On a week-long holiday from Silsden you can continue west to Barnoldswick and Foulridge. Or east through the Aire Valley to Leeds.
On 10-day or two-week breaks you can continue heading west to Burnley and Wigan or east to Wakefield and Sowerby Bridge.
On a four week break from Silsden you can complete the Pennine Ring.
Oxford
You can take a Thames boating holiday from our Oxford base
Our Oxford canal boat hire base is at Eynsham on the River Thames in Oxfordshire.
On a short break from there you can meander west along the River Thames to Radcot or Lechlade in the Cotswolds. Or head east, reaching moorings in the centre of Oxford in around three-and-a-half hours. Other short break destinations, include the riverside meadows of Abingdon and Lower Heyford on the Oxford Canal.
On a week-long break from Oxford, you can continue heading north along the Oxford Canal to Banbury. Or keep heading east along the Thames to Wallingford, Goring and Henley.
On longer breaks, you can continue on to Windsor and Teddington.
Great Haywood
Our boat hire base at Great Haywood near Stafford offers a great choice of routes and destinations
On a short break, you can head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Stone. Or south to Fradley Junction. Or transfer onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Tixall Wide, Penkridge and Gailey.
On a week-long break from Great Haywood, you can reach Market Drayton, Kinver, Cheddleton or Market Drayton. Or you can complete the Black Country Ring.
You can cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Chester on a short break from Bunbury
Our canal boat rental base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley is surrounded by glorious Cheshire countryside.
Head north from Bunbury and you can reach the ancient City of Chester in around seven hours. Other short break destinations from Bunbury include the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, the Anderton Boat Lift and Whitchurch.
You can cruise the Kennet & Avon Canal from our boat hire base at Monktombe Combe in Somerset
Our narrowboat hire centre at Monkton Combe is next to Kennet & Avon Canal at Brassknocker Basin, near Bath.
Head west from Monkton Combe and you’ll reach Bath Top Lock in around two hours. You can moor up there and walk into Bath City Centre, which takes around 15 minutes.
Or you can continue on travelling through the Bath flight of six locks and moor up close to Pulteney Bridge in Bath City Centre. This takes around two hours.
Experienced boaters can continue on from Bath to Bristol’s Floating Harbour. The journey from Monkton Combe to Bristol takes around 10 hours, passing through 13 locks.
Or head east from Monkton Combe, cruising through the beautiful Avon valley to Bradford on Avon and the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes. On longer breaks you can travel up the Caen Hill flight and cruise through the Vale of Pewsey, the edge of the ancient Savernake Forest and beyond.
Bath
From our canal barge hire base at Bath you can enjoy a holiday on the Kennet & Avon Canal
Head west from Sydney Wharf and you can reach moorings close to the famous Pulteney Bridge in the centre of Bath. You can moor up for the night and explore this fabulous city famous for its Georgian architecture and Roman Baths.
Experienced boaters can continue on from Bath to Bristol’s Floating Harbour. The journey from Bath to Bristol takes around eight hours, passing through 13 locks.
Or head east from Sydney Wharf, cruising through the beautiful Avon valley to Bradford on Avon and the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes.
On longer breaks you can travel up the Caen Hill flight and cruise through the Vale of Pewsey, the edge of the ancient Savernake Forest and beyond.
The River Avon
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.
