Call us now
on
0117 304 1122
to enquire
Search:
Toggle navigation
Home
About Us
Q&A
Terms and conditions
Useful Canal Videos
All Aboard
Your Holiday Experience
Popular Destinations
Holiday Diary
Fuel Fair and Loyalty Rewards
Rural Retreats
City Breaks
Locations
Where do we start from
Bases
Bath
Bunbury
Great Haywood
Monkton Combe
Oxford
Silsden
Stockton
Tardebigge
Trevor
Wootton Wawen
Whixall Marina (New for 2019)
Circuits & Routes
Avon Ring
Black Country Ring
Cheshire Ring
Droitwich Ring
East Midlands Ring
Four Countries Ring
Pennine Circuit
South of England Circuit
Stourport Ring
Warwickshire Ring
Maps & Travel Guides
Thames Boating Holidays
Our Boats
Your narrowboat - The inside story
Constellation Class
Heritage Class
Dayboats - A day out of the ordinary
Preparing for your trip
Our Boats
Constellation & Bond Class
2-4 Berth
5-8 Berth
9-12 Berth
Canal Barge Holidays
Narrowboat Holidays and Hire
Luxury Canal Boat Hire
Bookings
Availability
Pricing
Pricing Charts
Booking
Terms & Conditions
News
Offers
Money Saving Offers
Latest Offers
Contact Us
Contact Us
Customer Service
Check Availability - Create Your Holiday
Contact Us
Download Brochure
Latest News
An extraordinary narrowboat hire season
From the doldrums of lockdown to the busiest summer on record, Matt Lucas-Stern looks back on the 2020 narrowboat holiday season at
Wootton Wawen
.
“The coronavirus pandemic has bought dramatic changes to our lives, particularly for those of us involved in the world of travel and hospitality.
When the main 2020 boating season got underway at the beginning of March, even though we knew that Covid-19 was devastating communities elsewhere in China and parts of Europe, we still didn’t have any idea how much it was going to affect our lives.
Here at
Wootton Wawen
, we were focussing on getting all our boats in tip top shape ready for the main boating season, and making plans to hold an open day to show off our newly painted day boats. When Boris announced a national lockdown on that unforgettable evening on 23 March, everything changed and our boats were suddenly grounded until further notice.
At first we focused on enjoying watching the waterway burst into life as a particularly sunny and warm Spring progressed. As for many people, the peace and quiet of lockdown gave us the chance for reflection, family time and to connect to nature.
But as the weeks went by, we worried more and more about what the future would hold for our industry and when our holidays would be able to resume.
Then on the 20th of June, we received the fantastic news that domestic holidays could resume on the 4th of July. We needed to get our team back from furlough and put in all the necessary measures to ensure our holidays were safe.
We put in new social distancing measures at our boat yards, introduced extra cleaning regimes and we made a video showing people all the facilities on board our boats and how to operate them, to give holiday-makers extra information in advance of their boat handover.
It was a busy and exciting time, both for everyone working at the boat yards, and for our bookings team who were inundated with calls and emails from people wanting to book their canal boat holiday. Many of them were newcomers who had often thought about taking a canal boat holiday, but never quite got around to it before. They realised how perfect our staycation holidays are – offering the chance to escape into the countryside aboard a self-contained, self-catering floating holiday home!
The next two months were full on. For the first time ever, literally all our boats were booked out for the six week summer holiday peak. The first few weeks of July were a bit strange as everyone got used to the news ways of working and just being around people again. But we soon got everything working like clockwork and before long, it became the new normal.
With canal boat holidays, people usually turn up to the boat yard a bit stressed and anxious to get their holiday underway. But by the time they return, the slow time of the canals makes people much calmer and more relaxed.
It was great to see the smiling faces of families returning from their holidays, with kids telling us about some of their experiences. We had a 13-year-old lad who was really keen on narrowboating and ended up working all 113 locks by himself on his family holiday to Stratford on Avon and Warwick. He proudly told the staff about his achievements when they got back at Wootton, and has decided he is definitely coming again next year! He’s even bought his own windlass.
Another really enthusiastic group of newcomers to the world of narrowboating made friends with our boat yard team, and even took a hand painted dipper from my boatman's cabin to hang over their fireplace to remind them of their boating adventures!
Going into the autumn, particularly in September and over the October Half Term, we were still extremely busy with most of our boats booked out by people taking advantage of the mild weather, and the chance to see the changing colours of the autumn leaves on the trees that line our waterways.
Now it’s November, and sadly another lockdown has just been announced. Here at
Wootton Wawen
we stay open all year round for winter cruising, so we hope our boats can get back out again in December.
In the meantime, here at Anglo Welsh we are all extremely grateful to the vast majority of our customers who have been prepared to postpone their holidays with us, rather than cancel. We are glad that our holidays were able to resume and have been more popular than ever, helping to support other businesses like canalside pubs and village shops.
As we continue to live with the coronavirus and the changes it has made to our lives, the future remains uncertain. But spending time by the water always somehow makes things feel better, watching nature peacefully continue to change with the seasons.”
2021
February
Escape into the countryside afloat this Spring >
January
Enjoy a family adventure afloat this summer, closer to home >
Celebrate a special occasion with a day afloat on your local waterway >
Top 10 Narrowboat holidays for 2021 >
2020
November
Winter cruising through the countryside >
An extraordinary narrowboat hire season >
October
Plan your 2021 canal boat holiday adventure with our bucket list guide >
September
Top 10 Autumn canal boat holiday destinations >
July
Top 10 cruises through the countryside >
June
New Admiral Class joins our luxury fleet >
Hire a canal boat for the day and explore the countryside afloat >
Top 8 Summer Circuits to explore afloat >
A canal boat holiday: the perfect way to celebrate an end to lockdown >
February
Anglo Welsh's top 10 pet friendly getaways >
January
Fun for all the family: Why narrowboating appeals to all generations >
The health benefits of narrowboating >
What to pack for your narrowboat holiday >
Top 8 February Half Term canal boat holiday destinations >
Celebrate Britain’s diverse wildlife this Spring >
Narrowboating through the years: canal boats of the past, present and future >
Wellness by the water >
Romantic canal destinations to visit this Valentine's Day >
New Year, new hobby: Narrowboating! >
2019
December
Amazing Canal Facts >
Top 10 canal boat staycations >
Christmas at Great Haywood >
November
A brief history of the canals of England and Wales >
Enjoy winter christmas cruising with Anglo Welsh >
Winter at Wootton Wawen >
Take 'Emma' into Birmingham to enjoy Christmas shopping afloat >
Anglo Welsh Heritage Class - Supporting the Chelsea Pensioners >
Autumn Canal Events >
October
Stately Homes and other historic places to visit whilst on your canal holiday >
Wildlife watching at Great Haywood >
Waterway activities to enjoy along the canals >
September
Enjoy canal trips at the Stafford riverway link open day >
Back to school: Canal getaways for parents to enjoy >
Top 10 Waterway Wildlife Hotspots >
July
The ultimate waterway 'Staycation' holiday >
Summer holiday fun taking place along the canals >
June
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct celebrates 10 years of World Heritage Status >
Explore our Top 6 Military Destinations Afloat >
Wonderful UK canal side pubs and restaurants >
May
Wellness by the waterways >
May Waterway events >
April
Canal restorations updates for 2019 >
Top 10 Easter Canal Holidays >
March
Best Canal Routes For Kids >
Drifters Open Day 2019 >
Best In Fleet - Brand New boats For 2019 >
February
Celebrate a National Holiday with Anglo Welsh >
Beautiful Spring Cruising Routes >
Top 10 canal stories - as told by our bases >
January
UK's most impressive Aqueducts and Viaducts >
Waterway events to look forward to in 2019 >
2018
December
Whixall Marina, new base for 2019 >
Top 6 festive cruising destinations >
November
Top 5 international canal adventures >
Top 8 canal boat holidays for beginners >
October
Top 8 Halloween destinations afloat >
Enjoy a greener holiday with Anglo Welsh >
September
Top 9 October Half Term Canal Boat Holidays >
Anglo Welsh on screen and in print >
Anglo Welsh’s Top 10 Foodie Finds Afloat >
Top 9 Autumn Canal Boat Holiday Destinations >
August
Spotlight on Great Haywood >
Top 10 August Bank Holiday Destinations >
July
Celebrate National Parks Week Afloat (22 - 29 July) >
Top 5 Celebration Destinations Afloat >
Spotlight on Tardebigge >
June
Come and see us at the Stratford Festival 30 JUNE to 1 JULY >
Life after a stroke. Friends enjoy an Anglo Welsh canal boat trip >
Top 10 tips for reducing plastic waste afloat >
Top 8 luxury canal boats for hire in 2018 >
May
Come to Crick - Britain’s biggest inland waterways show is back! >
20% off ALL bookings in May – there’s never been a better month to enjoy an Anglo Welsh canal break. >
Top 9 Family Canal Boat Breaks >
Wonderful Wootton Wawen – the place to go for peaceful cruises, high culture and very long tunnels! >
April
Top 12 Canal Boating Tips for Novices >
Come Along to One of Our Open Days >
Celebrate National Pet Month With a Canal Boat Holiday >
March
Top 5 reasons to visit Stratford this Easter >
Top 10 Easter Canal Boat Breaks >
Hooray! Spring is in the air and nature is flourishing around Anglo Welsh canal routes >
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2018 by saving £100 on your Anglo Welsh booking. >
Top 10 Reasons To Take A Narrowboat Holiday >
February
Treat Your Mum to a Day Afloat >
Anglo Welsh recommends – we look forward to the best Waterways Events of 2018. >
Anglo Welsh hero takes on the world’s toughest rowing challenge for charity >
Top 10 Woodland Walks to Visit Afloat >
January
Top 5 Valentine's Day Romantic Narrowboat Holiday Destinations Afloat on the UK Canals >
Top 5 Castles to Visit Afloat >
2017
December
Spotlight on the Canals – The Caldon Canal >
Festive frolics on the Canals - Christmas jumpers are optional, having fun is a must! >
November
Booking now! Anglo Welsh’s brand-new ‘Heritage’ class narrowboats >
We are spreading Christmas cheer early with our Instagram card competition! >
Spotlight on the Canals - Leeds & Liverpool Canal >
October
Top 4 Festive Destinations Afloat >
Narrowboating in style – John Craven holidays on the Llangollen Canal >
Anglo Welsh’s Top 9 October Half Term Breaks >
Bigger, brighter and better – the new Anglo Welsh 2018 brochure is available now! >
Anglo Welsh’s Top 10 Canal Boat Holidays for 2018 >
September
And the winner is … ‘Tea for the Tillerman’ wins Anglo Welsh’s Canal Adventures 2017 Photo Challenge >
Spotlight on the Canals – the Macclesfield Canal >
Top 10 gardens to visit afloat >
It has been a glorious Summer on the canals and Autumn 2017 promises even more narrowboat highlights >
August
Top 10 National Trust properties to visit afloat >
Canal Boat Essentials – What to pack for your 2017 waterway holiday >
Anglo Welsh 'Canal Adventures 2017’ Instagram Photo Challenge >
Life after a stroke – Friends enjoy a canal boat trip >
July
Staycation, Staycation, Staycation. Why canal holidays offer a leisurely alternative to stressful foreign travel. >
Spotlight on the Canals - the Grand Union Canal >
Anglo Welsh recommends – Bristol Harbour Festival (July 21-23) >
Everything you need to keep the smiles coming >
June
Anglo Welsh’s Top 10 Summer Holidays Afloat >
Spotlight on the canals – the Worcester & Birmingham Canal >
Sailing on a cloud with Matthew Gravelle and Family >
Celebrate Shakespeare and the start of summer at Stratford’s 2017 River Festival >
A family narrowboat odyssey to Birmingham and back >
May
Anglo Welsh support for charitable walk on the Warwickshire Canal Ring helps raise over £2,000. >
Spring time on the River – perfect for a family micro-adventure afloat >
Spotlight on the Canals – The Stratford Canal >
April
Booking now! Brand-new additions to Anglo Welsh’s high-spec Constellation fleet. >
We’re welcoming ‘Eynsham’ back with a discount & bubbles! >
Anglo Welsh’s Top 10 Easter Holidays Afloat >
Spotlight on the Canals – the Trent & Mersey Canal >
March
Spotlight on the Canals – the Shropshire Union Canal >
What’s on in 2017 – Anglo Welsh’s guide to the year’s top canal festivals >
Anglo Welsh's top 5 Mother’s Day trips afloat >
February
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by saving £100 on Anglo Welsh bookings >
Save £250 on Summer School Holidays with Anglo Welsh >
Canals and Culture – Anglo Welsh’s prime destinations for lovers of the arts >
January
Spotlight on the Canals - The Oxford Canal >
All hands on deck for Anglo Welsh’s winter maintenance >
Spotlight on the Canals - The Llangollen Canal >
Catch Anglo Welsh's Special New Year Offer! >
2016
December
Spotlight on the Canals - The Kennet & Avon Canal >
From Rio de Janeiro to Great Haywood – Olympian Nick Beighton’s canal adventures >
November
Anglo Welsh men make a splash in 24 hour charity boat race >
Anglo Welsh's Top 9 Luxury Boats >
October
Anglo Welsh's Top 7 canal boat holidays for beginners >
Read all about it! Anglo Welsh’s 2017 brochure is out now with news of a special Price Freeze. >
Anglo Welsh's Top 8 October Half Term Breaks >
September
Anglo Welsh's Top 10 Waterside Pubs >
Top 6 Christmas Destinations >
Anglo Welsh’s Top 10 Canal Boat Holidays For 2017 >
End the canal season in perfect style with Anglo Welsh’s fantastic Autumn Sale >
August
Moor your Anglo Welsh narrowboat for bracing (or gentle?!) canal side walks >
Enjoy the Olympics on board a stylish canal boat >
July
High-end boats at low-end prices: save 20% on Constellation & Bond Class holidays this summer >
Read all about it. Novels, narrowboats, canals and curries! >
June
Schools Out for Summer! Save 20% on Canal Boat Holidays >
Kick off Euro 2016 with up to £280 savings on Anglo Welsh holidays >
May
Put a smile on your dad's face with a canal boat surprise for Father's Day >
‘Messing about in boats’ - there’s really nothing better! >
Anglo Welsh’s Class of 2016 oozes ‘Star’ Quality >
April
Army & You Review: Beautiful Boating Break >
National Geographic’s ‘Journey of a Lifetime’ on the Shropshire Union Canal >
Retiring at Twenty Five! >
March
Egg-citing Easter Offers from AngloWelsh >
‘Barging Round Britain’ with canal lover John Sergeant >
Behind the scenes at Anglo Welsh. The family that plays together stays together. >
£100 Off With AngloWelsh This St. Patricks Day! >
February
No Experience? No Problem! Narrowboat holidays for novices. >
Boats, Basins and the Bard. Celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare on an Anglo Welsh canal boat. >
Great Canal Journeys: a Narrowboat Love Affair >
January
Mother's Day Canal Boat Cruise >
Our Canal Boat Base at Trevor - It's in the blood >
2015
December
Top 6 Christmas Destinations >
October
Go “Interstellar” with our new ‘Constellation’ fleet >
September
Top 7 Halloween destinations afloat >
Anglo Welsh's top 10 Canal Boat Holidays for 2016! >
July
Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ on the river! >
An adventure on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal >
Tweets
Facebook
Anglo Welsh - The Narrowboat Holiday Company
Instagram
Home
About Us
All Aboard
Locations
Our Boats
Bookings
News
Offers
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies. By continuing on the site you consent to their use. Please view our
Privacy Policy
to learn more.
x