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Canal Narrowboat Holidays

Book 2024 and 2025 holidays now with amazing savings, we offer the widest range of canal narrow boats in the uk. search over 2000 canal holiday options and book online at best prices any time.

Cruise the canals around London, moor in historic Bath, Oxford or Chester. Travel from Edinburgh via the stunning Falkirk Wheel. Cross the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.

The narrowboat is the modern version of the cargo vessels that travelled the canals before the railways.

Now these boats contain every creature comfort and are available for hire across the UK and in Ireland.

These canal boats have modern kitchens, beds which can be left made up, heating, showers and toilets. They can sleep from 2 to 12 people.

Canal Boat Hire

A canal holiday lets you experience the locks to go up or down hill and travel through exciting tunnels. You can cross aqueducts over valleys and rivers - the most famous is 120 feet above the ground.

At 4 miles per hour a canal narrow boat holiday is often described as 'the fastest way to slow down'.

Widest Choice

On this website there is the widest choice of canal boat holidays in the UK. We offer weekend and midweek breaks, week hire or longer. And all at the boat operator's price.

Search and Book

On our website you can search for a boat by size, by date, by canal route, or by cruise area. Then book online for best prices.

Your Shortlist

As you find boats and routes you like just add them to your Shortlist (Shopping Basket). Review and compare at any time!

For boating holidays in Europe see our Boating Holidays website

Popular routes for narrowboat holidays.

Canal Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

UK Canal Boating

Nationwide canal boat hire specialists.

Find out what makes our canals and rivers such special places.

We have a good choice of recommended routes, or you can do your own.

See inside the boats, and view the locations with our virtual tours.

Canal Boats

These boats have one cabin with a dinette double.

One or two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two to three cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins and two dinette doubles.

Holiday Locations

Testimonials

"The stag do was fantastic thanks! We were very happy with the service and everything to do with the boat went very well. A great weekend was had by all. Honestly we can't think of anything to change. Thanks for your help organising it. Cheers. Chris "

Canal Boat hire is ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and stags and hens. Our boats are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. Want to learn more?

Check out our canal boat holiday articles.

We know how important your dog is to you and your family and that is why we welcome pets at all of our canal boating holiday locations.

Check out our frequently asked questions.

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Drifters standards.

All our canal boat hire operators uphold standards of excellence, find out more here

Welcome to Drifters

Drifters brings you Great British Boating

Drifters is made up of nine professional canal boat holiday operators, handpicked because they uphold the highest standards .

With over 550 narrowboats for hire from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, Drifters offers the choice of hundreds of narrowboat holiday routes and destinations.

Our operators invest more in new canal boats each year than all the other UK operators put together, ensuring we offer high quality holidays afloat.  We are all independently assessed and accredited by the trade federation for the boating industry British Marine, so you can embark on your canal adventure with confidence.

We work with the Canal & River Trust for the good of Britain’s canal network – and to promote the enjoyment of canal boat holidays.

To find out more about Drifters Standards offering excellence afloat, please  Click here

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Try out our canal boat holiday destinations Interactive map

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Drifters’ monthly e-newsletter offers subscribers updates on:,  offers, special events, competitions, destinations, boating tips and holiday reviews., click here for details, drifters price promise, means our prices are always competitive., if you see the same holiday elsewhere at a lower price, we will match it..

If you’ve never been on a narrowboat and canal boating holiday before, it’s easy to learn how to drive a boat and all our operators include tuition in their holiday packages.

You don’t need a licence and it’s easy to learn how to drive a boat.

We’ve got lots of advice for beginners, including the best routes, what to pack and how to prepare for a holiday afloat.

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Embracing the slow pace on the Mon & Brec

Best canal and riverside pubs

Top leafy canals to cruise this autumn

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Norfolk Broads Boating Holidays, Sailing Yachts & Canal Boat Hire across the UK Waterways.

Hire Boat offers a selection of over 1,800 boats available for hire from over 80 different start locations. Choose from a variety of different boating holidays including cruisers and sailing yachts on the Norfolk Broads or a traditional narrowboat on the Canals & Rivers across the UK including Scotland, Wales and England. Full tuition is provided on arrival so no previous experience is required. Your contract of hire is always with the boat owners of your selected hire boat. Hire terms are always available when clicking the picture of the boat on a results page. No booking fees are charged. Your holiday is always booked at the best price including any special offers or discounts available. Choose your desired location for your boat holiday, your dates, size of the party and check availability to find your perfect hire boat. Then reserve your hire boat online at the direct booking price and we will call you back to discuss your holiday and confirm the reservation. Alternatively, you can call us for advice and to book your boating holiday. We are open between 9am & 5.30pm (UK) Monday to Saturday. Our contact number is 01252 796401 (+44 01252 796401).

Holiday Ideas & Inspirations

Explore the beautiful UK Canals & Rivers...

Hire a boat to explore the scenery across England, Wales & Scotland. Click to find out more about canal boat holidays.

Discover the beauty of the Norfolk Broads...

Cruise the Norfolk Broads on a motor cruiser or a traditional sailing yacht. Find out more about Norfolk Broads boat hire.

Great savings off selected boat holidays...

Check out our great choice of discounted boating holidays from a selection of locations across the UK Canals & Rivers.

Your Hireboat Booking

Please note: Your boat hire is only confirmed once you have received a booking confirmation and paid either a booking deposit of full payment as appropriate. Your booking is direct with the operator of your hire boat and subject to the owners terms and conditions of hire. Hire Boat accept no liability on behalf of any boat hire operator for any holiday bookings, changes of holiday availability or any costs incurred directly or indirectly in the use of this service. All information provided to Waterways Holidays Ltd. trading as Hireboat.com is protected under our Privacy Policy . Continued use of this website explicitly implies the users complete acceptance of the Website Terms of Use .

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Cruising the canals and rivers of england, scotland and wales.

Top canal cruises & the best river cruises in the UK for 2024!

How to find the hotel boat cruise you want, northern england cruises ;.

• Aire and Calder
• Ashton Canal
• Huddersfield Narrow Canal
• Leeds & Liverpool Canal
• Macclesfield Canal
• Peak Forest Canal
• River Trent
• Rochdale Canal
• Sheffield & S. Yorkshire Navs.

WALES & NORTH WEST CRUISES ;

• Bridgewater Canal
• Caldon Canal
• Erewash Canal
• Llangollen Canal
• Montgomery Canal
• Manchester Ship Canal
• River Weaver
• Shropshire Union Canal
• Staffs & Worcs Canal
• Trent & Mersey Canal

MIDLANDS & WEST  CRUISES ;

• Ashby Canal
• Birmingham & Fazely
• Birmingham Canals
• Coventry Canal
• Droitwich Canal
• Gloucester & Sharpness
• G.U. Leicester section
• River Severn
• Stratford upon Avon Canal
• Worcester & Birmingham

SOUTHERN ENGLAND CRUISES ;

• Basingstoke Canal
• Grand Union Canal
• Kennet & Avon
• Oxford Canal
• Rivers Lee & Stort
• River Thames

Canal and Boating Holidays in the UK, Ireland, and Europe

We hope that you will find your ideal holiday afloat in our pages

Canal holidays in the uk.

Hire a narrowboat and cruise scenic canals in England, Wales and Ireland, and in Scotland near Edinburgh at the Falkirk Wheel. Take a rural route such as the Llangollen Canal in Wales or perhaps explore the canals of Birmingham - reputed to have more waterways than Venice.

Visit historic Bath or Chester . Cruise the Pennines take a city centre break in London , Leeds or Manchester . Get full information and check availability online on our website .

For a completely pampered holiday try a hotel barge holiday for full crewed service.

Boating Holidays in England

Hire a cruiser boat on the famous Norfolk Broads or the historic River Thames. UK boating holidays started on the Norfolk Broads , and this area of rivers and waterways is probably the UK's leading boating region with a wide variety of nature and wildlife. The Royal River Thames from London to Oxford is a superb boating holiday location, with sights such as Windsor Castle and riverside towns like Henley .

Use our availability search facility to find your ideal boat, and book online or call us for independent specialist advice.

Boating Holidays in Scotland

Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal form one of the most scenic areas of the UK. You can hire a cruiser boat from our bases at Inverness or Laggan midway between Inverness and Fort William. Cruise the whole length of the canal in a week and search for the elusive 'Nessie', the Loch Ness monster.

Search our website for boats available in Loch Ness or perhaps choose a narrowboat at Falkirk between Edinburgh and Glasgow .

Boating Holidays in Ireland

Explore the waterways of Ireland on an Irish boating holiday . From our 8 boating bases in Ireland cruise the River Shannon and its many loughs, mooring at waterside towns to investigate the famous Irish 'craich'. Perhaps explore further north into the lakes and bays of the Shannon-Erne waterway with its huge cliffs and fine scenery.

We offer a wide range of cruiser boats , penichette barges and canal narrow boats from our bases in Ireland.

Boating Holidays in Europe

Visit our Europe Boating Holidays website to explore the rivers and canals of France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Poland. Cruise the famous Canal du Midi in France or explore the wine regions of Burgundy . Check out the canals of Holland , or cruise around Venice . Sample the clean waters in the German lake district or unspolit Poland . Cruise the canals at Bruges .

Choose from cruiser boats or the distinctive Penichette barges from boat bases throughout Europe.

Find Your UK Holiday

UK Canal Boat Availability Search

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Narrowboat Holidays & Boat Hire on the Thames Take a canal boat on a memorable trip on the waterways.

10% off sale  20% off sale for 7 nights +   discover the thames or enjoy the oxford canal or kennet & avon canal  on a relaxing narrowboat holiday. "we significantly beat the big comnpanies on price"                                no extra charge for bank holidays                                     .

Welcome to River Holidays

We are a small family business currently in our 4th year. we offer reasonably priced holidays with a high quality personal service. as people who love boating ourselves we aim to give you an enjoyable holiday on the water on our well kept hire boats.

                              Free secure onsite parking

"We are significantly better value than the big boys!"

We've won awards!

It's been a great year.

We're very pleased to announce we've won 4 awards in 2023!

Camping&Boating Combo

Fancy a bit of both.

We also offer luxury camping at our beautiful location in Sutton Courtenay. If you fancy a weeks holiday split between boating and camping then this is available upon request. Subject to availability

Book your Holiday

Weekend, midweek and full week breaks..

Departing from our mooring in Sutton Courtenay, South Oxfordshire you can travel either south towards London or north towards Oxford on an amazing stretch of The Thames. 

Holidays are available for a weekend break (Friday - Monday midweek getaway (Monday - Thursday) or full week ( Friday-Friday). We have 6 and 8 berth boats.

Enjoy a beautiful stretch of the Thames 

Rustic and natural scenery.

Start your journey in the beautiful village of Sutton Courtenay , S Oxfordshire and take in Oxford, Abingdon, Dorchester, Goring, Pangbourne, Windsor and many other lovely towns. Or you may prefer the peace and tranquility of mooring in the quieter spaces between surrounded by nature. Accessible are the Oxford Canal and Kennett and Avon as well as the Thames.

Town and Country.

Waterway to have a good time.

Enjoy the best of both worlds on the rivers and canals. One night you can be moored in the centre of such towns as Oxford or Windsor enjoying the restaurants, pubs and shopping or you may prefer the peace and tranquillity of mooring in the quieter spaces between surrounded by nature.

Where we are

Easily accessible location with off street secure parking

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The Wessex Rose 5 Star luxury canal hotel boat is the perfect choice for your next waterway holiday, travelling the Kennet and Avon Canal, River Thames and Grand Union Canal

The Kennet and Avon Canal

The most spectacular and architecturally wonderful inland waterway anywhere in the British Isles.

Why not venture off the boat for a little while and explore some of the most beautiful and gentle countryside in Britain

It goes without saying that Inland Waterways are a wonderful place to see nature first hand and the Kennet and Avon is no exception.

• Fully Inclusive Cruising
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• Canal Heritage

2024 Cruises

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• Guest Book 2021

Welcome to The Wessex Rose Luxury 5 Star Hotel Boat

Cruise Schedules and Booking

We are pleased to offer you our 2024 cruise schedule. Here you will find details about all our available routes, dates and cruise itineraries.

Your hosts Roland and Steph welcome you aboard the Wessex Rose.

Find out more about the Wessex Rose, the very latest in luxury, design, quality and innovation.

View a selection of images from our travels on the Wessex Rose.

Amazing Spaces

View our segment on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces and see the Wessex Rose Hotel Boat come to life.

The Waterways

Some of the most spectacular and architecturally wonderful inland waterways anywhere in the British Isles.

Fine Dining

We will serve you interesting, varied and satisfying food with exceptional quality.

Yet again a fantastic week, this being our fourth time! Can't wait to book the next one! Karen Gillingham (guest July 2019)

Excellent food - a delightful surprise every day. A lovely boat for a wonderfully relaxing holiday. Thank you Steph and Roland, you are brilliant! Chris & Malcolm Douglas - July 2021

Canal cruising holds something for everyone, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind and experience a thoroughly tranquil pace of life. A time to relax and enjoy the tremendous views, appreciate enchanting nature and wildlife, wonder at the ingenious Georgian engineering on which the canal was built, walk the towpath or simply enjoy a social break or occasion in unique and comfortable surroundings.

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Canal and Narrowboat holidays

Step back in time and spend a relaxing week or two aboard a modern, purpose-built self-drive craft, designed to provide for your every need..

Use this website to help you to unlock the secret world of Britain’s inland waterways and find the perfect location for a canal boating holiday. Cast off and leave normal life behind as you explore the hidden world of canals and rivers. Your beautifully appointed narrowboat can take you soaring over valleys or delving under hills. Your inland waterway  will visit hidden parts of a countryside you thought had been lost for ever – or go right to the heart of cities buzzing with waterside life.

A canal boating holiday is different from any you’ve had before, with new adventures round every corner of the 2000 mile network of inland waterways. And your narrowboat has all the comforts of home, in a uniquely charming way.

We offer a dazzling choice of over 500 boats from 44 bases on the canals and rivers of England, Scotland and Wales.

Lots of our customers are old-timers, returning again and again because the boating bug has bitten. But many others are new to boating, and if that’s you – don’t worry! Our narrowboats are designed to be easy to handle, and all our bases give comprehensive training as part of your holiday package.

Where do I start?

It’s easy – put simple details into the availability search bar , and you’ll be presented with a list of suggested boats, with prices. On each, you can click for full details of the boat, and places you can explore. And when you find one you like – just click the button, fill in your details and our friendly booking office will take over. They’ll answer any questions before finalising the booking.

Then just sit back and look forward to your boating holiday with Great British Boating!

10 things to discover in the heart of England…….

Want to get started? 

Start planning your trip., find your perfect holiday with great british boating. simply select your preferred start location and date and click on “check availability”. , you can further refine your search by selecting holiday length and berths ., or you can book directly now by calling us on:,  +44 (0) 1252 796 402.

The charity making life better by water

Making life better by water

Hotel boat holidays

Step on-board for a unique opportunity to enjoy the delightful scenery and relaxing pace of the waterways, without needing to cook meals or drive the boat.

Like hotels on dry land, each hotel boat has its own distinctive character and charm. Shop around to find one that suits what you want from a holiday.

Size of boat

If you like the idea of a more intimate break, some hotel boats are run similarly to a small B&B or homestay, accommodating just one or two guests who share living space with the owners.

Larger boats will have a number of cabins for separate groups of guests. Some are run in the same way as a traditional cruise holiday, with optional excursions during the day, sit-down dinners and evening entertainment.

Meals and things to see

Meals are usually freshly prepared on the boat, by a chef or the owner, leaving you free to relax and watch the views. You might also have the option of a picnic, afternoon tea or cocktails.

Any hotel boat that is cruising, rather than being permanently moored, will give you the opportunity to stop off at places of interest. You'll also benefit from the knowledge of the owners or crew, who may be able to tell you about the local area, wildlife, the history of the boat and the waterway you're on.

The cruising routes a hotel boat does will depend on the size of the boat. Smaller craft can take you onto narrower canals, whereas bigger boats will stick to rivers and wider canals. However, all will offer something different, from visiting cities to more peaceful stretches of water.

(Photo: The Wessex Rose cruises the Kennet & Avon and Grand Union Canals and the River Thames)

Depending on the waterway the boat is on, you might have the choice of a circular route or a journey with different start and finish points. This gives you the chance to travel further and see something new every day.

Moored hotel boats

In canals running through major cities, you may find static or permanently moored hotel boats. Here you can enjoy the ambiance of staying on a boat, knowing you're free to get off and explore the area whenever you like.

Want to find out more?

We're encouraging more hotel boat operators to add themselves to our boating directory , but you can also search online for 'hotel boat holidays UK' and 'canal and river cruises UK'.

Before you book, make sure your chosen operator has a Canal & River Trust business licence (it might be on their website or you can just ask). To receive a licence, businesses have to prove to us that their boat is in excellent condition, that they have the correct insurance, that they're trained to drive the boat safely, and more.

Another good quality mark to look out for is accreditation from VisitEngland or VisitWales , who assess accommodation and award a star rating of one to five.

Looking at previous guest reviews, either on the hotel boat's website or an independent holiday review site, will give you a better idea of what your holiday will be like. You'll usually be able to see images and possibly video tours of the boat on the website or on social media.

If you don't have time to stay overnight on a hotel boat, you can hire a boat for an afternoon or join a trip

Last Edited: 16 July 2024

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21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Related posts

If you enjoyed this post, you might find these other posts interesting:

• Visiting Jodrell Bank, the UNESCO-listed radio telescope near Manchester
• 5 of my favourite heritage railways you can take a ride on
• Things to do in Whitby, a historic fishing town on the Yorkshire coast
• Visiting Thermae Bath Spa, the UK’s only naturally-heated thermal bath

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2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

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Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: the best easy levada walk near Funchal, Madeira

7 of the best holidays in italy in september.

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Thames Boating Holidays

The River Thames is known the world over as the river passing London’s famous landmarks – the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the unique Tower Bridge.

A Thames cruise takes you close by some of England’s best attractions – Windsor Castle , Hampton Court Palace , Eton , Henley , and Legoland near Windsor. It passes historic towns, typical English villages, and riverside pubs set in beautiful green countryside.

From West London the River Thames can be cruised for 200km on a non-tidal section via Oxford to rural Gloucestershire. Allow 2 weeks for London to Oxford and back.

Our two boat bases on the River Thames give you a full range of boating holiday options – you can cruise one-way between our bases at Chertsey and Benson near Oxford, or out-and-back from these bases. Short break cruises pass many of the sights.

The locks on the River Thames are normally operated by lock keepers, with moorings in towns and villages mostly free. There are many riverside eating places, with Michelin star restaurants operated by celebrity chefs.

East of our Chertsey base is Hampton Court , Henry VIII’s riverside palace, open daily. Don't miss the gardens and the famous maze. Cruise past Runnymede with its memorial to President Kennedy. Kingston-on-Thames offers shopping, theatres and restaurants, whilst world-famous Kew Gardens are not far.

Going west, reach Windsor and its famous 900 year-old castle, open except when the Queen is at home. Perhaps see the ‘Changing of the Guard’. Nearby is the leading family theme park of Legoland and the elite Eton College .

The river continues west to Maidenhead and its historic railway bridge built by Brunel. Pass Cliveden House and Cookham village before reaching elegant Marlow and Henley-on-Thames, noted for its famous Regatta in July.

Reading the Kennet and Avon Canal meets the River Thames. The river becomes more peaceful as it winds through Wallingford to our boat base at the riverside village of Benson .

From there is is a short trip via the ancient market town of Abingdon to Oxford . Home to the historic University, Oxford is the city of 'dreaming spires'. Perhaps go punting on the river or seek out Inspector Morse TV locations.

Above Oxford, the Thames flows through rolling countryside with more frequent locks to reach Lechlade . Narrowboats from our canal boat bases near Oxford can travel the river (Thames licence is payable) or continue northwards on the Oxford Canal to Cropredy and Banbury.

A boating holiday on the River Thames takes you on an unforgettable cruise through some of England’s most scenic and historic highlights.

Route Information

Area Highlights

Highlights of the river thames.

• Windsor Castle
• Hampton Court Palace and Cliveden House
• Kew Gardens
• The Palace of Westminster
• Legoland Windsor Resort

Useful Information:

• All the locks on the River Thames are automatic and manned by lock-keepers. There is no charge to use them and they are open on bank holidays.
• Cruising beyond Teddington Locks towards central london is not permitted.

Cruiser Base Map of the River Thames

One way cruises are available between bases of the same colour.

Suggested Routes from our cruiser bases on the River Thames

Boat holidays from benson.

This large, attractive village lies at the foot of the beautiful Chiltern Hills and it home to the main marina on the Thames. There is a village adjacent with a small supermarket, off licence and an attractive pubs serving good food.

Boat Search by Start Base

Start Base: Benson

One Way Routes

Benson - chertsey.

Short Break One Way • 4 Days • 96km • 20 Locks • 16hrs

View Benson - Chertsey one-way route in Google Maps

Out and Back Routes

Benson - oxford - henley-upon-thames.

Return Trip • One Week • 186km • 30 Locks • 32hrs

From Benson it is a short cruise through the market town of Abingdon to the spires of Oxford churches and university colleges. Explore the delights of Oxford, and maybe go punting on the river. Then turn back downriver through riverside towns to Henley-on-Thames, noted for its annual Regatta.

View Benson - Henley-upon-Thames out and back route in Google Maps

Benson - Windsor

Return Trip • One Week • 155km • 36 Locks • 30hrs

South from Benson cruise past ancient riverside towns, through the city of Reading and henley-on-Thames to reach Windsor. On the banks of the river, Windsor Castle is still used as a Royal residence, the Queen's standard flying when she is there. Nearby landmarks include Eton, the famous boys' school.

View Benson - Windsor out and back route in Google Maps

Benson - Marlow

Short Break Return Trip • 4 Days • 75km • 28 Locks • 14hrs

Henley-on-Thames offers a postcard-perfect scene — rowing crews in sleek craft, and colourful waterfront pubs and shops look inviting. Perfect for a lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding washed down with a pint of local ale!

View Benson - Marlow out and back route in Google Maps

Boat holidays from Chertsey

Chertsey is one of the oldest towns in England, founded in 666AD. These days this picturesque village, with its antique shops and restaurants. Chertsey also host an annual country fair dating back to 1883. In contrast, it is also home to Thorpe Park, the UK's leading Theme Park.

Start Base: Chertsey

Chertsey - Benson

View Chertsey - Benson one-way route in Google Maps

Chertsey - Windsor - Kingston-upon-Thames

Return Trip • One Week • 70km • 14 Locks • 10hrs

Standing in front of the stately Hampton Court Palace near Kingston-upon-Thames, you think about King Henry VIII, who once lived there. You spend time sightseeing, and then cruise on the Thames to incredible Windsor Castle. Along the way, sample waterside pubs with traditional ale and food.

View Chertsey - Kingston upon Thames out and back route in Google Maps

Chertsey - Henley-upon-Thames

Short Break Return Trip • 3 Days • 75km • 18 Locks • 16hrs

The easygoing pace of a River Thames boat hire relaxes you almost immediately, and the villages with waterside pubs and pretty greens tempt you to stop. Perhaps cycle into the countryside for a real taste of England, and sightseeing is unforgettable in Royal Windsor.

Call us on : 01756 701200 (+44 1756 701200)

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Kris Cruises

River thames boating holidays, enjoy a river holiday cruising on the river thames -summer on the water.

Boating holidays on the River Thames are a relaxing way to travel and explore the landscape and towns and cities along England’s greatest river. There are some great places to stop and eat along the river.

With an amazing selection of boating holidays from self-drive boat hire to the ultimate luxury of a hotel barge, where you have your own skipper and all meals prepared, you can be sure you’ll travel in style and comfort.

Hotel Boats Cruising on the River Thames

Luxury boating holidays along the Thames include an all-inclusive cruise on a choice of luxury hotel boats offering a unique way to explore the Thames.

Choose from the elegant and spacious hotel barge, Magna Carta , which accommodates 8 passengers; heated spa pool and contemporary en suite facilities for the four spacious 200sq ft. suites. Or the award-winning  African Queen , offering a remedy to the daily hustle and bustle. Enjoy delicious meals, wonderful company and fantastic hospitality as you cruise through Wind in the Willows country. Includes dinner and a performance at the Mill at Sonning.

Fancy luxury self-drive boat hire on the River Thames? 

Hobbs of Henley has 2 luxury Linssen Cruisers; 'Knightsdream' and 'Midsomer' provide a luxury staycation afloat and are available for hire from 12 April to the end of October. Why not book a  picnic hamper  to make life easy at the start of your journey. With spacious cabins, showers and well equipped kitchens you’ll be completely self-contained as you explore the Thames and Midsomer Country. Choose from 9 Midsomer Murders villages and 30 different filming locations around the Thames. Take in the historic market towns and villages of Henley, Sonning,Goring & Streatley, Wallingford, Dorchester, Moulsford, Wargrave, Hambleden and Marlow.

Le Boat   is Europe’s No 1 boating holiday company and provides a wide selection of boats, with different features and styles and sizes, from 2-12 people. Le Boat operates from two bases on the River Thames – Benson and Chertsey with a huge choice of itineraries and models. The Royal cruise takes you one way from Benson in Oxfordshire to Chertsey in Surrey, passing through Windsor and its famous castle (the Queen’s weekend home) and Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. Or take the Scholars’ Cruise to Oxford, England’s city of learning and include some bird-watching at Benson Lock.

Kris Cruisers  operates a fleet of 15 cruisers ranging in size from a 29ft 2 berth cruiser to a 48ft 10 berth cruiser. Based at Datchet, near Windsor, it’s easy to meander along the Thames to Hampton Court Palace. 

Bygone Boating offers two luxury wooden boats lovingly restored by Jeff and Sue from their base in Benson. Bernadette II  and Claudette IV are well-equipped and offer central heating for  those cooler mornings.

Thames Narrowboat Holidays - based at Penton Hook Marina, choose from four or six berth boats and cruise past Hampton Court Palace, Henley, Marlow, Windsor and Windsor Castle.

Kalbarri Thames Charters offers a night on board - there are 6 berths, two en suite doubles and a cabin with twin bunks. 

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Families face summer holiday childcare shortages as bill rises to over £1,000

Fewer than a fifth of local authorities in england have enough holiday childcare provision for full-time working parents, survey suggests..

The cost of childcare over the school summer holidays is now more than £1,000 per child on average, a survey has suggested.

Fewer than a fifth of local authorities in England have enough holiday childcare provision for full-time working parents and costs have risen since last year, according to the Coram Family and Childcare charity.

It found families in the UK pay on average £1,049 for six weeks of holiday childcare for a school-age child, which is £635 more than they would pay for six weeks of after-school childcare during term time.

The research, based on surveys from local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales between April and June, suggests the cost of holiday childcare has risen by 6% on last year.

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The average cost of a place at a holiday club in the UK is now approximately £175 per week – 2.5 times higher than the cost of an after-school club during term time, the charity said.

Wales has the highest weekly price at £209, followed by England at £173 and Scotland at £167.

Availability of provision in England has fallen this year, the survey found, with just 17% of local authorities reporting that they have enough holiday childcare for parents working full-time “in all areas” compared to 24% in 2023.

In England, just 3% of local authorities said they had enough holiday childcare for disabled children in all areas.

Working parents also face a huge disparity in price and availability of holiday childcare places depending on where they live in the UK, the report found.

Families in the south east of England pay an average of £216 per week – which is 23% more than the national average across the UK, while in central London families pay an average of £153 a week.

In March 2023, then-chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that eligible families of children as young as nine months in England would be able to claim 30 hours of funded childcare a week by September 2025.

Working parents of two-year-olds in England have been able to access 15 hours of funded childcare during term time since April as part of a staggered rollout of the Government’s childcare expansion.

This is due to be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September this year, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families a year later.

The charity is calling on the Government to extend funding to support working families and carers with childcare during the school holidays.

The report concluded there is a “clear gap in childcare provision during school holidays and a pattern of increased costs and low availability of places, particularly for children with Send”.

It added: “The additional investment in funded early education places and wraparound childcare is very welcome, and has the potential to make a real difference to children and families during term-time, but not including school holidays means it is still impractical for many parents to work, and leaves others facing unaffordable costs every school holiday.”

Ellen Broome, managing director of the charity, said: “Too many families dread the onset of the summer holidays.

“Rather than a time for families to rest, play and have fun together, many parents worry about how to pay for holiday childcare during the long summer break.

“And with ever growing shortages of available childcare, finding a place will be a challenge this summer, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).”

Coram is calling on the Government to expand provision of school holiday activity and food programmes, and provide more funding to holiday childcare providers to meet the needs of children with Send.

A Local Government Association (LGA) spokesperson said: “Access to holiday childcare provision is vital for families and can have a positive benefit on the development of children.

“While councils recognise the importance of ensuring there is sufficient provision available for children with Send, it can be difficult to ensure the right provision is available, particularly given the challenging situation that many providers face at the moment.

“Councils work closely with providers to improve access to holiday childcare provision for children with Send but without concerted investment and recruitment of quality staff this will be difficult to deliver.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Too often, childcare is unavailable or unaffordable, particularly for disadvantaged children or those with additional needs, and we are determined to rebuild opportunity for every child.

“Local authorities are expected to offer the equivalent of six weeks of holiday activities and food programme provision, which provides meals, activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families.”

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