Summer days out boating on the canals

If you are looking for a great day out this Summer, why not hire a canal boat for the day. You can cruise gently through the countryside with family and friends, spotting wildlife along the way.

We offer canal boat day boat hire from six of our bases, from just £99 per day for up to 10 people.

Tuition is included and our day boats are equipped with the things you need for a day afloat, including a kettle, cooker, fridge and toilet.

Here’s a guide to our top six day boat hire destinations this Summer:

1. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’

On a day afloat from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, you can cruise across to the World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Chirk and back.  As you cross, you’ll be 126ft high above the Dee Valley with fantastic views! You can stop to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank or the Poacher’s Pocket at Gledrid.  The journey to Chirk and back takes five hours.

2. Potter through the Warwickshire countryside to Wilmcote

From Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, you can cruise south along the Stratford Canal to the village of Wilmcote and back.  The journey will take you across the Edstone Aqueduct, the longest aqueduct in England, with views across the Warwickshire countryside.  From moorings at the top of the Wilmcote flight, it’s a short walk into the village to the Mary Arden Inn.  The journey to Wilmcote and back takes five hours.

3. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley

From Great Haywood, near Stafford, you can cruise to the historic market town of Rugeley and back.  You’ll pass through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way, you can stop for a drink or a meal at the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge.  The journey to Rugeley and back takes six hours.

4. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Nantwich

On a day out from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise to Nantwich and back.  The lock-free journey takes you past the canalside Barbridge Inn. And across the impressive Nantwich Aqueduct, with panoramic views across the town.  The journey to Nantwich and back takes around six hours.

5. Travel slowly through the Shropshire countryside to historic Whitchurch

From Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can reach the historic market town of Whitchurch.  You’ll pass the Hadley Farm Café along the way and there’s a good choice of places to eat in Whitchurch, including the Black Bear pub.  The journey to Whitchurch and back takes around five hours.

6. Boat through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin

From Bradford on Avon, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin and back. Along the way you’ll pass over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas.  You can stop for lunch at the canalside Cross Guns pub next to Avoncliff Aqueduct or the Angelfish Restaurant at Brassknocker Basin.  The journey there and back travels nine miles and takes around four hours.  There’s just one lock to pass through each way.

To find out more about our day boat hire, go to https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/our-boats/our-dayboat-fleet/

To find out more about visiting the canal network, go to https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/