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Best October half term narrow boat holidays
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.
There’s a great choice of family attractions to cruise to this October half term
Autumn is a great time to explore Britain’s beautiful countryside on a canal boat and there are dozens of family attractions to visit along the way.
You’ll be cosy aboard your very own floating holiday cottage, with all the key comforts of home, including hot water, central heating, well-equipped kitchens, showers, flushing toilets and WiFi. Some of our boats also have multi-fuel stoves.
Tuition is included in our hire boat rental and our holidays are pet friendly.
We’ve published a guide to some of the best family destinations hosting special events this October half term.
Take a ghost tour in Bath
From Bradford on Avon, it takes around four hours, passing through one lock, to reach moorings next to Sydney Gardens in Bath. From there, you can explore this UNESCO World Heritage city and book a Ghost Tour. The tour takes visitors on a thrilling tour of Bath, discovering tales of murder, mayhem, witch burnings, hangings, medieval monks, duels and poltergeists.
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.
Explore 1,200 acres at Chirk Castle
On a short break break from Trevor, you can cruise to Ellesmere and back, stopping off to visit Chirk Castle along the way. The journey begins crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and then passes through two spooky tunnels. After crossing Chirk Aqueduct, you can moor up at Chirk to visit the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. There are great walks around the 480-acre estate, richly decorated state rooms to explore and murder holes and medieval toilets in the Adam Tower to marvel at. Over the October half term (17-31 Oct) there’s a special ‘Calan Gaeaf’ family trail through the garden to follow to discover some of the folklore and curious stories connected with the castle and surrounding area.
The journey from Trevor to Ellesmere and back travels 28 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 14 hours
Experience the Ghost Tour at National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
On a 4-night break from Bunbury in Cheshire, you can cruise the Shropshire Union Canal to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. Occupying the old dock buildings of Ellesmere Port, the Museum tells the story of the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked on them. This October half term (daily from 26 Oct to 1 Nov) the Museum will be hosting ghost tours searching for the Museum’s six ghosts. There will also be a Halloween trail to follow, craft activities, ghoulish costumed staff across the site and boat trips. The journey to Ellesmere Port takes you though the ancient city of Chester, where there’s so much to explore including Roman city walls.
The journey from Bunbury to Ellesmere Port and back travels 42 miles, passes through 24 locks (12 each way) and takes around 19 hours.
Watch out for the phantom at Bingley Five Rise Locks
On 4-night break from Silsden, you can cruise the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Saltaire, passing through the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks. When darkness falls, locals whisper of a spectral figure tending to the locks. This phantom boatman appears to be real until he mysteriously vanishes on approach. Others tell of ghostly footsteps and the echo of ropes being pulled that haunt the lock flight at night. When you reach Saltaire, you can moor up to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Salts Mill, home of the Hockney Gallery,
The journey from Silsden to Saltaire and back travels 18 miles, passes through 22 locks (11 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
Book a Ghost Tour at Shugborough Mansion
On short break from Great Haywood you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley. You can stop off along the way to visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate where October half term special events include ghost tours (29-31 Oct), a Halloween hunt trail (17-31 Oct) and craft sessions (29-31 Oct). At Fradley, you’ll find the historic Swan Inn and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve to explore.
The journey from Great Haywood to Fradley and back travels 25 miles, passing through 10 locks (5 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Take a Ghost Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon
From Wootton Wawen you can cruise along the Stratford Canal to Shakespeare’s Stratford. There you can moor up in Bancroft Basin in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon and take a Sinister Stratford Ghost Walk. You’ll hear tales of plague, murder, ghosts, grizzly deaths and witches. Some stories are linked to Shakespeare’s life, others are said to have influenced him.
The journey from Wootton Wawen to Stratford-upon-Avon and back travels 14 miles, passing through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 12 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
