https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Anglo-Welsh-Aqueducts-10-web-res.jpg 1200 1800 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/drifters-green.jpg Debbie Ludford2026-04-20 07:38:342026-04-20 07:57:10Take to the water this August bank holidayDrifters brings you Great British narrowboat holidays in the UK
Drifters is made up of ten professional canal boat holiday operators, handpicked because they uphold the highest standards.
With over 500 narrowboats for hire from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, Drifters offers the choice of hundreds of narrowboat holiday routes and destinations.
Drifters Standards
Our operators uphold certain industry standards of quality and service and all our customers can expect professional care and attention.
Interactive canal route map
Click a Drifters hire base on the map to see local routes and available boats.
Use the map key to explore nearby attractions and points of interest.
Rural Retreats
Canal boat holidays take you through some of
Britain’s best loved countryside.
About Boating holidays
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
Blue Light Card Discount
Blue Light Card holders save 10% with our Blue light card discount. It’s our way of saying thanks to our NHS, social care & emergency workers.
Drifters price promise
If you see the same holiday elsewhere at a lower price, we will match it.
Hire Boat Survey
The national waterways charity wants to know about your experience of hiring a boat on the canals and rivers in its care, to help make the experience better.
New to boating holidays?
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.
drifters UK boating holiday blog
All the latest canal boating news from drifters
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Anglo-Welsh-Aqueducts-10-web-res.jpg 1200 1800 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/drifters-green.jpg Debbie Ludford2026-04-20 07:38:342026-04-20 07:57:10Take to the water this August bank holiday
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Deeptha-press-trip-Llangollen-from-Whixall-4-web-res.jpg.png 500 750 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/drifters-green.jpg Debbie Ludford2026-04-17 15:30:512026-04-17 15:30:51The Globetrotter reviews a holiday from Whixall
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Alvechurch-1-low-res-scaled-e1685795839674.jpg 567 850 Drifters https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/drifters-green.jpg Drifters2026-03-27 09:40:082026-04-01 10:53:51Tips for canal boat holiday beginners
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Falkirk-Wheel-boat-lift-credit-Scottish-Canals-scaled-e1774453565770.jpg 499 750 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/drifters-green.jpg Debbie Ludford2026-03-25 15:50:342026-03-25 15:50:34Accessible canal holidays and trips© Copyright Drifters