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Best 2026 Canal Boat Holidays
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Top 9 canal boat holidays for 2026
Britain’s peaceful inland waterways provide the perfect staycation destination for 2026.
Boating slowly through the countryside at just 4 miles per hour, watching out for wildlife, is a great way to relax. It’s free to moor up almost anywhere, so you can stop off at canalside pubs and waterside destinations along the way.
Boat through the countryside to Fradley
On a weekend break from Great Haywood near Stafford you can cruise along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction and back. The journey takes you through a series of villages with historic pubs, including the Colliers pub at Rugeley and the Crown Inn at Handsacre. Places to explore along the way include Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. Once at Fradley, you can moor up to visit the Canalside Café, the Swan Inn and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.
The journey to Fradley and back takes around 12 hours and passes through 10 locks (5 each way).
Cruise through the Bath Valley to Georgian Bath
On a weekend break from Bradford on Avon, you can cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back. The route will take you through Bradford on Avon Lock and past English Heritage’s medieval Tithe Barn. You’ll cruise across the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Boating on through the Bath Valley, you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and the American Museum at Claverton Manor. At Sydney Gardens you can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre to explore Bath’s many attractions, including the Pump Rooms and Roman Baths.
The journey to Bath and back travels 18 miles, passes through 2 locks (one each way) and takes around 7 hours.
Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ in North Wales
On a week’s break from Trevor near Wrexham, you can travel along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch and back. You’ll begin your holiday crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which carries the Llangollen Canal 38 metres high above the Dee Valley. You’ll cross the border into England at Chirk, and then you’ll pass through the picturesque town of Ellesmere. You’ll then cruise on through the Shropshire Lake District to Whitchurch. There you can moor up to explore this historic market town, with its award-winning Black Bear pub.
The journey to Whitchurch and back takes around 25 hours and passes through 4 locks (2 each way).
Navigate to Shakespeare’s Stratford in Warwickshire
On a short break from Wootton Wawen, you can navigate the Stratford Canal to Stratford-upon-Avon and back. You’ll cruise slowly through the Warwickshire countryside, crossing over the 105-metre long Edstone Aqueduct. At the top of the Wilmcote flight you can moor up and walk into the village, where you’ll find the Mary Arden Inn. Then you’ll travel down the flight, going through 16 locks before you reach Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford. There you can moor up and explore this world famous historic town, home of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
The journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and back takes around 11 hours and passes through 34 locks (17 each way).
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire in Yorkshire
On a week’s break from Silsden near Keighley, you can cruise through the Yorkshire countryside to Apperley Bridge and back. You’ll navigate through the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Soon after you’ll reach UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire, where Sir Titus Salt built beautiful Italianate buildings for his mills. Today Salt Mill is home to shops, restaurants and galleries, including the magnificent David Hockney Gallery. You can then cruise on to Apperley Bridge, where there’s a fish and chip shop and choice of pubs, including the Dog & Gun.
The journey to Apperley Bridge and back takes around 20 hours and passes through 32 locks (16 each way).
Boat through the Shropshire countryside to Crickheath
On a 4-night break from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen and Montgomery canals to Crickheath and back. The journey takes you along the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, transferring onto the mainline close to Whixall Moss nature reserve. You’ll pass Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District before reaching Frankton Junction. Here the Llangollen Canal meets the Montgomery Canal. You need to book your passage through Frankton Locks with the Canal & River Trust in advance. After Frankton Locks you’ll soon reach Oswestry and the canalside Queen’s Head pub. Then it’s Maesbury Marsh and the Navigation Inn. You can turn your boat at Crickheath Basin and return to Whixall.
The journey to Crickheath and back travels 36 miles, passes through 16 locks (8 each way) and takes around 19 hours.
Travel up the Caen Hill flight and into the Pewsey Vale
On a week’s break from Monkton Combe on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Somerset, you can cruise to Pewsey Wharf and back. The journey takes you through the Bath Valley and across the magnificent Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Then you’ll go through the historic market town of Bradford on Avon. When you reach Devizes, with the help of Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers, you’ll navigate up the famous 29 locks at Caen Hill. Next you’ll cruise through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At Pewsey Wharf, you can follow the Pewsey Vale Trail and visit the Pewsey Heritage Centre and the Waterfront Bar & Bistro.
It takes around 44 hours to cruise to Pewsey and back, passing through 74 locks (37 each way).
Explore the ancient City of Chester
On a short break from Bunbury, you can cruise up the Shropshire Union Canal to the ancient city of Chester and back. The route takes you through the beautiful Cheshire countryside and past a series of canalside pubs, including the Shady Oak near Wharton’s Lock and the Cheshire Cat at Christleton. When you reach Chester, you can moor up close to Chester Cathedral to explore the city, including its famous Roman city walls and Chester Rows shops.
The journey to Chester and back takes around 14 hours and passes through 18 locks (9 each way).
Visit Warwick Castle for Britain’s greatest medieval experience
On a week-long holiday from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise to Warwick Castle and back. The journey begins on the leafy Stratford Canal. You’ll pass through the village of Lowsonford, with its Fleur de Lys pub. At Lapworth, you’ll transfer onto the Grand Union Canal. Soon after you’ll reach Rowington, home of the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub. Then you’ll boat through the 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel. Next you’ll come to the top of the flight of 21 locks at Hatton. The Hatton Locks Cafe and Hatton Arms pub are popular places to stop for a break. In Warwick, moor at the Cape of Good Hope pub to visit Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience.
The journey to Warwick and back travels 28 miles, passes through 76 locks (38 each way) and takes around 23 hours.
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.
What to pack for your canal boat holiday
Best narrow boat holiday routes for beginners
Advice on how to use locks safely
