Top 8 autumn canal boat holidays
Autumn is a great time to go boating and enjoy the beautiful colours in the trees
Tuition is included as part of our boat hire. So whether you are beginner looking for an easy short break to test the waters. Or a seasoned narrowboater looking for a longer more challenging route, why not book a narrowboat holiday break this autumn, and choose from hundreds of fantastic waterside destinations.
Our boats are equipped with key home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, WiFi, well-stocked kitchens, showers and flushing toilets. And some have multi-fuel stoves on board too.
Here’s a guide to our top 8 destinations to enjoy this autumn:
1. Explore a restored section of the Montgomery Canal
On a 4-night break from Whixall in Shropshire, you can cruise to Crickheath and back on the Montgomery Canal. With much of this special waterway designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Montgomery Canal is rich in wildlife habitats, including aquatic plants and hedgerows. The route to Crickheath from Whixall takes you down the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, and through Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. At Frankton Junction, you’ll transfer onto the Montgomery Canal, with 5 locks to go through before you reach Oswestry and the canalside Queen’s Head pub. You’ll then pass through Maesbury Marsh with its canalside Navigation Inn before reaching Crickheath Basin. The journey to Crickheath and back travels 36 miles, passing through 16 locks (8 each way) and takes around 19 hours.
2. Cruise along the Aire Valley to Gargrave
On a 3-night break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal you can cruise to Gargrave and back. The route takes you through the Aire Valley with some of the most spectacular scenery in Yorkshire. You’ll pass through Kildwick, with its 17th century coaching inn The White Lion, and Skipton with is fascinating medieval castle. Once at Gargrave, you can moor up to explore this picturesque village on the River Aire at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. There’s a choice of pubs in Gargrave, including The Masons Arms. The journey to Gargrave and back takes around 12.5 hours and passes through 6 locks (3 each way).
3. Travel through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey to Savernake Forest
On a 10-night break from Bradford on Avon, you can cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Great Bedwyn and back. Along the way, you’ll travel up the famous Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes. Then you’ll pass through the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the beautiful Vale of Pewsey. The canal then takes you through the village of Wootton Rivers and along the edge of the ancient Savernake Forest. At Great Bedwyn, you can visit The Three Tons pub and the Bedwyn Stone Museum. The journey to Great Bedwyn and back cruises 64 miles, passing through 100 locks (50 each way) and takes around 46 hours.
4. Cruise through atmospheric canal cuttings on the Shropshire Union Canal
On a 7-night break from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal you can navigate to Norbury and back. The journey takes you through Nantwich, Market Drayton and a series of deep canal cuttings, full of vegetation and wildlife. There are some great canalside pubs to stop-off at along the way, including The Shroppie Fly at Audlem and The Junction Inn at Norbury. The journey to Norbury and back travels 58 miles, passing through 58 locks (29 each way) and takes around 31 hours.
5. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ to Whitchurch
On a 7-night break from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales you can cruise to the historic market town of Whitchurch and back. Soon after leaving Trevor, you’ll cross the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the canal 38 metres high above the beautiful Dee Valley. The journey will also take you across the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct and through Ellesmere and the Shropshire Lake District. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore this picturesque town with independent shops and restaurants, walking trails and the award-winning Black Bear pub. The journey to Whitchurch and back takes 25 hours, passing through 4 locks (2 each way).
6. Navigate through the remains of the Forest of Arden to Hatton Locks
On a 4-night break from Wootton Wawen you can navigate to Hatton Locks and back. The journey begins travelling north along the Stratford Canal through the remains of the Forest of Arden. You’ll pass the canalside Fleur de Lys pub at Lowsonford. At Lapworth, you’ll transfer onto the Grand Union Canal, soon passing the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub at Rowington. You can moor up just before you reach the Hatton Flight of 21 locks and walk to the Hatton Locks Cafe or Hatton Arms pub. The journey to Hatton Locks and back travels 21 miles, passes through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
7. Boat through the Bath Valley to Sydney Gardens
From Bradford on Avon, it takes just five hours to cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. Along the way, you’ll cruise through the wooded Bath Valley, crossing over the magnificent Avoncliff and Dundas Bath stone aqueducts. You can moor up at Sydney Gardens and from there it takes around 15 minutes to walk into the centre of Bath. There you can explore some of the City’s top attractions, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the stunning Georgian Royal Crescent. The journey to Sydney Gardens and back travels 20 miles, passes through 2 locks (1 each way) and takes around 8 hours.
8. Cruise through Cannock Chase to Fradley Junction
On a short break from Great Haywood you can cruise along the leafy Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley and back. The journey takes you through a series of hamlets and villages, including Wolseley with the canalside Wolseley Arms and Rugeley, with access to Cannock Chase, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Once at Fradley, you can moor up and visit the Canalside Café and the Swan Inn. And you can enjoy spotting wildlife along the woodland trail and boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. The journey to Fradley and back travels 25 miles, passing through 10 locks (5 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
