NARROW (CANAL) BOAT

The striking artwork which adorns the narrow boats of Britain is also known as Roses and Castles. The hallmarks of this traditional style are swags of stylized flowers and castle scenes, executed in brilliant colours on the outside of the boats as well as the interiors and utensils.  It is a relatively modern form of folk art which dates from the coming of the railway to Britain, when the canal families were forced through reduced economic circumstances to leave their homes and live on the boats. The floating homes began to be lavishly adorned with painted decoration and crocheted lace. Today the brightly painted narrow boats are a tourist attraction on the inland waterways of Britain.