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Best Summer Family Canal Holidays
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
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Best summer family canal boat holidays for 2026
Set off together for a family adventure afloat this summer, exploring the countryside and visiting exciting waterside attractions.
Our canal boats are like floating holiday cottages, so there’s everything you need on board for a self-catered family staycation afloat.
Walk the Roman walls of Chester
On a short break from Bunbury in Cheshire you can cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal to Chester and back. You’ll cruise through the Cheshire countryside, passing Beeston Castle and Tattenhall with its famous Cheshire Ice Cream Farm. And you’ll go through the village of Christleton with its Cheshire Cat canalside pub. Once there, you can explore this great heritage city home to the most complete City Walls in Britain. The walls date back to the Roman occupation 2,000 years ago. Walking the walls you can follow in the footsteps of the Roman soldiers with panoramic views on both sides.
The journey from Bunbury to Chester and back travels 12 miles, passing through 18 locks (9 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
Visit Devizes and the Caen Hill flight
On a short break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise to Foxhanger Wharf and back. Along the way, you’ll pass the canalside Barge Inn at Seend. When you reach Foxhanger Wharf, you can moor up and walk up the famous flight of locks at Caen Hill, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Then carry on into the historic market town of Devizes, home to the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre with its famous shire horses making daily deliveries. And you can visit some of the town’s independent shops, restaurants and pubs, including the George & Dragon.
The journey from Bradford on Avon to Foxhanger Wharf and back travels 22 miles, passes through 14 locks (7 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Visit Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains
On a week’s holiday from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to Llangollen and back. You’ll travel through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District and the historic market town of Ellesmere. Then you’ll also cruise along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage Site, including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. You can moor up in Llangollen Basin to explore the town, including the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and gardens, Castell Dinas and the Horseshoe Falls. There are many independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views.
The journey from Whixall to Llangollen and back travels 52 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 24 hours.
Travel round the Birmingham mini-ring
On a week’s break from Wootton Wawen you can complete the Birmingham mini-ring. You’ll cruise sections of the Stratford, Grand Union, Birmingham & Fazeley and Worcester & Birmingham canals. You’ll pass a series of canalside pubs along the way, including the Kings Arms at Heronfield and the Wharf Inn at Hockley Heath. Once in Birmingham, you can moor up in Gas Street Basin to explore the city centre, including the National Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace.
The Birmingham mini-ring journey from Wootton Wawen travels 48 miles, passes through 84 locks and takes around 33 hours.
Visit the food & drink capital of Staffordshire
On short break from Great Haywood you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to the bustling market town of Stone and back. The route along the Trent & Mersey Canal takes you through the village of Weston on Trent, home to the Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire, with an excellent choice of restaurants, pubs and wine bars. There are also regular markets, the annual food festival and Stone has its own micro ‘Lymestone Brewery’.
The journey from Great Haywood to Stone and back travels 20 miles, passing through 8 locks (4 each way) and takes around 10 hours.
Download a Brochure
Our brochure includes information on our boats, routes, destinations and prices. There are also tips for canal boat beginners, advice on what to pack and a list of our locations offering day boat hire.
What to pack for your canal boat holiday
Best narrow boat holiday routes for beginners
Advice on how to use locks safely
