canal boat day trips uk

The charity making life better by water

Making life better by water

Boat holidays and trips

Discover a new way to recharge. From a relaxing holiday afloat to a day trip with friends or family, exploring our beautiful canals and rivers by boat is the fastest way to slow down.

If you're looking for a self-catering staycation this year, away from busy tourist areas, step aboard a canal boat. Canal boat holidays are a great opportunity to get back to what matters: spending time with family or friends, spotting wildlife and being as active as you like. Walking , cycling , fishing , canoeing and even paddle boarding are on offer.

Our canals and rivers are open for you to explore. The many hire boat companies dotted around the country are waiting to welcome you.

Don't forget to tell us all about your holiday when you get home by tagging #CanalBoatHolidays on social media and mentioning @CanalRiverTrust.

Nine reasons to jump aboard

This year is the perfect time to get away from it all on a canal boat holiday. Here's why...

Find a hire boat company

Know which area or waterway you want to visit? Our directory will show you nearby hire boat companies

If you're planning your first canal boat holiday, we've got plenty of information and advice just for you

Your tailor-made adventure

Holidaying on the water can be as much of an adventure as you want it to be. Children will love getting involved with mooring up and opening locks.

If you have accessibility requirements, there are plenty of ways to adapt your trip or boat to suit you.

Boating with kids

Top tips for keeping the younger members of your family happy onboard

Got questions?

Read our FAQs to find out more about swimming, insurance and sharing the waterways with wildlife

Accessible boating

Find expert tips on hiring an accessible boat and listings of trips that welcome people with special requirements

Know your boats

Decide which type of boat will be most suitable for you and your group

Shorter trips

You don't have to take a week's holiday to feel the benefits of spending time by water. Even just hiring a boat for the afternoon can make you feel healthier and happier.

A short trip is also a great way to try out a boating holiday to see if you enjoy it (we're sure you will). It can also build your confidence in driving a boat.

Day hire and boat trips

Before you commit to a week's holiday, try a few hours on a hire boat

Hotel boats

Discover one of the best-kept secrets of the canals

Where to go

We have more than 2,000 miles of waterways for you to explore, each with their own benefits.

You could base your holiday around a city or attraction you want to visit, so you can moor up and enjoy the sights. Or you might choose a quieter route, cruising through nature. Some of our canals offer the best of both worlds.

Cruising rings

Circular routes mean you'll see something new every day, so we've gathered together some of the best

Places to visit

More than 100 featured destinations to visit, including our museums and attractions

Plan your trip

Use our guide to help you plan your trip, from booking passage to checking for closures

Planning a longer cruise

Here’s some things to think about when planning a longer cruise

Last Edited: 04 January 2024

Stay connected

Sign up to our monthly newsletter and be the first to hear about campaigns, upcoming events and fundraising inspiration

21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Related posts

If you enjoyed this post, you might find these other posts interesting:

• Visiting Jodrell Bank, the UNESCO-listed radio telescope near Manchester
• 5 of my favourite heritage railways you can take a ride on
• Things to do in Whitby, a historic fishing town on the Yorkshire coast
• Visiting Thermae Bath Spa, the UK’s only naturally-heated thermal bath

Pin 21 best canal boat trips in the UK for later!

Save for later or share with a friend

2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

About Helen

9 fun things to do in Ischia (plus 5 amazing day trips)

7 of the best holidays in italy in september.

• Cheshire Ring
• Four Counties Ring
• Grand Union Canal
• Kennet and Avon Canal
• Leeds-Liverpool Canal
• Leicester Ring
• Llangollen Canal
• London Ring
• Mon and Brec Canal
• Oxford Canal
• Scotland Canals
• Stourport Ring
• Thames Ring
• Warwickshire Ring
• UK Canal Map
• About Narrowboats
• About the Canals
• Canal Holiday FAQs
• Website Help

OFFERS Click Here For Exclusive Special Offer Discounts

Availability Search

Canal Narrowboat Holidays

Book 2024 and 2025 holidays now with amazing savings, we offer the widest range of canal narrow boats in the uk. search over 2000 canal holiday options and book online at best prices any time.

Cruise the canals around London, moor in historic Bath, Oxford or Chester. Travel from Edinburgh via the stunning Falkirk Wheel. Cross the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.

The narrowboat is the modern version of the cargo vessels that travelled the canals before the railways.

Now these boats contain every creature comfort and are available for hire across the UK and in Ireland.

These canal boats have modern kitchens, beds which can be left made up, heating, showers and toilets. They can sleep from 2 to 12 people.

Canal Boat Hire

A canal holiday lets you experience the locks to go up or down hill and travel through exciting tunnels. You can cross aqueducts over valleys and rivers - the most famous is 120 feet above the ground.

At 4 miles per hour a canal narrow boat holiday is often described as 'the fastest way to slow down'.

Widest Choice

On this website there is the widest choice of canal boat holidays in the UK. We offer weekend and midweek breaks, week hire or longer. And all at the boat operator's price.

Search and Book

On our website you can search for a boat by size, by date, by canal route, or by cruise area. Then book online for best prices.

Your Shortlist

As you find boats and routes you like just add them to your Shortlist (Shopping Basket). Review and compare at any time!

For boating holidays in Europe see our Boating Holidays website

Popular routes for narrowboat holidays.

Canal Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

UK Canal Boating

Nationwide canal boat hire specialists.

Find out what makes our canals and rivers such special places.

We have a good choice of recommended routes, or you can do your own.

See inside the boats, and view the locations with our virtual tours.

Canal Boats

These boats have one cabin with a dinette double.

One or two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two to three cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins and two dinette doubles.

Holiday Locations

Testimonials

"The stag do was fantastic thanks! We were very happy with the service and everything to do with the boat went very well. A great weekend was had by all. Honestly we can't think of anything to change. Thanks for your help organising it. Cheers. Chris "

Canal Boat hire is ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and stags and hens. Our boats are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. Want to learn more?

Check out our canal boat holiday articles.

We know how important your dog is to you and your family and that is why we welcome pets at all of our canal boating holiday locations.

Check out our frequently asked questions.

Plan & book the widest choice of UK canal holidays & breaks here!

Plan and book your canal holidays here with our canal maps and cruising guides and links to canal hire companies and equipment suppliers

• Want a canal boat holiday?
• Hire a Canal Boat
• Advice & Info
• HIREBOATS2GO
• Hotelboating
• Canal Maps & Guides
• Choosing Your Route
• Canal Rings
• History & Culture
• History of Canals
• Canal Engineering
• Canal Folk Art
• Narrowboats & Barges
• Heritage Matters
• Advice & Equipment
• Canal Boat Services
• Canal Boat Equipment
• Boat Owner Advice
• Marinas & Moorings
• Living on a Canal Boat
• News and Features
• Events & Rallies
• Off The Mainline
• Canal Restoration

Holiday Exchange

• Maps & Guides
• Books on Owning a Boat
• Heritage Books

Skippered all-inclusive hotelboat cruising

Hotelboat holidays offer the luxury of cruising our beautiful waterways with an experienced crew who act as knowledgeable guides, serving up homemade food and hospitality. Do as much or as little as you like, on your own or with your friends!

Canal days out, boat trips, attractions & day boat hire

You don’t need a week to enjoy our canals. Take a short canalboat trip, dine aboard a restaurant boat, charter a party boat with friends, hire a self drive boat for a few hours. Or just enjoy a great day out at one of the many festivals, canalside visitor centres and museums.

Boat owner centre

And if you're lucky enough to have your own boat we’ve helpful boat owner advice and information. With contact details of 2000 plus suppliers of over 100 different types of boating equipment and services you'll find everything you need here.

Find and book your ideal hireboat holiday!

Hiring a boat sets you loose to explore over 2000 miles of canals weaving their way through our British countryside and history. And at Canal Junction we'll help you sort through all your choices and plan and book the canal boat holiday that suits you best.

So you’re looking for a Canal Holiday!

Well you’re starting at the right place – because at canal junction we don’t just conjure up a few hire boats there’s much more to finding your ideal canal holiday than that how much time have you got, and what would you like to see we’ve got maps, guides, days out, day trips, events and attractions and lots of helpful advice.

• We have information about and links to the widest selection of different canal holidays from across the UK. Your holiday might last a few hours, days, weeks or even the rest of your life!
• You could share it with family, friends or enjoy it all on your own! You might want to be entertained, relaxed, active, thoughtful, sociable, challenged or enlightened!
• Whatever canal holiday you are looking for we’ve expert advice plus the most comprehensive listings of UK canal & waterway holidays, equipment & services to help you find what you want.
• And we’ll help you discover how every canal holiday can take you on an unhurried journey through a two centuries old living landscape, rich in fascinating customs and culture, history and heritage, engineering and environmental wonders, and a dazzling popular folk art.

So whether you’ve got minutes, weeks or a lifetime to spare – and no matter where your canal holiday eventually leads – Canal Junction makes a great place to start!

Canal junction news/features.

Find your ideal canal holiday. Relaxed, active, scenery, history? Top Ten Tips to help you choose.

Find the right hire company. Browse our new canal hire firm pages to find the perfect break.

Take a Canal Round Trip! Plan your ideal circular cruise from our Top-Ten Canal Ring guides!

Canal Events Upcoming events, rallies and working parties.

Late Booking

Hireboats2go, canal events, rallies & events.

Attractions

Holiday swap.

All materials and images © Canal Junction Ltd. Dalton House, 35 Chester St, Wrexham LL13 8AH. No unauthorised reproduction.

Facebook | Twitter

About | Terms | Privacy | Refunds & Returns | Sitemap | Contact Us

With over 800 pages , this website uses cookies to record visitor behaviour using Google Analytics. More information on Privacy Page . Page last updated: 05/04/2024.

Advanced search

Drifters day boat hire, you can hire a boat for the day from many of our bases..

This will let you have a great day out for the family or a party of friends, and get the feel of a narrowboat on the water.

We have   day hire boats   available from the locations   shown and listed on the map below .

Prices start at £99 for a day boat for up to 10 people.

Hover over the hot spots below to find out more!

Llangollen Canal at Whixall Marina  – ‘Julia’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Trent & Mersey Canal at Anderton, Cheshire  – ‘Daydream’ can carry up to 12 people  Check Availability

Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury near Tarporley  – ‘Bella’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Llangollen Canal at Trevor, near Llangollen, Wrexham  – ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’, ‘Julia’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each.  Check Availability

Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow Marina, near Ellesmere,  Shropshire – ‘Lazy Days’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch, Shropshire  – ‘Day Tripper’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Great Haywood, near Stafford  – ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ can carry up to 10 people each  Check Availability

Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Alvechurch, nr Bromsgrove,  Worcestershire  – ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, near Stratford upon Avon  – ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ can carry up to 10 people each  Check Availability

Grand Union Canal at Braunston, Northamptonshire  – ‘Water Ouzel’ can carry up to 12 people  Check Availability

Kings Orchard Marina is situated close to Lichfield deep in the Staffordshire countryside on a secluded, tree lined twenty acre site Check Availability

Grand Union Canal at Gayton Marina, near Northampton  – ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Goytre Wharf, nr Abergavenny  – ‘Rooster’ can carry up to eight people  Check Availability

Kennet & Avon Canal at Hilperton, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire  – ‘Cheers’ can carry up to 10 people  Check Availability

Kennet & Avon Canal at Aldermaston, Berkshire   – ‘Wyvern’ can carry up to 8 people   Check Availability

River Weaver at Acton Bridge, Cheshire   – ‘Poppy’ can carry up to 12 people   Check Availability

Shropshire Union Canal at Nantwich, Cheshire   – Our Day Boat can carry up to 8 people   Check Availability

Coventry Canal at Springwood Haven   – Our Day Boat can carry up to 8 people   Check Availability

Peak Forest canal at New Mills Marina   – Our Day Boat can carry up to 10 people   Check Availability

Popular Pages

• Day Boat Hire
• Map of the Canals
• Canal Boats

Newsletter signup

• Consent * I agree to the privacy policy.

Follow us on Facebook

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Cookie and Privacy Settings

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays

Welcome aboard.

Welcome to Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays, your home for luxury narrowboat hire on the south Grand Union canal in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our fleet of luxury narrowboats are the perfect way to explore this stunning part of the english countryside. With their bespoke cabins and fully-equipped kitchens, you'll have everything you need to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing narrowboat holiday to remember.

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly adventure, Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays has the perfect waterways holiday for you. Enjoy a slower pace of life on the waterways while you reconnect with nature and wake up to a stunning new view every day!

About our Canal Boat Holidays

• Bespoke, luxury narrowboats
• Spacious cabins with comfortable beds
• Fully-equipped kitchens
• All-inclusive canal boat hire prices
• Short breaks and longer canal boat holidays available
• Helmsman qualified skippers
• Hands-on tutorial on how to drive a narrowboat and work UK canal locks
• Stunning countryside location to explore on a range of holiday routes
• A wealth of knowledge about the local area
• 5* customer service from a family-run business

Luxury Canal Boat Hire on the Grand Union Canal

Offering full week hire, mid-week and weekend canal holidays, our narrowboats (also commonly referred to as canal boats, long boats or barges) are all unique and designed by us for a memorable and luxury boating holiday on the UK's famous Grand Union canal. 

Located near Tring, in Hertforshire, you can enjoy a relaxing cruise through the Chiltern Hills with it's scenic countryside, historic towns and quaint villages. We're less than one hour from the big city, making our narrowboat holidays the perfect quick getaway from London , and easy to get to from all London airports.

Narrowboat Holidays for Everyone

Whether you are an experienced skipper looking for narrowboat hire on a new stretch of the UK waterways, or a beginner wanting to experience your first narrow boat holiday, our canal boat hire is perfect for you! 

We provide all safety equipment and a free introductory session at the start all our narrowboat holidays, which we tailor to you, so you can enjoy a safe and relaxing break on the inland waterways, no matter what your experience.

Great Value All-Inclusive Canal Boat Hire Prices

Waterways Holidays in the English Countryside

Best UK Canal Boat Holidays for Beginners

About Narrowboat Holidays in the UK

Drift away on a relaxing escape.

Unwind on a peaceful getaway where you can live among nature and experience a slower pace of life.

Cast Off and Explore

Wake up to a stunning new view every day as you discover beautiful nature spots and historic towns.

Enjoy a Boating Holiday Adventure

 Make new memories and get the whole crew involved in boating safely (even the smallest members!)

"Narrow boat holidays are all about the journey, not the destination"

Take a look at our gallery to get a feel for how relaxing a canal boat holiday in the English countryside is!

Customer Testimonials

Our first time on a canal boat. When we picked the boat up, Gareth talked us through everything we needed to know and even showed us how to operate a lock or two and made sure we had the hang of driving. The boat had everything we needed and we were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the bed and everything else was…….especially as one of us is over 6 foot. Thoroughly enjoyed our few days on the canal and would recommend Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays.

D & S Glover

Excellent canal boat holiday from start to finish. Great website with a wealth of information and very good communications from Gareth and Corinne prior to the holiday.Amazing instruction by Gareth with hands on tutorial. Lovely boat, well equipped and clean. Great itineraries on the website and packing tips.Amazing nature spots especially down the Wendover Arm. Saw herons and red kites and even went past the film set for Wicked.Son and his friend enjoyed it and we quickly settled into the slower pace of life. Definitely will do it again!Gareth and Corinne certainly made it easy and enjoyable. Thank you!

Stephanie H

We had a fantastic week on the boat, and would highly recommend it. The owners are really lovely and gave us training as we were first timers! The boat was really nicely decorated and well equipped, and had everything you could possibly need. This will definitely not be our last canal boat holiday!

Sally & Simon

Why Book with Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays

• Short Breaks & Weekly Narrowboat Hire - We have a range of great value narrowboat holidays available including weekend boat hire (Friday to Monday), mid-week breaks (Monday to Friday) full week hire and longer (starting either Monday or Friday). We also offer just 1 or 2 night static canal boat hire during the winter season.  Take a look at our prices and book online today with just a 30% deposit.
• Great Family Boating Holidays (including the dog!)- When you cast off on a barge holiday, it's a trip where the whole family can get involved. From driving the narrowboat, planning the holiday route and working the locks, it's a great way to work as a team and bring the family together to learn some new skills and explore new places along the way. We provide life jackets and full instruction, so you can rest assured that even the smaller family members can enjoy their UK canal boat holiday safely. Take a look at some of our previous customer reviews here.
• Self-Drive, Skippered and Static Boat Hire Available - During the main boating season (March to mid-November), our canal boats are available to hire for either self-drive or skippered holidays allowing you to experience life on the water. During the winter season (mid-November to end of February) the narrow boats are available to book as static hire where they remain moored in the marina, providing unique self catering accommodation whilst you explore the beautiful local area by car or public transport.
• Great Value Grand Union Canal Holidays -   You can hire one of our luxury canal boats for either short break, full week, 10 days or a fortnight and explore the Grand Union canal at your own pace. Or, our static boat hires are available for just 1 or 2 nights. The prices you see on the website are the cost for hiring the entire narrowboat, and includes basics such as parking, bed linen, gas etc. The only additional charge is for the diesel you use during your trip, which is payable when you return the boat. Click here to see everything that's included and a comparison of our luxury canal boat hire prices.
• Outstanding Countryside Location - Discover the beauty of the Chilterns when you cruise through the counties of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Take a stroll in the countryside and find a historic landmark, or moor up in town and check out the boutique shops and great restaurants. With a range of holiday routes to choose from, the Chilterns Hills is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you can enjoy some of the best of the english countryside.
• Luxury Canal Boat Rental in the England  - Our canal boats provide private accommodation for 2 to 5 people, and are beautifully designed to be a delightful home from home during your trip. Whether your choose the larger family boat, Narrow Escape , or our smaller boat, Mini Escape ,  each boat is completely unique and comes fully equipped with everything you need so you can enjoy your canal boat holiday in comfort.
• No Experience Necessary! - We provide a tailored introduction at the start of your canal boat hire to ensure you are confident with operating the boat and locks before you cruise off on your own. Alternatively contact us about our private skippered canal boat holidays, where you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
• Simple Online Availability and Booking System -  You can check availability of our luxury canal boats online and book your holiday in just 5 simple steps. Plus, we only require a 30% deposit at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 6 weeks before the start of your narrowboat holiday.

Book Your Canal Boat Holiday in 5 easy steps!

• Click the 'Book Now' button below.
• Enter your preferred holiday dates, the number of guests and click 'Search'.
• Select your favourite holiday boat and hit the 'Book Now' button
• Add any extras (or select the 'Skip' button)
• Enter your contact and payment details

Do you have a question about our canal boat hire, or just prefer to speak to a real person? Give us a call - we’re happy to assist you!

Popular Blog Articles

> Best Canalside Pubs on the south Grand Union canal

> What to Pack for your Canal Boat Holiday in the UK

> Narrow Boat Hire: The Perfect Weekend Trip from London

> 7 Top Tips for Booking Your 2023 Canal Boat Holiday

> 5 Do's and Don'ts of Narrowboating

> CCBH wins Travel & Tourism Award

Narrowboat Holiday Key Booking Terms & Conditions:

• From March to mid-November, all of our skippered and  self drive canal boat hires start on either a Friday or Monday and are available to book for 14 nights, 12 nights, 11 nights, week hire or short breaks (mid-week or weekend).
• During the winter season (mid-November to end of February), our narrow boats are available to hire as static lets only and must remain moored in the marina. There is no restriction on the minimum number of nights, and bookings may start any day of the week, excluding Sunday.
• For self-drive holidays, a minimum party size of 2 adults aged 25 or over at the time of booking is required to manage the boat and locks. No Stag / Hen party or booze cruise bookings.
• Dogs are welcome aboard Narrow Escape only. We allow either 1 medium dog or 2 small dogs at an additional charge of £35 per break.
• A 30% deposit is required to book if your canal boat holiday is more than 6 weeks away. If the first day of your canal boat hire falls within the next 6 weeks, the full balance is payable immediately.
• Offers and discounts cannot be used in combination with any other promotions. The best available offer will be applied at the time of booking (based on the entry of promotional codes where applicable).

Find Out More About UK Canal Boat Holidays

Canal boat hire info.

• How much does it cost to hire a canal boat?
• What dates do you have available?
• Is a holiday on a canal boat like camping?
• Do you have any top tips before I book?

About Boating

• Do I need experience or a license to drive a canal boat/narrowboat/barge?
• Where can I moor a canal boat?
• How do canal locks work?
• What are canal barge holidays like?
• What should I pack for my narrowboat holiday?
• Which UK canals can I cruise when I hire a canal boat with CCBH?
• Are there any canalside pubs and restaurants to stop at?
• What else can I do when I book a canal boat holiday on the Grand Union?

Have another question about canal boat hire? Check out our FAQ page here .

Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays has been featured and listed on:

3 & 4 Day Cruises

North from linslade, leighton buzzard.

Travel north along the Ouzel Valley through the countryside parks of Milton Keynes and over the Aqueduct at Cosgrove and onto the picturesque Northamptonshire village of Stoke Bruerne .

This is an ideal mini-break cruise for all, including novice boaters and has plenty of entertainment for your children and adults alike. It includes lovely countryside, several locks, two aqueducts and many good canalside pubs and restaurants.

Stoke Bruerne - 3 night canal boat break

Moor at the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight of 7 locks and enjoy a short walk up the locks to the famous canal village with its shops, pubs, restaurants and the fascinating  Canal Museum . The museum is an historic Grade II listed corn mill, it offers 2-3 floors of rich waterway heritage and panoramic views. There is also a blacksmith’s forge, and the 200 year old southern portal of the almost two mile long Blisworth Tunnel .

You can turn all of our canal boats around both below and above the locks at Stoke Bruerne .

Pubs at Stoke Bruerne

• The Boat Inn
• The Navigation at Stoke Bruerne

Hours cruising each way to: Bottom of Stoke Bruerne: 10 hrs* 26 miles, 7 locks, 2 aqueducts.

Stoke Bruerne & The Blisworth Tunnel to Gayton Junction - 4 nights

For the more energetic, take your boat up the flight of seven locks and on through the nearly 2 mile long Blisworth Tunnel , through Blisworth village and on to Gayton Junction.

After an enjoyable stop at Stoke Bruerne, head up the 7 locks and arrive at the mouth of the Blisworth Tunnel, the third longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK. It ius an exciting and historic adventure. Head up to Gayton Junction where the canal where you can take the Northampton Branch or continue up the Grand Union Canal. It is a good place to stop for a welcoming lunch at the Walnut Tree Inn , just north of the Blisworth Village.

Hours cruising each way to: Gayton Junction: 13 hrs* 30 miles, 14 locks, 2 aqueducts, 1 tunnel.

*These are approximate hours and do not account for possible delays.

South from Leighton Buzzard

Head south up the Chiltern Hills towards the beautiful village of Marsworth, keeping an eye out for the lion cut in the chalk on the side of Whipsnade hill. The reservoirs at Marsworth, which were built to supply water to the canal summit, are now also used as extensive nature reserves. Wildlife is in abundance and it is very rewarding to have an afternoon or evening stroll around the lakes and study the bird life. At Marsworth, either cruise straight on to Berkhamsted or turn right for the Aylesbury arm.

Aylesbury Arm - 3 nights

This canal runs from Marsworth to Aylesbury and is just 6 miles long with 16 narrow locks, only inches wider than your boat. Aylesbury has a small basin with visitor moorings close to the market town centre.

Hours cruising each way to: Aylesbury: 10 hrs* 15 miles, 11 wide locks, 16 narrow locks.

Wendover Arm - 3 nights

The first 1.5 miles of this canal is now open from Bulbourne to Tringford pumping station, where water is pumped from the canal reservoirs into the canal. It is a narrow canal that meanders past Heygates Mill, terminating at the newly made winding hole at Little Tring.

Hours cruising each way to: Little Tring: 8 hrs* 11 miles, 18 locks.

Cowroast - 3 nights

From Marsworth, travel up the seven locks to Bulbourne. The canal then enters a three mile cutting past Tring Station to Cowroast . Be on special alert as kingfishers are often spotted in the cutting. 

Hours cruising each way to: Cowroast: 10 hrs* 12 miles, 18 locks.

Berkhamsted - 4 nights

At Cowroast, the canal starts its descent to London, passing through Berkhamsted close to the old castle, outdoor swimming pool and leisure parks.

Hours cruising each way to: Berkhamsted Station: 14 hrs* 15 miles, 26 locks. *These are approximate hours and do not account for possible delays.

Entertainment Guide

All boats carry a 20 page local entertainment manual which covers many local facilities and attractions between Watford and Braunston.

The manual also includes details of canal side pubs (including phone numbers), shops, swimming pools and churches, as well as many leaflets on local amenities. Also listed are fresh water taps, turning places and refuse disposal points.

Please note all holidays start and finish at our home base at Linslade near Leighton Buzzard.

• Any Location
• Aldermaston Wharf
• Alvechurch Marina
• Anderton Marina
• Blackwater Meadow Marina
• Falkirk Canal
• Gailey Marina
• Gayton Marina
• Goytre Wharf
• Hilperton Marina
• Kings Orchard Marina
• March Marina
• Nantwich Canal Centre
• Springwood Haven
• Whitchurch Marina
• Worcester Marina
• Wrenbury Mill

Home / More Information / Day Hire

Day Boat Hire

Canal boat day hire, explore the secret waterways of britain on one of our self-drive day boat hire narrowboats.

With 12 starting locations across the waterway network and boat sizes to accommodate up to 12 people, our day canal boat hire options provide enough room for everyone – whether you’re a large family, a group of friends, or work colleagues on a team building day.

Kick back and relax for the day as you enjoy watching Britain’s most stunning countryside drift by with our day boat hire service.

We just need a few details to begin!

Use the code below to redeem your great savings at the checkout

Code expires 31st October 2024

Terms & conditions apply

Book Our Delicious Evening Fish And Chip Cruise!

Skipton Boat Trips

Canal cruises on the leeds & liverpool canal, 🎁gift cards are the perfect gift. click here to purchase one 🎁.

Featured Cruises

• Calendar Mar - Dec
• Clock 12pm , 2:45pm
• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Afternoon Tea Cruises

This 2-hour cruise on the Leeds and Liverpool canal is ideal for couples, small groups, and large groups. During the voyage, delicious sandwiches, scones, and cakes will be served at your table, along with tea or coffee. It’s a perfect activity for all kinds of occasions.

• Calendar Mar - Nov

Evening Fish and Chip Cruise – March to November

Skipton Boat Trips has teamed up with Bizzie Lizzie’s, known as local Fish and Chips Kings, to offer an unforgettable experience on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

• Clock 11am , 3pm
• Hour Glass 3 Hours

Sunday Roast Dinner / Christmas Dinner Cruise

Take a leisurely cruise down the Canal while enjoying a traditional roast dinner served to you on board. This makes for a great gift voucher or surprise for someone special.

Browse All Trips

Dining & drinks.

Learn More »

Sightseeing

Search boat trips by date & type.

results result

No Trips found.

Searching available trips for . . .

Showing Trips for -

About Skipton Boat Trips

What makes our boat trips the best? Some people say it’s how peaceful they feel as we drift by the lush green Yorkshire Dales on our gentle canal cruises . But everyone agrees it’s the efforts of our thoughtful crew that bring them back.

With over 30 years of running boat trips, we’ve helped put the fun back into planning the perfect day out. We would love to help you plan your perfect day in Skipton aboard one of our comfortable canal boats, whether it’s a chartered cruise or you want to be your own skipper on one of our day boats.

We take extra care before, during, and after your booking to make your experience more enjoyable!

2023 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award Winners

2021 tripadvisor travellers' choice award winners.

"This is our 3rd time going on the santa cruise and it never fails. Each year has been fantastic. My daughter absolutely loves it and the present she receives, she's always so happy with. They take there time to read about your child and make it so believable to them by knowing there likes, achievements and even bad points 🤣.very welcoming and will definitely be booking again next year."

"Booked the for myself and 44 guests to have a fish and chip lunch for my birthday. The staff on board were great and looked after my guests extremely well and Jen and James were a pleasure to work with whilst making all the arrangements. A great experience - would highly recommend"

"absolutely brilliant evening on the fish and chips cruise the food was delicious this was the second trip for us both times the staff are fantastic very friendly and helpful helping to get my disabled wife on and off the boat where ready for our next trip I would highly recommend the cruises thank you guys"

"Excellent turned a miserable rainy day into a pleasurable experience. Tea and biscuits on board. Bar available for something stronger. Seating comfortable. Small toilet near the bar. Staff pleasant."

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal

The canal itself is Britain’s longest, at 127 miles, and was originally used for transporting coal, stone, cloth, and other cargo after its completion in 1816.

Of course, the canal’s busy industrial heyday has now passed, but the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is still enjoyed by thousands as a brilliant way of exploring the area, reliving the past, and relaxing as the world passes by.

About Skipton, England

Skipton is the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and was voted the best place to live in the U.K. in 2014. It’s a wonderful historic market town situated in North Yorkshire, right in the heart of beautiful scenery.

It’s not hard to see why Skipton is such a popular tourist destination, with the superbly preserved 900-year old medieval Skipton Castle, famous open-air Skipton market, spectacular limestone cliffs at Malham to the west, celebrated beauty of Bolton Abbey to the east, and of course the Leeds and Liverpool Canal passing right through the centre.

• Welcome to Hotel Boat Cruising
• Canal & River Cruise Choices
• Skippered Cruises and Charters
• Hotelboat Contact details
• Northern England Waterways
• North West England & Wales
• English Midlands Waterways
• Southern England Waterways
• Cruises Ordered By Boat
• Late Booking Waterway Cruises
• Cabin Seeker
• Hotelboat Cruising News

Read our Hotelboat News

Late Booking Cruises

How to Book Your Cruise

PREFER A SELF DRIVE BOAT?

Choose from hundreds of hotel boat cruises on our canals and rivers, hotelboat holidays.

Skippered hotel boat canal and river cruises in the UK are just the ideal way to relax! It’s easy to plan & book your perfect hotel boat UK river cruise or canal cruise. Read more

The Hotel boats & Crews

On your hotel boat you have your own skipper and crew. We have details and links to help you compare the different hotel boats & cruises. Read more

Hotel boat canal and river cruise UK

Hotelboat cruises cover almost all of the English, Welsh, and Scottish canals and rivers.

See where each hotelboat will cruise in the coming year Read more

So why choose a Hotelboat Cruise?

Because it’s a perfect antidote to busy jobs, frenetic tourism, crowded airports, and also a wonderful way to enjoy the countryside!

You have your own skipper and crew who really know our canals and rivers, their waterway heritage and their unique natural environment. They also understand how to keep you comfortable, happy and well-fed on great home-cooked local fare!

You may be floating at a leisurely pace through the hidden countryside or sampling the local beers in a canalside pub. You could practice a favourite hobby like painting or bird-watching, help out with locks and swing bridges, or keep fit by jogging towpaths and lanes. Or you could just treat yourself to a little well-earned relaxation with a piece of homemade cake and that favourite book!

Booking your hotel boat canal and river cruises in the UK

Hotel boat Cruising is very popular; many guests return year after year to explore a different area of our beautiful canals and rivers. Consequently, many cruises are already heavily booked before the end of the previous season. We recommend booking as early as possible to ensure you get the canal cruise and the route you want.

Our Canal and River Cruise pages show which boats are planning to cruise which canals and rivers.

During the cruising season, we will show which Late Booking cabins are still available.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

10 great UK boat trips, chosen by readers

The waters of Scotland and the West Country offer great sightseeing, but tipsters also love stirring journeys in urban settings

Winning tip: Great Glen paddle, Scottish Highlands

The best boating experience we had was paddling an open Canadian canoe with friends across the lochs and canals that make up Scotland’s Great Glen Trail. We were amazed by the breathtaking scenery and much-appreciated tranquillity of this wonderful route. If you catch the wind in the right direction, like we did, you can even try a spot of canoe sailing with a spare paddle and a group shelter put to good use! You can paddle part or all of the trail, with plenty of hire and guided options available from this helpful trail website . Ali O’Hora

Lundy life, from north Devon

Sailing from north Devon to Lundy is (nearly) always a lovely trip. You pass along the north Devon coast before heading out the 20-odd miles to the small rocky island. Watch out for dolphins and, closer to the island, seals. Once we saw a submarine being towed but never found out why. It can occasionally be rough though. If you suffer from sea sickness, take a pill and stay on deck if you can – the bar can get busy. Book with the Landmark Trust , day returns £4 4 adult, £22.50 4-16 years Dianne

Readers' tips: send a tip for a chance to win a £200 voucher for a Coolstays break

Guardian Travel readers' tips

Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage

So good we didn’t get off, Mull

We took a drive to Oban for the day with our two young daughters on a day when the weather wasn’t great. When we arrived there was a CalMac ferry about to leave for Mull and the kids wanted to go, so we bought return tickets. We didn’t get off the ferry in Mull: the boat trip alone was fantastic, and the kids saw dolphins. It may have been raining nonstop but we enjoyed the trip and the fantastic views. The skipper on the ferry laughed at us for not getting off, but it was a perfect way to spend the day in our UK weather. Annette Jamieson

Puffins and gannets, Yorkshire coast

The Yorkshire Belle has used the Covid closure for a spruce-up and has been back in action since 17 May. Last week our family enjoyed our annual family trip on this lovely vessel, sailing from Bridlington harbour out to the lighthouse in Flamborough Bay (adult £8, child £4), on surprisingly calm, sheltered waters. The local company offers a variety of cruises from an hour to half a day, and you can even hire it yourself. Our favourite is the afternoon tour to the Filey Bay heritage coast, where you can see magnificent groups of puffins and gannets on the clifftops and near the rocks. On evening ghost cruises in the summer holidays, onboard “ghouls” recount the adventures of ancient pirates. Great fun. Peter Riley

Over the sea – the best way to get to Skye

The Glenelg-Skye ferry is a very short journey (five minutes, about three an hour) but has to be my favourite boat trip. There are very fast currents in the Kyle Rhea between Glenelg and Skye, which has affected the design of the MV Glenachulish. It is unique in that the deck is a turntable, and can only take six cars. But oh, the views and the wildlife. I’ve seen seals, otters, dolphins and a huge sea eagle. It costs £15 for a car – excellent value. Michael Dinneen

Du Maurier and D-day, Cornwall

Go back in time along the Helford River and Frenchman’s Creek on the Roseland peninsula with Helford River Cruises . This creek was the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier’s book. It’s also the spot where thousands of soldiers left for the D-day landings. See seals, birds and, if you’re very lucky, dolphins. End with a pint of Proper Job Cornish IPA at the Ferryboat Inn. The cruise is around two hours long and makes a perfect lazy afternoon. Rachel Brown

Fairy ferry, south Devon

Hopping aboard the cheery South Sands ferry is one of the pleasures of a trip to the South Hams resort of Salcombe. The “fairy”, as my daughters call it, sails regularly between the town centre and South Sands beach. As you chug along, there are glorious views across the estuary and of millionaires’ waterfront mansions. When you near South Sands, the famous ‘ea Tractor travels out to greet you, and delivers you to the beach. One-way adult £4.50, child £3.50 Hannah

Extraordinary Shetland island

A boat tour with Shetland Seabird Tours from Lerwick, Shetland’s main town, to the uninhabited island of Noss provides extraordinary sights and sounds. As the boat nudges out of the harbour, an inquisitive Atlantic grey seal may watch you. Sailing beneath the imposing sandstone cliffs at Noss, armies of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and skuas occupy every available space. The cacophony of raucous cries and the smell of guano are unimaginable. Witness flotillas of more than 25,000 gannets in a feeding frenzy. Two experienced ecologists will guide you through memorable wildlife encounters. Jennifer Jones

Shaken and stirred, central London

For my husband’s 40th birthday I wanted to do a James Bond-themed weekend in London and spotted a deal that fitted right in. A Thames Speedboat tour (from £43) got us a rib boat ride on the Thames and a vodka martini – perfect. Just wow! It certainly exceeded expectations. We ambled up the Thames having various sites pointed out to us before a call came through on the radio from the “police” to get us to help catch a criminal. The driver opened up the throttle, the James Bond theme played on the stereo, and off we went in pursuit at breakneck speed. So exhilarating. The addition of a martini opposite the MI6 building finished it off perfectly. Tania Compton

Pond life, east London

It may be a DIY job, but a rowing boat on Hollow Ponds in Leytonstone is a perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Scatter bird feed as you row and you’ll be surrounded by a variety of squarking gulls, quacking ducks, gaggling geese and serene swans – and if you’re lucky you might spot the rare black swan. Afterwards, visit the Log Cabin for a reviving cuppa or, if you’ve been scared by “The Birds” try the newly refurbished Hitchcock Hotel over the road for a Leading Lady cocktail. An hour’s boat rental costs £15 and parking is free. Helen Jackson

Power boat from Padstow, Cornwall

• Boating holidays
• Experts' and readers' tips
• United Kingdom holidays
• Canoeing and kayaking holidays
• Wildlife holidays
• Scotland holidays

Most viewed

Canal Boat Day Trips

Take a 4-hour day cruise on a canal boat, our accessible canal boats are specially adapted for disabled people and available for exclusive hire.

We steer, and you decide where to go, whilst our specially adapted canal boats provide all the facilities needed for people with disabilities to enjoy and fully participate in the trip.

At no extra cost, we provide you with a fully qualified skipper and crew. So you can either take it easy and enjoy the scenery, or get involved and be part of the crew yourself.*

Where to Go

Possible Day Routes

We offer day hire which consists of 4 hours cruising and the boat is exclusively yours. In 4 hours you will travel through at least two locks and take in the idyllic scenery along the river Stort.

Travel to Roydon and back, taking in Parndon Mill and Hunsdon Mead nature reserve on the way.

Alternatively cruise north past Harlow Mill towards Sawbridgeworth.

Our Specially Adapted Canal Boats

Each boat is centrally heated to allow you to cruise all year round. Our Christmas Cruises in December are especially popular.

Either way you can take in the scenery, watch the ducks and swans float by, and marvel at the Kingfishers and their antics.

Availability

Stort daybreak.

12 Passengers Stort Daybreak is available exclusively for day hire. To make a reservation select the month and year you want to see availability for, and then click VIEW:

Stort Challenger

10 Passengers Stort Challenger is available exclusively for day hire. To make a reservation select the month and year you want to see availability for, and then click VIEW:

Day Hire - 4 Hour Trip

2023-2024 hire charges.

Please note: Our prices for 2024 increased from 1st October 2023, if you have booked a trip prior to this date your price will remain the same as originally quoted.

Loyalty discount of 10% per booking is available when more than one booking is made within any 12 month period.

Not available if other discounts or price reductions have been applied.

No discounts are available on Christmas Cruises

Terms and conditions apply

Waterways Activities for Schools/Community Groups

We work with mainstream and specialist schools, and community groups to deliver activities that enhance the curriculum, help students / young people develop new skills and interests – or simply get active and have fun – all in a safe, stimulating and rewarding environment that’s accessible to all!

Prices vary depending on the group size, range of activities and session length

Terms and Conditions

Frequent Users  

• A 10% loyalty discount will be applied to each booking fee when more than one booking is

made during any 12 month period by the same client or group.

• Each boat counts as a separate booking (i.e. a trip for 22 passengers using two boats counts as two bookings.)
• Each of the trips can be taken at different times throughout the year.
• Where two or more bookings are made at the same time the discount will be applied to each booking. Where a second (or more) booking is made at a later date the discount will apply to this second (and any more) bookings. It will not be applied retrospectively to the first booking.
• The discount is not available if other discounts or price reductions have been applied

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Get news and updates, in your inbox.

Subscribe to our mailing list today to receive updates on the latest CanalAbility news, success stories, and offers in your  inbox.

SIGN UP NOW

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Boating Without Boundaries

Get In Touch

01279 424444

© 2023 CanalAbility. All rights reserved. Registered charity no: 1108452.

THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Mosparokhodstvo

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium