10 Reasons to take a Canal Boat Holiday

10 Reasons to take a Canal Boat Holiday

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  1. We feel happier by the water – the Canal & River Trust’s recent research shows we feel happier and less stressed by our waterways, and the longer we spend there, the more relaxed we become.
  2. It’s the fastest way to slow down – with speed limits of just 4mph and hundreds of miles of tranquil unspoilt countryside to cruise through, a narrowboat holiday takes you back to a slower, more peaceful pace of life.
  3. You don’t need a licence to steer a narrowboat – and boat steering tuition is provided as part of all Drifters holiday packages, so it’s easy for newcomers to take to the water.
  4. It’s better for the planet – as soon as you swap your car for a boat, you’ll be using a third of the fuel so this kind of staycation will significantly reduce your holiday carbon footprint.
  5. Take a break from the screen – boating offers plenty of activities to keep all the family busy – steering the boat, working the locks, planning the route, exploring waterside attractions and watching out for wildlife – so tech addicts are happy to take a break from their screens.
  6. It’s like a floating safari – our beautiful network of inland waterways provides homes for many types of birds, plants, animals and insects – from more commonly sighted bats, herons, kingfishers, ducks, swans, moorhens, coots, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and woodland birds, to the rarer and shier otters, hedgehogs and water voles.
  7. You can bring your pets – we welcome dogs and many other types of pet on all our boats, so you don’t have to leave your furry friends behind and rack-up extra bills.
  8. You can enjoy an outdoor workout – working the locks, as well as walking, running and cycling along the towpaths and local footpaths makes a narrowboat holiday great for keeping fit.
  9. Stop off at a waterside pub – there are hundreds of pubs to enjoy along our canals and rivers, many of them historic inns dating back over 200 years to the heyday of canals as an industrial transport network.
  10. Our canals are in great shape – over £1.5billion has been invested in our waterways since the turn of the Millennium and there are now more boats than at the height of the Industrial Revolution, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy a holiday afloat.