Rental of boats

Rental of boats on canals and rivers in the UK

Drifters offers the choice of over 500 canal boats for rent on canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales.

There are over 40 locations to choose from, taking you onto Britain’s most popular canals and rivers for the rental of boats.

You don’t need a licence to hire a canal boat on the UK’s canals and rivers, and tuition is included in Drifters rental of boats prices.

2026 prices for the rental of boats with Drifters start at £715 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to 4 people.

Canal boats range in size from cosy boats for two people to larger boats for up to 12 people. Drifters offers the rental of boats for a variety of durations:

• 3-night weekend getaways;

• 4-night mid-week breaks;

• 7-night holidays;

• 10-night vacations;

• 11-night escapes; and

• 14-nights or longer.

Rental of boats and destinations

There are hundreds of boating holiday destinations to choose from. Some of the best options for beginners include:

• Departing from Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, cruise into Birmingham City Centre and back;

• From Chirk or Blackwater Meadow on the Llangollen Canal cruise to Llangollen and back, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way;

• From Goytre on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny in South Wales, cruise to Talybont-on-Usk and back;

• From Hilperton or Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath and back;

• From Stockton on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, navigate through the countryside to Braunston and back;

• From Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, boat to Fradley Pool Nature Reserve and back;

• From Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire, cruise to Skipton and Gayton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and back; and

• From Autherley or Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire, cruise to the historic village of Shebdon and back.

 Drifters rental of boats services are all operated by established and reputable UK companies.

Overseas visitors might find Great British Boating helpful