NARROWBOATS are like floating holiday cottages, with everything holidaymakers need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat. All are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, and flushing toilets, and most now have Wi-Fi, too.
Drifters offers the choice of 550 narrowboats available to hire from 45 bases across England, Wales, and Scotland. The narrowboats range in size and can accommodate between two and 12 people.
Here are Drifters’ top seven canal boat holiday destinations for October half term 2024:
Navigate to King’s Lock in Middlewich
On a short break from Anderton, next to the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire, boaters can cruise to the ancient town of Middlewich. The distance there and back is 19 miles, passes through eight locks (four each way) and takes around nine-and-a-half hours. The journey begins heading south along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing through Marston, home to the Lion Salt Works and Salt Barge pub. The canal next passes the Lamb’s Wharf canalside pub at Bridge 189 in Northwich and the Old Broken Cross pub at Bridge 184 in Rudheath. There’s a choice of places to eat and shop in Middlewich, including the popular canalside King’s Lock Inn.
Cruise to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
On a week’s holiday from Drifters’ Braunston base on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, boaters can explore the beautiful Ashby Canal. With no locks, and mile upon mile of countryside to enjoy, this peaceful 22-mile-long waterway passes the pretty town of Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field. Here the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells the story of the dramatic historic events of 1485 when King Richard III lost his crown to Henry Tudor. The return journey to Shakerstone travels 95 miles, passes through eight locks (four each way) and takes around 37 hours.
Drift through the Calder Valley to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge
On a weekend break from Drifters’ canal boat rental base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, boaters can travel along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation through the Calder Valley to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge. Climbing through woods, fields and small stone towns, the journey to Hebden Bridge covers seven miles, passes through 10 locks and takes around five-and-a-half hours. Once at Hebden, boaters can moor in the centre of town to enjoy a good choice of independent places to eat and shop, as well as walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
Glide through the Usk Valley to Brecon Canal Basin
On a week’s break from Drifters’ base on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Goytre Wharf near Abergavenny, boaters can navigate through the wooded Usk Valley to Brecon, in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Along the way, boaters can stop off at Llanfoist to take the old tramway into the Black Mountains, visit the 13th century castle at Crickhowell and walk to the Blaen y Glyn waterfalls at Talybont-on-Usk. The total distance there and back is 51 miles, passing through 12 locks (six each way) and takes around 25 hours.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Bath afloat
On a four-night midweek break from Drifters’ Devizes base on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, boaters can travel to the World Heritage City of Bath and back. The journey takes around 10 hours, travelling across two magnificent aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and passing through 10 locks. There’s a choice of canalside pubs along the way, including the Barge Inn at Seend and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Once in Bath, boaters can moor up at Sydney Gardens, a short walk away from the centre of Bath, with world-class attractions including the Roman Baths Museum.
Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’
On a short break from Drifters’ base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, boaters can reach the historic Shropshire town of Ellesmere, in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. The route takes boaters across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’, carrying the Llangollen Canal 38 metres high above the Dee Valley. In Ellesmere, boaters can moor up and spend time exploring the Mere with its Victorian gardens, woodland paths and historic castle. The return journey to Ellesmere takes around 14 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
Navigate to Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man
On a week’s break from Drifters’ base on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Gailey, boaters can cruise to the historic market town of Market Drayton and back. The route passes through the historic village of Brewood with its choice of pubs, Belvide Reservoir and a series of deep wooded cuttings. At Market Drayton there’s a Wednesday market and a great choice of places to eat and drink, many offering the town’s famous gingerbread. It’s a 68-mile cruise to Market Drayton and back, passing through 14 locks, and the entire trip takes around 30 hours.
A licence isn’t required to steer a canal boat and all Drifters operators provide hirers with boat steering tuition as part of their holiday packages. For more information about Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk
