There’s plenty of storage on board and we offer advice on what to pack
Canal Boat Hire Locations Across England & Wales
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
With our Price Promise you know you’ll be paying the best price.
All our canal boat rental bases offer a wide variety of routes
Your Anglo Welsh base is the start and finish point for your canal boat holiday. All routes are suitable for novices, except the tidal Bristol Avon.
We offer narrowboat hire from all our locations, and also wide beam boats from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Once you have a base in mind, take a look at the route information on the relevant web pages and see how many hours’ cruising is required to reach the destinations.
Bath
Explore the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal from Syndey Wharf on the edge of UNESCO World Heritage Bath.
Monkton Combe
Navigate through the beautiful Bath Valley to Bath, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, the Pewsey Vale and beyone.
Bradford on Avon
Explore the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bradford on Avon Marina in Wiltshire.
Bunbury
Explore the canals of the North West from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire.
Great Haywood
Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside and explore the canals of the West Midlands, the Potteries and the Peak District.
Silsden
Explore the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Yorkshire, passing through the Yorkshire Dales, the Pennines and beyond.
Trevor
Explore the Llangollen Canal, the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct site and the Shropshire Lake District.
Whixall
Travel along the Llangollen Canal through the Shropshire Lake District and the UNESCO World Heritage Pontycyllte Aqueduct site.
Wootton Wawen
Cruise along the Stratford Canal through Shakespeare country and connect with the Grand Union Canal and the Birmingham canal network.
Choose from 9 Stunning Narrowboat Hire Bases with Anglo Welsh
With over 55 years of experience in canal boat hire, Anglo Welsh offers the freedom to explore the UK’s inland waterways from nine carefully chosen departure points across England and Wales. Each of our narrowboat hire locations is positioned on a picturesque stretch of canal, giving you access to some of Britain’s most scenic countryside, historic towns, and famous waterway landmarks.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful rural escape, a cultural city break, or a week-long cruising adventure, our bases are ideal for first-time boaters and seasoned narrowboat travellers alike.
Our Canal Boat Hire Bases
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Bath, Somerset
Hire a canal boat from our Bath base and explore the Kennet & Avon Canal. Cruise through Georgian architecture, aqueducts, and the beautiful Avon Valley.
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Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
A popular narrowboat hire point for those looking to visit Bath or tackle the impressive Caen Hill Locks near Devizes.
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Monkton Combe, Somerset
Perfect for quiet short breaks, this peaceful base offers relaxed routes through scenic valleys and classic Wiltshire countryside.
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Trevor, North Wales
Start your journey next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ideal for unforgettable narrowboat hire in North Wales.
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Whixall, Shropshire
Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District, visit Ellesmere and continue on towards Llangollen and the famous aqueducts of North Wales.
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Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire
Begin your trip on the Stratford Canal, with routes to Stratford-upon-Avon, Henley-in-Arden, or north towards Birmingham.
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Great Haywood, Staffordshire
Situated at a major canal junction, this base offers access to the Four Counties Ring, Trent & Mersey Canal, and rural Staffordshire.
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Bunbury, Cheshire
Cruise from our Cheshire base through the Shropshire Union Canal, with options to reach Chester, Nantwich, or the Llangollen Canal.
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Silsden, West Yorkshire
Hire a narrowboat from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and cruise through the Yorkshire Dales, Saltaire, and the Aire Valley.
Why Choose Anglo Welsh for Canal Boat Hire?
- 🚤 Nine UK narrowboat hire bases with access to popular and scenic routes
- 🛶 Modern fleet of canal boats for 2–12 people
- 📍 Well-connected waterways including the Trent & Mersey, Stratford Canal, and Kennet & Avon
- 🧭 Full tuition provided at every base – no licence or prior experience needed
- 🐾 Dog-friendly boats available at all locations
From short weekend getaways to extended cruising holidays, our network of canal boat hire locations gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Start Your Narrowboat Hire Adventure Today
Where will your next canal journey begin? Explore our nine narrowboat hire bases and plan your perfect waterway escape across England and Wales.
Begin your narrowboat hire holiday from one of our nine scenic locations and discover the best of Britain’s canals — your journey starts here.
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.
FAQs
How do canal locks work?
A lock is a chamber with gates at either end. By emptying or filling the chamber with water, boats can move up or down a canal. With the lock gates closed, open the sluices (paddles) to let the water in or out. When the water level under your boat is the same as the level it’s moving to, you can move your boat in or out of the lock.
How long does it take to go through a lock?
It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to go through a lock.
Will my narrowboat have heating?
All our narrowboats have gas central heating with radiators throughout for cosy year-round canal boat holidays. Some of our boats also have a multi-fuel stove.
