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Top Bank Holiday Boating Breaks
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Top Bank Holiday Boating Breaks
From city breaks to rural reatreats, we have dozens of routes and destinations perfect for a bank holiday weekend break.
Here’s a guide to some of our most popular 3-night narrowboat holidays in England and Wales.
Cruise to Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District
On a short break from Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can cruise to Ellesmere and back. The journey takes you through the Shropshire Lake District past the Fenns, Whixall and and Bettisfield Nature Reserve, Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park. When you reach Ellesmere, you can moor up to explore this historic market town with its famous Mere, woodland walks, castle remains and gardens. There’s a great choice of places to eat out, including The White Hart and The Red Lion.
The journey from Whixall to Ellesmere and back travels 14 miles and takes around 7 hours. There are no locks on this route but there are 2 swing bridges.
Visit Devizes and the Caen Hill flight
On a weekend break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise to Foxhanger Wharf and back. Along the way, you’ll pass the canalside Barge Inn at Seend. When you reach Foxhanger Wharf, you can moor up and walk up the famous flight of locks at Caen Hill, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Then carry on into the historic market town of Devizes, home to the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre with its famous shire horses making daily deliveries. And you can visit some of the town’s independent shops, restaurants and pubs, including the George & Dragon.
The journey from Bradford on Avon to Foxhanger Wharf and back travels 22 miles, passes through 14 locks (7 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Explore Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains
On a weekend break from Trevor, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to Llangollen and back. Along the way you’ll pass the canalside Sun pub. When you reach Llangollen you can moor up in the basin to explore this historic market town, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains. Attractions include the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and Castell Dinas. There are many independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views. You can finish your trip with a spectacular cruise across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This unforgettable experience adds a breathtaking finale, leaving you with lasting memories of your adventure. You can turn your boat around at Frontcysyllte just past the aqueduct and do it all over again!
The journey from Trevor to Llangollen and back travels 9 miles and takes around 6 hours.
Cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Middlewich
On a weekend break from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal, you can cruise to Middlewich and back. Along the way, you’ll pass the Olde Barbridge Inn at Barbridge Junction. And you can moor up at Bridge 12 to walk to the charming village of Church Minshull with its Badger Inn. When you reach the ancient town of Middlewich, you can moor up to follow the Roman Middlewich Trail and enjoy a choice of places to eat.
The journey from Bunbury to Middlewich and back travels 25 miles, passes through 8 locks and takes around 12 hours.
Visit the food & drink capital of Staffordshire
On short break from Great Haywood you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to the bustling market town of Stone and back. The route along the Trent & Mersey Canal takes you through the village of Weston on Trent, home to the Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire, with an excellent choice of restaurants, pubs and wine bars. There are also regular markets, the annual food festival and Stone has its own micro ‘Lymestone Brewery’.
The journey from Great Haywood to Stone and back travels 20 miles, passing through 8 locks (4 each way) and takes around 10 hours.
Navigate to Stratford-upon-Avon and back
On short break from Wootton Wawen you can cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Shakespeare’s Stratford and back. The route takes you along the Stratford Canal and across the impressive Edstone Aqueduct. You’ll pass the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn and you’ll go through 17 locks each way. When you reach Stratford-upon-Avon you can moor up in Bancroft Basin to explore this world-ffamous town. Attractions include Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm.
The journey from Wootton Wawen to Stratford-upon-Avon and back travels 14 miles, passing through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Tour UNESCO World Heritage Bath
On weekend break from Bradford on Avon you can cruise the Kennet & Avon Canal to Sydney Gardens on the edge of Bath. The journey will take you through the beautiful Bath Valley and across the Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Pubs to stop at along the way include the Cross Guns at Avoncliff and the George at Bathampton. When you reach Sydney Gardens, you can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into the centre of Bath. City centre attractions include the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Theatre Royal Bath.
The journey from Bradford on Avon to Sydney Gardens and back travels 18 miles, passing through 2 locks (17 each way) and takes around 8 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
