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Rural Retreat Canal Holidays
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
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Welcome to our top 7 Rural Retreat canal boat holidays
You can cruise through some of Britain’s best loved countryside on a rural retreat canal holiday with Anglo Welsh.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life to experience tranquility, birdsong and country pubs. You can moor up in remote spots and enjoy the solitude from the comfort of your floating holiday home.
Cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Hatton Locks
On a 4-night break from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise along the Stratford and Grand Union canals to Hatton Locks and back. The journey takes you through the Warwickshire countryside and the remains of the Forest of Arden. You’ll pass a series of historic canalside pubs and villages, including the Fleur de Lys at Lowsonford.
The journey from Wootton Wawen to Hatton and back travels 21 miles, passes through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
Travel slowly through the Wiltshire countryside to Caen Hill
On a short break from Bradford on Avon, you can cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Foxhanger Wharf the base of the Caen Hill flight. This journey through the Wiltshire countryside takes you past the Barge Inn at Seend. You can moor up at the base of the Caen Hill flight of locks and walk up to explore the locks, their side ponds and the Canal & River Trust’s Diamond Jubilee Woods.
The journey from Bradford on Avon to Caen Hill and back travels 36 miles, passes through 14 locks (7 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Cruise through the Welsh mountains and the Shropshire Lake District
On a week’s break from Trevor you can travel along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way. You’ll cross the border into England at Chirk, and cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to moorings close to Whitchurch.
The journey from Trevor to Whitchurch and back travels 52 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 25 hours.
Glide through the Staffordshire countryside to Alrewas
On a 4-night break from Great Haywood, you can cruise the Trent & Mersey Canal to the village of Alrewas and back. The journey will take you through Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural beauty and the village of Rugeley. At Alrewas you can moor up to visit the National Memorial Aboretum woodland park.
The journey from Great Haywood to Alrewas and back travels 29 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 17 hours.
Cruise along the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and up onto the Pennines
On a week-long break from Silsden, you can cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool to Barnoldswick and back. The journey will take through Skipton, along the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and up onto the Pennines. At Barnoldswick, there are shops and places to eat, and you can take a walk along part of the Pendle Way.
The journey from Silsden to Barnoldswick and back travels 38 miles, passing through 30 locks (15 each way) and takes around 27 hours.
Navigate through the Shropshire countryside to Crickheath
On a 4-night break from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen and Montgomery canals to Crickheath and back. The journey takes you through the Shropshire Lake District, transferring onto the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction. Country pubs to visit along the way include the canalside Queen’s Head pub near Oswestry.
The journey from Whixall to Crickheath back travels 36 miles, passes through 16 locks (8 each way) and takes around 19 hours.
Cruise gently through the Cheshire countrysie to Audlem
On a weekend break from Bunbury, you can cruise down the Shropshire Union Canal to the village of Audlem and back. You’ll find historic canalside pubs at Barbridge Junction and Audlem. And you’ll cruise across Nantwich Aqueduct and Moss Hall Aqueduct.
The journey from Bunbury to Audlem and back travels 23 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 9 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
