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Best Canal Boat Holidays For Beginners
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
With our Price Promise you’ll know you’re paying the best price.
Thought about about taking a canal boat holiday, but not sure where to begin?
It’s easy for first-timers to learn to operate our boats. And as part of all our narrowboat hire packages, we provide you with expert boat steering tuition.
With our nationally accredited handover, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable and in control before you set off. If you need to check on anything, there’s a manual on board every boat. And our engineering teams are on hand 24 hours a day to help over the phone or come out to you if you need them.
From guidance on how to work a lock, to tips on what to pack, our Narrowboat Tuition page will help get you started.
Our Best Routes for Canal Boat Holiday Beginners
Short breaks on routes without too many locks work well for beginners
Learn the ropes on the Llangollen
Passing through stunning North Wales landscapes, the Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular on the network. With just two locks along the way, the 7-hour journey from Trevor to Ellesmere and back is great short break holiday for beginners. The route includes the experience of travelling across the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Dip your toe in the water on the K&A
From our Bradford on Avon base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, it takes just four hours to cruise to Sydney Gardens on the edge of Bath. There’s just one lock to go through and the route takes you across two magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. You can moor up at Sydney Gardens and it’s a 15-minute walk into Bath City Centre.
Float gently along the Trent & Mersey to Fradley
Cruising from Great Haywood, you can head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction. The journey takes around 5 hours, travelling 12 peaceful miles and passing through 5 locks. At Fradley, take time to enjoy refreshments at the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn and a wander around the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve and woodland trail.
Test the waters on a cruise to Middlewich
From Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal, it’s a nice easy cruise through the Cheshire countryside to historic Middlewich. The journey there and back takes around 12 hours and passes through just 4 locks each way. You’ll pass the Old Barbridge Inn at Barbridge Junction, and you’ll go through the village of Church Minshull before reaching Middlewich.
Experience boating on the Leeds & Liverpool
On a short break from Silsden, you can cruise to Gargrave and back. The journey travels 23 miles and passes through just 3 locks each way. Along the way, you’ll pass through the historic town of Skipton. At Gargrave there are plenty of pubs, including The Mason’s Arms. And it’s on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park so you can moor up and take a hike in the hills.
Glide through the Shropshire Lake District
On a 4-night break from Whixall you can cruise the Llangollen Canal to Chirk and back. The return journey takes around 16 hours and there are just 2 locks each way. You’ll travel through the Shropshire Lake District and the medieval market town of Ellesmere. At Chirk there’s a choice of canalside pubs and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle to visit.
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.
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