Worcester Now, 4 April 2023
‘Free canal boat sessions’ at ‘Tardebigge and Alvechurch’
Tag Archive for: Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Top 8 summer days out boating on the canals
Drifters hires out day boats from 18 narrowboat hire bases in England and Wales, offering the chance to enjoy a family day afloat on the canals this Summer.
Full tuition is included, so if you are new to canal boating, you can 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.
Boats range in size and can accommodate between eight and 12 people.
Day boat prices start at £99 on weekdays, and £150 on weekends and bank holidays.
To help you plan your family day out afloat, we’ve listed our top 8 destinations for day boat hire this Summer:
1. Navigate through the Staffordshire countryside to 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 boaters 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. *Electric day boat ‘Perfect Day’ and day boat ‘Happy Days’ can take up to 10 people.
2. Glide along the leafy Worcester & Birmingham Canal
On a day out from Tardebigge 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 visit along the way, including the canalside Crown and Weighbridge pubs at Alvechurch. The route is lock-free but there are three tunnels to pass through, including Wast Hill Tunnel, which is nearly 2.5km long. *Day boat ‘Emma’ at Tardebigge can carry up to 10 people.
3. Navigate to The Star Inn at Mamhillad in the Brecon Beacons
Heading out for a day afloat from Goytre Wharf, day boaters can travel along the beautiful Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, enjoying incredible mountain views. It takes around two-and-a-half-hours to cruise to moorings close to the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62. *Day boats ‘Robin’ and Rooster’ at Goytre can carry up to eight people each.
4. Cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Napton-on-the-Hill
From our day boat hire centre at Braunston in heart of the canal network, 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, you can moor up and walk into the village where there’s a choice of pubs, including the popular Kings Head. *Day boat ‘Ouzel II’ at Braunston can carry up to 12 people.
5. Boat along the Shropshire Union Canal to Nantwich
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 panoramic views across the town. You’ll pass the Barbridge Inn along the way, and there’s a choice of places to eat and drink in Nantwich. The journey to Nantwich takes around two-and-a-hafl hours. *Day boat ‘Bella’ at Bunbury can carry up to 10 people.
6. Cruise through Shakespeare country to Wilmcote
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, you can cruise to the pretty village of Wilmcote, home of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Mary Arden Farm. The journey takes two-and-a-half hours, and crosses over the Edstone Aqueduct with amazing views across the Warwickshire countryside. From moorings at the top of the Wilmcote lock flight, it’s a short walk into Wilmcote and the Mary Arden Inn. *Day boats ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ at Wootton Wawen can carry up to 10 people each.
7. Float across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ in North Wales
From Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, day boaters can cruise across the UNESCO World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at over 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, this incredible structure offers 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. It takes around two-and-a-hours to reach Chirk. *Day boats ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ at Trevor can carry up to 10 people each.
8. Boat along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Avoncliff Aqueduct
From Hilperton Marina, near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, you can head west to the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon. You pass through one lock and then on to the impressive Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct for lunch at the Cross Guns. The journey to Avoncliff takes around three hours. *Day boat ‘Cheers’ at Hilperton can carry up to 10 people.
For more information about Drifters day boat hire, go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/
Visit the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Afloat
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place 28 July to 8 August 2022. With more canals than Venice, Birmingham is a fantastic city to visit by canal boat, and many of games venues are very close to a canal. These include:
- Birmingham Arena next to the Birmingham Canal Old Line;
- Alexander Stadium next to the Tame Valley Canal at Perry Barr.
- Sandwell Aquatics Centre close to the Tame Valley Canal;
- Edgbaston Stadium close to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal;
- Coventry Stadium and Arena close to the Coventry Canal;
- Cannock Chase Forest alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal at Rugeley;
- St Nicholas Park in Warwick close to the Grand Union Canal;
- Victoria Park in Leamington Spa close to the Grand Union Canal; and
- Smithfield on the Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.
Drifters has a great choice of canal boat hire bases in the West Midlands. To celebrate, we’ve listed out Top 5 Commonwealth Games narrow boat holidays for 2022:
- Travel the Birmingham Ring from Tardebigge – this ring takes boaters into the heart of Birmingham, travelling sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Birmingham Canal Old Main Line, Tame Valley Canal and Wyrley & Essington Canal. The ring itself covers 45 miles and 49 locks, but from Drifters base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, the total miles travelled will be 74 and it will take around 37 cruising hours.
- Navigate the Warwickshire Ring from Stockton – this popular circuit travels a total of 101 miles, passes through 94 locks and takes around 48 hours. It take boaters along sections of the Grand Union Canal (passing through Leamington Spa and Warwick), the Coventry Canal and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.
- Boat to Coventry Basin from Braunston – from Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Braunston, it takes 12 hours to reach Coventry Basin, travelling 28 miles and passing through just four locks. The journey takes boaters up the North Oxford Canal, before joining the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction. It pass through a series of towns and villages, including Hillmorton and Rugby.
- Cruise to Cannock Chase from Great Haywood – from Drifters’ canal boat rental base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, Rugeley and Cannock Chase are less than two hours cruise away. The journey navigates five miles of the Trent & Mersey Canal and passes through two locks.
- Reach Perry Barr from Alvechurch – it takes around 11 hours, travelling 25 miles and passing through eight locks to reach Perry Barr First Flight Top Lock No 1 from Drifters base at Alvechurch. The journey begins on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, transferring onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations at Worcester Bar.
For more information about visiting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, go to https://www.birmingham2022.com/
Cruising the Avon Ring
The Avon Ring is one of a dozen or so popular circular routes for narrowboat holiday-makers.
It covers a distance of 108 miles, passes through 130 locks and takes around two weeks to complete. Sections of the Stratford Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, River Severn and River Avon make up the route.
Drifters has canal boat hire bases on the ring route at Tardebigge, Alvechurch, Stoke Prior and Worcester on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, as well as Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal.
Starting from Tardebigge and travelling anti-clockwise round the Avon Ring, from abbeys and canalside pubs, to theatres and Tudor mansions, here’s a guide to the highlights:
The Tardebigge Flight
With 30 locks in just 2¼ miles it’s the longest lock flight in the country. There are fantastic views of the Worcestershire countryside to enjoy as boaters descend, with popular Queen’s Head pub to enjoy between locks 29 and 28. Drifters’ Stoke Prior base is halfway down the flight.
Hanbury Wharf
The Eagle & Sun pub at Hanbury is a popular staging post for narrowboat holiday-makers. It’s on the junction where the Droitwich Junction Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Diglis Basin
Opened in the 19th century to allow transhipment of cargoes between the River Severn and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Two broad locks take boaters down into the River, operated by lock keepers.
The River Severn
With the distant outline of the Malvern Hills in overlooking this magnificent river takes boaters through miles of peaceful countryside. Upton on Severn is a good place to moor, with plenty of shops and pubs.
Tewkesbury
This historic market town with its 12-century abbey, half-timbered buildings and historic pubs is a great place to visit, and it’s here that the River Severn meets the River Avon.
Pershore
One of the finest market towns in Worcestershire, Pershore offers lots of places to eat and shop, and a magnificent abbey to explore.
Evesham
Site of another famous abbey and plenty of pubs and cafes too.
Bidford
The seven arched medieval bridge at Bidford dates from 1482. Look out for signage, as only one of the arches is suitable for boats to pass through.
Stratford upon Avon
Shakespeare’s home town has a great choice of shops, pubs, cafes, museums and theatres. Bancroft Basin right opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is the perfect place to moor up and explore the town. The Basin connects the River Avon with the Stratford Canal.
Wilmcote Locks
The Stratford Canal is a narrow canal and the flight of 11 locks at Wilmcote take boaters up to the village of Wilmcote. This historic village is home to Mary Arden’s Farm, one of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s museums and where Shakespeare’s mother grew up.
Edstone Aqueduct
The longest cast iron structure in England, the impressive Edstone Aqueduct offers great views of the surrounding Warwickshire countryside.
Wootton Wawen
There’s another smaller aqueduct here, a Drifters canal boat hire base here and the Yew Tree Farm farm shop and Cowshed Cafe.
Lowsonford
One of a series of quiet villages through which the Stratford Canal passes, Lowsonford is famous for its Fleur de Lys pub.
Lapworth Flight
Fifteen locks at Lapworth take boaters up hill to Hockley Heath, passing close to the National Trust’s Tudor mansion, Packwood House. There’s a good choice of places to eat and drink at Hockley Heath, including a Chinese takeaway and the canalside Wharf pub.
King’s Norton Junction
After passing through Brandwood Tunnel and the stop lock with its guillotine-like gate hanging overhead, boaters reach the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at King’s Norton Junction.
Wast Hill Tunnel
Turning left at King’s Norton Junction, boaters soon encounter the 2,726 yard long Wast Hill Tunnel. The journey through the tunnel, which is wide enough for two boats to pass, takes around 30 minutes.
Alvechurch
There’s a choice of canalside pubs here. The Crown and the Weighbridge at Alvechurch marina, one of Drifters’ narrowboat hire bases.
Just under an hour later, boaters will be back at Tardebigge.
Top 9 Canal Boat Holidays for Autumn 2021
A canal boat holiday is a great way to enjoy the splendid colours of autumn in the hedgerows and trees that line our waterways. And there’s plenty of wildlife to spot along the way during the autumn months, including flocks of fieldfare and redwing searching for hawthorn berries.
Here are Drifters’ top nine narrowboat holiday destinations for autumn 2021:
1. Visit Coventry UK City of Culture afloat
From Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Braunston, it takes 12 hours to reach Coventry Basin, travelling 28 miles and passing through just four locks. The journey takes boaters up the North Oxford Canal, transferring on to the Coventry Canal at Hawksbury Junction. Along the way, boaters travel through the Northamptonshire countryside, passing a series of canalside pubs, including the popular Greyhound Inn at Hawkesbury Junction.
2. Go blackberry picking on the Stratford Canal
From our canal boat hire base at Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, it’s a seven-hour cruise to Stratford upon Avon. The route, which is perfect for a short break, passes through the Warwickshire countryside, with plenty of hedgerow foraging opportunities along the way. Once at the birthplace of the Bard, boaters can moor up in Bancroft Basin and use it as a base to explore the town’s many independent shops, restaurants and museums.
3. Complete the Stourport Ring
On a week’s break from our base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, boaters can travel the popular Stourport Ring. This circuit travels 74 miles and passes through 118 locks in around 44 cruising hours. Highlights include: Gas Street Basin in Birmingham City Centre; open countryside on the River Severn; and the Tardebigge Flight of 30 locks.
4. Glide across The Stream in the Sky
On a week’s break from our base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, boaters can reach the pretty town of Llangollen. The journey takes 12 hours, passes through two locks, two tunnel and crosses over the magnificent World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. From there, boaters can enjoy amazing views across the Dee Valley and the Welsh Mountains.
5. Cruise to Manchester & back
On a week’s break from Acton Bridge, canal boaters 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, boaters can return via Worsley on the Bridgewater Canal.
6. Drift through the Calder Valley
On a short break from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, boaters 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, passes through 10 locks and takes around five and a half hours. Once at Hebden, boaters can moor in the centre of town to enjoy a good choice of places to eat, as well as hikes up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
7. Cruise through the Scottish lowlands to Linlithgow
On a short break from Falkirk, boaters can experience a peaceful five-hour cruise through the Scottish lowlands to the historic town of Linlithgow. The route passes over the Falkirk Wheel (the world’s first rotating boat lift), goes through two tunnels and crosses two aqueducts on the Union Canal.
8. Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton
From Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton. Along the way, boaters pass through miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside, six locks and a series of villages with canalside pubs. Pubs include the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Royal Oak at Gnosnall.
9. Cruise through the Bath Valley
On a short break from Hilperton on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, boaters can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath and back. The journey to Sydney Wharf takes just six hours, travelling across two magnificent aqueducts and passing through one lock. There’s a choice of canalside pubs, including the Barge Inn at Seend and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Once in Bath, boaters can moor up a short walk away from the centre of Bath.
Tips for narrowboat holiday-makers, come rain or shine
Nigel and Kathryn Crawford of MrandMrs50Plus.com recently enjoyed a Drifters narrowboat holiday, setting off from our canal boat hire base at Worcester.
The UK weather is a fickle thing. A May weekend on the canals can throw just about everything at you in just three days. On our recent Drifters narrowboat holiday we bounced from blazing hot sunshine to driving rain and hail within hours.
A canal holiday, however, is beautifully versatile. All Drifters narrowboats have central heating, little sun decks at the bow, and many are equipped with umbrellas and waterproof clothing. Despite everything the weather threw at us, it didn’t in any way spoil what was a thoroughly enjoyable few days.
Narrowboats are homely and well-equipped
There’s even something quite tranquil and relaxing about pottering along the canal in the pouring rain. It’s a totally different take on the waterway environment. It’s important to remember to close the cabin door when it’s like that though, to make sure your duvet doesn’t get wet on the bed below! Notwithstanding the meteorological challenges, the boats are comfy, homely and well-equipped.
Planning ahead
As experienced boaters we had planned our little trip before arriving at the Worcester Marina base. We bore in mind the location of public moorings, water points, winding points (turning areas) and how many locks we’d encounter on our route. In our earliest narrowboat escapades, I think in retrospect we were a little over-eager in our planning. On more than one occasion we ended up having to cover unnecessarily long distances to get back to base on time. Nowadays, we’re far more conservative, focusing just as much on the moored-up time as on the canal transit.
The Importance of Maps
We can’t stress how important having a good detailed canal map can be. It really helps you to plan ahead and avoids stressful twilight searches for suitable mooring places or watering points. We always buy and download digital pdf maps that we can view on pretty much any device. We particularly like those from waterwayroutes.co.uk. They’re an invaluable part of any waterways holiday nowadays.
Make space for chill time
We found a lovely mooring near The Bridge pub at Tibberton and found lots to see and do up around Droitwich Spa. One possibility that we had considered was doing the ‘Droitwich Ring’ but we decided that it was an optimistic challenge for a weekend hire. We decided instead to re-trace our steps back down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to give us more ‘chill time’. It was a short, but memorable weekend to keep the narrowboating flame burning.
Find out more about Kathryn and Nigel’s adventures afloat here https://mrandmrs50plus.com/narrowboating-with-drifters/
Enjoy a day out boating this Spring
Day boat hire on your local canal is a great way to enjoy the countryside this Spring.
We offer day boat hire from 17 boat yards across England and Wales, with prices starting from less than £10 per person.
Full tuition is included so if you are new to canal boating, you can get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.
Drifters day boats are available to hire to single households from 29 March. From 17 May, the rule of six or two households is likely to apply. And from 21 June, there will hopefully be no social distancing restrictions.
Our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle, perfect for a picnic afloat. Most of our day boats also have a toilet, cooker and fridge. And when pubs reopen, you can plan a stop for refreshment at a canalside pub.
Top 7 day boat destinations for Spring 2021
Glide through the Brecon Beacons
From Goytre Wharf on the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny, boaters can enjoy incredible mountain views. It takes two-and-a-half-hours to reach the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62. ***‘Rooster’ can carry up to eight people, prices start from £137.
Explore Shakespeare’s country afloat
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal near Stratford Upon Avon, boaters can head south to the pretty village of Wilmcote. Here you can enjoy lunch at The Mary Arden Inn or the Masons Arms. The journey takes two-and-a-half hours each way. Along the way you’ll cross over the impressive Edstone Aqueduct with beautiful views across the Warwickshire countryside.
Travel across ‘The Stream in the Sky’
From Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes less than 20 minutes to reach the World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at 38m above the Dee Valley, this incredible structure offers stunning views of the Dee Valley below. After cruising over the Aqueduct, there’s another aqueduct and two tunnels to pass through, before reaching the Poacher’s Pocket pub at Glendrid.
Boat to beautiful Bradford on Avon
From Hilperton Marina near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, day boaters can cruise west along the Kennet & Avon Canal to the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon. Here, there’s a striking 14th century Tithe Barn and choice of pubs and restaurants, including the canalside Barge Inn.
Tunnel through rural Worcestershire
From Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, you can cruise to Kings Norton Junction. There’s a choice of pubs to moor at along the way, including The Crown 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.
Cruise to Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District
From Whixall Marina on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, day boaters can head to the historic town of Ellesmere and back. The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours, passing Bettisfield Windmill, Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park along the way. Once at Ellesmere, you can moor up and explore the famous Mere with its historic castle, woodland paths and fascinating wildlife.
Travel through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley
From Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, day boaters can cruise to Rugeley and back. The journey travels four miles and passes through two locks. It takes around two hours, passing the through Cannock Chase along the way. And the popular Wolseley Arms pub at Wolseley Bridge.
‘Top of the locks’ narrowboat holiday destinations for 2021
There are over 1,800 locks on the 2,000 miles of navigable waterways in England and Wales. Locks allow boats to travel up and down hills, and have been around for hundreds of years.
With around 35,000 boats licenced to cruise the canals, there are approximately 3.85 million lockages (uses of a lock) each year.
A lock is simply a chamber with gates at either end, and canal boat holiday-makers follow a series of step-by-step tasks to use them. By emptying or filling the chamber with water, boats can move up or down onto a new section of waterway.
There are many different kinds of locks
From narrow and broad, to staircase and double, there are many different kinds of locks. But they all on work on a similar principle. With the lock gates closed, boaters should open the sluices (paddles) to let the water in or out. When the water level under the boat is the same as the level it’s moving to, the boat can move in or out of the lock.
Some locks are operated by boaters, others by lock-keepers. Tuition is included in all Drifters’ canal boat holiday packages, and during the handover boat yard staff will usually guide hirers through their first lock.
Top 8 flights of locks
Here at Drifters’ we’ve put together our Top 8 flights of locks to celebrate these marvels of canal engineering:
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The Caen Hill Flight on the Kennet & Avon Canal
One of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’ and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the locks at Caen Hill are one of the most iconic sites on the waterway network. With 29 locks spread out over two miles, raising the canal by 72 metres, it takes around six hours to passage through. The 16-lock section clustered together up the hill is truly a magnificent site. Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Devizes is at the base of the Flight at Foxhangers Marina.
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Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal
One of the steepest flights on the system, the 16 locks at Marple raise boats by 64 metres over just one mile. The locks are built of local stone and are mostly tree-lined, giving the canal a lovely secluded feeling. In fact the Peak Forest Canals is said to be one of Britain’s most scenic waterways. It runs through beautiful countryside on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Drifters’ canal boat hire base at Stoke on Trent is 32 miles and 14 locks away.
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The Tardebigge Flight on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
With 30 locks spread out over two-and-a-quarter miles, this awesome flight of locks is the longest on the inland waterways system. In total, the locks raise and lower boats 67 metres, and it takes around five-and-a-half hours to travel through them. In recognition of the effort it takes, the Canal & River Trust issues certificates to boaters rising (or lowering) to the challenge. Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire base is at the top of the flight at Tardebigge Wharf, near Bromsgrove.
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The Bingley 5 Rise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
This spectacular staircase of five locks near Bradford is another of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. The locks raise (or lower) boats 18 metres in five cavernous chambers. The locks open directly from one to another, with the top gate of one forming the bottom of the next. It takes around one-and-a-half hours to work through. The size of the chambers can be intimidating even for experienced boaters, but friendly lock-keepers are on hand to help. Drifters’ nearest canal boat rental base is 25 miles and 20 locks away at Barnoldswick.
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The Hatton Flight on the Grand Union Canal
This impressive flight of 21 locks was nicknamed ‘The Stairway to Heaven’ by the boaters who once carried cargos on the canals. The locks rise up 45 metres over two miles, and it takes boaters around four-and-a-half hours to travel through them. Just below the Top lock, Hatton Locks Café provides welcome refreshment for narrowboat holiday-makers and the “gongoozlers” watching them! Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire base is at Warwick, just two miles and two locks from Hatton Bottom Lock.
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Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line
With countryside views all around, this flight of 10 locks raises boats up 23 metres in just a quarter-of-a-mile. Foxton Locks is the longest set of staircase locks in the UK and is designated a Grade II Listed structure. Staircase locks open directly one from another, so that the top gate of one forms the bottom of the next. It takes around 45 minutes to pass through the locks. Lock keepers are on hand to help, providing key advice when it comes to opening the paddles. Their mantra “Red before white, you’ll be alright. White before red, you’ll be dead” is helpful to keep in mind! Drifters’ nearest narrowboat boat hire base is a 14 hour cruise away, on the Grand Union Canal at Braunston.
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Wolverhampton Locks on the Birmingham Main Line Canal
This flight of 21 locks rises boats up by 40 metres over one-and-three-quarter miles. Travelling through these historic locks is one of the highlights for narrowboat holiday-makers travelling round the popular Stourport Ring. Drifters’ nearest canal boat hire base is just 12 minutes away at Autherley.
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‘Heartbreak Hill’ on the Trent & Mersey Canal
The Cheshire flight of 31 locks between Middlewich and Kidsgrove, raise the canal up 85 metres from the Cheshire Plains. The locks have been renamed ‘Heartbreak Hill’ by generations of leisure boaters. Because the locks are close enough for the crew to stay on the towpath, but far enough to require a lot of walking! Drifters’ nearest canal boat rental base is three cruising hours away at Stoke on Trent.
Top 7 May Bank Holiday canal boat breaks for beginners
Narrowboat holidays provide a floating holiday home. Cruising along at just four miles per hour, watching out for wildlife along the way, you can take all the supplies you need for an adventure afloat.
Drifters offers over 550 boats for hire, operating from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales. Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people. All our boats are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers and flushing toilets. Many now have WiFi too.
A licence isn’t required to steer a canal boat, and all our operators provide boat steering tuition as part of their holiday packages. To celebrate the two bank holidays in May, we’ve listed our top seven short break narrowboat holidays for beginners:
- Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton – from our canal boat hire base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton. Home of the gingerbread man, Market Drayton has a choice of places to eat and regular street markets. Along the way, you will pass through six locks and a series of villages with canalside pubs, including the Royal Oak at Gnosnall.
- Drift through the Calder Valley – on a weekend break from our canal boat rental base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, you can travel along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation through the Calder Valley 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 in the centre of town to enjoy a good choice of places to eat, as well as stunning walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
- Complete the Droitwich Mini-Ring – the Droitwich Ring is the only canal boat holiday cruising circuit in Britain which can be completed on a short break. The 21-mile route takes boaters through the Worcestershire countryside along the River Severn, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the Droitwich canals. There are 33 locks to pass through and it takes around 16 hours.
- Glide along the Forth & Clyde to visit Glasgow – from our canal boat hire base at Falkirk, at the junction of the Union and Forth & Clyde canals, it’s a peaceful nine-hour cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the City of Glasgow. Along the way, you will travel 22 miles and will pass through five locks. This scenic route begins at the home of the magnificent Falkirk Wheel boat lift. It then passes through Auchinstarry, the River Kelvin Valley with magnificent views of the Campsie Fells above, and the town of Kirkintillock. Once at Glasgow, there are moorings at Applecross Street Basin, close to Glasgow’s wealth of cultural centres, including the Hunterian Museum.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath – from our base at Devizes in Wiltshire, you can travel gently along the Kennet & Avon Canal to reach moorings at Sydney Wharf, close to Bath City Centre. The journey travels 19 miles, passing through eight locks and takes around nine hours. Along the way, you’ll passes through the village of Seend with its popular canalside Barge Inn. And the historic town of Bradford on Avon with its fascinating 14th century Tithe Barn. You’ll also pass over the beautiful Avoncliff and Dundas Bath stone aqueducts.
- Cruise to Warwick Castle and back – from our canal boat hire base at 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, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience.
- 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 Drifters’ base at Trevor to Ellesmere and back takes boaters through four locks, and into the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. This journey takes around seven hours and includes the experience of travelling across the awesome UNESCO World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’.
Travel round the Droitwich Ring on a narrowboat
The Droitwich Ring is one of a small number of mini-rings on Britain’s canal network.
It re-opened in 2011 when the restoration of the Droitwich Canals was completed.
The route takes canal boat holiday-makers on a 20 mile circuit, passing through 33 locks along the way. You’ll need around 16 hours to cruise this ring, perfect for a short break.
To complete the circuit you can set off from our narrowboat hire base at Worcester Marina. The marina is on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Travelling anti-clockwise the journey begins climbing up out of the Severn Valley. A series of locks take you out of the City, reaching open countryside at Tolladine.
The pretty hamlet of Oddingley with an ancient half-timbered manor house is worth a visit.
Another good place to stop is at the country pub close to the south entrance of Dunhampstead Tunnel.
At Hanbury Junction, you need to transfer onto the Droitwich Junction Canal. Consider at stop at the popular Eagle & Sun pub close to the turn.
The Droitwich Junction Canal is just two miles long with seven locks. It joins the Droitwich Barge Canal at Barge Lock.
Soon after you’ll reach picturesque Vines Park in the ancient salt town of Droitwich. You can moor up and take time to explore its half-timbered buildings, shops, restaurants and tea rooms.
Continuing along you’ll soon leave the suburbs of Droitwich and be back out into the countryside. The waterway is lined with reed beds here, so look out for little reed bunting birds.
The ancient village of Salwarpe is another good place to stop and explore.
From there the route starts heading downhill again to the Severn Valley, including five locks at Ladywood and two at Hawford.
At Hawford Junction, you turn left onto the River Severn for the final leg of the journey.
Soon after Bevere Lock you’ll start to travel through the outskirts of Worcester, with views of the magnificent Cathedral.
Turn at Diglis Junction to get back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and return to Worcester Marina.
You can also complete the Droitwich Ring departing from our base at Stoke Prior. But you’ll need to allow an extra hour-and-a-half each way to connect with the ring at Hanbury Junction.