Best week-long breaks this autumn
To celebrate the autumn colours, we’ve put together a guide to our best week-long cruises through the countryside
Canal boat holidays are a great way to connect with nature and spot wildlife on the water and in the canalside fields and woods. This autumn, take an adventure afloat on a canal cruise through the countryside, enjoying the beautiful colours in the trees and hedgerows that line our canals and rivers.
Our best week-long breaks this autumn
1. Cruise through the Shropshire countryside to Whitchurch
On a week’s break from Trevor in North Wales, you can travel along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch and back. Along the way, you’ll cross the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with amazing views of the Dee Valley. Then it’s on through the Shropshire countryside, passing through Ellesmere, in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore this historic market town, including its award-winning Black Bear pub. The journey from Trevor to Whitchurch and back takes 25 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
2. Navigate through the Yorkshire countryside to Barnoldswick
On a week’s break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire, you can cruise through the Yorkshire countryside to Barnoldswick and back. The journey takes you through a series of historic towns and villages, including Skipton, with its medieval castle and acres of woodland trails to explore, and East Marton with access to the Pennine Way National Trail. The journey from Silsden to Barnoldswick and back takes 22 hours and passes through 30 locks (15 each way).
3. Boat through the Cheshire countryside to the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
On a week’s break from Bunbury, you can cruise to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port and back. The route will take you along the Shropshire Union Canal and through the Cheshire countryside to the ancient City of Chester, and on to Ellesmere Port, passing close to Chester Zoo along the way. At Ellesmere Port, you can visit the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, with its historic boat collection, docks, warehouses, forge, stables and workers’ cottages. The journey to Ellesmere Port and back goes through 24 locks (12 each way) and takes around 19 cruising hours.
4. Wend your way through the Wiltshire countryside to the Vale of Pewsey
On a week’s break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire you can cruise to Pewsey Wharf and back. The journey takes you up the 29 locks of the Caen Hill Flight, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways, and through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Places to visit along the way include the canalside Barge Inn at Seend and the historic market town of Devizes. It takes around 34 hours to cruise from Bradford on Avon to Pewsey and back, passing through 72 locks (36 each way).
5. Journey to Llangollen North Wales and visit the Horseshoe Falls
On a week’s break from Whixall Marina, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can cruise to the historic town of Llangollen and back. Along the way, you’ll travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere, with its beautiful Mere and woodland walks. You’ll cruise across the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts, enjoying views of the Welsh mountains. At Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, you can visit the famous Horseshoe Falls. The journey from Whixall to Llangollen and back takes around 24 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
6. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Drayton Manor Theme Park
On a week’s break from Great Haywood near Stafford, you can cruise to Drayton Manor Theme Park and back. Head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing through Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the historic town of Rugeley. At Fradley Junction, home of Fradley Pool Nature Reserve, you’ll transfer onto the Coventry Canal. The route takes you through the villages of Huddlesford (home of The Plough pub), Whittington (home of The Swan pub) and Hopwas (home of the Tame Otter pub) before reaching Fazeley Junction. Turn right and moor up between Tolson’s Footbridge and Coleshill Road Bridge. From there you can walk to Drayton Manor Theme Park. The journey to Coleshill Road Bridge and back cruises 48 miles, passes through 10 locks (5 each way) and takes around 22 hours.
7. Travel to Warwick Castle and back
On a week-long holiday from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise to Warwick Castle and back. The journey begins heading north along the Stratford Canal through the remains of the Forest of Arden. You’ll pass through the village of Lowsonford, with its Fleur de Lys canalside pub, famous for its pies. At Lapworth Junction you take the Lapworth Link and transfer onto the Grand Union Canal. You’ll boat through the 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel and soon after you’ll reach the top of the flight of 21 locks at Hatton. The Hatton Locks Cafe and Hatton Arms pub are popular places to stop for refreshment. In Warwick, moor at the Cape of Good Hope pub to visit Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience. The journey to Warwick and back travels 28 miles, passes through 76 locks (38 each way) and takes around 23 hours.
