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Top 9 Autumn 2022 canal boat holiday destinations

Best Autumn canal boat holidays in England and Wales

This Autumn set sail on an adventure afloat, enjoying the beautiful colours in the trees and hedgerows that line Britain’s canals and rivers.

You’ll be self-contained on board your very own floating holiday cottage, equipped with the key comforts of home, including hot water, TV, WiFi*, well-stocked kitchens, showers, flushing toilets and central heating.

Welcome to our guide to our top destinations for Autumn 2022:

  1. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ to Whitchurch

On a week’s break from our canal boat hire centre at Trevor in North Wales, you can travel to Whitchurch and back.  The journey along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch takes 22 hours and passes through two locks.  Along the way, you’ll travel across the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  This UNESCO World Heritage structure carries the canal 126 feet high above the Dee Valley.  Next you’ll go through the Whitehouses and Chirk tunnels, then across the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct.  Then it’s on through the beautiful Shropshire countryside, passing Ellesmere and Cole Mere.  Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore this pretty historic town, with independent shops and restaurants, and way-marked walks.

  1. Travel round the Black Country Ring

From our narrowboat hire base at Great Haywood in Staffordshire, you can complete the Black Country Ring.  The journey takes around 43 cruising hours, and travels through 79 locks.  It navigates sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Birmingham Main Line, Coventry, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals.  Highlights include Birmingham city centre’s Gas Street Basin, the Black Country Living Museum, and the waters at Tixall Wide.

  1. Cruise through the Worcestershire countryside to Lapworth

Navigating from our Tardebigge base near Bromsgrove, it’s a gentle seven-hour cruise through the countryside to the village of Lapworth.  You’ll be travelling along the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal.  There are two tunnels to navigate through, but no locks.  Once moored up in Lapworth, you can explore the village and visit the National Trust’s Packwood House.

  1. Navigate through the Airedale to Gargrave

On a short break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, you can cruise to Highgate Winding Hole, close to the village of Gargrave.  The route passes through Kildwick with its White Lion pub, Snaygill, home of the Bay Horse pub, and Skipton with its fascinating medieval castle.  The pretty village of Gargrave near the head of the Airedale, offers a choice of pubs, including the Masons Arms.  The journey to Highgate Winding Hole and back travels 20 miles and takes around 11 hours.

  1. Float along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Devizes

From our base at Bath it takes around 10½ hours to reach Foxhangers Wharf, on the edge of Devizes.  Here you can walk up the magnificent Caen Hill flight of locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.  Along the way, you’ll pass through eight locks, and over two dramatic Bath stone aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff.  You’ll also pass a series of canalside pubs, including the Cross Guns at Avoncliff and the Barge Inn at Bradford on Avon.  This route is perfect for a short break.

  1. Boat through the Warwickshire countryside to Fenny Compton

On a short break from Stockton, you can reach the pretty canalside village of Fenny Compton.  The journey begins on the Grand Union Canal, transferring onto the Oxford Canal at Napton-on-the-Hill, where there’s a good choice of pubs.  From there, the route winds gently through the countryside, with a series of locks to negotiate along the way.  The journey to Fenny Compton and back takes around 20 hours, passing through 24 locks (12 each way).

  1. Take a Thames boating holiday to Lechlade

From our narrowboat hire base on the River Thames at Oxford, it’s a tranquil nine-hour, journey to the pretty market town of Lechlade.  Perfect for a mid-week break, the route passes through seven locks and miles of peaceful countryside.  Places to stop off at include the village of Radcot with its 800-year old bridge across the Thames.  And Kelmscott Manor, once the Cotswold retreat of William Morris. Lechlade has a choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as independent shops.

  1. Boat to the ancient City of Chester

On a short break from our Bunbury base near Tarporley in Cheshire, you can reach the historic City of Chester.  The 12-mile journey along the Shropshire Union Canal takes you through the rolling Cheshire countryside.  It takes around seven cruising hours, and passes through 18 locks.  Once in Chester, you can enjoy some of the city’s best loved attractions, including Britain’s most complete Roman and medieval walls and the Tudor open-air galleries.

  1. Navigate the Avon Ring

On a 10-day or two-week break from Wootton Wawen, boaters can navigate the Avon Ring.  The 109-mile circuit travels sections of the Stratford Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Worcester & Birmingham Canal.  It passes through 131 locks and takes around 58 cruising hours. Highlights include Shakespeare’s Stratford, historic Evesham, Tewkesbury, Worcester and the 30 locks at Tardebigge.

*NB Our Silsden boats don’t have WiFi

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Top 12 Tips for First-Time Narrowboat Holiday Makers   

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a canal boat holiday, in fact, each year around one fifth of narrowboat hirers are new to the waterways!

It’s easier than you think to take control of a narrowboat, but to help settle any nerves about a staycation afloat, we’ve put together our top 12 canal boating tips for first-timers:

  1. Keep to the right: Unlike what you will be used to when driving, canal boats travel on the right side of our canals and rivers, so when you meet another boat, be sure to keep to the right.
  2. Steering basics: It might sound confusing at first, but really, it’s simple: if you want to go left, push the tiller to the right, and if you want to go right, push it to the left. Put the engine in reverse to stop. You’ll soon get the hang of it!
  3. Lock logistics: Always make sure you have a steerer on the boat when in a lock, and ensure that the boat is kept forward of the gates and cill (step). Be careful of slippery surfaces when pushing the gates open. Take your time and leave slowly to avoid any bumps.
  4. Close the gates behind you: Check that all paddles and gates are shut after you’ve used a lock, unless you can see another boat approaching.
  5. Sharing is caring: If possible, always share a lock with other boats to save water. This works to your advantage, as it means you can share the lock operation, and have a chat with other narrowboaters!
  6. Use your horn: The horn is there to enable you to warn canal boats coming towards you when approaching any sharp bends and when entering a tunnel.
  7. Tunnel tricks: Switch on your headlight before entering a tunnel, and if it’s a one-way tunnel, always make sure there isn’t already a boat inside before you begin to navigate your way through. To be sure, sound your horn upon approach.
  8. Slow down to walking pace: There’s a 4mph speed limit on the inland waterways. If you’re creating too much wash, you’re going too fast. Washes in the canals disturb wildlife and erodes the banks.
  9. Reduce your speed even further: Slow down when you are approaching bridges, locks, bends or junctions, and when passing other canal boats or anglers.
  10. Mooring musts: When mooring up at busy spots, make sure to avoid leaving a big gap between your boat and the bank. Never moor opposite winding holes, on bends, near to bridges, on private property, on lock landings (unless you are waiting to lock through) or at water points (unless you are filling up).
  11. Tying up: To keep your narrowboat secure, you need to tie it to the bank with a rope from both the front and the back of the barge, and on rivers you should fix your upstream rope first.
  12. Enjoy yourself! Above all, relax & enjoy your boating holiday!

For more tips and advice ahead of your narrowboat holiday, check out our YouTube channel where we have a series of virtual boat handover clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFikWqY-NcnYsWpOE7osrA

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Top 8 Summer Circuits for 2022

Best canal boat holidays in England and Wales

Ring routes offer varied journeys along different waterways and take in a wide range of landscapes and attractions. What’s more, they bring you back to your canal boat hire base without having to travel the same way twice!

Some circuits are a real challenge, with steep flights of locks and spooky tunnels to navigate, while others more suitable for narrowboat holiday beginners. All, though, offer a wonderful summer holiday adventure and the chance to explore the UK’s waterways from the comforts of your very own floating holiday home.

Here’s a list of our Top 8 Summer Circuits to explore afloat:

1. The Birmingham Mini-Ring this popular ring can be completed on a four-night short break from our base at Tardebigge in Worcestershire. It takes in sections of the Worcester & Birmingham, Birmingham Main Line and Grand Union canals. The journey takes you past sights such as: the historic village of Bournville, home of Cadbury’s chocolate; Gas Street Basin in central Birmingham; and the flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge. To complete the Birmingham Mini-Ring from Tardebigge, you will travel 45 miles and pass through 49 locks, which takes around 27 hours.

2. The Warwickshire Ring setting off from our canal boat hire base at Stockton in Warwickshire, this circuit can be completed in a week’s holiday. You’ll cruise through sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals. Highlights include: the flight of 11 locks into Atherstone; the lovely canal village of Braunston; the flight of 21 locks at Hatton; and wonderful Warwick Castle. To complete the Warwickshire Ring from Stockton, you will travel 104 miles and pass through 121 locks in around 56 hours.

3. The Avon Ring canal boat holiday-makers can complete this epic circuit on a two week break from our narrowboat hire bases at Tardebigge or Wootton Wawen. Navigating sections of the Stratford Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Worcester & Birmingham Canal, you’ll encounter: Shakespeare’s Stratford; the River Avon with its incredible views; the charming historic town of Evesham; the Cotswold medieval town of Tewskesbury; the City of Worcester and its stunning cathedral; and the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge. To complete the Avon Ring from either Tardebigge or Wootton Wawen, you will travel 109 miles and pass through 131 locks, which will take around 58 hours.

4. The Black Country Ring setting off from our canal boat rental base at Great Haywood in Staffordshire or Tardebigge in Worcestershire, this circuit can be done in an active week’s holiday. Explore sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Birmingham Main Line, Coventry, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals. Sights along the way include: Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin; the 21 locks at Wolverhampton; and the beautiful waters at Tixall Wide. To complete the Black Country Ring from Tardebigge, you will travel 104 miles, passing through 79 locks, which will take around 53 hours. From Great Haywood it’s 75 miles, 79 locks and takes 43 hours.

5. The East Midlands Ring on a two week break from our narrowboat rental base at Stockton , boaters can explore the East Midlands Ring, also known as the Leicester Ring. You’ll cruise along sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Coventry, Oxford, Trent & Mersey and Grand Union canals, as well as the rivers Soar and Trent. Highlights along this circuit include: Saddlington Tunnel; the Foxton Staircase; the canal village of Stoke Bruerne with its Canal Museum; Blisworth Tunnel; the 11 locks at Atherstone; the City of Coventry; and the historic village of Shardlow. To complete the East Midlands Ring from Stockton, you will travel 170 miles and pass through 107 locks in around 84 hours.

6. The Four Counties Ring this popular circuit can be completed in a week when departing from our bases at Great Haywood in Staffordshire, Bunbury in Cheshire or Whixall in Shropshire. The route takes narrowboat holiday-makers through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire, exploring a range of beautiful areas of Britain. Highlights along the way include: the infamous 2670-metre long Harecastle Tunnel; flight of 15 locks at Audlem; views of the rolling Cheshire Plains; and the Roman town of Middlewich. To complete the Four Counties Ring from Great Haywood, you’ll travel 110 miles and pass through 94 locks, which will take around 55 hours. From Bunbury, it will be 115 miles, 96 locks and 58 hours. From Whixall, it’s 137 miles, 132 locks and 86 hours.

7. The Stourport Ring setting off from our canal boat hire base at Tardebigge in Worcestershire, this ring, which can be completed in a week, takes you along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal Navigation, the River Severn, Birmingham Canal Main Line and Stourbridge canals. Highlights include: cruising through bustling central Birmingham; Kinver with its National Trust rock houses; the City of Worcester with its town centre and magnificent cathedral; beautiful views along the River Severn; and the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge. To complete the Stourport Ring from Tardebigge, you will travel 84 miles and pass through 118 locks in around 52 hours.

8. The Cheshire Ring cruising from our narrowboat hire base at Bunbury in Cheshire, this route, which runs through the heart of Manchester and the Peak District via the Ashton, Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Trent & Mersey and Bridgewater canals, can be completed in a week. Highlights along the way include: the incredible Anderton Boat Lift, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’; breath-taking views of the Peak District; and Manchester’s China Town. To complete the Cheshire Ring from Bunbury, you will travel 122 miles and pass through 102 locks, which will take about 86 cruising hours.

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Try narrowboating for free at an Anglo Welsh Open Day

Day boat hire on the canals

On Thursday 2 June 2022, the first day of the bank holiday weekend celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we are hosting open days at four of our narrowboat hire bases, offering you the chance to try canal boating for free!

The events will run from 10am to 4pm, so come and visit us to take a free short trip on a skippered day boat, ask our expert staff for advice on all things boating, learn what to expect from a canal boat holiday and enter a competition to win a free day boat trip!

The open days will take place at:

–          Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire;

–          Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire;

–          Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire; and

–          Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal in Warwickshire.

Emma Lovell, reservations manager for Anglo Welsh, explains:

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our open days to enjoy spending time by the water and a free taster session on aboard one of our day boats.

“No booking is required and trips will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.”

Here at Anglo Welsh, we offer day boat hire with prices starting at £10 per person. It’s a great opportunity for those new to canal boating to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.  All day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery, a kettle, fridge, cooker and a toilet. Day boats are suitable for up to 10 passengers. Up to two dogs are welcome on board, but they do count as passengers.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Whixall Marina, Alders Lane, Whixall, Shopshire, SY13 2QS

Anglo Welsh at Bunbury, Bunbury Locks, Bunbury, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9QB

Anglo Welsh at Great Haywood, Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Stafford, ST18 0RJ

Anglo Welsh at Wootton Wawen, Canal Wharf, Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden, West Midlands, B95 6BZ

 

*We had initially planned an Open Day at Tardebigge but are sorry to announce this can no longer go ahead. Those planning to visit Tardebigge could instead visit Wootton Wawen.*

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Our Top 11 Wonderful Waterside Pubs

Best pubs to visit on a canal boat holiday

There are hundreds of historic pubs alongside the inland waterways of the UK, that offer perfect spots for canal boat holiday-makers to moor up, relax and enjoy some great food and drink.

In fact, many who enjoy a narrowboat staycation say that visiting canalside pubs is one of the best things about a holiday afloat on Britain’s beautiful inland waterways!

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to charming canalside pubs and restaurants. So, to celebrate the start of the 2022 canal boat holiday season, we’ve put together a guide to our Top 11:

  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 our boat yard at 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 two-and-a half hour cruise from our canal boat rental base at 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 Blue Lias at Stockton – this historic pub on the Grand Union Canal at Stockton in Warwickshire is well known for its great beer and canalside garden. It was named after the limestone and clay quarried locally. This is derived from material laid down in the early Jurassic seas, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  The Blue Lias is less than a mile away from our canal boat hire base at Stockton, but you need to go through eight locks, so it takes around one hour and forty minutes to cruise there.
  6. The Fleur De Lys at Lowsonford – this pretty 17th century country pub in the Warwickshire village of Lowsonford is famous for its pies and beer garden on the banks of the Stratford Canal. 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 narrow boat centre at Wootton Wawen.
  7. The Nag’s Head in Abingdon – this award-winning pub on the River Thames offers drinkers and diners a peaceful retreat in its riverside gardens. The Nag’s Head serves gourmet cuisine and wood fired pizzas.  It takes around five hours to reach the Nag’s Head from canal barge base on the Thames at Oxford.  Along the way, you’ll travel 15 miles, passing through six locks.
  8. The Horse & Jockey at Grindley Brook – this family owned pub on the Llangollen Canal at the bottom of Grindley Brook Locks 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.
  9. The Plume of Feathers at Barlaston – this popular pub on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire is part-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.
  10. 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 narrow boat hire base at Bunbury.
  11. The Cross Guns at Avoncliff – this 17th century Wiltshire inn has riverside pub gardens with panoramic views of the foothills of the Cotswolds. It’s next to the Kennet & Avon Canal’s beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct. The Cross Guns serves a selection of British pub favourite food, local ales, cider and craft beer and it’s less than an hour away from our narrow boat hire base at Monkton Combe.

 

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The Bald Hiker’s Unforgettable Experience on the Llangollen Canal

Last October, Paul Steele AKA The Bald Hiker, took a press trip on the Llangollen Canal, setting off from our base at Trevor.

In his blog, Paul describes his holiday as “an experience you shall never forget and will forever change your perception of people who live and work on the canals”.

Paul travelled aboard our 65ft Bond Class narrowboat ‘Anna’, with his friend and fellow author, Paul Taylor.  As all of our hire boats are pet friendly, his two dogs, Malc and Pete, were able to join in on the fun, too.

They cruised from the Anglo Welsh base at Trevor and crossed over the UNESCO World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  Paul’s fantastic photos capture the breath-taking beauty of the aqueduct and surrounding scenery, and give an idea of the scale of this incredible feat of engineering, which dates back over 200 years.

They then travelled on to Chirk, navigating through Chirk Tunnel and over Chirk Aqueduct.  The next day, they went back to Trevor and then on to the delightful town of Llangollen.  At Llangollen, they moored up to explore the town, finding “plenty of places to find a bite to eat or get a drink or two.”

To read Paul’s full account of his canal boat holiday, and see all the beautiful images, go to https://www.baldhiker.com/2022/01/13/a-narrowboat-trip-on-the-llangollen-canal/

 

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We’ve launched our own Youtube channel!

Last November, Youtube celebrated its 15th birthday, and it’s now the ‘go to’ for practical advice videos for millions of people every day.

We’ve been working with Robin Media to build up a collection of narrowboat holiday video guides.  And we’ve published a series of inspirational films on our new Youtube channel, giving a flavour of what it’s like to take a holiday afloat.

Advice for narrowboat holiday novices

From daily checks, to general advice, our snappy ‘how to’ video guides aim to make it easier for narrowboat holiday newcomers.

Daily check guides include checking the engine coolant, priming the stern greaser and checking the engine oil level.  We also show you how to flush a toilet on a narrowboat, top up the water, check the weed hatch and operate the bilge pump.  And there’s advice on operating the control lever, steering the boat and changing a gas canister.

Our Boat Handover video gives a longer tutorial

As well as short ‘how to’ video guides, we’ve published our Boat Handover video, giving a longer tutorial.  We recommend watching this, as well as the Canal & River Trust’s Boater’s Handbook video ahead of your narrowboat holiday.

Enjoy a family canal boat holiday

Our new family canal boat holiday films were made at our Tardebigge base.  These six films give a flavour of the things to see and do on a narrowboat holiday.  There are scenes of life on board our boats, going through a lock and a tunnel, mooring up and more.

Follow the link from our homepage, or click here to visit our Youtube channel, and please do let us know what you think in the comments section.

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Celebrate a special occasion with a day afloat on your local waterway

Celebrate a special occasion with a day afloat on your local waterway

Bookings manager, Emma Lovell, highlights Anglo Welsh’s Top 6 day boat destinations for 2021.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, like Mother’s Day or a birthday, or just looking for a different day out in your local area, our day boats offer the chance to enjoy a relaxing day afloat on your local waterway.

You can cruise gently along, watching out for waterway wildlife, and enjoying a picnic afloat or lunch at a canalside pub along the way.

We offer day boat hire from six of our bases, from just £99 per day for up to 10 people*. Full tuition is included, so you can get the hang of steering, working the locks and mooring up. Cruising hours during the season are from 9am to 4pm.

All our day boats are equipped with the facilities you need for a day afloat – cutlery, crockery, a kettle, cooker, fridge and toilet. There’s indoor and outdoor seating on all our day boats, so whatever the weather, you can enjoy the ever changing view.

And if you’ve ever fancied taking a canal boat holiday, but want to experience what it’s like before committing to a short break or week away, our day boats offer a great way to dip your toe in the water.

To help you plan your day out of the ordinary on one of our beautiful canals, we’ve put together a list of our Top 6 day boat destinations for 2021:

1. Wend 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. Prices aboard our Whixall day boat ‘Julia’ are £99 for up to 10 people on a weekday, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

2. 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 route takes you across the impressive Edstone Aqueduct and passes through one lock before reaching the historic village of Wilmcote in around two hours. You can moor up above Wilmcote Top Lock and take a short walk into the village, where you’ll find a choice of pubs, and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Mary Arden Farm. Prices aboard our Wootton Wawen day boats ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ are £99 for up to 10 people on a weekday, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

3. 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. Prices aboard our Great Haywood day boats ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ are £99 on a weekday, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

4. Travel through the Forest of Arden in Worcestershire – from our canal boat hire base at Tardebigge near Bromsgrove, on a day out you can cruise north along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to Kings Norton Junction in around two and a half hours. The eight-mile, zero-lock journey passes through the remains of the Forest of Arden, with two canal tunnels along the way, including Wast Hills, which at 2,493 metres long is one of the longest in the country. There’s a choice of pubs along the way, including The Crown or The Weighbridge at Alvechurch, and the Hopwood House at Hopwood. Prices aboard our Tardebigge day boat ‘Emma’ are £99 on a weekday, £150 on weekends and bank holidays. ‘Emma’ can also be hired for a night for two people for £198, plus fuel.

5. 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 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 Glendrid to enjoy lunch at the Poacher’s Inn. This gentle five-mile journey with no locks, also takes you across Chirk Aqueduct and through Whitehouse and Chirk tunnels. Prices aboard our Trevor day boats ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ are £120 on a weekday, £180 on weekends and bank holidays.

6. 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. Prices aboard our Bunbury day boat ‘Bella’ are £99 on a weekday, £150 on weekends and bank holidays.

There’s more information about our day hire here https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/Our-Boats/dayboats

 

*Depending on the date of the booking, please adhere to any relevant coronavirus restrictions that may be in place

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Be Inspired

We offer a range of different types of holidays such as City Breaks, Relaxation Cruises and Popular Destinations

City Breaks
Rural retreats
Popular places

So why choose Anglo Welsh?

Over 55 years providing unique canal boat holidays in England and Wales.
Modern and spacious narrowboat and wide beam barge hire – from 2 to 12 berths.
Wide choice of narrowboat hire locations and canal boat holiday destinations.
Canal boat holiday routes for novices & experienced boaters.
Flexible holiday booking, no hidden costs.
Family friendly and pet friendly holidays.
Great days out on the water.
Luxury canal boat hire and Thames boating holidays.

Anglo Welsh. So much more than narrowboats

...but don't just take our word for it

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