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Best autumn narrow boat holidays
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
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Best autumn narrow boat holidays for 2026
Autumn is a great time to explore Britain’s beautiful countryside on a canal boat. The vibrant autumn colours of the leaves on trees and hedgerows alongside our canals and rivers are reflected in the water.
Our canal boats are like floating holiday cottages, so there’s everything you need on board for a self-catered staycation afloat.
Cruise through the Bath Valley to 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 and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Boating on through the Bath Valley, you’ll go through Claverton, home of the American Museum at Claverton Manor, and Bathampton, passing the iconic canalside George Inn. You can moor up at Sydney Gardens and it’s a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre, with world class attractions to explore, including the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent.
The journey to Bath and back from Bradford on Avon travels 18 miles, passes through two locks (one each way) and takes around eight hours.
Navigate the Llangollen and Montgomery canals to Crickheath Basin
On a four-night break from Trevor, you can travel by boat to Crickheath on the Montgomery Canal and back. The journey begins on the Llangollen Canal, cruising the 11-mile section designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll cruise across the Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts, and you’ll pass a series of canalside pubs, including the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank. When you reach Frankton Junction, you’ll transfer onto the Montgomery Canal, recognised as a Special Area of Conservation. There are canalside pubs at Owestry and Maesbury Marsh. You can turn the boat around at Crickheath Basin.
The journey to Crickheath Basin and back from Trevor travels 37 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 20 hours
Navigate ‘The Shroppie’ to Norbury and back
On a week’s break from Bunbury in Cheshire, you can cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal to Norbury and back. The journey will take you through the Cheshire countryside and across the Nantwich Aqueduct, with views across the town. At Hack Green locks, you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum, where kids can follow the Soviet Spy Mouse Trail. At Audlem, you can moor up to visit the renowed canalside Shroppie Fly pub. When you reach historic Market Drayton, you can visit one of the many places to eat and drink, and sample the town’s famous gingerbread men. Continue cruising south, and after the five locks at Tyrley, you’ll cruise through the atmospheric Woodeaves Cutting, full of wildlife and vegetation. Next you’ll cross the Shebdon Aqueduct, before reaching Norbury Wharf and the canalside Junction Inn.
The journey from Bunbury to Norbury and back travels 58 miles, passes through 58 locks (29 each way) and takes around 31 hours.
Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to Llangollen in the Welsh Mountains
On a week’s break from Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can cruise to the historic town of Llangollen and back. Along the way, you’ll travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere, with its beautiful Mere, castle remains, cycle trails and woodland walks. You’ll cross the border into Wales at Chirk and begin cruising the 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage site, including tunnels, lift bridges and the awesome Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. At the historic market town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, you can visit the famous Horseshoe Falls, the Llangollen Steam Railway and you can climb up to Castell Dinas Bran for amazing views.
The journey from Whixall to Llangollen and back travels 52 miles, passes through four locks (two each way) and takes around 24 hours.
Visit the food & drink capital of Staffordshire
On short break from Great Haywood you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to the bustling market town of Stone and back. The route along the Trent & Mersey Canal takes you through the village of Weston on Trent, home to the Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire, with an excellent choice of restaurants, pubs and wine bars. There are also regular markets, the annual food festival and Stone has its own micro ‘Lymestone Brewery’.
The journey from Great Haywood to Stone and back travels 20 miles, passing through 8 locks (4 each way) and takes around 10 hours.
Cruise the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire
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.
The journey to Apperley Bridge and back travels 18 miles, passes through 22 locks (11 each way) and takes around 14 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
