Enjoy a day afloat on a canal boat
Day boat hire on Britain’s peaceful network of inland waterways is a great way to explore your local countryside this summer.
Drifters offers day boat hire from 16 boat yards across England and Wales, with prices starting from less than £10 per person.
Full tuition is included so if you’re new to canal boating, it’s a great chance to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks. Our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle and most also have a toilet, cooker and fridge.
So why not pack up a picnic and ship out for the day, exploring your local countryside and stopping off for a drink at a canalside pub along the way.
Here’s a list of Drifters’ day boat hire locations in 2020:
Berkshire
Kennet & Avon Canal at Aldermaston, near Reading – ‘Heyday’ can carry up to 8 people, prices start from £129.
Cheshire
Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury, near Tarporley – ‘Bella’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Trent & Mersey Canal at Anderton, Cheshire – ‘Daydream’ can carry up to 12 people, prices start at £139.
Leicestershire
Grand Union Canal Leicester Line at Market Harborough – ‘Moorhen’ can carry up to 12 people, weekday hire starts at £160, weekends & bank holidays from £210.
Northamptonshire
Grand Union Canal at Braunston – ‘Water Ouzel’ can carry up to 12 people. Weekday prices are £140, £175 for weekends and bank holidays.
Grand Union Canal at Gayton Marina, near Northampton – ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 12 people, prices start at £129.
Shropshire
Llangollen Canal at Whixall – ‘Julia’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch – ‘Day Tripper’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start from £119.
Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow Marina, near Ellesmere – ‘Lazy Days’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start at £119.
Staffordshire
Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood, near Stafford – ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Warwickshire
Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, near Stratford upon Avon – ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Wiltshire
Kennet & Avon Canal at Hilperton, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire (‘Cheers’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start from £122).
Worcestershire
Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Alvechurch, near Bromsgrove – ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start at £137.
Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove – ‘Emma’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
North Wales
Llangollen Canal at Trevor, near Llangollen, Wrexham (‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each. Weekday hire is £120, £160 weekends and bank holidays.
South Wales
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny – ‘Robin’ and ‘Rooster’ can carry up to eight people, prices start from £137.
For more information about Drifters day boat hire and to check availability, go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/
