Take to the canals for half term

A number of our canal boat hire bases offer winter cruising, giving families the chance to get afloat in the February half term holidays.

Narrowboat holidays are fantastic for families – setting off on an adventure together, learning how to work the locks, navigate tunnels, speak the boating lingo, spot wildlife, explore traffic-free towpaths and visit waterside attractions along the way.

All our operators provide hirers with life jackets and boat steering tuition. Bikes can be stored on the roof of the boat and dogs are welcome aboard most hire boats.

Today’s canal boats are fully equipped with all the essential mod cons, including central heating, hot water, televisions and DVD players. Some boats also have their own multi-fuel stove, so whatever the weather it’s always nice and cosy on board.

Here’s a list of our bases offering winter cruising and ideas of where to go:

Potter through rural Leicestershire…from our base at Market Harborough, canal boat holiday-makers can explore the beautiful Leicestershire countryside afloat. On a short break, head to the pretty village of Crick and back, along the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal. On a week’s holiday, boaters can travel to Loughborough via Leicester and visit to the National Space Centre. Prices from Market Harborough over the Feb half term start at £731 for a short break (three or four nights), £1,121 for a week.

Visit Georgian Bath…its just a two-hour cruise to Bath City Centre from our base at Sydney Wharf on the Kennet & Avon Canal, giving boaters the chance to explore Georgian Bath. With stunning architecture, great shopping and restaurants, and its famous Roman Baths, Bath is a fantastic destination for all the family. Prices from Bath over Feb half term start at £465 for a short break on a four berth, weekly hire from £660.

Float across the ‘Stream in the Sky’…the beautiful 46-mile Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular canals on the inland waterway network, and navigating the awe-inspiring World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, soaring nearly 40 metres high above the rushing waters of the River Dee, is an unforgettable experience. From our base at Trevor, right next to the aqueduct, a short break to Ellesmere and back, offers the chance to travel over the aqueduct and explore the beautiful Vale of Llangollen. Short breaks on a four berth boat from Trevor over Feb half term, start at £465, weekly hire from £745.

Chug along the Oxford Canal…On a short break from our base at Stretton-under-Fosse near Rugby, boaters can head south along the beautiful Oxford Canal to Braunston, winding through classic scenery, much of which hasn’t changed for centuries. On a week’s holiday, continue south to Banbury via Napton and Fenny Compton. Short breaks from Stretton over Feb half term start at £731, weekly hire from £1,121.

Head for the bright lights of Birmingham…the vibrant City of Birmingham with moorings close to Brindley Place, is just a five-hour cruise away from our base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove. With more canals than Venice, there’s no better way to travel into Birmingham City Centre and there’s plenty for families to see and do in Britain’s second city, including a visit to the Sea Life Centre at Brindley Place or a show at the famous Hippodrome. Short breaks from Tardebigge over Feb half term start at £465, weekly hire from £660.

Explore the Potteries in Staffordshire…from our base at Great Haywood on the junction of the Staffs & Worcs and Trent & Mersey canals in Staffordshire, a variety of lovely rural routes are on offer. On a week’s cruise, boaters can travel along the Shropshire Union Canal to historic Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. On a short break, head through quiet countryside to the South Staffordshire village of Coven. Short breaks from Great Haywood over Feb half term start from £465, weekly hire from £660.

Wend through rural Wiltshire…from our base at historic Bradford on Avon, with its stunning medieval Tithe Barn, on a short break canal boat holiday-makers can head east along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to the bottom of the incredible 29-lock Caen Hill Flight at Devizes. Short breaks from Bradford on Avon over Feb half term start from £595, weekly hire from £860.