Alongside the Banbury museum, Tooley's boatyard has reopened. The yard was pivotal in the history of canals. In 1944, a book called 'Narrow Boat' written by Tom Rolt, was published which told of his experiences journeying around England's canal system.  | | Tooley's Boatyard embraced Banbury's new museum |
He found the waterways in a sad and sorry state, and in the years that followed, and because of his observations, the Inland Waterways Association was borne and the canal system saved. The Tooley's connection was made when Tom Rolt bought an old horse drawn barge, Cressy, which he had converted into a pleasure boat at the yard. He spent three months in Banbury, observing the local people and working with the Tooley family. Cressy's conversion even included having a full sized bath put on board! | 
