Boating on the River Avon offers a serene experience, winding through some of England’s most beautiful countryside
The River Avon rises in the Cotswold Hills and has been used for navigation since ancient times.
Today the River Avon Navigation runs from Alveston Weir above Stratford-upon-Avon, for 47.2 miles to Tewkesbury where it joins the River Severn. It winds its way through the Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire countryside, passing through picturesque villages and historic towns. These include Welford-on-Avon, Bidford-on-Avon, Evesham, Flabury, Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Bredon and Tewkesbury.
The River Avon is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, fish, and mammals. Birdwatchers delight in spotting kingfishers, swans, herons, and other water birds along the riverbanks. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of otters playing in the water or fish jumping upstream.
Along the River Avon, you’ll find charming riverside pubs and restaurants where you can stop for a meal or a drink. Often with riverside gardens, they offer stunning views of the river, making them the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day on the water.
The River Severn
Boating on the River Severn offers an unforgettable journey through stunning natural landscapes and historic landscapes
There are plenty of waterside pubs to stop at and wildlife to watch out for along the way.
Rising in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales and running 220 miles to the Bristol Channel, the River Severn is Britain’s longest river. It passes through picturesque landscapes, including rolling hills, quaint villages, and lush greenery. As you navigate its waters, you’ll encounter breathtaking views that showcase the beauty of the British countryside.
The River Severn has played a significant role throughout British history. It has served as a vital transportation route for centuries, facilitating trade and commerce between different regions. Along its banks, you’ll find numerous historical landmarks, such as medieval castles, ancient bridges, and riverside towns with rich heritage.
The River Severn is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, fish, and mammals. Birdwatchers will appreciate the opportunity to spot various species of birds, such as herons, kingfishers, and swans, along the riverbanks. Additionally, the river supports populations of fish, such as salmon and trout, making it a popular destination for anglers.
The River Severn meets the River Avon at Tewkesbury.
The River Thames
Cruise the River Thames and discover historic market towns, ancient pathways, waterside meadows and views of the Cotswold Hills, Chilterns and Berkshire Downs
The mighty River Thames, England’s longest river, has been used for transportation since prehistoric times.
The River Thames runs 215 miles from its source at Thames Head in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary where it flows into the sea. It links Lechlade in the Cotswolds with the tidal Thames at Teddington.
As well as the world famous city of Oxford and Royal Windsor, the navigation flows through some our best loved market towns, including Abingdon, Pangbourne, Henley and Marlow.
Canal boat holiday makers travelling slowly through the Thames Valley experience a variety of landscapes, including ancient woodland, waterside meadows and farmland. There are views of the Cotswold Hills, the Chilterns and the Berkshire Downs. The Thames Path National Trail follows the River Thames for 213 miles between Thames Head and the Thames Barrier. The Ridgeway Path crosses the Thames at Goring.
The Droitwich Canals
The Droitwich Canals take canal boaters through the Worcestershire countryside and historic town of Droitwich
The Droitwich Canals were originally built to ship salt from the Droitwich mines to the River Severn.
They are made up of two canals – the Droitwich Barge Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal. Together they stretch 7.4 miles and link the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Hanbury and the River Severn at Hawford. After failing into disrepair following the decline of trade along the canals in the early 1900’s, thanks to decades of restoration work by the Droitwich Canals Trust, they reopened in 2011.
The reopening of the Droitwich Canals restored the Droitwich Ring which can be done on a three or four night break. The ring travels 21 miles, passes through 33 locks and can be completed in around 16 hours.
The Stourbridge Canals
Cruise the Stourbridge Canals on a canal boat holiday in England to explore the industrial heritage of the Black Country and surrounding countryside
The Stourbridge Canals refer to two historic canals in the West Midlands region of England: the Stourbridge Canal and the Dudley Canal. They offer canal boaters the chance to experience the industrial heritage of the Black Country, while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.
The Stourbridge Canal runs for approximately 8 miles (13km) from the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Stourton Junction to the town of Stourbridge.
Constructed in the late 18th century, the canal was primarily used to transport coal, limestone, and other goods to and from the industrial areas of the Black Country.
The Dudley Canal forms part of the wider Birmingham Canal Navigations system and includes the Dudley Canal Line No. 1 and the Dudley Canal Line No. 2.
Dudley Canal Line No. 1 runs from the Birmingham Canal at Dudley Port Junction to the town of Dudley, while Dudley Canal Line No. 2 connects to the Stourbridge Canal at Delph Locks.
Originally built to transport coal and limestone to the region’s industrial centres, the Dudley Canals now attract visitors interested in exploring their historic features.
The Birmingham Canals
The Birmingham Canals take canal boat holiday-makers through the heart of the vibrant City of Birmingham
Famously, Birmingham has more canals than Venice, providing a network for leisure boating and the focal-point for a mix of residential developments, shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Also known as the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN), the Birmingham Canals form an extensive network of waterways in and around the city of Birmingham, England.
They are a fascinating blend of history, industry, and leisure, serving as both a reminder of Birmingham’s industrial heritage and a vibrant hub for recreation and tourism in the modern city.
The BCN is one of the most extensive canal networks in the United Kingdom, covering over 100 miles (160km) of navigable waterways. It comprises numerous interconnected canals, including the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, the Birmingham Canal Old Main Line, the Dudley Canal and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
In the past, the Birmingham Canals played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, facilitating the transportation of goods such as coal, iron, and other raw materials to and from Birmingham’s burgeoning industries.
In recent years, the Birmingham Canals have undergone significant regeneration, transforming former industrial areas into vibrant waterfront destinations, such as Brindleyplace, Gas Street Basin, and Birmingham’s Canal Quarter.
The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
Boating on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal offers a peaceful and scenic journey through the heart of England’s Midlands region
The historic canal winds its way through idyllic countryside, passing through lush green fields, wooded areas, and quaint villages. Renowned for its tranquillity, it offers boaters the chance to enjoy stunning views at every turn.
Originally opened in 1772, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal played a vital role in the transport of goods during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it retains much of its historic charm, with restored locks, bridges, and other features that offer glimpses into the canal’s rich past.
Along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, you’ll find a variety of attractions to explore. From historic villages with charming pubs and tearooms, to nature reserves and wildlife habitats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Known locally as the ‘Staffs & Worcs’, it runs for 46 miles through the West Midlands countryside, skirting the edges of Birmingham. It links the River Severn at Stourport in the south with the Trent & Mersey at Great Haywood in the north.
There are 43 locks along its length and it passes through Kidderminster, Cookley, Kinver, Stourton, Womborne, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Acton Trussell and Walton-on-the-Hill.
The Stratford Canal
Cruise through the Warwickshire countryside and Shakespeare country on a boating holiday on the Stratford Canal
The 25-mile long Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is narrow and mostly rural. It links Shakespeare’s Stratford and the River Avon in the south, with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal close to Birmingham in the north. The canal takes boaters through the remains of Forest of Arden along the way.
The southern section of the canal, runs from Bancroft Basin in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon up to Lapworth. It is characterised by barrel roofed lock cottages and a series of split bridges with gaps for the tow ropes of boat horses.
The northern section has 19 locks running up from Lapworth. And then a 10-mile lock-free level stretch to the canal’s guillotine-gated stop-lock at Kings Norton Junction.
Completed in 1816 at a cost of £297,000, the canal has 54 locks, a 322-metre long tunnel, three high embankments and a reservoir. It also has a large single span brick aqueduct and three cast iron trough aqueducts, all unusually with towpaths at the level of the bottom of the canal.
There are a series of canalside pubs to enjoy visiting on the Stratford Canal, including the Fluer dy Lys pub at Lowsonford and the Navigation Inn at Wootton Wawen.
