Allways Traveller, 12 May 2023
‘Life is good on the Grand Union Canal’
Life is good on the Grand Union Canal – AllWays Traveller Features
Tag Archive for: Grand Union Canal
Take to the water this August Bank Holiday
There are over 3,000 miles of beautiful inland waterways to explore by canal boat in Britain, and hundreds of waterside destinations to choose from.
We still have plenty of narrowboats available to hire in August, many at a discounted rate.
To celebrate the forthcoming August bank holiday, we’ve here’s our guide to our Top 8 weekend breaks afloat:
1. Cruise the Kennet & Avon to Georgian Bath
On a short break from our canal boat hire base at Devizes, you can cruise the Kennet & Avon Canal to the World Heritage City of Bath. The route passes a series of canalside pubs and the historic market town of Bradford on Avon. You’ll also cross over the beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. There are over-night moorings at Sydney Wharf, a 15-minute walk from Bath City centre. The journey to Bath and back travels 39 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 19 cruising hours.
2. Take the Coventry and Trent & Mersey canals to Tixall Wide
On a weekend break from Kings Orchard on the Coventry Canal, you can cruise to the beautiful waters of Tixall Wide and back. Along the way you’ll pass through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The journey to Tixall takes you through 16 miles of peaceful Staffordshire countryside and five locks. And takes around cruising eight hours.
3. Float along the Llangollen Canal to Llangollen
From our base at Chirk on the Llangollen Canal, you can float through the Dee Valley AONB to the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen in North Wales. Along the way you’ll pass over the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Chirk Aqueduct. The journey to Llangollen takes around four hours, travelling seven miles, with no locks.
4. Experience a Thames boating holiday to Oxford
From our Oxford base on the River Thames at Eynsham, it takes just over three hours to reach Oxford City centre. The route takes you through four locks and the village of Wolvercote, home of the popular riverside Trout Inn. Once in Oxford, you can moor up to explore the city sites, including the Oxford Colleges and Natural History Museum.
5. Cruise the Grand Union and Oxford canals to Hillmorton
From our base on the Grand Union Canal at Stockton, it takes around seven hours to reach the historic canal village of Hillmorton. The route takes you through a series of villages with historic pubs. These include the Kings Head at Napton and the Admiral Nelson at Braunston. There are six locks to pass through, including the three at Hillmorton where volunteer lock keepers help you through. There’s a choice of pubs at Hillmorton, including the Stag & Pheasant.
6. Navigate the Shropshire Union to historic Chester
From our base on the Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury, it’s a seven-hour, nine-lock journey to the ancient city of Chester. The route passes through miles of beautiful Cheshire countryside and a series of villages with country pubs, including The Ring O’Bells at Christleton and The Shady Oak at Bates Mill Bridge. In Chester, you can take time to explore the city’s attractions, including its Roman city walls and Chester Rows shops.
7. Drift along the Calder & Hebble to Hebden Bridge
On a weekend break from Sowerby Bridge, you can travel along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge. Climbing through the Calder Valley, the route to Hebden Bridge covers seven miles. There are 10 locks to pass through and the journey takes around five-and-a-half hours. Once at Hebden, you can moor up to enjoy a good choice of places to eat, and walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
8. Glide along the Forth & Clyde to Glasgow
From our base at Falkirk, it’s a peaceful nine-hour cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the City of Glasgow. The route, which travels 22 miles and passes through five locks, begins at the site of the Falkirk Wheel boat lift. You’ll pass through Auchinstarry, the River Kelvin Valley with magnificent views of the Campsie Fells above. And the historic town of Kirkintillock. Once at Glasgow, there are moorings at Applecross Street Basin, close to Glasgow’s cultural sites. These include the Hunterian Museum.
Top 8 canal boat holidays for wellbeing this summer
It’s well known that spending time in green space connecting with nature is good for our mental health and wellbeing. Recent research by the Canal & River Trust confirms the combination of green and blue space with wildlife experienced by visitors to the inland waterways gives an extra wellbeing boost*.
Britain’s 3,000-mile network of inland waterways flow through some of our most beautiful and unspoilt countryside, including National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
Here’s a guide to Drifters’ Top 8 wellbeing destinations for narrowboat holidays in Summer 2023:
1. Navigate the Peak Forest Canal to Whaley Bridge
On a week’s holiday from our narrowboat hire base at Stoke on Trent, you can travel along the Trent & Mersey and Macclesfield canals to connect to the Peak Forest Canal and Whaley Bridge. The Peak Forest Canal is said to be one of Britain’s most scenic waterways, running through beautiful countryside on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The journey to Whaley Bridge travels 39 miles, passes through the Harecastle Tunnel and 13 locks, and takes around 20 cruising hours.
2. Explore the Staffordshire countryside & Cannock Chase
On a short break from Kings Orchard on the Coventry Canal in Staffordshire, you can cruise to the beautiful waters at Tixall Wide and back, passing through the Cannock Chase AONB along the way. The journey there and back travels 32 miles, passes through 10 locks (five each way) and takes around 16 hours.
3. Drift through the prehistoric Vale of Pewsey to Hungerford
On a week away from our base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, you can cruise to the historic town of Hungerford, passing through the Vale of Pewsey, in the North Wessex Downs AONB. The journey there and back takes around 40 hours, travelling 54 miles through 106 locks.
4. Glide around the Breacon Beacons
The beautiful Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park. Stretching 35 miles from Brecon to Cwmbran, this peaceful waterway offers canal boat holiday-makers incredible mountain views. On a week’s break from our base at Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny, you can cruise to Brecon and back. The journey takes you through Georgian Crickhowell, with its fascinating 13th century castle. And Talybont-on-Usk, with wonderful walks to the waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn. Brecon is home to a cathedral, theatre, cinema, castle ruins and stunning Georgian architecture. And you can enjoy some of the best views of the Brecon Beacons from Pen y Fan, the highest point in Southern Britain at 886 metres.
5. Cruise to the Aylesbury Vale
On a week’s break from Gayton Marina you can travel south to the Aylesbury Arm and into the Vale of Aylesbury, part of the Chilterns AONB. The journey to Aylesbury passes through a series of canalside towns and villages, including Stoke Bruerne with its Canal Museum. And Marsworth next to Tring Reservoirs, a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The route travels 44 miles, passes through 41 locks and takes around 22 hours.
6. Float through the Dee Valley in North Wales
On a short break from Chirk on the Llangollen Canal, you can float through the Dee Valley AONB to the pretty Eisteddfod town of Llangollen. You’ll pass over the UNESCO World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way. And you’ll cruise across the Chirk Aqueduct and through Whitehouses Tunnel. The journey to Llangollen and back takes around eight hours, travelling 14 miles, with no locks.
7. Take a Thames boating holiday to the edge of the Cotswolds
On a four-night mid-week break from Oxford, you can travel west along the River Thames to the pretty market town of Lechlade, in an AONG on the edge of the Cotswolds. The route passes through 22 miles of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire countryside. You’ll pass close-by to Kelmscott Manor, once the Cotswold retreat of William Morris. It takes around 17 hours to cruise there and back, passing through seven locks each way.
8. Travel through the Yorkshire Dales to Skipton
On a short break from Barnoldswick, you can head north-east along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to historic Skipton. The journey travels 13 miles through the Yorkshire Dales, passing through 15 locks in around 10 hours. This breath-taking route winds along the contours of the side of Airedale, with extensive views of the Yorkshire Dales. You see sheep, farmhouses, barns, stone walls and the occasional village or town. Once in Skipton, you can moor up to visit shops and restaurants. And explore the 900-year old Skipton Castle, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.
*The Canal & River Trust’s research was carried out by King’s College London, Nomad Projects and J&L Gibbons using Urban Mind, a smartphone based app to collect thousands of real time audits about participants’ location and mental wellbeing. Proof that time by water helps boost your mood | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
Life is good on the Grand Union Canal
Ashley Gibbins and Ann Mealor of the International Travel Writers Alliance recently enjoyed a Drifters narrowboat holiday press trip on the Grand Union Canal.
They set off on a four-night mid-week break from Braunston in Northamptonshire, aboard a Union Canal Carriers boat.
After their tuition and boat handover, Tim from the Braunston boat yard took them through the first two locks for a trial run.
They moored up for their first night close the poplur Admiral Nelson pub. And met some other narrowboaters, who the following day helped them through the next set of locks.
On their canal boat holiday short break, they also travelled through the mile-long Braunston Tunnel, and enjoyed waking up to “loud” and “thrilling” birdsong.
Describing their first trip on a narrowboat as a “truly memorable and really enjoyable”, Ashley’s AllWays Traveller article lists some advice for first timers.
To read the full review, go to https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/life-is-good-on-the-grand-union-canal
Enjoy May bank holiday boating on the canals
The bank holidays in May offers the perfect excuse to plan a long weekend boating break on Britain’s peaceful inland waterways. Prices start at £1,005 for a three night break on a boat for up to four people.
To celebrate the forthcoming bank holidays in May, including the Whitsun May bank holiday weekend (27-29 May), we’ve listed our Top 6 weekend breaks afloat:
1. Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton
From our canal boat hire base at Brewood it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Cruising along the Shropshire Union Canal, you’ll pass through six locks and a series of deep cuttings full of trees and the sound of birdsong. There’s a choice of canalside pubs along the way, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Royal Oak at Gnosnall.
2. Drift through the Calder Valley to Hebden Bridge
On a weekend break from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, you can travel along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge. Climbing through woods, fields and small stone towns, the journey to Hebden Bridge covers seven miles, 10 locks and takes around five-and-a-half hours. Once at Hebden, you can moor up to enjoy a choice of places to eat, as well as walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
3. Glide along the Forth & Clyde to visit Glasgow
From Falkirk, it’s a peaceful nine-hour cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the City of Glasgow. The journey travels 22 miles and passes through five locks. Beginning at the home of the magnificent Falkirk Wheel boat lift, the route passes through Auchinstarry. Then on through the River Kelvin Valley with magnificent views of the Campsie Fells above. And past the historic town of Kirkintillock. Once at Glasgow, there are moorings at Applecross Street Basin, close to Glasgow’s many cultural centres, including the Hunterian Museum.
4. Navigate to Bradford on Avon
From our narrowboat hire base at Devizes in Wiltshire, you can travel gently along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to the historic town of Bradford on Avon. There you’ll find a choice of independent shops, restaurants and cafes, and the fascinating 14th century Tithe Barn. The journey travels 10 miles, passing through seven locks and takes around five-and-a-half hours.
5. Cruise to Warwick Castle and back
From Stockton, on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, you can cruise to Warwick and back. The journey there and back takes around 14 hours, and passes through 40 locks (20 each way), perfect for a long weekend away. Overnight moorings are available close to Warwick Castle on the banks of the River Avon.
6. Float across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ to Ellesmere
Passing through stunning North Wales landscapes, the Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular navigations on the network. The journey from our base at Trevor to Ellesmere takes around seven hours. There are two locks and two tunnels to pass through, and two magnificent aqueducts to cross. One of the aqueducts is the awesome UNESCO World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’. As you cross, you’ll experience incredible views of the Dee Valley 30 metres below.
Top 9 New Narrowboats for 2023
Every year we add dozens of new boats to our fleet.
All our narrowboats have the essential mod cons, including central heating, hot water, televisions, fully-equipped kitchens, showers and flushing toilets.
Some offer extras like king-sized beds, drinks fridges, larger showers, baths, deck tables, solid-fuel stoves, underfloor heating and WiFi.
Here’s a run-down of our Top 9 new boats for hire in 2023:
1. ‘Lyra’ will be available from Falkirk
The 47ft ‘Lyra’ Princess Signature Class canal boat for up to four people, will be available to hire from our Falkirk base on the Scottish Lowland canals from March 2023. She will have a permanent double bed in the forward cabin, and an option to convert the dining area into a double or single bed. The kitchen areas are larger in the new Signature Class fleet, with more worktop space, a microwave, multiple USB charging points. She’ll have black-out blinds and bespoke mattresses to ensure a good night’s sleep.
ROUTES: On a weekend break from Falkirk you can cruise to Ratho, Linlithgow or the Kelpies. On a mid-week or week-long break, you can reach Edinburgh or Glasgow.
***Lyra’s 2023 prices start at £849 for a short break, £1,249 for a week. Price includes boat hire, damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, bed linen and towels. Diesel is extra, charged based on use on return, circa £15-20 per day. An additional licence is required to cruise from Falkirk, priced at £15 for three days, or £25 for longer.
2. ‘Rebecca’ will be available at Autherley
From next Spring, the new 60ft Discovery Class narrowboat for up to eight people, ‘Rebecca’ will be available to hire from Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Autherley near Wolverhampton. She has three double cabins (which can also be made up as twins), two full bathrooms, and an extra outside table for alfresco dining. She has a reverse layout, so the galley is at the back of the boat. The interior dining area can be converted into a double bed.
ROUTES: On a short break from Autherley, you can travel to Norbury, Market Drayton, Kinver or Tixall Wide. On a week’s break, you can reach the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, Stourport-on-Severn or complete the Black Country or Stourport rings.
***Rebecca’s 2023 prices start at £995 for a short break, £1,495 for a week. Price includes up to six adults, fuel, diesel, parking, tuition and bed linen. There’s a compulsory extra £60 damage waiver, pets are charged at £45 each per week and extra adults are charged at £50 each.
3. ‘Hemplow’ will navigate from Braunston
The new 69ft narrowboat for up to eight people ‘Hemplow’ will be available to hire from Drifters’ canal boat hire base at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire from May 2022. ‘Hemplow’ will have three double bedrooms (which can also be made up as twins), two toilets, two bathrooms and a large saloon area where the dining area can be converted into an extra double bed. She will have a Semi Trad rear deck with seating.
ROUTES: On a short break from Braunston, you can cruise to Hawesbury Junction, Bugbrooke Wharf, Fenny Compton or Stoke Bruerne. On a week’s holiday, you can reach Milton Keynes, Shakerstone, Drayton Manor, Linslade or Market Harborough.
***Hemplow’s 2023 prices start at £950 for a short break (three or four nights), £1,360 for a week. Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, cancellation protection, parking, tuition and first pet. Second pet is charged at £25 per week.
4. The ‘Fairy Tern’ will depart from Anderton
The 70ft ‘Little Tern’ cruiser stern narrowboat for up to 10 people will be available to hire from our narrow boat hire base at Anderton in Cheshire. She will have a front cabin that can be configured as one double or two singles. The rear cabin will have two single beds, with a bunk above each. The two seating areas can be converted into a double or two single beds. She will have two shower/toilet rooms, LED lighting, two televisions, WiFi, a front deck table and wider beds.
ROUTES: On a short break from Anderton, you can travel to Lymm or Anderton. On a week’s break you can travel on to Manchester, Chester or Marple.
***Fairy Tern’s 2023 prices start at £1,399 for a short break, £1,999 for a week. Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman’s waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials. Fuel is extra: a £50 deposit is taken for a short break, £90 for a week’s holiday. Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.
5. The ‘Terek Sandpiper’ will depart from Hilperton
The new 66ft ‘Terek Sandpiper’ narrow boat will offer flexible accommodation for up to six people, from our base at Hilperton on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire. The boat will have two cabins, which can be configured either as doubles or twins (with optional wider beds), and a seating/dining area in the saloon which can be converted into a double bed. She will have two shower/toilet rooms, a front deck table, LED lighting, two televisions and WiFi.
ROUTES: on a short break from Hilperton, you can travel to Bath and back, and on a week’s break you can reach Hungerford.
***Terek Sandpiper’s 2023 prices start at £1,399 for a short break, £1,999 for a week. Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman’s waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials. Fuel is extra: a £50 deposit is taken for a short break, £90 for a week’s holiday. Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.
6. The ‘Sedge Warbler’ will cruise from Alvechurch
The new 69ft ‘Sedge Warbler’ narrowboat for up to eight people will be available to hire from Drifters’ base at Alvechurch on the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal. The boat will have three cabins, two of which can be configured as one double or two singles. The mid cabin next to the second bathroom will have a fixed double bed. She will have LED lighting, a front deck table, optional wider beds, two shower/toilet rooms, WiFi and two TV’s.
ROUTES: on a short break from Alvechurch, you can travel into central Birmingham in just five hours. On a week’s break, you can tackle the popular Stourport Ring, cruising a total of 74 miles and passing through 118 locks.
***Knot Sandpiper’s 2023 prices start at £1,599 for a short break, £2,299 for a week. Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman’s waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials. Fuel is extra: a £50 deposit is taken for a short break, £90 for a week’s holiday. Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.
7. The ‘Arabian Lark’ will navigate from Aldermaston
The 66ft ‘Arabian Lark’ for up to six people will be available to hire from Drifters’ narrow boat hire base at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal in West Berkshire. She will have two cabins, which can be configured either as doubles or twins (with optional wider beds), and a seating/dining area in the saloon which can be converted into a double bed. She will have two shower/toilet rooms, a front deck table, LED lighting, two televisions and WiFi.
ROUTES: on a short break from Aldermaston, you can travel to Newbury or Hungerford. On a week’s holiday you can reach Oxford, Pewsey or Windsor.
***Arabian Lark’s 2023 prices start at £1,399 for short break, £1,999 for a week. Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman’s waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials. Fuel is extra: a £50 deposit is taken for a short break, £90 for a week’s holiday. Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.
8. ‘Onyx’ arrives at Whixall
From 3 April 2023, the new 60ft Gem Class ‘Onyx’ narrowboat for up to six people will be available to hire from Drifters’ canal boat rental base at Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire. The cruiser stern ‘Onyx’ will have a reverse layout – with the galley at the rear and main sleeping areas in the middle and at the front of the boat. ‘Onyx’ will feature two shower/toilet rooms, full central heating, a well-equipped galley and flexible accommodation in two cabins, ranging from two doubles to four singles. And the dinette area can be converted into a double bed.
ROUTES: On a short break from Whixall, you can travel to Ellesmere or Chirk. On a week’s holiday, you can continue on to Llangollen, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way. Or head the other way to Nantwich, Market Drayton or Chester.
***Onyx’s 2023 prices start at £865 for short break, £1,200 for a week. Price includes bed linen, towels, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charges are based on use, circa £15 per day.
9. ‘Citrine’ arrives at Oxford
From 27 May 2023, the new 60ft Gem Class ‘Citrine’ narrowboat for up to six people will be available to hire from our base on the River Thames at Oxford. The cruiser stern ‘Citrine’ will have a reverse layout – with the galley at the rear and main sleeping areas in the middle and at the front of the boat. ‘Citrine’ will feature two shower/toilet rooms, full central heating, a well-equipped galley and flexible accommodation in two cabins, ranging from two doubles to four singles. And the dinette area can be converted into a double bed.
ROUTES: On a short break from Oxford, you can travel to Lechlade or Wallingford. On a week’s holiday, you can reach Henley or Banbury.
***Citrine’s 2023 prices start at £865 for short break, £1,200 for a week. Price includes bed linen, towels, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charges are based on use, circa £15 per day.
Top 9 canal boat holidays for 2023
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.
Top 8 canalside events to visit by boat in 2023
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.
Top 6 winter canal boat holiday destinations
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
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