York Press, 5 December 2022
‘Festive markets across Europe: Stratford UK’
Tag Archive for: Stratford Canal
Express & Star (Walsall), 12 November 2022
‘The best Christmas markets to visit this winter’ travel by canal boat from Wootton Wawen to Stratford upon Avon
Visit a Christmas Market by canal boat
Winter cruising* on the canals offers the chance to enjoy a narrowboat holiday, visiting a Christmas market in a waterside town or city.
All our boats have central heating and hot water, and some also have multi-fuel stoves. So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.
Here’s a guide to our Top 5 Christmas markets to visit afloat in 2022:
1. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon’s Victorian Christmas Market
This award-winning event is scheduled to be held 8-11 December 2022. There are hundreds of stalls selling a host of seasonal products, with traders decked out in their finest Victorian costumes. There’s also a programme of live entertainment planned throughout the town. From our base on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, it’s a six-hour cruise to moorings in the centre of Stratford upon Avon.
2. Moor up for a festive break in Bath
Bath’s Christmas Market is on from 24 November to 11 December 2022, with 150 twinkling chalets lining the picturesque streets of Bath. There will be stylish homeware, handmade jewellery and personalised presents, as well as festive food and drink. From our base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, it takes around 10 hours to reach moorings alongside Sydney Gardens. From there, it’s a 15 minute walk to Bath City Centre. The route travels nearly 20 miles and passes through 10 locks along the way.
3. Cruise to the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham
From 3 November to 23 December 2022, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will fill New Street and Victoria Square. Over 80 stalls will offer a variety of tempting food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts. There will also be live music and carol singers. From our base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, it takes around five hours to reach moorings in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham. There are no locks to pass through along the way.
4. Experience the magical Chester Christmas Market
From 18 November to 21 December, Chester’s Town Hall Square will be filled with over 70 stalls. Vendors will be selling everything from handmade gifts and stocking fillers, to fudge, vodka and mulled wine. From our base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley in Cheshire, it takes seven hours to cruise to Chester. There are nine locks to pass through along the way.
5. Navigate to the Whitchurch Silk Mill Christmas Fair
On 3 and 4 December, the Whitchurch Silk Mill will host a weekend Christmas Fair, with a variety of stalls in the Mill grounds. From Drifters’ narrowboat hire centre on the Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow, it takes around five hours to reach Whitchurch. The journey travels 12 miles through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District.
*Please note that winter maintenance on the canals will affect some of our routes for part of the winter
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
All aboard for an Autumn canal boat holiday
A canal boat holiday is a great way to enjoy the splendid colours of autumn in the hedgerows and trees that line our waterways.
Narrowboats are like floating holiday cottages, with everything holiday-makers need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat.
Autumn 2022 hire prices start at £561 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four people, £865 for a week.
Here’s a guide to Drifters’ top seven canal boat holiday destinations for Autumn 2022:
1. Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton
From our canal boat hire base at Autherley on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 12 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Along the way, you’ll pass through 26 miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside, seven locks, and a series of wooded canal cuttings, now havens for wildlife. The route passes through the historic villages of Brewood, Wheaton Aston and Gnosall. And a series of canalside pubs, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston. There are nature reserves to visit at Wheaton Aston (Mottey Meadows), Norbury (Loynton Moss), and Brewood (Belvide Reservoir). The journey to Market Harborough and back takes around 24 hours, perfect for a relaxed week away.
2. Visit Georgian Bath afloat
On a four-night mid-week break from our Devizes base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath and back. The journey to Sydney Wharf 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. There are moorings a short walk from Bath City Centre at Sydney Wharf.
3. Explore Skipton and its medieval castle
On a short break from our Barnoldswick base, you can head east along he 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. There are extensive views of sheep country – farmhouses, barns, stone walls and the occasional village or town. Once in Skipton, you can moor in the centre of the town, visit shops and restaurants and explore the 900-year old Skipton Castle.
4. Cruise to Manchester
On a week’s break from our narrowboat hire base at Acton Bridge, you can cruise to Manchester and back. The route, which passes through a mixture of urban and rural landscapes, travels 68 miles of waterway (34 each way) and passes through just one lock. Places to stop off at along the way, include Stockton Heath, with a choice of shops, boutiques, restaurants and pubs, and the historic village of Lymm. On arrival in Manchester, there are places to moor at Castlefield Basin, within easy reach of City Centre attractions. And to visit the Trafford Centre, you can return via Worsley on the Bridgewater Canal.
5. Travel along the Stratford Canal to Stratford upon Avon
From our base at Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, it’s a picturesque seven-hour cruise to Stratford upon Avon. The route, which is perfect for a short break, passes through 17 locks. Along the way, you’ll cruise through the Warwickshire countryside, with plenty of hedgerow foraging opportunities along the way. Once at the birthplace of the Bard, there are over-night moorings in Bancroft Basin. This is perfect to use as a base to explore the town’s many independent shops, restaurants, theatres and museums.
6. Glide across The Stream in the Sky
On a week’s break from our canal boat rental base at Wrenbury Mill on the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to the pretty town of Llangollen. The journey takes 19 hours, passes through 12 locks and two tunnels. It crosses the magnificent World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’, with amazing views across the Dee Valley and the Welsh Mountains.
7. Cruise through the Scottish lowlands to Ratho
From our base at the Falkirk Wheel boat lift, it’s a peaceful eight-hour cruise along the Union Canal to the historic village of Ratho. The route to Ratho travels 24 miles, passes through three locks, two tunnels and over two aqueducts. It also passes close to the historic town of Linlithgow, home to the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
Enjoy a day out on the canals this summer
Day boat hire on Britain’s peaceful network of inland waterways is a great way to enjoy a family day out this summer.
Drifters offers day boat hire from 15 canal boat yards across England and Wales, with prices starting from £10 per person. Full tuition is included so if you are new to narrow boating, it’s a great way 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 a picnic afloat or stop off for lunch at a canalside pub along the way.
Here’s a guide to our Top 15 day boat destinations for the 2022 summer holidays:
1. Worcestershire: Cruise 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, which is nearly 2.5km long.
*Day boat ‘Emma’ can carry up to 10 people. Weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £150.
2. South Wales: 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, boaters can enjoy incredible mountain views on the two-and-a-half-hour journey to the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62.
*Day boats ‘Robin’ and Rooster’ can carry up to eight people each. Prices start from £137.
3. Warwickshire: Travel to The Mary Arden Inn at Wilmcote
From our narrow boat hire base Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal near Stratford upon Avon, boaters can head south to the pretty village of Wilmcote to 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.
4. North Wales: 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 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.
5. Wiltshire: Boat to Avoncliff Aqueduct and the Cross Guns pub
From our narrow boat hire base at Hilperton Marina on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge, you can head west past the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon and its striking 14th century Tithe Barn and on to Avoncliff Aqueduct for lunch at the Cross Guns. The return journey to Avoncliff 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.
6. Staffordshire: 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 and 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.
7. Berkshire: Cruise through the 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.
8. Cheshire: Boat along ‘The Shroppie’ to Nantwich Aqueduct
From our canal boat hire base at Bunbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, day boaters can cruise south for six miles, and 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.
9. Cheshire: Cruise to 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, 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.
10. Warwickshire/Northamptonshire: 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 boaters through the Northamptonshire countryside and into Warwickshire. Once at Napton, day boaters 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.
11. Northamptonshire: Navigate to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum & Cafe
From our canal boat hire 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 and waterside cafe. The route takes boaters through the Blisworth Tunnel, which at 3076 yards long is the third longest on the canal network. It takes around one and half hours to cruise to Stoke Bruerne, including thirty minutes to cruise through the tunnel.
*Day boat ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 12 people. Prices start at £129.
12. Shropshire: 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, day boaters 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, and 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.
13. Worcestershire: Cruise past the Bittell Reservoirs to Hopwood
On a day boat 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 and past the Bittell Reservoirs, a haven for wildlife. There are no locks on this route.
*Day boat ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people. Prices start at £137.
14. Shropshire: Cruise through quiet countryside to Oswestry.
From Blackwater Meadow Marina on the Llangollen Canal, near Ellesmere, day boaters 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 £119.
15. Staffordshire: Cruise through the countryside for a pub lunch at Hopwas
From Kings Orchard, 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 of 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.
For more information about Drifters’ day boats go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/
Enjoy a day afloat on the Jubilee bank holiday weekend
Day boat hire on Britain’s peaceful network of inland waterways is a great way to enjoy the countryside, and offers a great family day out over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee long weekend, 2-5 June 2022.
Drifters’ offers day boat hire from 14 boat yards across England and Wales, with weekend and bank holiday prices starting from £15 per person. Full tuition is included so if you are new to narrow boating, it’s a great way 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 a picnic afloat or stop off for lunch at a canalside pub along the way.
Here’s a guide to our Top 8 day boat destinations for the Jubilee bank holiday weekend:
- Cruise through the Shropshire countryside to Oswestry
From Drifters’ 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.
- 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, which is nearly 2.5km long.
Day boat ‘Emma’ can carry up to 10 people. Weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £150.
- 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, boaters can enjoy incredible mountain views on the two-and-a-half-hour journey to the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62.
Day boats ‘Robin’ and Rooster’ can carry up to eight people each. Prices start from £137.
Day boats ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ can carry up to 10 people each. Prices start at £99 weekdays, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.
- Boat to Avoncliff Aqueduct and the Cross Guns pub
From our narrow boat hire base at Hilperton Marina on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge, you can head west past the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon and its striking 14th century Tithe Barn and on to Avoncliff Aqueduct for lunch at the Cross Guns. The return journey to Avoncliff 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.
- 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 and 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.
- Boat along ‘The Shroppie’ to Nantwich Aqueduct
From our canal boat hire base at Bunbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, day boaters can cruise south for six miles, and 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 Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere
From our narrow boat hire centre at Whixall Marina, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, day boaters 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, and 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.
For more information about Drifters’ day boats go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/
Top 6 short breaks for the Jubilee Weekend
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend (3-5 June), offers the chance to explore Britain’s beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways by canal boat.
Over the course of her reign, Her Majesty The Queen has made a number of visits to the waterways, and iconic waterside attractions.
Drifters Waterway Holidays (drifters.co.uk) offers over 550 boats for hire from 45 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. 2022 hire prices over the Jubilee Weekend and Half Term holiday start at £985 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four, £1,365 for a week.
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Drifters’ has listed its Top 6 short break canal boat holidays for the Jubilee Weekend:
1. Travel through the Falkirk Wheel and on to Edinburgh
From Drifters’ canal boat hire base at the Falkirk Wheel, officially opened by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, Edinburgh Quay is a sedate 11-hour journey along the lock-free Union Canal. The journey, perfect for four-night mid-week break, starts with a trip through the iconic Falkirk Wheel – the world’s first and only rotating boat lift. Once through the Wheel, boaters continue navigating through the Scottish Lowlands, passing through the villages of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Ratho. Visitor moorings are available at Edinburgh Quay, a five-minute walk from Princes Street.
2. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath
On a short break from our narrow boat hire base at Devizes in Wiltshire, boaters can travel along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Sydney Wharf, on the edge of Bath City Centre. Drifters’ Devizes canal boat hire base is at the bottom of the magnificent flight of locks at Caen Hill, officially reopened by The Queen in 1990. One of the locks is named in her honour. The journey to Bath travels 19 miles, passing through eight locks and takes around nine hours.
3. Cruise to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port
From our boat yard at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire, it takes 10 hours to reach Ellesmere Port. In 1979, The Queen visited the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, and boarded a historic working boat. The journey to Ellesmere Port takes 10 hours, travelling 21 miles and passing through 12 locks. The route takes boaters through the ancient City of Chester along the way.
4. Navigate to Stratford upon Avon’s Swan Theatre
From Drifters’ narrowboat rental base at on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, it’s a picturesque six-hour cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Shakespeare’s Stratford. Once there, boaters can moor up in Bancroft Basin close the town’s famous Swan Theatre, visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.
5. See the largest pair of equine statues on the planet – at 30-metres high, the magnificent Kelpies stand at the gateway to the new extension to the Forth & Clyde Canal, opened by The Queen in 2017. The Queen Elizabeth II Canal links the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Firth of Forth. Based on the heavy horses that one plied the canal towpaths, the Kelpies form part of a new 350-hectare Helix park at the end of the canal extension at Grangemouth. From Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Falkirk, boaters can reach the Kelpies in around four hours, cruising four miles and passing through 14 locks.
6. Visit Coventry Cathedral by canal boat
From our narrowboat hire base at Braunston, it takes 12 hours to reach moorings in Coventry Basin. From there, it’s a short walk to Coventry Cathedral visited by The Queen in 1981, for a special re-dedication service to mark the Royal British Legion’s Diamond Jubilee. Travelling 28 miles and passing through just four locks, the journey to Coventry takes boaters through a series of canalside towns and villages, including Hillmorton and Rugby.
Top 9 canalside events in 2022
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 nine events for 2022, along with information on our nearest canal boat hire bases:
- Easter Boat Gathering, Friday 15 April to Monday 18 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 bases are at Bunbury and Anderton, both on the Shropshire Union Canal.
- IWA Canalway Cavalcade, Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May
This annual event at Little Venice celebrates the best in life on the waterways in London. The event includes live music, an illuminated boats procession and kids’ entertainment. Drifters’ nearest base is at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal.
- St Richard’s Canal Festival, Friday 29 April to Monday 2 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 bases are Worcester and Stoke Prior.
- Rickmansworth Canal Festival, Saturday 21 May to Sunday 22 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 on the Grand Union Canal at Braunston.
- Crick Boat Show, Friday 3 June to Sunday 5 June
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 across the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. 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 bases are at Gayton, Braunston and Market Harborough.
- Chester Dragon Boat Festival, Sunday 10 July
This annual and very colourful charity event on the River Dee in Chester sees over 20 dragon boat teams of up to 16 paddlers and a drummer battling to become the champions. Drifters’ nearest narrowboat hire rental centres are Bunbury, Anderton and Brewood.
- Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Thursday 7 July to Sunday 10 July
Every year thousands of people descend on the pretty town of Llangollen on the Llangollen Canal to celebrate dance, music, costume and culture. The Llangollen Eisteddfod is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with four days of live music events, including Alec Jones and Russell Watson performing together to open the programme. Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire bases are at Trevor, Chirk and Blackwater Meadow.
- Stone Food & Drink Festival, Friday July 15 to Sunday 17 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 and talks, licensed bars, street food, live music and family fun. Drifters’ nearest narrowboat rental bases are Great Haywood, Brewood and Peak District.
- Stratford upon Avon Food Festival, Saturday 17 September to Sunday 18 September
This two day annual event in Shakespeare’s Stratford offers cooking demonstrations, workshops, food stalls, live entertainment and competitions. Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire base is on the Stratford Canal at Wotton Wawen.