Please click the toggles for advice on how to get the best out of your holiday.
A very popular choice is the countryside on the doorstep - seeing the area by canal gives a whole new perspective to an area you know well, but with the confidence of knowing the best places to stop for provisions. Alternatively there may be an area of the country or a historic town that you have always meant to give time to explore.
Click here to view a map of UK Canals
As you take the holiday at your own pace, 2 active adults can easily handle a narrowboat. If you are considering a route with more locks or with younger children in the crew consider taking a larger boat with another family to share the experience.
As you cruise along, one person steers and the rest of the crew is free to watch the scenery or even walk the towpath alongside. At locks (and when mooring) one person stays on the boat to steer whilst at least one person works the lock mechanism. When you are first taught to operate a lock it may appear bewildering but by your second or third you will already wonder what you were worried about.
A number of guides are available for planning your trip or locating all the sites of interest, pubs, shops and facilities along your route. The guides relevant to each route are indicated on the route information pages . These may either be ordered by post or purchased at the start of the holiday at the marina.
Our various start bases all have a wide selection of routes and each is generally typified by particular geographic features dictating the style of the canal. For instance Goytre has few locks and plenty of walking opportunities within the Brecon Beacons; Alvechurch boasts the biggest lock flights in the country for larger or more active groups; Whitchurch & Wrenbury are both on the beautiful winding contour Llangollen canal; Worcester gives the opportunity for some lovely river cruising and Gayton offers some of the best short breaks and is handy from London or Birmingham.
Click here to see an overview map, and learn more about the key features of the areas.
A number of guides are available for planning your trip or locating all the sites of interest, pubs, shops and facilities along your route. The guides relevant to each route are indicated on the route information pages . These may either be ordered by post or purchased at the start of the holiday at the marina.
Having narrowed down your choice of areas, the number of people and your holiday dates, use the availability checker to see the options there are to suit your criteria. From here you can click on the camera icon next to any of the boats shown as available, to see full details, a photo and a boat plan. Click here for an example
Finally use our availability checker to find out prices and boat availability. If you like what you see you can continue to book it and then finally make payment safely through Barclays secure Epdq Service using your Debit or Credit card, and remember, you can always talk to a real person 0330 333 0590
Click here for our how to book section. With over 200 boats there are times we may have to check on the precise details with the marina but we are in constant contact with them to ensure that your holiday plans are as smooth as possible.
There is no itinerary - you set your own agenda. In a week by canal you are likely to cover the distance you could cover in an hour by car. But the journey will be a far richer one!
If you have any concerns or questions, just call our booking office. We are open 7 days a week and there won't be a 'silly' question we haven't heard before.