Culture on the canals
Enjoy culture on the canals on your next narrowboat holiday.
There are dozens of fantastic art and historic centres on or very close to Britain’s 3,000 mile canal and river network.
We’ve put together a list of our top seven cultural destinations:
1. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal near Henley-in-Arden, it’s a six-hour cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Stratford-on-Avon. There you can moor up at Bancroft Basin, a stone’s throw from the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
2. The David Hockney Gallery at Saltaire
You can reach UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire on a short break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Saltaire was founded on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Bradford in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the woollen industry. Salts Mill has a number of galleries, including the David Hockney Gallery showing both permanent and temporary collections of the Bradford-born artist’s work.
3. The Theatre Royal in Bath
From Bradford on Avon it’s a six-hour cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to moorings at Sydney Wharf. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to UNESCO World Heritage Bath city centre. Over 200 years old, Bath’s beautiful Georgian Theatre Royal is one of the country’s best-loved. And it’s one of the best places to enjoy culture on the canals.
4. The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
From our Lower Heyford on the Oxford Canal, it’s an eight-hour cruise to moorings in Oxford City Centre, close to the Ashmolean Museum. Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean was Britain’s first public museum and is home to the University of Oxford’s world-class collections of art and archaeology. It has a series of permanent exhibition galleries, including a fascinating and significant collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts. The route from Lower Heyford to Oxford travels nearly 15 miles and passes through 10 locks.
5. Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire
From Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, it’s a short cruise or walk to the National Trust’s beautiful Shugborough Estate. Set in 900 acres of stunning parkland and riverside gardens, it is a rare survival of a complete estate. Major buildings include the Georgian Mansion House, servants’ quarters, model farm and walled garden. Visitors can explore the Mansion’s state rooms and private apartments of the Earls of Lichfield. And see costumed characters in the servant’s quarters and farmstead make cheese, beer and bread.
6. The Hepworth Wakefield Museum
On a week’s break from Sowerby Bridge, you can reach moorings alongside the Hepworth Wakefield museum. This modern gallery on the banks of the Calder & Hebble Navigation showcases the extraordinary work by the British sculptor Barbara Hepworth. There are also works on display by Henry Moore, Antony Gormley, David Hockney, Bridget Riley and Anthony Caro.
7. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
On a short break from Alvechurch, you can cruise along the Worcester & Birmingham into Birmingham City Centre. From Alvechurch it takes about five hours to reach moorings in Gas Street Basin. From there you can walk to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Grade II* listed landmark building. The Museum opened in 1885 and is home to one of the biggest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.
