All aboard for an Autumn canal boat holiday
A canal boat holiday is a great way to enjoy the splendid colours of autumn in the hedgerows and trees that line our waterways.
Narrowboats are like floating holiday cottages, with everything holiday-makers need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat.
Here’s a guide to Drifters’ top seven canal boat holiday destinations for Autumn
1. Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton
From our canal boat hire base at Autherley on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 12 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Along the way, you’ll pass through 26 miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside, seven locks, and a series of wooded canal cuttings, now havens for wildlife. The route passes through the historic villages of Brewood, Wheaton Aston and Gnosall. And a series of canalside pubs, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston. There are nature reserves to visit at Wheaton Aston (Mottey Meadows), Norbury (Loynton Moss), and Brewood (Belvide Reservoir). The journey to Market Harborough and back takes around 24 hours, perfect for a relaxed week away.
2. Visit Georgian Bath afloat
On a four-night mid-week break from our Devizes base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath and back. The journey to Sydney Wharf takes around 10 hours, travelling across two magnificent aqueducts and passing through 10 locks. There’s a choice of canalside pubs, including the Barge Inn at Seend and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. There are moorings a short walk from Bath City Centre at Sydney Wharf.
3. Explore Skipton and its medieval castle
On a short break from our Barnoldswick base, you can head east along he Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Skipton. The journey there and back travels 26 miles, passes through 30 locks (15 each way) and takes around 20 cruising hours. This breath-taking route winds along the contours of the side of Airedale. There are extensive views of sheep country – farmhouses, barns, stone walls and the occasional village or town. Once in Skipton, you can moor in the centre of the town, visit shops and restaurants and explore the 900-year old Skipton Castle.
4. Cruise to Manchester
On a week’s break from our narrowboat hire base at Acton Bridge, you can cruise to Manchester and back. The route, which passes through a mixture of urban and rural landscapes, travels 68 miles of waterway (34 each way) and passes through just one lock. Places to stop off at along the way, include Stockton Heath, with a choice of shops, boutiques, restaurants and pubs, and the historic village of Lymm. On arrival in Manchester, there are places to moor at Castlefield Basin, within easy reach of City Centre attractions. And to visit the Trafford Centre, you can return via Worsley on the Bridgewater Canal.
