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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 2027
Canal boat holidays on Britain’s beautiful inland waterways offer the chance for families to experience an outdoor family adventure together this summer.
With long summer days and great family destinations to enjoy along the way, it’s a great time to take a break on a narrow boat.
Our larger boats offer accommodation for 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 people, so they’re perfect for families and multi-generation holidays. Or take a flotilla holiday with another family, booking two boats from the same base at the same time.
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.
Cruise through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey
On a week-long break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise to Pewsey. Along the way, you’ll travel up the famous flight of locks at Caen Hill, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. At the top of the flight, you can moor up to visit the historic market town of Devizes, home to the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre and some great independent shops, restaurants and pubs. Soon after, you’ll pass the Barge Inn at Honeystreet and then you’ll be travelling through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, with views of the chalk White Horse.
The journey from Bradford on Avon to Pewsey and back travels 46 miles, passes through 72 locks (36 each way) and takes around 35 hours.
Navigate through the Warwickshire countryside to Warwick Castle
On a week’s holiday from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise the Stratford and Grand Union canals to Warwick. You’ll cruise through a series of villages with canalside pubs, including the Fleur de Lys at Lowsonford and Tom o’the Wood at Rowington. There are 21 locks to navigate at Hatton and when you reach Warwick you can moor up at the Cape of Good Hope to visit the town, including the stunning medieval Warwick Castle.
The journey from Wootton Wawen to Warwick and back travels 28 miles, passes through 72 locks (36 each way) and takes around 23 hours.
Cruise across the Stream in the Sky to Ellesmere
On a short break from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, you can cruise to the historic market town of Ellesmere and back. Your journey begins crossing the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’. You’ll then cruise on, passing through two tunnels and crossing the impressive Chirk Aqueduct, taking you across the Welsh border into England. At the village of Chirk you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the Bridge Inn. When you reach Ellesmere, you can moor up to explore this pretty town in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, with its Mere, castle ruins and choice of places to eat out.
The journey from Trevor to Ellesmere and back travels 28 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
Boat alongside Channock Chase Forest to Fradley Pool Nature Reserve
On a short break from Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford you can cruise to Fradley Junction and back. They journey passes Cannock Chase Forest with over 6,800 acres of heath land and ancient woodland to explore. Once at Fradley you can moor up to can explore the woodland trail at boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Canalside pubs to stop off at include the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge, the Ash Tree at Rugeley and the Swan Inn at Fradley.
The journey from Great Haywood to Fradley and back travels 25 miles, passing through 10 locks (5 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Travel up onto the Pennines to Barnoldswick
On a 7-night break from Silsden, you can cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Barnoldswick. The journey passes through the historic market town of Skipton and Gargrave on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At Bank Newton there are seven locks taking you up onto the Pennines. When you reach Barnoldswick, there’s a choice of places to eat, including The Fountain Inn. And the Pendle Way connects to the canal at Cockshott Bridge no. 152.
The journey from Silsden to Barnoldswick and back travels 38 miles, passing through 30 locks (15 each way) and takes around 27 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
