Canalside pubs are popular destinations for canal boat holiday-makers, and there are hundreds to choose from. They often have names like The Lock Inn, The Navigation Inn, The Narrowboat, The Tunnel and The Bridge. And many date back to the days when canals were the transport infrastructure of the industrial revolution. Canalside inns provided refreshment […]
Today’s narrowboats for hire are fully equipped with all the essential mod cons. These include central heating, hot water, televisions, DVD players, fully-equipped kitchens, showers and flushing toilets. And some boats are fitted with extras, like wider beds, larger showers, baths, solid-fuel stoves and WiFi. Each year dozens of new boats are added to the […]
From rural retreats to vibrant city centres, narrowboat holiday-makers can use their boat as a floating holiday home. You can explore Britain’s beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways, with the choice of hundreds of waterside destinations to visit along the way. It’s free to moor almost anywhere on the network, so you can plan your […]
Canal boat holidays offer a great self-catering holiday option for families, with the chance to set off together on an outdoor adventure afloat. There are over 3,000 miles of inland waterways to explore, with hundreds of waterside destinations. From pubs, cafes and shops, to museums and nature reserves, there’s always something special to plan at […]
Following confirmation that domestic holidays can resume on 12 April for single households, Drifters operators are preparing for a record number of canal boat holidays to be taken in Britain. Drifters’ director Nigel Stevens explains: “With the current focus on domestic holidays, narrowboat holidays have never been more popular, and many people are planning their […]
There are many engaging pieces of sculpture and public art to look out for along our waterways. Many of them celebrate their historic past and the wildlife that lives on the canals today. Some of the most famous sculptures that have appeared on our waterways have been temporary installations. For example, Antony Gormley’s striking cast-iron […]
Day boat hire on your local canal is a great way to enjoy the countryside this Spring. We offer day boat hire from 17 boat yards across England and Wales, with prices starting from less than £10 per person. Full tuition is included so if you are new to canal boating, you can get the […]
Following the Government’s announcement last night (22 February), sadly all our holidays booked to depart prior to 12 April have to be cancelled. We will contact everyone affected. We will offer to either move or refund your holiday. Please bear with us as this will take a little time. If you have an urgent query, […]
There are over 35,000 boats licenced for canal cruising in England and Wales, including over 1,000 hire boats. With the current focus on domestic holidays, narrowboat holidays have never been more popular. And many people are planning their first holiday on the canals this year. You don’t need a licence to steer a canal boat, […]
There are over 1,800 locks on the 2,000 miles of navigable waterways in England and Wales. Locks allow boats to travel up and down hills, and have been around for hundreds of years. With around 35,000 boats licenced to cruise the canals, there are approximately 3.85 million lockages (uses of a lock) each year. A […]