Simon from The Version Humax recently reviewed his multi-generation family boating holiday in Yorkshire. They set off from our canal boat hire base at Sowerby Bridge and travelled along the Calder & Hebble Navigation to Hebden Bridge. Simon says, “The route allowed us to explore the idyllic surroundings at a leisurely pace, making it perfect […]
There are over 1,800 locks on the 2,000 miles of navigable waterways in England and Wales, all enabling boats to travel up and down hills. There’s no mystery to using locks – just a series of step-by-step tasks. A lock is simply a chamber with gates at either end. By emptying or filling the chamber […]
Britain’s 3,000-mile canal network is made up of thousands of historic structures, including dozens of aqueducts. Aqueducts were originally invented by the Romans. The idea of a ‘canal in the sky’ was initially ridiculed by the canal builders. They were concerned about the amount of masonry required to support the weight of the water above. […]
Winter cruising on the canals offers the chance to visit a Christmas market on a canal boat holiday. Our canal boats for hire range from snug narrowboats for two, to larger boats for seven, and prices start at £635 for a short break (three or four nights), £875 for a week. All Drifters’ boats have […]
There are dozens of great destinations to choose from on a family canal boat holiday this October Half Term. Narrowboats are like floating holiday cottages, with everything you need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat. All our boats are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, flushing toilets, and […]
With quiet canals, frosty towpaths, historic waterside pubs and festive waterside destinations to enjoy, a holiday on Britain’s peaceful canal network is a great way to get away this Christmas. Drifters offers winter cruising* from a number of locations, with boats offering accommodation for between two to seven people. All our boats have central heating, […]
Britain’s 3,000-mile network of inland waterways meanders through some of our best-loved countryside, including woodlands and forest remains. To celebrate the beautiful Autumn colours in our trees and hedgerows, we’ve listed our top five leafy canals to cruise along: 1. The Calder & Hebble in West Yorkshire The 21-mile long leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation […]
Today’s canal boats are like floating holiday cottages, so you’ll find many home comforts already on board. Our galley kitchens are equipped with a fridge and everything you need to cook with, including gas cookers with hob, oven and grill, cooking utensils, saucepans, plates, bowls, mugs, knives, forks, spoons, etc. There are shower rooms and […]
From 3 September, our new electric day boat ‘Sunny Day’ will be available to hire at Springwood Haven Marina on the Coventry Canal in Nuneaton in Warwickshire. Operated by Drifters member ABC Boat Hire, the 36ft ‘Sunny Day’ narrowboat accommodates up to ten people. The boat uses products from ABC Leisure Group’s Onboard Energy Direct […]
Research by the Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for the nation’s 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, shows spending time by the waterways can lower levels of anxiety and make you happier*. Waterways are described as ‘great places to relax and de-stress’ and canal boat holidays are often said to be ‘the […]