Cruising at just four-miles-per-hour aboard a canal boat is often described as the ‘fastest way to slow down’. Britain’s 3,000-mile network of peaceful inland waterways wind through the countryside and into historic waterside towns and cities, so there are hundreds of destinations to choose from.
1. Travel along the peaceful Ashby Canal SSSI to Shakerstone and back (95 miles, 8 locks, 37 hours)
On a week’s holiday from Drifters base at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, boaters can cruise a section of the Oxford Canal and explore the beautiful Ashby Canal. The route begins along the Oxford Canal, soon passing through three locks at Hillmorton. Boaters then transfer onto the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction and onto the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction. The lock-free Ashby Canal passes the historic town of Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field. A six-mile stretch of the Ashby Canal from Snarestone to Carlton Bridge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its aquatic plants and dragonflies, making it one of the best canals to spot wildlife. Canalside pubs to visit include the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction and the Barley Mow at Newbold.
2. Float across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (28 miles, 4 locks, 12.5 hours)
From Drifters base at Chirk on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains can be reached on a short break, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way. On reaching Llangollen, boaters can enjoy visiting the town’s independent shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as its Steam Railway and Horseshoe Falls. On the return journey, boaters can head back across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and on through the 11-mile World Heritage site to Whittington and back. Canalside pubs to enjoy include the Bridge at Chirk Bank and the Sun at Trevor.
3. Cruise through Cannock Chase to Fradley & back (25 miles, 10 locks, 12 hours)
On a short break from Drifters base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, boaters can cruise to Fradley Junction and back. The journey passes through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 6,800 acres of heath land and ancient woodland to explore. Canalside pubs to stop off at include the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge, the Ash Tree at Rugeley and the Swan Inn at Fradley.
4. Navigate the Kennet & Avon Canal to Georgian Bath and back (39 miles, 16 locks, 18 hours)
From the base of the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes in Wiltshire, boaters can travel along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to Bath and back. As well as 16 locks (eight each way), the journey takes boaters through a series of swing bridges and over the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way include the Barge Inn at Seend, the Canal Tavern at Bradford on Avon and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Once at Sydney Gardens boaters can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre to visit world famous attractions, including the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent.
5. Glide through the Staffordshire countryside to Market Drayton and back (42 miles, 12 locks, 20 hours)
On a week’s break from Drifters’ base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire, boaters can cruise to the historic market town of Market Drayton and back. The journey takes boaters through the peaceful Staffordshire countryside, past a series of villages with historic pubs, including the Boat Inn at Gnosall, the Junction Inn at Norbury Wharf and the Boat Inn at Shebdon. The route also takes canal boat holidays through a series of deep canal cuttings, full of vegetation and wildlife.
6. Boat along the Calder & Hebble to Shepley and back (22 miles, 32 locks, 16 hours)
On a short break from Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-markers can cruise along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation to Shepley Bridge and back. The route navigates through wooded valleys and the historic towns of Elland and Brighouse. At Elland there are two canalside pubs to moor alongside, and at Brighouse there’s a choice of restaurants, pubs and shops.
7. Cruise into Birmingham city centre and back (22 miles, 0 locks, 10 hours)
On a weekend break from Drifters canal boat hire base at Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, canal boat holiday-makers can travel into Birmingham. The journey begins cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden and a series of canal tunnels. The route takes boaters through Edgbaston Tunnel and into the heart of Birmingham where there are over-night moorings at Gas Street Basin. From there, it’s a short walk to Brindleyplace and city centre attractions, including the Sealife Centre, Planetarium and Thinktank Science Museum.
8. Navigate the Grand Union Canal to Thrupp Wharf and back (33 miles, 14 locks, 14 hours)
On a short break from Weedon in Northamptonshire, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Thrupp Wharf and back. The journey takes boaters through the Northamptonshire countryside past a series of canalside pubs, including the Narrow Boat at Stowe Hill, the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne and the Navigation Inn at Thrupp Wharf. The route also goes through the 1.74-mile long Blisworth Tunnel, the third longest navigable tunnel on the UK canal system. And past the Canal & River Trust’s Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, telling the story of the working boat people.
9. Travel round the Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 43 hours)
On a week’s break from Autherley, near Wolverhampton, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise around the Black Country Ring. The journey begins cruising along the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, through the village of Gailey and the market town of Penkridge. At Great Haywood Junction, boaters transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal and cruise through Rugeley and Cannock Chase. At Fradley Junction, boaters transfer onto the Coventry Canal and head towards Tamworth. At Fazeley Junction, close to Drayton Manor Adventure Park, the route follows the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal into central Birmingham. Boaters can moor up in the centre of Birmingham at Gas Street Basin to explore the city. Then heard north up the New Birmingham Mainline canal to take on the Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks and reconnecting with the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal to return to Autherley.
10. Boat through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh Quay and back (64 miles, 6 locks, 22 hours)
On a 7-night break from Falkirk, boaters can cruise along the Union Canal to Edinburgh Quay and back. The route starts at the site of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift. The journey then takes boaters through the Falkirk Tunnel, across the magnificent Avon Aqueduct and through the historic villages of Linlithgow and Ratho. Once in Edinburgh, boaters can moor up in Edinburgh Quay and walk into the city centre to visit attractions including Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and Mary King Close.
