There’s plenty of storage on board and we offer advice on what to pack
Bath Canal Boat Hire
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.
Cruise from Bath – Explore the Kennet & Avon Canal in Somerset and Wiltshire
Located at Sydney Wharf in Bath, our base sits directly on the Kennet & Avon Canal, offering instant access to one of the UK’s most scenic and culturally rich waterways. It’s the perfect starting point for exploring Somerset, Wiltshire and Berkshire — whether you’re planning a short break or a longer adventure.
From the elegance of Bath to the engineering marvel of the Caen Hill Locks, this stretch of canal is packed with heritage, nature and peaceful cruising.
Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Sydney Wharf offers an amazing choice of destinations
Bath
Start on Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Bath City Centre and back
- 1 mile
- 12 locks
- 4 hours
On a short break you can navigate through the Bath flight of six locks and more up in the centre of this UNESCO World Heritage City, close to the iconic Pulteney Bridge.
Bradford on Avon
Start on Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Bradford on Avon and back
- 18 miles
- 2 locks
- 7 hours)
On a short break you can cruise to historic market town of Bradford on Avon and back, crossing over the magnificent Bath stone Dundas Aqueduct and Avoncliff Aqueduct.
Caen Hill
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Caen Hill locks and back
- 36 miles
- 16 locks
- 18 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Bath Valley and the Wiltshire countryside to the base of the awe-inspiring Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes and back.
Bristol
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Bristol Floating Harbour and back
- 26 locks
- 16 hours
On a four-night break you can cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath onto the Bristol Avon to Bristol Floating Harbour and back. Only suitable for boaters who have previously travelled with Anglo Welsh a minimum of five times.
Pewsey Wharf
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Pewsey Wharf and back
- 69 miles
- 74 locks
- 42 hours
On a week-long break you can cruise through the Bath Valley, up the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes and through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey and back.
Great Bedwyn
Start on Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Great Bedwyn and back
- 83 miles
- 102 locks
- 50 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Great Bedwyn and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest.
Hungerford
Start on Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Hungerford and back
- 94 miles
- 134 locks
- 60 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Hungerford and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest.
Newbury
Start on Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Newbury and back
- 111 miles
- 142 locks
- 69 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Newbury and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey, the Savernake Forest and Hungerford.
Reading
Start on Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bath
Route details:
Reading and back
- 150 miles
- 185 locks
- 94 hours total
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Reading and the River Thames and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey, the Savernake Forest and Newbury.
Luxury Boats available at Bath
We have 2 luxury 4-berth narrowboats for hire at our Bath Canal Boat Hire Base.
Draco
This Luxury 65ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Codrington
This Luxury 65ft Admiral Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Other Canal Boats available at Bath
We offer a choice of narrowboats at our Bath Canal Boat Hire base, ranging from boats for 2 to 12 people.
Sunbury 2
This Premium 48ft Brook Class narrowboat sleeps 2 people.
Golden Eagle
This Premium 57ft Firth Class narrowboat sleeps up to two people.
Sunbury 4
This Premium 48ft Weir Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Gloria
This Premium 65ft Bond Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Bradbury
This Premium 67ft Bond Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Silvia
This Premium 67ft Bond Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Sagittarius
This Premium 69ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 10 people.
Langton
This Premium 69ft Bond Class narrowboat sleeps up to 12 people.
How to find us
Our Bath base is on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Sydney Wharf, near Syndey Gardens.
Anglo Welsh & Bath Narrowboats, Sydney Wharf, Bathwick Hill, Bath, BA2 4EL
Tel 01225 447276
Discover Canal Boat Hire in Bath
If you’re searching for canal boat hire in Bath, this is your gateway to a memorable journey through the southern English countryside. Our location allows you to:
Begin your holiday right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath
Travel east through tranquil valleys, wooded hills and historic villages
Stop at vibrant canal towns like Bradford on Avon and Devizes
Cruise all the way to Hungerford or link up with the River Thames at Reading on longer breaks
Whether you’re a couple looking for a quiet retreat or a family ready to explore, canal boat hire from Bath is a perfect way to experience the region.
Explore at Your Own Pace
🏛️ Step into history in Bath
Start your journey from this iconic city, home to Roman baths, Georgian crescents, artisan shops and riverside restaurants — all just steps from the canal.
🛶 Cruise to Bradford on Avon, Avoncliff and beyond
Relax as you meander past stone cottages, aqueducts and waterside pubs. Perfect for first-time boaters or weekend cruisers.
⚙️ Tackle the Caen Hill Locks
A must-see feature of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the famous Caen Hill flight near Devizes features 29 locks and spectacular views — a rewarding highlight for any boating holiday.
🍺 Enjoy traditional canalside hospitality
Moor up at classic pubs like the George at Bathampton or the Barge Inn at Seend, and enjoy a proper pint in timeless surroundings.
Book Your Canal Boat Holiday from Bath
From cultural city escapes to quiet countryside cruises, Bath is one of the most popular bases for narrowboat holidays in Somerset and Wiltshire. Whether you’re cruising for a few days or a couple of weeks, you’ll find beauty, tranquillity and historic charm around every bend.
Start your canal boat holiday in Bath and cruise the stunning Kennet & Avon Canal at your own pace. Boats should be returned by 9am on the final day of your holiday – or the afternoon before if you’ve made arrangements with the booking team. Please bear this in mind when deciding where you will moor on your last night.
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.
