecture. This 85-mile, traffic free route is now Britain's most popular long-distance waterside cycle. Linking the Thames and the Bristol Channel it weaves through peaceful and spectacular scenery brimming with flora and fauna.

Directions: Start - Nr Darlington Road, Bath. Finish - Reading railway station. BA2 6NL.

For great expectations:

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal, Wrexham, Wales, is one of the greatest engineering feats on the canal network and has World Heritage Status. Everyone should experience a trip over Thomas Telford and William Jessop's masterpiece. Completed in 1805, it's a cast iron trough supported on giant stone pillars 127 feet above the river and is 1,000 feet long.

Directions: 3 miles from Llangollen and 8 miles from Wrexham. Car parks located off the A539. LL20 7TY.

For culture vultures:

The World Heritage Site of Saltaire on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, West Yorkshire, is a textile village, named after Victorian industrialist Sir Titus Salt. Salts Mill (01274 531163) now houses the largest collections of work by David Hockney.                                                          

Directions: Saltaire Railway Station on Victoria Road takes you into the heart of Saltaire and Salt's Mill. Paid for parking is available. Alternately walks from the nearby Bingley Five Rise locks are a fantastic way to see this canal at its best. BD98 8AA

For history enthusiasts:

Delve into the fabulous history of Britain's canals and rivers at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire or its sister museum in Gloucester's historic docks.

Both museums explain how the canals were built over 200 years ago, offer colourful and historic boats to explore, boat trips and the national waterway collection and archive. Family (of 4) tickets: £19/Ellesmere, £13.50/Gloucester

Directions: National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW. National Waterways Museum Gloucester (re-opens 27 July 2016), Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester. GL1 2EH.

For full details of all the destinations download the free mobile app called 'Places to visit' from the app store or in Google Play or visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

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For further media information and images:

Liz Woznicki, Canal & River Trust: 07796 191120 Liz.Woznicki@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales, caring for the nation's third largest collection of listed structures, as well as museums, archives, and hundreds of important wildlife sites.

We believe that living waterways transform places and enrich lives and our role is to make sure there is always a place on your doorstep where you can escape the pressures of everyday life, stretch your legs and simply feel closer to nature.

www.canalrivertrust.org.uk @CanalRiverTrust @crtcomms