Top 9 canal boat holidays for 2023

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From rural retreats to vibrant city centres, narrowboat holiday-makers can use their boat as a floating holiday home to explore Britain’s beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways.  There’s a choice of hundreds of waterside destinations and historic canalside pubs to stop-off at along the way.

Drifters offers over 550 boats for hire from 45 locations across England, Scotland and Wales.  2023 hire prices start at £590 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four, £815 for a week.  Tuition is included in the price of all our holiday hires, and many of our operators are currently offering early-bird booking discounts.

Here are Drifters’ Top 9 narrowboat holidays for 2023:

1. Cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Wrenbury Mill

From our base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal, it’s a peaceful 10-mile cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Wrenbury Mill.  The route, which passes through 11 locks and takes around six hours, starts on the Shropshire Union Canal and transfers onto the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction.  At Wrenbury Mill, you can moor up for country walks and a choice of pubs, including the popular Dusty Miller.

2. Navigate the Black Country Ring

On a week’s holiday from our base at Kings Orchard in Staffordshire, you can navigate the Black Country Ring. The journey takes in a mixture of urban and rural scenery, and travels sections of the Coventry, Trent & Mersey, Staffordshire & Worcestershire, New Birmingham Main Line and Birmingham & Fazeley canals.  Travelling 75 miles, and passing through 79 locks, the route takes around 43 cruising hours.  Highlights include: the quiet waters at Tixall Wide; Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham; and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve at Fradley Junction.

3. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath

On a mid-week break from our base at Devizes in Wiltshire, you can travel along the Kennet & Avon Canal to reach moorings at Sydney Wharf, on the edge of Bath City Centre.  The journey travels 19 miles, passes through eight locks and takes around nine hours.  On the way, the route passes through the village of Seend with its popular canalside Barge Inn, and the historic town of Bradford on Avon, with a choice of independent shops and restaurants.  Once at Sydney Wharf, you can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath City Centre.

4. Explore the Llangollen Canal UNESCO World Heritage site

Setting off on a week’s holiday from our base at Whitchurch in Shropshire, you can travel to Llangollen and back, navigating along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage site.  Beginning at Gledrid, the World Heritage Site comprises a series of embankments, tunnels, viaducts and aqueducts, including the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  The whole length, described by UNESCO as ‘a masterpiece of creative genius’, has also been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The journey from Whitchurch to Llangollen and back travels 61 miles, passes through four locks and takes around 27 hours.

5. Complete the Stourport Ring

On a week’s break from our base at Stoke Prior in Worcestershire, you can complete the Stourport Ring.  The route includes sections of the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal, River Severn and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.  It travels 84 miles, passes through 117 locks and takes around 51 cruising hours. Highlights include: the Tardebigge Flight of 30 locks; Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham; and the Cathedral City of Worcester.

6. Cruise to Fenny Compton and back

Departing on a weekend break from our base at Stockton in Warwickshire, you can cruise to the pretty village of Fenny Compton.  The journey begins on the Grand Union Canal, transferring onto the Oxford Canal at Napton Junction.  Winding gently through 15 miles of countryside, the route passes through 12 locks, and takes around eight hours. Pubs to stop-off at along the way include the King’s Arms at Napton-on-the-Hill, and The Wharf Inn at Fenny Compton.

7. Visit Skipton and its medieval castle

Enjoying a weekend break from our Barnoldswick base, you can head east along the 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, with extensive views of sheep country.  Once in Skipton, you can moor in the centre of the town, visit shops and restaurants and explore the 900-year old Skipton Castle.

8. Travel slowly through the countryside to Hawkesbury Junction

On a weekend break from our base at Braunston, you can cruise slowly through the Northamptonshire countryside to Hawkesbury Junction. The route begins on the Grand Union Canal, transferring onto the North Oxford Canal at the Braunston Turn.  Travelling 23 miles to Hawkesbury, passing through four locks and Newbold Tunnel along the way, the journey takes around seven hours.  Pubs to stop off at include: the Bell Inn at Hillmorton; the Barley Mow at Newbold; and the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction.

9. Cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal to Market Drayton

From our base at Autherley in Staffordshire, on a mid-week break you can cruise to the historic town of Market Drayton and back.  This rural route, perfect for beginners, takes you along the Shropshire Union Canal through over 26 miles of peaceful countryside.  It passes through seven locks and a series of pretty villages with canalside pubs, including the Bridge Inn at Brewood and the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Ashton.

Try canal boating at one of our open days

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On Sunday 23 April 2023, Drifters is offering people the chance to try canal boating for free at 16 locations across England and Wales.

The taster sessions, which will be on from 11am to 4pm, will include free short trips on skippered narrowboats, and the opportunity to look round holiday-hire boats at many of the locations.

Haley Hadley, of Drifters Waterway Holidays, explains:

“Travelling at just 4mph through peaceful countryside, past canalside pubs, sleepy villages and vibrant waterside towns and cities, canal boat holidays are often described as ‘the fastest way to slow down’.

“Around 450,000* people enjoy holidaying on Britain’s canal network and around a fifth of hirers are new to our holidays each year.

“Our free canal boat taster sessions are a great way for people to find out what makes canal boat holidays so special and to see if this sort of holiday would work for them.

“We look forward to welcoming people to our open day events.  We are hoping around 3,000 visitors will get afloat that day, including many families enjoying a day out by the water.”

For further details of Drifters’ Open Day events and to download a free voucher for a boat trip, go to www.drifters.co.uk/openday

Please note, the trips are subject to availability on the day. Trip lengths vary depending on the location, but are usually around 30 minutes. It’s not possible to book a time. The trips are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

*Source: British Marine’s ‘Watersports Participation Survey 2018’

DownieLive Travels by Boat

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Canadian Youtuber Michael Downie has made a series of films about the canals and canal boat holidays.

In the first episode, he sets off from our canal boat hire base at Goytre Wharf and travels along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.

In episode two, he leaves from our Acton Bridge base in Cheshire and navigates through the Anderton Boat Lift.

In the third episode, he sets off from our Trevor base in North Wales and travels across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

In episode four he departs from our Sowerby Bridge base in West Yorkshire, and travels through the deepest lock in the country.

In the final episode, he travels through the Standedge Tunnel, the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel on the network.

You’ll find DownieLive Travels by Boat here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGcGMcj2dWM

Top 8 canalside events to visit by boat in 2023

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Britain’s canals and rivers host hundreds of exciting events each year, bringing people to the waterways and celebrating the things that make them special.

These events make great destinations for canal boat holiday-makers, so we’ve put together our top eight events for 2023, along with information about our nearest canal boat hire bases:

1. Easter Boat Gathering, Friday 7 to Monday 10 April

The annual Easter Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port marks the official start of the cruising season.  Over the weekend, dozens of boats will moor up across the Museum’s seven-acre site and visitors can enjoy live music, children’s activities, workshop tours and historic boats.  Drifters’ nearest narrowboat hire base is 10 cruising hours away at Bunbury.

2. IWA Canalway Cavalcade, Saturday 29 April

This annual event at Little Venice celebrating the best in life on the waterways in London, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2023.  The event includes live music, a real ale bar, food stalls, an illuminated boats procession and kids’ entertainment.  Drifters’ nearest base is 34 cruising hours away at Aldermaston.

3. St Richard’s Canal Festival, Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May

This annual event organised by the Worcester & Birmingham Canal Society takes place in Vines Park alongside the Droitwich Barge Canal.  Visitors can enjoy live music, boats, classic cars, art workshops, community stalls, a real ale bar and the annual ‘Great Droitwich Duck Race’ with over 1,000 plastic ducks competing.  Drifters’ nearest canal boat rental base is three cruising hours away at Stoke Prior.

4. Rickmansworth Canal Festival, Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 May

Celebrating canals, the community and the environment, the annual Rickmansworth Canal Festival attracts over 100 canal boats from across the country.  Occupying part of the Aquadrome and the Grand Union Canal towpath between Stockers Lock and Batchworth Lock, the event hosts a range of music, performing arts, displays, presentations, traders and catering.  Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire base is 42 cruising hours away at Braunston.

5. Crick Boat Show, Saturday 27 to Monday 29 May

Three hundred exhibitors will gather at Crick Marina on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal near Daventry, to showcase thousands of inland waterways products and services.  Now Britain’s biggest inland waterways festival, Crick Boat Show offers visitors free boat trips, over 50 boats to look around, live music and a wide variety of food and drink stalls.  Drifters’ nearest narrow boat hire base is five cruising hours away at Braunston.

6. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 July

Every year thousands of people descend on the pretty town of Llangollen on the Llangollen Canal to celebrate dance, music, costume and culture.  2023 events will include ‘The White Flower: Into the Light’ on 5 July when massed choral and orchestral forces will come together in a concert of remembrance for the fallen of Sarajevo and Ukraine.  Drifters’ nearest base is a two-hour cruise away at Trevor.

7. Stone Food & Drink Festival, Friday 15 to Saturday 16 July 2022

Staffordshire’s biggest celebration of all things gastronomic takes place at the Georgian market town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey Canal.  The festival will host cookery demonstrations, talks and tastings, licensed bars, street food, live music and family fun.  Drifters’ nearest base is five cruising hours away at Great Haywood.

8. Fairport Convention at Cropredy, Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 August

This annual festival of folk and rock music is held in the village of Cropredy, next to the Oxford Canal. The event is run by the Fairport Convention, often credited with being the first English electric folk band.  Drifters nearest narrowboat hire base is 10 cruising hours away at Napton.

Narrowboating on the River Thames

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Marion Collinson, of Love Travelling enjoyed a Drifters’ press trip on the River Thames earlier this month, describing it as one of their ‘best family holidays ever’

I’d spent many a happy hour strolling along canal towpaths and riverbanks enjoying watching narrowboats pass by, and now the time had come to experience a boating holiday for ourselves. My husband and two adult sons were equally excited as it is a lovely way of spending time together.

Our four night River Thames adventure started at the Drifters base at Eynsham near Witney, Oxfordshire. 

Setting eyes on ‘Cunningham’, our 65ft Admiral Class narrowboat with her blue livery and gold detailing; she oozed luxury even before stepping on board.

With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge/dining area and fully equipped galley kitchen, our boat was so long it felt like a train. Bed linen, towels, and high quality pots, pans and utensils were included and we adored it all. The boat even had central heating, a wood burning stove, Wi-Fi, a TV, radio and DVD player making it almost a home from home.

Day 1: Eynsham to Oxford

After loading our gear on board, we were given a full briefing on operating the boat. Handover complete, we felt reasonably confident and were soon edging out of our mooring to make a mid-afternoon start downstream towards Oxford.

For this first 35 minutes, my husband (David) and older son (Mark) took turns at the tiller, whilst younger son (Simon) and I sat comfortably at the front of the boat enjoying the slow pace of the River Thames as it meanders through the reeds.

At Eynsham we encountered the first of two manually operated locks; further downstream they are all automatic (self-service button operated).

There was a lock-keeper on duty, and he showed us how to operate the sluices before opening the heavy wooden lock doors.

My job was to hold the boat steady with the foredeck rope as the water emptied out of the lock.

With the first lock under our belts, I took my turn at the helm; having to remember that I had to turn the tiller the opposite way to where I wanted the boat to go!  This took a bit of thinking about but thankfully I managed without veering towards the bank.

We continued to observe life on the river. At Kings Lock we were watched by a couple sitting on a bench who waved to us as we passed.  Then by the water meadows below Godstow we were joined by several rowing boats and their motorised coaching launches.

Arriving in Oxford, we moored for the night just above Osney Lock. After securing the boat, we wandered into the city centre – taking only 10 minutes, and were soon tucking into steak and chips in one of Oxford’s many pubs. Back on the boat we were warm and cosy with the central heating turned on and after a cup of tea were snuggled up in our comfortable beds.

Day 2: Oxford to Clifton Hampden, via Abingdon

We all slept like logs and the next morning whilst David performed engine checks, I set to work making bacon sandwiches and a pot of fresh coffee.  Ready for off, we slipped out of our moorings at 10.00 a.m. passed through Osney Lock  and along the narrow channel to Folly Bridge.  Here the river widens as the Cherwell joins the Thames. The view is the epitome of Oxford: dreaming spires; punt hire; the Salters Steamer base; and university boathouses along Christchurch Meadows.

Iffley Lock had the prettiest lock keeper’s cottage we’d seen so far, and as we entered the lock several people gathered round to watch.  I’m not sure if they were hoping for a little drama but we got through without incident.

On our way again, we glimpsed some very desirable properties with their large gardens sloping down to the water’s edge.  I think we’d have to win the lottery to afford one of those!

The stretch from Sandford to Abingdon was full of bird life; the blue flash of kingfishers along the banks; and the frequent but more sedate presence of herons, cormorants and geese.

At Abingdon we moored just above the lock to offload the rubbish and replenish our water supplies – a process which seemed to take forever as the flow from the tap was very slow. Then moved a short distance downstream, securing the boat by hammering in metal pegs whilst we looked around the town.

Abingdon is an attractive town and we combined our sightseeing stop with a chance to stock up on provisions in Waitrose.  On the way back we noticed logs for sale so bought a bagful so we could light our wood burning stove.

Back on the boat, we headed five miles downstream to moor overnight at Clifton Hampden. Our evening was spent at the Barley Mow, a picture postcard pub complete with thatched roof serving delicious, reasonably priced food.  We then cosied up around our log burning stove with glasses of wine before bed.  What bliss!

Day 3: Clifton Hampden to Burcot, then back to Sandford Lock via Sutton Courtney

The next morning we stretched our legs with a short walk around the thatched cottages of the village. Then we continued downstream as far as Burcot, where we ogled at more beautiful waterside homes.

It was time to turn the boat around. The river is quite broad on this stretch and in careful hands, Mark skilfully steered our 65ft boat round like a pro.  Back at Clifton Lock it was a new experience for us to be heading upstream, and I soon discovered that I needed to improve my rope throwing techniques from down in the bottom of the lock!

Safely through, we turned into the narrow channel of Culham Cut, and moored by the footbridge to enjoy an al fresco lunch out on deck.

It was so warm and sunny you’d be forgiven for thinking that we were on the Canal du Midi and not Oxfordshire in mid-October.  

A stroll across the weirs to a backwater of the Thames and pretty village of Sutton Courtney followed. It’s definitely worth a visit to admire its beautiful half-timbered cottages and Norman church.  We spent some time looking around the churchyard to find the graves of Prime-Minister Henry Asquith and author Eric Blair (George Orwell).

It was then back on the boat for the journey upstream through Abingdon (more water!), mooring up for the night at Sandford Lock.  Conveniently it’s overlooked by yet another idyllic pub, The Kings Arms so we only had to cross the walkway on the lock gates to get there.

Day 4: Sandford Lock to Eynsham Lock via Godstow

The day started with an Autumnal mist over the river, but the sun soon broke through and we were on our way towards Oxford. Here again we saw university rowing teams out practising, and this time gave them a wide berth.  At Osney Lock a new experience awaited as it was the first time we had shared a lock with another boat – a small river cruiser whose passengers were enjoying a pot of tea. We gave them a wave and said hello.

Taking our turns at the helm, we chugged upstream through Oxford to Godstow.   Here we followed the towpath past the remains of Godstow Nunnery and across the bridge to The Trout Inn.  We’d long wanted to visit this pub, which is famous for being featured in the Inspector Morse television programmes. It’s definitely worth a stop and boasts a large riverside terrace for sunny days.

Back on board again, we moored for our final night at Eynsham Lock so that we just had one more lock and a short journey the next morning enabling us to return our boat back on time.

All four of us agreed it had been one of the best family holidays ever.

We’d taken the slow life but kept active on board steering the boat and working the locks. We’d adored every minute of our narrowboat adventure so much so that we can’t wait to do it all again!

To find out more about Marion’s Thames boating holiday, go to https://lovetravellingblog.com/2022/12/21/day-1-narrowboating-on-the-thames/

Visit a Christmas Market by canal boat

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Winter cruising* on the canals offers the chance to enjoy a narrowboat holiday, visiting a Christmas market in a waterside town or city.

All our boats have central heating and hot water, and some also have multi-fuel stoves. So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.

Here’s a guide to our Top 5 Christmas markets to visit afloat in 2022:

1. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon’s Victorian Christmas Market
This award-winning event is scheduled to be held 8-11 December 2022. There are hundreds of stalls selling a host of seasonal products, with traders decked out in their finest Victorian costumes. There’s also a programme of live entertainment planned throughout the town. From our base on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, it’s a six-hour cruise to moorings in the centre of Stratford upon Avon.

2. Moor up for a festive break in Bath
Bath’s Christmas Market is on from 24 November to 11 December 2022, with 150 twinkling chalets lining the picturesque streets of Bath. There will be stylish homeware, handmade jewellery and personalised presents, as well as festive food and drink. From our base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, it takes around 10 hours to reach moorings alongside Sydney Gardens. From there, it’s a 15 minute walk to Bath City Centre. The route travels nearly 20 miles and passes through 10 locks along the way.

3. Cruise to the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham
From 3 November to 23 December 2022, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will fill New Street and Victoria Square. Over 80 stalls will offer a variety of tempting food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts. There will also be live music and carol singers. From our base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, it takes around five hours to reach moorings in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham. There are no locks to pass through along the way.

4. Experience the magical Chester Christmas Market
From 18 November to 21 December, Chester’s Town Hall Square will be filled with over 70 stalls. Vendors will be selling everything from handmade gifts and stocking fillers, to fudge, vodka and mulled wine. From our base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley in Cheshire, it takes seven hours to cruise to Chester. There are nine locks to pass through along the way.

5. Navigate to the Whitchurch Silk Mill Christmas Fair
On 3 and 4 December, the Whitchurch Silk Mill will host a weekend Christmas Fair, with a variety of stalls in the Mill grounds. From Drifters’ narrowboat hire centre on the Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow, it takes around five hours to reach Whitchurch. The journey travels 12 miles through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District.

*Please note that winter maintenance on the canals will affect some of our routes for part of the winter

Top 6 winter canal boat holiday destinations

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We offer winter cruising from eight of our canal boat hire bases, with boats ranging from snug narrowboats for two, to larger boats for up to 12 people.

It’s free to moor almost anywhere on the network, so a narrowboat provides a base for a floating self-catering holiday, with the choice of dozens of historic canalside pubs with roaring log fires to stop off at along the way.

All our boats have central heating, hot water, televisions and DVD players.  Some also have multi-fuel stoves and WiFi.  So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.  Drifters’ also offers narrowboats for hire over Christmas and New Year.

Our winter 2022 to 2023 narrow boat hire prices start at £645 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four, £1,023 for a week.

Here are our top 6 winter cruising destinations this winter*:

1. Wend your way to Warwick Castle

On a mid-week break from our base at Stockton on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, you can cruise to Warwick to explore its stunning medieval castle on the banks of the River Avon.  Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way include: the Blue Lias pub at the bottom of the Stockton Flight; and the Cuttle Inn at Long Itchington.

2. Visit Georgian Bath afloat

Enjoying a four-night mid-week break from our base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath.  The journey 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.  Once at Bath, you can moor up below Sydney Wharf, a short walk away from the centre of Bath.

3. Travel across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Llangollen

Taking a short break from our base on the Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow, you can cruise to Llangollen and back, travelling across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way.  The journey to Llangollen and back travels 37 miles, passes through four locks (two each way) and takes around 16 hours.  On arrival in Llangollen, you can moor up in Llangollen Basin and enjoy visiting this beautiful town nestled in the Berwyn Mountains.

4. Visit Birmingham for festive fun afloat

From our base at Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it takes around five hours to cruise into the centre of Birmingham.  Once there, you can moor up in Gas Street Basin, close to Brindleyplace to enjoy visiting city centre attractions, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, home to one of the largest pre-Raphaelite collections in the world.

5. Cruise gently through the countryside to Fradley Pool Nature Reserve

From our base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, you can reach Fradley Junction and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve in around five hours.  The journey passes through 12 peaceful miles of countryside and five locks.  Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way include: the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge; Mossley Tavern in Rugeley; and the Swan Inn at Fradley.

6. Moor up in Stratford upon Avon

It’s a picturesque six-hour cruise to Shakespeare’s Stratford from our boat yard on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire.  The route crosses over the Edstone Aqueduct, with lovely views of the surrounding Warwickshire countryside, and passes through 17 locks. Once in Stratford, you can moor up in Bancroft Basin to enjoy exploring the town’s theatres, museums, shops, markets and restaurants.

*Please note the Canal & River Trust’s winter maintenance programme will affect some of our routes for part of the winter

Hire a canal boat for a family day out on the water this October Half Term

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Day boat hire on Britain’s peaceful network of inland waterways offers the chance to explore the autumn countryside – and with prices starting from just £10 per person, it’s a great way to get the family together for a day out.

Drifters offers day boat hire from 15 boat yards across England and Wales, with boats offering space for between eight and 12 people.  Full tuition is included so if you are new to narrow boating, it’s a great opportunity to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.

All our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle, and most also have a toilet, cooker and fridge.  So you can plan lunch afloat or stop off at a canalside pub along the way.

Here’s a guide to our Top 15 Day Boat Destinations for October Half Term 2022:

Berkshire

Cruise through the West Berkshire countryside to the Spring Inn

From our day boat hire centre at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Reading, you can cruise to Theale and back, stopping off to enjoy lunch at the Spring Inn, a 10-minute walk from the canal.  The total journey takes just over four hours and passes through two locks each way.

*Day boat ‘Heyday’ can carry up to 8 people.  Prices start from £129.

Cheshire

Boat along ‘The Shroppie’ to Nantwich Aqueduct

From our canal boat hire base at Bunbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise south for six miles to Nantwich.  There you can travel across the impressive Grade II* listed Nantwich Aqueduct, enjoying with panoramic views across the town.  With no locks along the way, the journey to Nantwich takes around two hours.

*Day boat ‘Bella’ can carry up to 10 people.  Weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £150.

Cruise through the woodlands of Marbury Country Park to Middlewich

From our day boat hire centre at Anderton Marina, next to the incredible Anderton Boat Lift, day boaters can travel to Middlewich and back.  The journey passes through Marbury Country Park and Marston Flash.  There’s a choice of pubs to stop at, including the Broken Cross at Rudheath.  The journey to Middlewich and back takes around six hours.  There are no locks.

*Day boat ‘Daydream’ can carry up to 12 people.  Prices start at £139.

Monmouthshire

Navigate to the Star Inn at Mamhillad in the Brecon Beacons

From our day boat hire base at Goytre Wharf on the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny, you can cruise to Mamhillad.  The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours and along the way, you’ll enjoy incredible mountain views.  At Mamhillad you can moor up to visit the popular Star pub, a short walk from bridge 62.

*Day boats ‘Robin’ and Rooster’ can carry up to eight people each.  Prices start from £137.

Northamptonshire

Navigate through Blisworth Tunnel to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum

From our base at Gayton on the Grand Union Canal near Northampton, you can navigate to the pretty village of Stoke Bruerne, home of the Canal Museum.  The route travels through the Blisworth Tunnel, which at 3,076 yards long is the third longest on the canal network.  It takes around one-and-a-half hours to cruise to Stoke Bruerne, including 30 minutes to cruise through the tunnel.

*Day boat ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 12 people.  Prices start at £129.

Cruise to the picturesque village of Napton-on-the-Hill

From our day boat hire centre at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal, you can cruise to the historic village of Napton-on-the-Hill.  The journey, which takes around three hours, takes you through the Northamptonshire countryside and into Warwickshire.  Once at Napton, day you can moor up and walk into the village where there’s a choice of pubs, including the Kings Head.

*Day boat ‘Ouzel II’ can carry up to 12 people.  Weekday prices are £150, £195 for weekends and bank holidays.

Shropshire

Cruise through the Shropshire countryside to Oswestry

From our day boat hire base at Blackwater Meadow Marina on the Llangollen Canal, near Ellesmere, you can cruise to Oswestry and back.  The route passes through farmland, glacial scenery and beautiful green countryside.  The journey there and back takes around five hours and there are no locks.

*Day boat ‘Lazy Days’ can carry up to 10 people. Prices start at £109.

Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere

From our narrow boat hire centre at Whixall Marina, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can travel to Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District.  The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours, cruising through eight miles of beautiful countryside.  You’ll pass Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park along the way.

*Day boat ‘Julia’ can carry up to 10 people.  Weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £150.

Staffordshire

Navigate through the countryside for a pub lunch at Hopwas

From Kings Orchard Marina, on the Coventry Canal near Lichfield, you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Bonehill Bridge and back.  The route takes you through the villages Huddlesford, Whittington and Hopwas.  At Hopwas there are two pubs to choose from – the Tame Otter and the Red Lion.  The journey to Bonehill and back takes five and a half hours and there are no locks.

*Day boat ‘Happy Days’ can take up to 10 people.  Prices start at £139.

Navigate through Cannock Chase to the Wolseley Arms

From our day boat hire base Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, you can cruise four miles, passing through two locks, to reach the historic market town of Rugeley.  The journey, which takes around two hours, passes the through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It also passes the popular Wolseley Arms pub at Wolseley Bridge.

*Day boats ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ can carry up to 10 people each.  Weekday hire starts at £99, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

Warwickshire

Cruise to the Mary Arden Inn at Wilmcote in Warwickshire

From our narrow boat hire base Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, you can head south to the pretty village of Wilmcote, a short walk from the canal.  Here you can enjoy lunch at The Mary Arden Inn.  The journey takes two-and-a-half hours each way, and crosses over the impressive Edstone Aqueduct with beautiful views across the Warwickshire countryside.

*Day boats ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ can carry up to 10 people each. Prices start at £99 weekdays, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

Wiltshire

Travel to Avoncliff Aqueduct and the Cross Guns pub

From our base at Hilperton Marina on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge, you can head west past the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon and on to Avoncliff Aqueduct for lunch at the Cross Guns.  The return journey to Avoncliff and back takes around six hours and there’s just one lock to pass through each way.

*Day boat ‘Cheers’ can carry up to 10 people.  Prices start at £119.

Worcestershire

Boat past the Bittell Reservoirs to Hopwood

On a day out from Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, you can cruise to the Hopwood House Inn and back.  The return journey takes around four-and-a-half hours and passes through the 2,726 yard long Wast Hill Tunnel.  It also passes by close to the Bittell Reservoirs, a haven for wildlife.

*Day boat ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people.  Prices start at £137.

Glide through the remains of the Forest of Arden

From our day boat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, you can cruise north through the remains of the Forest of Arden to Kings Norton Junction.  There’s a choice of pubs to moor at along the way, including the canalside Crown and Weighbridge pubs at Alvechurch.  The route is lock-free but there are two tunnels to pass through, including Wast Hill Tunnel.

*Day boat ‘Emma’ can carry up to 10 people.  Weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £150.

Wrexham

Travel across ‘The Stream in the Sky’

From our canal boat hire base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes less than 20 minutes to reach the World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  Standing at over 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, this incredible structure offers boaters stunning views of the Dee Valley below.  After cruising over the Aqueduct, there are two tunnels and another aqueduct to cross, before reaching the Bridge Inn at Chirk.

*Day boats ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each.  Weekday hire starts at £120, £180 on weekends and bank holidays.

For more information about Drifters day boat hire, go to http://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats

For more information about visiting the canals go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Experience an October Half Term canal boat holiday

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Narrowboats are like floating holiday cottages, with everything you need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat.  All our boats equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, flushing toilets, and most now have WiFi too.

October Half Term narrowboat hire prices start at £642 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four people, £1,010 for a week.

A licence isn’t required to steer a canal boat and all our operators provide boat steering tuition as part of their holiday packages.

Here are Drifters’ top six canal boat holiday destinations for October Half Term 2022:

1. Explore the ancient abbey at Selby

On a week’s holiday from our base at Sowerby Bridge, narrow boat holiday-makers can cruise to along the Calder & Hebble and the Aire & Calder navigations to Selby.  The journey there and back travels 96 miles, passes through 68 locks (34 each way) and takes around 40 hours.  The route passes through Wakefield, Stanley Ferry, Castleford and Knottingley.  Scenery ranges from leafy cuttings on the Calder & Hebble and farmland along the Aire, to industrial hinterland on the Aire & Calder.  At Selby, you can moor up to explore the ancient Abbey and market.  Selby also has a good choice of pubs and restaurants.

2. Boat along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal to Brecon

From our base at Goytre Wharf near Abergavenny, on a week’s break you can navigate through the wooded Usk Valley to Brecon.  Situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon offers theatre, cinema, cafes and restaurants.  This historic town also offers easy access to the National Park, with walking routes, cycle hire and pony trekking.  Along the way, boaters can stop off at Llanfoist to take the old tramway into the Black Mountains.  Or visit the 13th century castle at Crickhowell.  The journey there and back travels 51 miles, passing through 12 locks (six each way) and takes around 25 hours.

3. Glide along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Georgian Bath

On a mid-week break from our Devizes base in Wiltshire, you can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath and back.  The journey to overnight moorings at Sydney Wharf travels nearly 20 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal, and takes around 10 hours.  From there, it’s a 15 minute walk to the centre of Bath.  Along the way, you’ll travel across two magnificent aqueducts and pass through 10 locks.  There’s a choice of canalside pubs to visit, including the Barge Inn at Seend and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff.

4. Cruise to Coventry to visit the Cathedral

From our narrowboat hire base at Braunston, it takes 12 hours to reach Coventry Basin, The route travels along 28 miles of mostly rural waterways and passes through just four locks.  The journey takes boaters along sections of the North Oxford and Coventry canals.  It passes a series of towns and villages with canalside pubs, including the Royal Oak at Hillmorton and the Greyhound Inn at Hawkesbury Junction.

5. Glide across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

On a short break from our base at Trevor in North Wales, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to the beautiful Shropshire town of Ellesmere.  Along the way, you’ll travel across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  This enormous structure carries the canal 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, supported by 19 vast stone pillars.  Once in Ellesmere, you can moor up and spend time exploring the Mere with its Victorian gardens, woodland paths and historic castle.  The journey to Ellesmere and back takes around 14 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).

6. Navigate to Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man

On a week’s break from our base on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Gailey, you can travel to the historic market town of Market Drayton.  The route takes you through the pretty village of Brewood with a choice of pubs.  It also passes Belvide Reservoir and through a series of deep wooded cuttings.  At Market Drayton there’s a Wednesday market and choice of places to eat, many offering the town’s famous gingerbread.  References to people making gingerbread in Market Drayton date back to the late 1700’s.  The journey to Market Drayton and back cruises 68 miles, passes through 14 locks and takes around 30 hours.

 

Top 8 Halloween canal boat holiday destinations

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With spooky tunnels, misty towpaths, bats, toads, spiders and ghosts galore, Britain’s 200-year old canal network provides the perfect backdrop for a haunting Halloween.

Drifters’ prices for boats for up to four people for a week over Halloween start at £775.

Here’s a guide to our spookiest destinations for Halloween 2022:

1. Beware the Monkey Man at Norbury

The Shropshire Union Canal is said to be Britain’s most haunted canal with five ghosts along its length, including the terrifying ‘Monkey Man’ at Bridge 39 near Norbury.  This hideous black, shaggy coated being is believed to be the ghost of a boatman drowned there in the 19th century.  Narrowboat holiday-makers can reach Norbury from our narrowboat hire base on the Shropshire Union Canal at Brewood in around four and a half hours.  The journey travels 10 miles and passes through one lock.

2. Get spooked at Blisworth Tunnel

On the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire, the Blisworth Tunnel has spooked a number of boaters over the years.  At 2,795 metres long, it’s one of the longest on the canal system.  When construction began in 1793, teams of navvies worked with picks and shovels for three years until they hit quicksand and the tunnel collapsed, killing 14 men.  A new route for the tunnel was found, and it finally opened on 25 March 1805.  Over the years, a number of boaters travelling through the tunnel have reported seeing lights and a second route emerging.  But the tunnel runs straight through the hill so people must have seen the spot where the first tunnel would have intersected with the main canal tunnel.  Perhaps the ghostly navvies are still working there…?  The Blisworth Tunnel is less than an hour away from our base at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, it takes around eight hours to reach the Blisworth Tunnel.  The route travels 18 miles and passes through 13 locks.

3. Look out for an eerie figure Aqueduct Apparition

The Llangollen Canal in Wrexham is haunted by an eerie figure that can sometimes be seen on moonlit nights, gliding along the towpath on the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  From our base at Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal it takes around 14 cruising hours, travelling 25 miles and passing through four locks to reach the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in time for Halloween.

4. Prepare for a visit from the Viscount – the canalside George Inn at Bathampton is said to be haunted by the ghost of Viscount John Baptiste Du Barre, who was mortally wounded in the last legal duel fought in Britain. From Drifters’ narrowboat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, it takes around nine hours to reach the George Inn at Bathampton, cruising 17 miles of the Kennet & Avon Canal and passing through eight locks.

5. Watch out for a shrieking boggart at Harecastle Tunnel

The Trent & Mersey Canal’s Harecastle Tunnel at Kidsgrove is said to be home to a shrieking boggart – the ghost of Kit Crewbucket who was murdered and his headless corpse was dumped in the canal.  Harecastle Tunnel is a 12-hour cruise away from Drifters’ base at Stoke on Trent. The journey travels 22 miles of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and passes through 18 locks.

6. Witness some ghostly goings-on at The Navigation Inn

The Navigation Inn on the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Sowerby Bridge dates back to the 15th century, and served travellers along the old salt road from Chester to York long before the canal was built.  According to the landlord, there’s plenty of supernatural activity in this ancient building, including noises in the cellar, clocks that mysteriously stop and spirits that appear in the kitchen.  The Navigation Inn is very close to our canal boat hire base at Sowerby Bridge.

7. Beware the blood stained steps at Brindley Bank

The Trent & Mersey Canal at Brindley Bank Aqueduct in Staffordshire, is said to be haunted by Christina Collins. Christina was murdered there on 17 June 1839 and her body was flung into the canal.  Three boatmen were convicted of her killing; two were hanged, and the third was transported.  As Christina’s body was dragged from the water, her blood ran down a flight of sandstone steps leading from the canal, and it is said that the stain occasionally reappears on those stones.  From our base at Springwood Haven on the Coventry Canal, it takes around 16 hours to reach Brindley Bank.  The route travels 33 miles and passes through 16 locks.

8. Look out for the ghost of a Roman Centurian in Chester

At the City’s old Northgate, where the canal was dug into part of the town’s moat, a Roman centurion can sometimes be seen guarding the entrance to the City.  From our base on the Shropshire Union Canal at Brewood, it takes around 26 hours to cruise to Northgate Staircase Locks in Chester.  The journey travels 52 miles and passes through 39 locks.