Best canalside pubs

We’ve put together a guide to some of the best canalside pubs to visit on a canal boat holiday

There are hundreds of historic pubs alongside the inland waterways of Britain, offering the perfect spots to moor up, relax and enjoy some great food and drink.

1. The Barge Inn at Seend

This beautiful pub on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire has a large waterside beer garden offers classic pub favourites, including great Sunday roasts. The Barge Inn is next to Seend Lock no.18. It takes around seven hours to reach this pub from our canal boat hire base at Bath.  The journey travels 17 miles, through 4 locks and passes over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff.

2. The Bay Horse at Snaygill

On the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Skipton, this popular country pub dates back to 1822. It’s a Vintage Inn serving country pub classics and cask ales.  From Silsden, it takes just under three hours to reach The Bay Horse.

3. The Crown Inn at Alvechurch

This country pub on the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal close to the village of Alvechurch offers great food and drink, rustic charm and a lovely pub garden. The Crown Inn is just three miles from our boat yard at Tardebigge.  Just an hour and a half away, it’s a good first night stopping point when heading towards Birmingham.

4. The Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank

Also known as the last pub in England, this traditional pub on the Llangollen Canal in the village of Chirk Bank offers visitors fantastic views of Chirk Aqueduct. The Bridge Inn is just a 2.5-hour cruise from Trevor so it’s a great place to stop on the first night of your canal boat holiday, if you are heading to Ellesmere or beyond.

5. The Fleur De Lys at Lowsonford

This pretty 17th century country pub in the Warwickshire village of Lowsonford has a beer garden on the banks of the Stratford Canal and is famous for its pies. Choose from eleven different types of pie, accompanied by seasonal vegetables, chunky chips and gravy. The Fleur De Lys just over three hours from our narrowboat hire centre at Wootton Wawen.

6. The Horse & Jockey at Grindley Brook

Next to the Llangollen Canal, this family owned pub near Whitchurch offers great food, drink and service. It takes around four and a half hours to reach The Horse & Jockey from our canal boat rental base at Whixall Marina.  The journey travels seven miles and passes through five locks.

7. The Plume of Feathers at Barlaston

This popular pub on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire is co-owned by the actor, Neil Morrissey. Sample some of Neil’s beers and ales, and choose from a menu of homemade dishes made from fresh local ingredients.  It takes just over seven hours to reach The Plume of Feathers from our Great Haywood base.  The journey travels 12 miles through the Staffordshire countryside, passing through 12 locks and the town of Stone.

8. The Olde Barbridge Inn near Nantwich

This historic pub on the Shropshire Union Canal sells local ales brewed at its own local brewery and serves classic British food made with local produce. The Olde Barbridge Inn is an hour’s cruise from our base at Bunbury.

9. The Dundas Arms at Kintbury

With a terrace overlooking the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Dundas Arms in Kintbury is a traditional country pub in the Berkshire countryside. The menu features traditional pub food created with seasonal and local produce. You can reach the Dundas Arms on a 10-day, 11-day or two-week break from Bradford on Avon.