Experience Christmas or New Year on a narrowboat
Drifters offers winter canal holidays from seven locations in England and Wales
With quiet canals, cosy waterside pubs and festive waterside destinations, why not experience Christmas or New Year on a narrowboat.
We offer winter cruising* from seven of our bases, with boats offering accommodation for between two to 12 people.
All our winter boats have central heating, hot water, televisions, DVD players and Wifi. Some also have multi-fuel stoves. So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.
Prices over Christmas and New Year start at start at £765 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to four, £970 for a week.
1. Cruise through the Welsh mountains to Llangollen
From our canal boat rental base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes around 2 hours to cruise to Llangollen. There you can moor up in Llangollen Basin and enjoy visiting this beautiful mountainside town. Things to see include the Llangollen Steam Railway, the National Trust’s Plas Newydd house and gardens and the Horseshoe Falls. There’s a great choice of independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with river and mountain views.
2. Navigate through the Bath Valley to Georgian Bath
From Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, it takes around 4 hours to cruise to moorings at Sydney Gardens, just a 15 minute walk from Bath City Centre. They journey passes through just one lock and across the Avoncliff and Dundas Aqueducts. There’s so much to see and do in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, including a visit to the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms.
3. Cruise through the countryside to Staffordshire’s foodie capital
Heading north from Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, you can reach the historic market town of Stone in around 5 hours. The journey passes through 8 locks (4 each way) and passes through 10 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside. Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Saracen’s Head at Weston and the Dog & Doublet at Sandon. Once at Stone, considered to be Staffordshire’s foodie capital, you can explore a great choice of places to eat and shop.
4. Travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere
From Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, it takes around 4 hours to reach the historic town of Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. Along the way, the route passes Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park. Once at Ellesmere, there’s a choice of independent shops and restaurants, as well as gardens, woods and castle grounds to explore at the Mere.
5. Float to through the Warwickshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal in Warwickshire, it’s a 6-hour cruise to Stratford-upon-Avon. The journey takes you through the Warwickshire countryside, passing through 17 locks along the way. Once in Stratford, you can moor up in Bancroft Basin, just a short walk from this popular tourist town’s excellent choice of theatres, restaurants, markets and museums.
6. Cruise through the Aire Valley to Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales
On a short winter break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Keighley, you can cruise to Skipton and back. The 6.5 mile journey through the Aire Valley takes around 3.5 hours and there are no locks. Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Slaters Arms at Bradley and the Bay Horse at Snaygill. Once at Skipton, you can moor up to explore this ancient market town and its medieval castle.
7. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Chester
On a short Christmas break from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise to Chester and back. The 12 mile (6 each way) journey through the Cheshire countryside passes through 18 locks (9 each way) and takes around 14 hours (7 each way). Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Shady Oak at Wharton’s Lock and Cheshire Cat at Christleton. Once at Chester, you can moor up to experience Christmas or New Year in this ancient city with Roman Walls, Chester Rows shops and a great choice of places to eat and drink.
*NB some routes may be affected by winter maintenance work on the canal network.
