The August bank holiday weekend is a great time to take to the water for a boating break
Our best August bank holiday boating breaks take you through some of Britain’s best-loved countryside. And into the heart of some our most famous waterside towns and cities.
Canal boat holidays are great for families, bringing everyone together for an adventure afloat. From steering the boat and working the locks, to planning the route and watching out for wildlife, there’s plenty to get involved in.
Pets are welcome aboard all our boats, so all the family can enjoy a relaxing staycation together. And there’s everything you need on board for a self-catering holiday afloat if you want to keep your costs down.
There are hundreds of waterside destinations in England and Wales to choose from.
To celebrate the upcoming August bank holiday, we’ve put together a guide to our top 6 August bank holiday weekend boating breaks:
1. Cruise along the Llangollen Canal and into the Shropshire Lake District
On a weekend away from Trevor in North Wales, you can cruise to Ellesmere and back, journeying into the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. The journey takes you across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, 38 metres high above the Dee valley. At Ellesmere, you can moor up to explore this historic market town and its ancient mere, with woodland walks and places to eat. The journey to Ellesmere takes around 7 hours, crosses 2 aqueducts, and passes through 2 locks and 2 tunnels.
2. Navigate the Stratford Canal to Stratford-upon-Avon
From Wootton Wawen it takes around 6 hours to cruise along the Stratford Canal to Shakespeare’s Stratford and back. The route takes you through the Warwickshire countryside to reach overnight moorings in Bancroft Basin in the heart of Stratford upon Avon. Once there, you can walk to top attractions, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. There are 17 locks to pass through along the way, and you’ll cross the impressive Edstone Aqueduct, the longest aqueduct in England.
3. Travel along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley
From Great Haywood you can head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction and back. The journey takes around 5 hours, travelling 12 miles through the Staffordshire countryside. There are just five locks to pass through, and you’ll pass canalside pubs at Wolseley and Rugeley. At Fradley, you can enjoy refreshments at the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn. And you can take a wildlife-spotting walk along the woodland trail and boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.
4. Cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Middlewich
On a weekend away, from Bunbury you can navigate to the ancient town of Middlewich and back. Your journey begins on the Shropshire Union Canal and transfers onto the Middlewich Branch at Barbridge Junction. You’ll cruise on through beautiful Cheshire countryside and the village of Church Minshull, home of the Badger Inn. Once at Middlewich you can moor up to explore this ancient town famous for its salt making. The journey to Middlewich takes around 6 hours and passes through 4 locks.
5. Float along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Bradford on Avon
From our base at Sydney Wharf near Bath, it takes around 3.5 hours to reach the lovely market town of Bradford on Avon. There’s just one lock to pass through and stunning Bath stone aqueducts to glide across at Dundas and Avoncliff. You’ll pass a series of canalside pubs along the way, including The George at Bathampton. Once in Bradford on Avon, you can moor up to visit Historic England’s medieval Tithe Barn. And there’s a great choice of places to eat, including the riverside Timbrell’s Yard.
6. Glide along the Llangollen Canal to Ellesmere
On a 4-night mid-week break from Whixall Marina in Shropshire, you can cruise through the countryside to Ellesmere and back. The journey there and back takes around 7 hours. Along the way, you’ll cruise past Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses is a designated National Nature Reserve and Colemere Country Park. At Ellesmere, you can moor up to explore this historic market town and its famous Mere, with woodland walks, castle, gardens and Boathouse cafe.
Click here to book a holiday, or call our friendly booking team on 0117 304 1122.
We offer canal boat day boat hire from six of our bases, from just £99 per day for up to 10 people.
You can cruise gently through the countryside with family and friends, spotting wildlife along the way.
Tuition is included and our day boats are equipped with the all things you need for a day afloat, including a kettle, cooker, fridge and toilet.
Here’s a guide to our top six day boat hire destinations this summer:
1. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’
On a day afloat from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, you can cruise across to the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Chirk and back. As you cross, you’ll be 38 metres high above the Dee Valley with fantastic views! You can stop to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank or the Poacher’s Pocket at Gledrid. The journey to Chirk and back takes five hours.
2. Potter through the Warwickshire countryside to Lowsonford
From Wootton Wawen you can cruise north along the Stratford Canal to the village of Lowsonford and back. There you can moor up and visit the canalside Fleur de Lys pub, famous for its pies. The journey to Lowsonford and back takes 7 hours and there are four locks to go through each way.
3. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley
From Great Haywood, near Stafford, you can cruise to the historic market town of Rugeley and back. You’ll pass the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. And the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way, you can stop for a drink or a meal at the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge. Or book at table at The Colliers pub canalside in Rugeley. The journey to Rugeley and back takes six hours and there are two locks to go through each way.
4. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Nantwich
On a day out from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise to Nantwich and back. The lock-free journey takes you past the canalside Barbridge Inn. And across the impressive Nantwich Aqueduct, with panoramic views across the town. The journey to Nantwich and back takes around six hours.
5. Travel slowly through the Shropshire countryside to historic Whitchurch
From Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. You’ll pass the Hadley Farm Café along the way and there’s a good choice of places to eat in Whitchurch, including the Black Bear pub. The journey to Whitchurch and back takes around five hours, and there are six lift bridges each way.
6. Boat through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin
From Bradford on Avon, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin and back. Along the way you’ll pass over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. You can stop for lunch at the canalside No.10 Cafe next to Avoncliff Aqueduct, or the Angelfish Restaurant at Brassknocker Basin. The journey there and back travels nine miles and takes around four hours. There’s just one lock to pass through each way.
You can book your summer day out boating online here or call us on 0117 304 1122.
Take a boat trip across the Stream in the Sky this summer
This summer enjoy a family day out with a boat trip across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Over the summer our Little Star (Seren Fach) trip boat is offering five skippered cruises a day across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Described by Sir Walter Scott as a ‘stream in the sky’ where ‘fish swim above birds’, the aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal 38 metres high across the Dee Valley.
Enjoy a fantastic family day out this summer
This ‘bucket list’ journey give you the chance to experience amazing views across the Dee Valley in North Wales. And make some fantastic family memories over the school summer holidays.
You can also explore the Llangollen Canal and valley below the aqueduct by foot. You’ll find information at the Canal & River Trust’s Visitor Centre at Trevor Basin. And there are places to enjoy a meal, including The Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room at Trevor Basin and The Aqueduct Inn.
Trips depart daily at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm from Canal Wharf, Trevor, Llangollen LL20 7TT. There’s a public car park nearby at LL14 3SG.
Adult tickets are priced at £10 each, children (aged under 16) are priced at £6. Family tickets for two adults and two children are priced at £25 each.
For more information and to book in advance
You can check availability and book online here or call us on 0117 304 1122.
From Whixall Marina you can cruise to Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District
Our canal boat hire base at Whixall Marina is on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, deep in the Shropshire countryside.
On a short break from Whixall you can cruise through the Shropshire lakes to Ellesmere. Or east to the historic market town of Whitchurch.
On a week-long break from Whixall you can continue heading west, crossing into Wales at Chirk and cruising the 11-mile section of the canal designated a World Heritage site. This includes the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as The Stream in the Sky.
Or continue on from Whitchurch to Nantwich, Market Drayton or Chester.
On an 11-night holiday from Whixall you can complete the Four Counties Ring.
Best spring days out canal boating
If you’re looking for a great day out this spring, why not hire a canal boat for the day
You can enjoy cruising through the countryside, seeing the spring blossom on the trees and hedges, spring lambs playing in the fields, ducklings on the water, and bluebells in canalside woodlands.
We offer canal boat day boat hire from six of our bases, from just £99 per day for up to 10 people.
Tuition is included and our day boats are equipped with the things you need for a day afloat, including a kettle, cooker, fridge and toilet. Our day boats are pet-friendly too.
Here’s a guide to our top six day boat hire destinations on the canals in England and Wales this spring:
1. Float across The Stream in the Sky
On a day afloat from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, you can cruise across to the World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Chirk and back. As you cross, you’ll be 38 metres high above the Dee Valley with amazing views of the spring countryside. You can stop to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank or the Poacher’s Pocket at Gledrid. The journey to Chirk and back takes five hours.
2. Potter through the Warwickshire countryside to Wilmcote
From Wootton Wawen you can cruise south along the Stratford Canal to the village of Wilmcote and back. The journey will take you across the Edstone Aqueduct, the longest aqueduct in England, with views across the Warwickshire countryside. From moorings at the top of the Wilmcote flight, it’s a short walk into the village to the Mary Arden Inn. The journey to Wilmcote and back takes five hours.
3. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley
From Great Haywood, near Stafford, you can cruise along the Trent & Mersey Canal to the historic market town of Rugeley and back. You’ll pass through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way, you can stop for a drink or a meal at the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge. The journey to Rugeley and back takes six hours.
4. Boat through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin
From Bradford on Avon, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin and back. Along the way you’ll pass over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. You can stop for refreshments at the canalside cafe next to Avoncliff Aqueduct, or the Angelfish Restaurant at Brassknocker Basin. The journey there and back travels nine miles and takes around four hours. There’s just one lock to pass through each way.
5. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Nantwich
On a day out from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise to Nantwich and back. The lock-free journey takes you past the canalside Barbridge Inn. And across the impressive Nantwich Aqueduct, with panoramic views across the town. The journey to Nantwich and back takes around six hours.
6. Travel slowly through the Shropshire countryside to historic Whitchurch
From Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. You’ll pass the Hadley Farm Café along the way and there’s a good choice of places to eat in Whitchurch, including the Black Bear pub. The journey to Whitchurch and back takes around five hours.
Also known as the Leicester Ring, this route travels 154 miles through stunning English countryside
Passing through historic villages and market towns, this rewarding ring takes in narrow and broad beam canals as well as two different river sections. It travels sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Coventry Canal, Grand Union Canal Leicester Line, Oxford Canal, River Soar, River Trent and Trent & Mersey Canal. And goes through the counties of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire.
Highlights include: Foxton Locks staircase on the Grand Union Leicester Line; the historic village of Shardlow on the River Trent; Coventry Cathedral; and Braunston.
The route can be completed on a two-week break from Great Haywood. You’ll pass through 117 locks, cruising six or seven hours each day.
New boats for 2025
Every year we add brand new boats to our canal boat hire fleet
We’re building three new boats over the winter ready to launch in 2025.
Coral will be available at Trevor
At Trevor we’re adding a fourth 60ft Gem Class boat to our fleet. These cruiser stern narrowboats for up to six people are already available at Whixall (Garnet), Monkton Combe (Onyx) and Bradford on Avon (Citrine).
These popular boats have a reverse layout, meaning the galley is at the rear and the main sleeping areas are at the front and middle of the boat. Our Gem Class boats feature two double cabins that can be configured either as a doubles or singles, a dinette double and two toilet/shower rooms.
2025 ‘Gem’ Class prices start at £1,265 for short break, £1,720 for a week.
Drake and Hamilton will arrive at Bradford on Avon
Two new luxury 67ft Admiral 6 class semi-traditional stern holiday narrowboats for up to six people will be available to hire from our Bradford on Avon base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire.
These luxury boats will feature two doubles or four singles in two cabins, a dinette double and two toilet/shower rooms. As well as central heating throughout, Admiral 6 Class boats will have multi-fuel stoves.
2025 ‘Admiral 6’ prices start at £1,370 for short break, £1,870 for a week.
Click here to check availability and book, or call us on 0117 463 3419.
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