Best days out boating on the canals this spring
Drifters offers canal boat day hire from 19 locations in England and Wales.
We’ve published a guide to the best days out boating on the canals this spring.
With prices starting from just £10 per person, hiring a canal boat for the day is a great way to get the family together for a memorable day out cruising through the countryside.
Our day boats vary in size and can accommodate up to 12 people. Full tuition is included so if you are new to narrow 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.
To help you plan your family day out canal boating this spring, we’ve listed our top 10 destinations for day boat hire:
1. 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 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’ can take up to 10 people. 2025 prices start at £155.
2. Derbyshire: Cruise to Whaley Bridge in the Peak District
On a day out from New Mills Marina on the Peak Forest Canal in Derbyshire, you can cruise to Whaley Bridge in the Peak District. You’ll experience spectacular views across the Goyt Valley and Kinder Scout, the highest plateau in England. You’ll pass close by to the Crossings pub along the way and there’s a choice of places to eat in Whaley Bridge.
*Electric boat ‘Field Day’ can carry up to 10 people. 2025 prices start at £139.
3. Monmouthshire: Navigate to The Star Inn at Mamhillad
From Goytre Wharf on the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny, you can enjoy 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’ can carry up to eight people each, and ‘Dragon’ up to 12. 2025 prices start from £155.
4. Warwickshire: Cruise along the Stratford Canal to The Mary Arden Inn at Wilmcote
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal near Stratford-upon-Avon, you can head south to moorings close to the historic village of Wilmcot. There you enjoy lunch at the historic The Mary Arden Inn. The journey takes two-and-a-half hours each way, and crosses over the impressive Edstone Aqueduct with 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.
5. Wrexham: Travel across ‘The Stream in the Sky’
From Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes just 10 minutes to reach the UNESCO World Heritage 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.
*Day boats ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each. Weekday hire starts at £120, £180 on weekends and bank holidays.
6. Wiltshire: Boat to Avoncliff Aqueduct
From Hilperton Marina on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge, you can head west to the historic town of Bradford on Avon. You can travel on through the Avon Valley on to Avoncliff Aqueduct. The journey to Avoncliff and back takes around six hours and there’s just one lock to pass through each way.
*Electric day boat ‘Great Day’ can carry up to 10 people. 2025 prices start at £155.
7. Berkshire: Cruise through the countryside to the Spring Inn
From Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Reading, you can cruise to Theale and back. Along the way, you can stop-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. 2025 prices start from £155.
8. Cheshire: Boat through the woodlands of Marbury Country Park to Middlewich
From Anderton Marina, next to the incredible Anderton Boat Lift, you can cruise 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 on this route.
*Day boat ‘Daydream’ can carry up to 12 people. 2025 prices start at £155.
9. Northamptonshire: Navigate through Blisworth Tunnel to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
From Gayton on the Grand Union Canal near Northampton, you can navigate to the pretty canal village of Stoke Bruerne. The village is home to the intriguing Canal Museum and waterside café, and a choice of canalside pubs. 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 half hours to reach Stoke Bruerne, including 30 minutes to cruise through the tunnel.
*Day boat ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 12 people. 2025 prices start at £155.
10. Shropshire: Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere
From Whixall Marina, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can reach the historic market town of Ellesmere. 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.
For more information about Drifters’ day boat hire go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/
