A canal boat holiday: the perfect way to celebrate an end to lockdown
After so many weeks cooped up within the same four walls, most of us are raring to get out and about again – especially now that summer is here.
Never before have we all so appreciated the joys of being able to move freely and explore new places.
So with foreign travel still restricted, let’s celebrate a relaxation of lockdown rules by becoming tourists within our own green and pleasant land and enjoying a truly memorable ‘staycation’.
The UK has so many fascinating and beautiful places to discover, sometimes the best holidays are the ones closer to home.
One of the best ways to explore new areas of England and Wales and uncover our country’s hidden gems is on a canal boat holiday.
Here are just a few of the reasons why a narrowboat holiday is the perfect way to make the most of being allowed out again:
The right to roam – or float
A canal boat holiday is a journey. By holidaying aboard a narrowboat, you can cruise along the stunning waterways of England and Wales covering new ground each day and taking in a range of landscapes and attractions along the way. After so long confined to one place, a holiday which involves being on the move with constantly changing scenery is particularly appealing. We have 11 narrowboat hire bases scattered across England and Wales all of which offer access to wonderful and varied canal holiday routes. There are easy holiday cruises to historic towns and cities, perfect for those wanting a short weekend break, or longer more challenging circuits for two week canal holidays exploring whole regions.
Soak up the space
There are more than 2,000 miles of canals and rivers winding their way through the luscious landscapes of England and Wales. A canal boat holiday gives you access to amazing open countryside and remote beauty spots difficult to access by any other means. Cruising through these remote and hidden corners of the country offers a feeling of space and freedom you have probably been craving for the last few months. You can moor up and take off on foot or by bicycle to explore the surrounding area, or remain onboard the narrowboat and simply take it all in as you motor along at a stately three miles an hour. Whatever your preference, enjoy those limitless horizons.
Variety is the spice of life
One of the joys of a canal boat holiday is the vast array of different things to see and do. With dozens of different canal holiday routes to choose from, you could opt for a city break or rural tranquility – or both. Canals pass through mountainous landscapes and flood plains, through woods and farm land. They pass historic villages, stately homes, castles, museums, themes parks, zoos and more. Then there is the range of activities to be enjoyed along the waterways, including walking, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and fishing. On a canal boat holiday, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
Bring the pets
We offer pet-friendly holidays at Anglo Welsh so you can bring up to two furry friends along for the ride. If you are craving a much needed break away from home, but don’t want to leave your dog or another much loved pet on their own, you can bring one animal along for free then pay a small fee for a second.
Canal Boat Essentials – What to pack for your 2017 waterway holiday
Anglo Welsh’s customised fleet of 160 modern narrowboats are designed and built to exacting standards so that canal boat lovers who book their holidays with us can enjoy memorable journeys around the UK’s waterways in the greatest comfort.
Whether it’s a 2-4 berth moored in Bradford-on-Avon, Bunbury or Bath, or a 9-12 berth cruising the Shropshire Union Canal, Pennine Circuit or Kennet and Avon, every Anglo Welsh boat offers spacious layouts, comfy beds, stylish livery and all the mod cons. The only thing you need to bring on board are your ‘canal legs’ and a few basic essentials.
So what are those vital basic items you should pack before boarding your narrowboat at one of Anglo Welsh’s 11 bases spread across England and Wales?
“On the one hand, it’s practical things like a First Aid kit, torch and waterproof clothing,” says Matt Anderson, manager at Anglo Welsh’s base at Trevor in Llangollen, North Wales. “On the other, there are those personal things that will ensure you get maximum pleasure from your canal holiday – you’ll want your favourite biscuits with your morning cuppa and your dog won’t forgive you if you leave his favourite blanket at home!”
“Every Anglo Welsh narrowboat has a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom, TVs and DVD players,” continues Matt, “but every holidaymaker will have their own ‘must have’ accessories, whether that means fold-up chairs and a flask for towpath picnics, or films and games to keep the kids amused in the evenings.”
“Most people like to record the amazing sights along the canals, too, and we’ve got some unforgettable views close to our base here in Trevor, not least the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which carries the Llangollen Canal 126 feet above the River Dee. Imagine looking down from that spectacular height and suddenly realising you’ve forgotten to pack your camera and binoculars!”
Needless to say, what goes for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct applies equally to the canal-side panorama at hot spots on other Anglo Welsh circuits like Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, the Foxton Locks in Leicestershire or the bustling waterfront in Birmingham. As any good boy scout will tell you: ‘Be prepared’!
Narrowboat essentials – What to pack to get the most out of your Anglo Welsh canal holiday
Soft bags instead of suitcases (easier to store away)
Torch
Waterproof clothing
Mobile Phones/tablets/chargers
DVDs, games and books for the kids
Canal guide with info on moorings, locks, tunnels and canal side pubs
Sunglasses and sun creams
Gloves – to work the locks
Camera
Binoculars
First Aid Kit
For pets – bedding, leads, towels, life jackets and food
A diary to document your holiday
Tea/Coffee and Milk
Choosing the right boat for you. Click here to look inside our narrowboats and discover what facilities and appliances you will find on board.
To book one of Anglo Welsh’s superbly equipped canal boats, please contact our friendly Booking Team on 0117 304 1122.
Staycation, Staycation, Staycation. Why canal boat holidays offer a leisurely alternative to stressful foreign travel
Anglo Welsh has long believed there is ‘no place like home’ when it comes to relaxing holidays, and the evidence is that growing numbers of UK holidaymakers are now choosing to spend their vacations on the home front rather than travel abroad – a case of Staycation, Staycation, Staycation!
There may be a fleeting sense of excitement in stocking up on sunscreen, boarding a plane and updating your Facebook status to reveal a glamorous location, but a more leisurely staycation has the potential to offer more lasting pleasures.
England and Wales are full of truly unique places to visit, from gorgeous countryside and historic castles to traditional pubs and funky theme parks – and if one of the prime reasons for foregoing overseas travel is to avoid summer crowds, a narrowboat holiday on a peaceful canal is the perfect antidote.
Here are a few more reasons why Anglo Welsh believe a staycation on the water is the smart choice this summer.
Stunning scenery. Whether it is the picturesque canals themselves or spectacular views like the one from the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct next to Anglo Welsh’s base at Trevor in North Wales, nothing beats the sheer range of views you get from a narrowboat.
History and Culture. There’s no need to travel to far-flung destinations in order to see historic landmarks. The World Heritage City of Bath, Shakespeare’s Stratford, the dreaming spires of Oxford, Warwick Castle and medieval Chester are all conveniently located on Anglo Welsh canal rings and circuits.
Summer refreshments. The waterways of England and Wales are lined with welcoming pubs, from the traditional to the trendy. Pilsner, Pimms or pink lemonade; whatever your favourite tipple there’s nothing quite like a refreshing drink on a leafy canal-side terrace after a day cruising along one of the UK’s historic canal routes.
Family friendly. Rare is the young child who takes long queues, stifling temperatures and unfamiliar food in their stride. By contrast, most youngsters relish a narrowboat adventure practically on their doorstep. Freedom and frolics on the canals, green spaces galore, their favourite snacks served on deck, Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park theme parks close to moorings – what’s not to like?!
Floating hotel rooms. Not only do Anglo Welsh’s 160 narrowboats boast all the mod cons, but you can also choose a different mooring every night – most of them free. And with eleven conveniently located bases across England and Wales there will almost certainly be a starting point close to your home.
Wonderful Wildlife. Water voles, kingfishers, otters – the UK’s canals are home to an amazing range of birds and animals, many of them protected species. And unlike more exotic locations, there are no sharks or crocodiles to worry about!
Value for money. As well as the best quality, Anglo Welsh provides the best value. Why pay for an expensive foreign holiday when you can enjoy a fabulous staycation for a fraction of the price? Our modern fleet offers an affordable range of holidays for all tastes, from two-berths for romantic weekends to twelve-berths for large families and longer holidays.
Summer 2017 Bargains. Every day we have a selection of 20 last minute offers available for you to hire one of our modern narrowboats – call our friendly booking team on 0117 304 1122.
Many canal devotees love to enthuse about vintage narrowboats, and understandably so, but here at Anglo Welsh few things get our pulses racing more than a spanking new hire boat, especially when it’s suited and booted to our very own specifications.
In recent years, we’ve grown accustomed to narrowboat connoisseurs waxing lyrical about our Bond Class boats. But to paraphrase a 007 movie trailer, ‘Bond is back, and it’s better than ever’. In fact, it even has a new name! Ladies and gentleman, we proudly present the Anglo Welsh Constellation Class – six brand-new narrowboats that are all set to make a big splash in 2016 and beyond.
As the latest evolution of our customised fleet, the Constellation Class combines the proven layout of the Bond Class with upgraded facilities and striking new livery. And we’ve tried to spread the joy around! The 12-berth ‘Andromeda’ is based at our Bradford on Avon base, the 12-berth ‘Delphinus’ at Oxford, the 6-berth ‘Cassiopeia’ at Bunbury, and the 4-berth trio ‘Aquarius’, ‘Aquila’ and ‘Carina’ at Trevor, Wootton Wawen and Bunbury respectively.
“The Bond Class has been an incredibly popular hire over the years,” says Wootton Wawen base manager Alistair King, but we’ve really pushed the boat out … excuse the pun … with the Constellation. Built by one of Britain’s oldest established boat builders using Anglo Welsh’s own bespoke specs, they’re among the finest narrowboats you’ll see anywhere on the UK’s waterways.”
“Below deck, light ash interiors and reflective white ceilings create a really spacious feel, and as an added bonus, the Constellation Class is highly adaptable, with double beds easily converting into singles and vice-versa. ‘Aquila’ enjoyed its maiden voyage in March and we’ve already received great feedback. The only thing we can’t agree on is the pronunciation, though for now we’re going for ‘Aquila’ rhyming with ‘Tequila’!”
As well as being built to order, the Constellation Class was also ‘christened’ by the Anglo Welsh team. So why Constellation? “Despite the fact our narrowboat fleet already includes a boat called ‘Enterprise’ the name has nothing to do with ‘Star Trek,” confesses Alistair with a smile. In fact, stargazers will have already spotted that Aquarius, Aquila, Carina, Cassiopeia, Andromeda and Delphinus are all named after constellations. “Apparently Aquarius even means water-carrier in Latin,” adds Alistair, “though I prefer to think of it as an amphibious people carrier!”
To which we can only add, the Constellation Class is undoubtedly the new ‘star turn’ on the UK’s waterways and we’re confident that these magnificent boats will carry people on some memorable canal journeys!
To book one of the new Constellation Class narrowboats, please contact our dedicated Booking Team on 0117 304 1122.
Andrew and Kirsten King reviewed their recent holiday from our Wootton Wawen base for www.armyandyou.co.uk
It was quite a test to get the hang of manoeuvring our 62ft-long boat, called Marlow, but by the second day we had it down. You get a run through at the beginning and an instructional DVD, which helped clear up a few things that we were a little unsure about.
We started in Wotton Wawen and made our way to Stratford upon Avon, spending the night in the Stratford Basin which was a great spot to tour the heart of “Shakespeare Country”.
The boat is fairly modern compared to what we expected for this “old timey” experience. There are good heaters throughout and on a four-berth boat you can request two double beds or a double and two singles. Having two toilets was handy and in the kitchen we had all the utensils you need, a foldable table and chairs, some loungers and a TV – liveable and comfortable for a week’s stay.
Finley and Addison really enjoyed the whole experience. Locks can be a lot of work, especially when there are several in a row, but everyone was put to work when it came to operating them. The kids helped look out for particular lock or bridge numbers, pushed the lock gates open and shut and helped tie up the boat for the night.
They loved feeding the ducks along the canal at many points. Finley even had a go at steering. It’s worth considering bringing an extra pair of adult hands to share the workload if you have young children that need attention.
Part of the attraction is spending a bit of time off the boat. The highlights were tackling new challenges together and meeting new people, like the volunteers who help you through the locks and other friendly boat owners. One of the stops we made was to Mary Arden’s farm house (Shakespeare’s mother) where we learnt about what life was like when Shakespeare was alive.
We would definitely recommend this sort of holiday to Army families. It’s a history-rich and cultural experience that gets you up and about seeing some picturesque parts of the countryside.
Anglo Welsh offers all British Service personnel up to 15 per cent off. Our team of helpful canal holiday experts are available to take your booking! Please call us 0117 304 1122
One of Anglo Welsh’s most valued and loyal customers has left the world of school trips after his 25th booking.
Headmaster, Peter Cook, of Wellow House School, Newark, and formerly Kimbolton School in Cambridge is hanging up his gown and mortar at the end of this year for a well earned retirement. Or, in Sir’s case his rugby shirt and shorts!
Peter has introduced children to the wonderful experience of narrowboating for 19 years, combining educational, fitness recreation and the fun activities that canal cruising has to offer.
An avid Rugby Union devotee, Peter still strikes an imposing figure on and off the pitch and the disciplines of the sport are reflected in the behaviour of the pupils in his charge.
In recognition of his quarter century of bookings Base Manager, Kevin Yarwood presented Mr Cook with a brass compass and sundial on his final visit to Great Haywood base. Kevin thanked him for his custom over the years and on behalf of Anglo Welsh wished him a long and happy retirement and hoped to welcome him back, in the future, with his family.
Commenting on his presentation, Peter said “I never expected anything like this but it is typical of the team at Great Haywood. Over the years I have had nothing but praise for the Booking Team, the base managers and staff for their consideration and helpfulness.”
We offer a range of different types of holidays such as City Breaks, Relaxation Cruises and Popular Destinations
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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