Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ for some incredible views – from our canal boat hire base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it’s less than 10 minutes by water to the incredible World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at over 38 metres high and stretching for 305 metres across the Dee Valley, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, is truly one of the wonders of the waterways. After travelling across the Aqueduct, enjoying incredible views of the valley below, you can continue on to Chirk to enjoy lunch at the Poacher’s Pocket. This gentle five-mile journey with no locks, also takes you across Chirk Aqueduct and through Whitehouse and Chirk tunnels.

Please note: the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is closed for maintenance between 2nd January – 15th March 2024.

An alternative day boat destination from Trevor is the historic market town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains.  The journey to Llangollen, where there’s a great choice of places to eat, takes around two-and-a-half hours and there are no locks.

Daniel, Jacob & Lotty

Potter along the Stratford Canal to Wilmcote – from our narrowboat rental base at Wootton Wawen near Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, day boaters can head south along the Stratford Canal. The two-hour route takes you across the impressive Edstone Aqueduct and passes through one lock before reaching the historic village of Wilmcote. You can moor up above Wilmcote Top Lock and take a short walk into the village, where you’ll find The Mary Arden Inn and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Mary Arden Farm.

Alternatively, on a day afloat from Wootton Wawen you can cruise north along the Stratford Canal to the pretty village of Lowsonford and back.  The journey takes three hours each way, and passes through eight locks each way.

Dolly

Charlie

Cruise the Trent & Mersey to Rugeley for some Outstanding Beauty – from our narrowboat hire base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, on a day out, you can reach the historic market town of Rugeley. The journey travels four miles, passes through two locks and takes around two hours. Along the way, you’ll pass the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate and Cannock Chase Forest, a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty. Once at Rugeley, you can moor up to explore the town or turn at bridge 68 and head back to Wolseley to visit the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre or lunch at the canalside Wolseley Arms pub.

Alternatively, you can head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, cruising through the Staffordshire countryside and the village of Weston-on-Trent.  There’s a choice of pubs to visit, including the Saracens Head at Weston.

Abi & Daphne

Hire a boat for the day from Bradford on Avon for a peaceful cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Our four day boats at Bradford on Avon can carry up to 10 people each. They are equipped with a gas hob, fridge or electric cool box, and toilet. There’s indoor and outdoor seating.

Route options

You can either head west through the beautiful wooded Avon Valley to Brassknocker Basin, passing over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas along the way.  You can stop off at the canalside Cross Guns pub next to Avoncliff Aqueduct or the Angelfish Restaurant at Brassknocker Basin.  The journey from our Bradford on Avon day boat hire centre to Brassknocker Basin and back travels nine miles and takes around four hours.  There’s just one lock to pass through each way.

Or you can head east through the Wiltshire countryside to Semington, passing the canalside King’s Arms at Hilperton along the way.  The journey to Semington and back covers 11 miles and takes around four hours.

Prices

Weekday prices are £185, while at weekends and bank holidays it’s £199 per day. Day boat hire times are from 9am to 4pm.

To book a day boat from Bradford on Avon, call our bookings team on 0117 304 1122.

Cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Nantwich – from our canal boat rental base at Bunbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, on a day afloat you can cruise to Nantwich and back. The journey takes you through six peaceful miles of countryside, past the canalside Barbridge Inn and across the impressive Grade II* listed Nantwich Aqueduct with panoramic views across the town. With no locks along the way, the journey to Nantwich takes around two hours.

Bella

Wind your way through the Shropshire countryside to Whitchurch – from our canal boat hire base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can head to the historic market town of Whitchurch on a day afloat. The lock-free journey, which takes just over two hours, travels through six peaceful miles of countryside, passing the medieval Pan Castle. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore the town with its half-timbered buildings, independent shops and restaurants, way-marked circular walks and Brown Moss nature reserve.

Alternatively, on a day out from Whixall you can head to the historic market town of Ellesmere, in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. The lock-free route passes Cole Mere and takes you through Ellesmere Tunnel.

Julia