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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.

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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'.

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The best canal routes in the UK

By Jasper Winn

For 200 years, more than 2,000 miles of British waterways and towpaths made up the busy ‘water machine’ that serviced the Industrial Revolution. Since then they’ve been brought back from abandonment and repurposed as an incredible countrywide network, offering the fastest way to slow down, whether on or off the water. For when we can holiday in the UK , here are six of the best canal routes in the UK, with some tips to make the most of a canal boat holiday.

• Kennet and Avon Canal

**Route:**87 miles from Bristol to Reading **Number of locks:**105 Best for: family dawdling

Built as a link between Bristol and London , The Kennet and Avon was always a slow rural canal. With tranquil waters and quiet towpaths, it’s perfect for family cruising, especially if you add bicycles for side trips to Avebury or to find the eight White Horses cut into Wiltshire’s surrounding chalk downs. A favourite stretch is the landscape of woods, meadows and market towns between Caen Hill’s flight of 29 locks and Hungerford. The massive boilers and steam engines of Crofton Pumping Station, once used to keep the canal’s summit in water, are still regularly fired up. Pubs with waterside beer gardens are a Kennet and Avon highlight, with the historic Barge Inn at Honeystreet particularly renowned for its food and live music.

• Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

**Route:**36 miles between Brecon and Pontymoile Number of locks: 6 Best for: peace and quiet

Running through the Brecon Beacons National Park and unconnected to the rest of the British waterways network, the ‘Mon and Brec’ is one of the quietest canals. Dog-friendly hire fleets, including electric narrowboats and static houseboats, make it ideal for relaxed short breaks and long weekends. Small villages and ancient trees are scattered alongside traditional infrastructure including an aqueduct, a long and eerie tunnel, lifting bridges and the relief of a 25-mile lock-free pound. The energetic can take to the surrounding hills to walk, while the River Usk, which runs parallel to the canal, has provided me with happy days of wild swimming. Source hampers of locally produced provisions and Brecon Brewing’s beers from the Georgian town of Crickhowell.

• Leeds and Liverpool Canal

**Route:**127 miles between Leeds and Liverpool **Number of locks:**91 **Best for:**epic northern landscapes

The Leeds and Liverpool is Britain’s longest canal built as a single waterway – continue for another 34 miles on the Aire and Calder Navigation and you’ve crossed England from coast to coast. Its route is dictated by the contours of the landscape and the historic transport needs of manufacturing towns such as Wigan, home of Orwell’s Pier, where a flight of 21 locks carries boats up into the Pennines to cruise across the moors. The curlews, blustery air, farms and wide views of the high ground remain unchanged, but gritty factory towns including Burnley, Blackburn and Saltaire have been transformed with restaurants, art galleries and cafés – a favourite is Skipton’s ‘record shop in a café’, the Sound Bar.

• Forth and Clyde Canal

**Route:**35 miles between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth **Number of locks:**39 Best for: Scotland’s greatest hits

Built with dimensions roomy enough for seafaring boats and the Scottish fishing fleet to transit between the east and west coasts, in modern times the Forth and Clyde provides for leisurely voyages. To the west the canal is within easy reach of Glasgow’s streets, restaurants and galleries, before running through tree-shaded valleys between bleak hills until it meets the Firth of Forth, marked by the surreal bulk of the 100ft-high Kelpies horse-head sculptures. There’s more oversize art, as well as 21st-century mechanics, in the Falkirk Wheel, which lifts boats 79 feet up to join the Union Canal and its 30 lock-free miles to Edinburgh .

• Trent and Mersey Canal

Route: 93 miles between Preston Brook, Cheshire and Derwent Mouth, Derbyshire Number of locks: 76 **Best for:**a sense of history and a pub crawl

Engineered in the 1770s by ‘the father of English canals’, James Brindley, the Trent and Mersey was the first long-distance industrial canal, moving not just coal to power factories but distributing finished products, such as Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery. Boating on this route gives a feel for the days of working canals, whether you’re going up the 21 locks squeezed into the two miles of Heartbreak Hill, chugging through a mile-and-a-half of haunted tunnel at Harecastle or rising via the massive Meccano-style Victorian Anderton lift. And although the many rural waterside pubs no longer provide stabling for canal horses, they still offer food and drink to boaters as in the past.

• Warwickshire Ring

Route: 104 miles on the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham canals Number of locks: 121 (or more) **Best for:**the sheer variety

Many of the best cruising routes link several canals together into long loops and the Warwickshire Ring is one of the most rewarding. Though some aim to do this circuit in a week of hard boating, allow twice that to really take in its variety. Enjoy the pastoral peace of the Oxford narrow canal, take a side trip from Hawkesbury Junction and its early industrial heritage into Coventry or escape into pre-canal times through the pageants and jousting held at Warwick’s medieval castle. Perhaps best of all, explore Birmingham’s ‘wet streets’ by boat to discover a fantasy metropolis that mixes Venice with Gotham City. Connecting Britain’s urban and rural landscapes is the canal system’s great living legacy, so moor up in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham to soak up the bright lights and buzz of a city after starlit countryside nights soundtracked by the hoots of owls.

The Dos and Don’ts of canal holidays in the UK

**1.**There are almost no barges on Britain’s waterways, but there’s a confusing number of traditional craft types including narrowboats – what most people mean when they talk of ‘barges’ – butties, scows, short boats, widebeams, wherries, keels, trows and flats. Just call anything that’s afloat a boat and you’ll sound as if you know what you’re talking about.

2. Remember that towpaths are as much a part of the British waterways network as the canals themselves, and walking and cycling – with or without a boat – are great for traffic-free outings.

**3.**Go slow. The dimensions of the canals were based on the weight of a boat that a horse could pull, which was 40 times more on water than in a cart. The historic shallowness of the waterways keeps even modern engined boats to a 4mph horse-plod maximum speed. Which is wonderful.

4. Go slower still. The formula of three miles an hour, and 15 minutes a lock, is often used to calculate speed over a route, but canal travel is far more enjoyable if you plan less rather than more mileage in a day.

5. Many canal boats are dog-friendly, and towpaths can mean miles of walks at boat speed. However, counter-intuitively, breeds that like water can cause mayhem: beware swims followed by drenching shakes or gallops through cabins and across beds.

**6.**Enjoy retro pastimes and slow fun – card games, birdwatching, jigsaws, charades, reading, music and grumbling about the weather. Bring woolly jumpers, rain gear, sun hats, walking shoes, binoculars, thick books and musical instruments.

CNT Editors

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

7. On-board kitchen space is limited, so self-catering can go either way. Some favour the joys of Seventies classics of beans on toast, full-fry breakfasts, tinned basics and Angel Delight. Others produce foodie miracles on two burners with ingredients sourced from local cheese shops, traditional butchers, farmers’ markets, waterside honesty-box stalls and hedgerow foraging.

8. Don’t be afraid of locks, the engineering miracles that lift heavy boats uphill. They might seem baffling at first, but take it slowly and accept help and advice from more experienced boaters and volunteers, and soon you’ll be ‘lock wheeling’ like a pro. Bear in mind, too, that the physicality of operating locks is an ideal way of tiring out younger members of the crew.

9. Nicholson’s and Pearson’s guidebooks both cover Britain’s waterways. Boaters tend to have their own favourite series – they’re the ‘Bible’ vs ‘Shakespeare’ in some people’s view – but both contain the information and maps needed for route planning, navigation and sightseeing, as well as pinpointing moorings, services and waterside pubs.

The best canal-boat hire companies in the UK

Anglo Welsh covers various waterways across England and Wales anglowelsh.co.uk .

Black Prince Holidays covers several locations across England, Wales and Scotland. black-prince.com

Pennine Cruisers covers the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. penninecruisers.com

Beacon Park Boats covers the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. beaconparkboats.com

Drifters Waterways Holidays has about 45 bases around the country. drifters.co.uk

Pictured: Drifters Waterways Holiday

For more useful information, visit Canal and River Trust for information on English and Welsh waterways, and Scottish Canals for information on canals in Scotland.

‘Water Ways: a thousand miles along Britain’s canals’ by Jasper Winn is out now (£10.99; Profile Books)

Pictured: Liverpool

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Five British canal and waterway trips with a wow factor

What better way to ease out of lockdown than ever-so-gently, on a canal holiday on one of these fascinating routes

I moved on to my boat five years ago and am lucky to have a permanent mooring, but there’s nothing like casting off and setting yourself free. I love waking up to the splash of ducks pecking at algae on the hull, and spending all day outdoors, a mug of tea on the roof, moving from one spot to the next or mooring up for a couple of nights and exploring an area. It’s also incredibly sociable. Canal folk stop and chat, you work locks together and whiling away time with strangers like this can feel really enriching, especially after a long period of self-isolation.

Monmouthshire and Brecon canal

35 miles, six locks and two tunnels, from Brecon to the Pontymoile basin

This is a dream trip if you want to immerse yourself in nature. The canal is almost entirely in the Brecon Beacons national park with views of the mountains. This is also a designated dark sky reserve . As the canal drops into the Usk valley, there are wild swimming spots to enjoy . To make this trip even more peaceful it’s possible to hire an electric boat.

Thames ring

245 miles, 176 locks and two tunnels, anti-clockwise

Done in one go, this is an epic journey but each section makes a holiday in its own right. The Grand Union canal has urban areas, rolling Chiltern hills, two long tunnels and the bustling village of Braunston . The Oxford canal winds its way around picturesque villages. If you’re a folk music fan, aim to go for the Cropredy festival in August. This tiny canal joins the Thames at Oxford – you’re propelled faster than the 3mph canal limit. You get the best view of Hampton Court and Windsor from the water.

Middle Level Navigation

More than 90 miles of navigable waterways link the River Nene to the Great Ouse in the Fens

This is a remote, otherworldly place to go boating. The channels were created for drainage in the 17th century and you can visit a working steam-powered pumping station in Stretham . The waterways crisscross fields, pass giant wind farms and just a handful of villages. It’s a place for peace, quiet and to immerse yourself in nature. The Fens are home to a huge variety of wildlife and conservation efforts mean that otters, water voles and barn owls are just some of the creatures you might spot.

Kennet and Avon canal

87 miles, 104 locks, one tunnel and two aqueducts, from Reading to Bristol

This canal reopened in 1990 after an epic feat of restoration driven by volunteers. This canal-cum-river boasts a winning combination of scenic countryside, canalside pubs, feats of engineering and elegant architecture. Moor at The Barge Inn in Honeystreet and cycle to Avebury stone circle. Bath is an obvious highlight, but don’t miss Bradford-on-Avon, a gem of a town home to Tithe barn , one of the oldest medieval barns in Britain, and the tiny Saxon church of St Laurence.

Lancaster canal

41 miles, no locks, from Preston to Tewitfield

This is a lock-free cruise with views of the Silverdale coast, the Forest of Bowland and overlooked by the foothills of the Pennines. At Hest Bank it’s a few hundred yards to the beach where you’ll be looking across to Morecambe Bay. Take a tour of the nearly 1,000-year-old castle in Lancaster where, in 1612, 10 people were convicted of witchcraft; in the 19th century it held England’s largest debtors prison. Just north, you’ll travel over the canal’s most impressive feature – the Lune aqueduct . If you fancy working some locks, there’s a short run branching off to Glasson where the canal meets the Lune estuary.

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Hire a canal narrowboat from a wide range of bases throughout the UK, with the best selection of 2-12 berth boats to suit all budgets. Explore scenic canals, moor at canalside pubs and enjoy traversing dramatic aqueducts and negotiating locks.

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Find Your Boating Holiday

Canal boat holidays & narrowboat hire across the uk.

Whether you fancy working the locks aboard a narrowboat or widebeam barge on the UK canals or a modern sports cruiser or traditional sailing yacht on the Norfolk Broads, Canalia offers you one place to check live availability and online booking on over 1,800 boats for hire throughout the UK waterways on the canals, rivers and Norfolk Broads. Simply enter the dates you wish to hire your boat plus the details of which waterways you wish to explore and your party details and you will be able to search over 150,000 self-drive boating holidays throughout the UK. If you need any help or advice, please see our online route guides or call our boating holiday team on 0845 127 1020 (+44 1252 796400).

Featured Waterways & Destinations

• Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads offers 125 miles of easy boating. Hire a motor cruiser or sailing yacht.

Northern England

Go narrowboating across the Pennines and explore the Yorkshire canals or Cheshire Ring.

Central England

The 'Heart of England' canal network offers so much to explore on your family boating holiday.

Canals in Scotland

Hire a narrowboat & experience the stunning Falkirk Wheel, & visit Edinburgh & Glasgow.

Canals in Wales

The Welsh Canals offer boating holidays on the Llangollen, home of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Southern England

Boat hire on the Southern Canals & Thames, including city breaks to Bath, Oxford & Windsor.

The kids loved helping to steer our narrowboat... Fantastic canalside pub food & the dog had a great time too!...

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All our canal boat hire operators uphold standards of excellence, find out more here

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Drifters brings you Great British Boating

Drifters is made up of nine professional canal boat holiday operators, handpicked because they uphold the highest standards .

With over 550 narrowboats for hire from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, Drifters offers the choice of hundreds of narrowboat holiday routes and destinations.

Our operators invest more in new canal boats each year than all the other UK operators put together, ensuring we offer high quality holidays afloat.  We are all independently assessed and accredited by the trade federation for the boating industry British Marine, so you can embark on your canal adventure with confidence.

We work with the Canal & River Trust for the good of Britain’s canal network – and to promote the enjoyment of canal boat holidays.

To find out more about Drifters Standards offering excellence afloat, please  Click here

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Canal Boat Holidays in England

Exploring england from the water.

Your narrowboat holiday in England will offer you the opportunity to experience this beautiful country from a truly unique vantage point. On holidays in the UK canals and rivers, you can hire a narrow boat and meander your way through the beautiful English countryside, breathing in the revitalising air and soaking up the history of the region. A self drive boat holiday with a difference!

Boating holidays in England, particularly on the inland waterways, are hugely popular. The canal network was originally created to transport industrial goods to and from towns and cities by boat, which means that as well as the countryside there is a great network to explore on your canal holiday that takes you right into the centre of our main cities as a holiday location.

Hire canal boats for a weekend  or  midweek break on a boating holiday in England and you can cruise into the centre of cities in southern England such as Birmingham, Oxford and Bath on holidays routes like the Kennet and Avon. A canal holiday certainly beats taking the car or battling on the underground!

Black Prince offers canal boat hire in England hire in seven locations, from the north-west in Cheshire , central England in Staffordshire , the Midlands area of Worcestershire and the Warwickshire Ring , in the east in Cambridgeshire , and in the south of England in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire .

Each of these locations offers beautiful scenery, historical places to visit and some great attractions that will appeal to all the family. You can hire boats for a weekend break, a midweek break or a longer duration holiday, from a 7-night canal boat holiday to 21 nights. If you are looking for a more bespoke UK canals trip, then please give our reservations team a call and we’ll see what we can do for you.

Whatever you are looking for, we are sure you’ll find your perfect narrowboat holiday with Black Prince !

TOP TOWNS TO VISIT IN ENGLAND

CHESTER | You can enjoy a canal boat holiday to the beautiful town of Chester. From the moment you step on the Grade I listed Roman wall that circles this historic town, you can feel yourself heading back in time. Moor up your narrowboat close to the city centre and enjoy the leisurely walk into the heart of this beautiful city which dates back to the year 79 AD, when it was established as a Roman fort. The city centre has a small town feel with major sights such as the the gothic design Town Hall and a Norman cathedral all within easy walking distance. The traditional black and white shop fronts give a quintessentially English feel, and there are plenty of fascinating gift shops and nice eateries to thoroughly enjoy. This town is English history come alive – don’t forget your camera!  

You can enjoy Chester on a short break boating holiday or longer holiday.  

STRATFORD UPON AVON | What is so famous about Stratford-Upon-Avon? Shakespeare of course! This town is one of the UK’s most important cultural areas, and is mainly celebrated as the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. It’s also one of the best places for boating holidays in England thanks to the wealth of historic heritage here.

Enjoy a canal boat holiday along the Stratford Canal and you can moor up your narrowboat close to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The town also offers stunning riverside views to enjoy from your narrowboat hire and perfectly preserved architecture. A must visit.

OXFORD | Boating holidays in England wouldn’t be complete without a cruise along the South Oxford Canal to Oxford – a canal boat holiday cruise there followed by a punt along the River Thames in the city!

You’ll probably experience ‘deja-vous’ in Oxford. This historic city often feels familiar because it is used as the backdrop for so many films and TV programmes, most famously Inspector More and Harry Potter. The city is small and packed together so the main sights are easy to get around. The world famous university buildings include Christ Church College, Wadham College and Magdalene College. Other interesting sights are the Ashmolean Museum, Carfax Tower, Botanic Gardens – the oldest in Britain – and Sheldonian Theatre. You can even swap boat styles and try a spot of punting in flat-bottomed hire boats on the River Cherwell.

CAMBRIDGE | Cambridge is of course famous for being the ‘other’ university and is a very popular place for boating vacations in England. Enjoy a weekend canal boat break on the River Ouse and head to Cambridge. Top of the agenda when you arrive at this beautiful city would be to head to the world-famous Cambridge University, founded in 1209, and discover King’s College Chapel, which began construction in 1446 during the reign of Henry VI and was finally completed in 1515 by King Henry VIII. With its gothic architecture and stunning great windows, the chapel is one of the traditional symbols of the city and was described by the architect Nikolaus Pevsner as “the most exquisite piece of Italian decoration surviving in England”. After visiting the chapel, you can enjoy a walk through the historic back streets of the city, which offer a contrast between beautiful Roman and Medieval architecture and the vibrant designs of modern England.

LEAMINGTON SPA | Head out on the Grand Union Canal to Royal Leamington Spa on your narrowboat holiday in England and discover a beautiful town that was built on the Victorian belief in the medical properties of mineral spring water. A largely Regency town, it was very popular in the 18th-19th Century and the top attraction now remains the Royal Pump rooms. This Grade II listed building was the most famous of several spa baths opened in Leamington between the late-18th and mid-19th centuries. It also contains the art gallery and museum.

TOP HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS IN ENGLAND  

CHESTER | The Roman Wall at Chester gives you a real sense of stepping back in time. An easy walk, accessible from your canal boat, it leads you into the centre where you can take in the sights of this beautiful city. It’s also part of the famous Four Counties Ring.

BATH | The Roman Bath’s at BATH offers a fascinating insight into the history of this ancient city. Moor up your canal boat on the outskirts of town and it’s an easy walk into the centre. Take the official tour and when you’ve seen the sights and tasted the water, head to The Pump Room for a special lunch in lovely surroundings.  

COVENTRY | For a bit of art history on your canal boat hire trip, take a look at the COVENTRY Canal Art Trail for a great way to spend time on your boat. As you journey along you can take in 39 works by 31 different artists, inspired by local history and contemporary culture.  

The trail starts at the Coventry Canal Basin and ends at Hawkesbury Junction.  

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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.

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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

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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 🙂

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On a canal boat holiday there is something for everyone- the wildlife is abundant, and the wild flowers and greenery combine with the old historic bridges, aqueducts and tunnels. There are many interesting museums, country houses, and potteries, like the fabulous Wedgwood Visitor centre. If you fancy some exciting staircase locks, then look no further than Union Wharf marina, and you will have some long tunnels and beautiful rural landscapes thrown in as well.

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Our peaceful canals and rivers offer a great way to relax and discover Britain from a unique perspective.  There are hundreds of routes and destinations to discover – from easy trips with few locks, perfect for newcomers – to epic journeys, passing through steep flights of locks, long tunnels and a huge variety of landscapes.

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From the quiet remoteness of the leeds & liverpool canal where it crosses the pennines, to the regenerated waterfronts of exciting cities like manchester, leeds and liverpool, britain’s northern waterways offer canal boat holiday makers a fantastic choice of routes with many iconic canal structures..

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From peaceful country villages with historic local pubs, to some of britain’s best-loved towns and cities with world famous attractions like shakespeare’s stratford and warwick castle, our central waterways offer the chance to see the heart of england from a unique perspective...

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From the majesty of the royal river thames to the peaceful countryside of the kennet & avon canal, the waterways of southern england offer narrowboat holiday-makers the chance to enjoy some of britain’s best loved countryside, as well visit iconic cities like world heritage status bath and oxford..

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Historic Canal Routes in the UK: Discover the Beauty of Britain’s Waterways

For those who love to explore the UK’s waterways, there are few historic canal routes experiences that can match the charm and history of a canal boat trip. The country’s canals are steeped in history, boasting wonderful heritage and architecture created centuries ago. From the earliest canals built in the 17th century to the modern-day waterways, there are many routes to choose from, each with its own unique character and attractions.

One of the best ways to explore the UK’s historic canals is to take a leisurely boat trip along one of the many scenic routes. These routes offer a glimpse into the country’s industrial past, with old mills, warehouses and factories lining the water’s edge. Along the way, you can also enjoy the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and bustling towns that make up the fabric of the UK’s canal network.

History of Canals in the UK

Origins of canal systems.

The canal network in the UK was the first of its kind in the world. The first canal, the Sankey Canal in Lancashire, opened in stages between 1757 and 1773. It was followed by the Bridgewater Canal, which initially connected Worsley to Manchester and was completed in 1761. These canals were built because they offered the most economic and reliable way to transport goods, especially heavy and bulky items like coal and iron.

The canal systems were built during a time when road transport was slow and expensive, and the railways had not yet been developed. The canals allowed goods to be transported quickly and cheaply across the country, which helped to fuel the growth of industry and trade.

Importance of Canals in the Industrial Revolution

The canals played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, which saw the UK become the world’s first industrial power. The canals supported the industries that allowed the country to become wealthy and created the wealth that led to the British Empire in the Victorian Era.

Canals were used to transport raw materials, such as coal and iron, and finished goods, such as textiles and pottery. They also allowed for the movement of people, which helped to create new markets and stimulate economic growth.

During the Industrial Revolution, many new canals were built, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which opened in 1816 and connected the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. This canal was over 120 miles long and included 91 locks, making it one of the longest and most complex canals in the UK.

The canals continued to be an important part of the UK’s transport infrastructure until the mid-19th century, when the railways began to take over. However, many of the canals are still in use today and are popular with tourists and boaters.

Popular Canal Routes in the UK

Grand union canal.

The Grand Union Canal is the longest canal in the UK, stretching over 137 miles from London to Birmingham. It was created in 1929 by merging several canals, including the Grand Junction Canal, the Warwick and Napton Canal, and the Leicester Line of the Old Union Canal. The canal passes through the Chiltern Hills, providing stunning views of the countryside. The route has 166 locks, including the famous Hatton Flight of 21 locks near Warwick.

The Grand Union Canal is a popular route for boating holidays, with plenty of opportunities to stop at charming towns and villages along the way. The canal is also home to a variety of wildlife, including kingfishers, herons, and otters.

Regent’s Canal

The Regent’s Canal is a 9-mile waterway that runs through the heart of London. It was built in the early 19th century to link the Grand Union Canal to the River Thames. The canal passes through several historic neighbourhoods, including Little Venice, Camden, and Hackney.

The Regent’s Canal is a popular destination for walking and cycling, with a towpath that provides a scenic route through the city. Along the way, you’ll see colourful houseboats, modern apartment buildings, and iconic landmarks such as the London Zoo and the Camden Lock Market.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in northern England, stretching over 127 miles from Leeds to Liverpool. It was built in the late 18th century to transport goods between the two cities, and it played an important role in the Industrial Revolution.

The canal passes through several historic towns and cities, including Skipton, Burnley, and Wigan. It also crosses the Pennines, providing stunning views of the landscape. The route has 91 locks, including the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks near Bradford.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a popular route for boating holidays, with plenty of opportunities to stop at traditional pubs and restaurants along the way. It is also a popular destination for walkers and cyclists, with a towpath that provides a scenic route through the countryside.

Exploring Canal Routes

Boat hire and tours.

If you’re looking for a relaxing way to explore the historic canal routes of the UK, hiring a boat or joining a guided tour is a great option. There are many different boat hire companies and tour operators available, offering a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. One popular choice is ABC Boat Hire, which offers a variety of boats for hire along some of the most scenic canal routes in the UK. Other options include Black Prince, Drifters, and Anglo Welsh. Many of these companies offer self-drive boats, as well as guided tours with experienced captains who can provide insight into the history and culture of the canals.

Walking and Cycling Routes

For those who prefer to explore on foot or by bike, there are also plenty of options available. The Canal & River Trust, which manages many of the UK’s canals, has created a network of walking and cycling routes that follow the canal routes and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. One popular option is the towpath along the Kennet and Avon Canal, which stretches for 87 miles from Bristol to Reading. The route passes through picturesque villages, historic towns, and beautiful countryside, making it a great option for both walkers and cyclists. Other popular walking and cycling routes along the canals include the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, the Grand Union Canal in London, and the Caledonian Canal in Scotland. No matter how you choose to explore the historic canal routes of the UK, there’s no doubt that they offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind on a boat, or get some exercise while taking in the stunning scenery, the canal routes are a great option for anyone looking to explore the beauty and history of the UK’s waterways.

Canal Heritage Sites

Museums and visitor centres.

There are several museums and visitor centres across the UK that showcase the history of the canal route system. These sites provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the construction, operation, and significance of the canals.

• The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, is one of the most popular canal heritage sites in the UK. It is located on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal and features interactive exhibits, historic boats, and a Victorian canal village.
• The Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire, is another popular destination for canal enthusiasts. It is located in a former pumping station and features exhibits on canal construction and the lives of canal workers.
• The London Canal Museum is located in King’s Cross and tells the story of the canals in the capital. It features exhibits on the history of the Regent’s Canal and the ice trade, as well as a reconstructed ice well.

Historic Canal Structures

The canal route system in the UK is home to many historic structures, including aqueducts, locks, and bridges. These structures are a testament to the engineering prowess of the canal builders and are an important part of the country’s industrial heritage.

Visitors to these historic canal route structures can marvel at the engineering feats of the canal builders and gain a deeper appreciation for the role that canals played in the development of the UK.

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Home / Blog / 5 Best Scenic Canal Routes UK

5 Best scenic canal routes UK

18th July 2019

Whether you’re a serial boater or a canal boat holiday beginner looking for something new, finding out the most scenic canal routes to explore is a great way to ensure your trip will be perfect. From discovering the majestic sights of the Campsie Fells in Scotland to the picturesque Welsh countryside located near Llangollen, learn more about which scenic routes to explore on your narrowboat trip today.

What are the best scenic canal routes in the UK?

1. monmouthshire & brecon canal from goytre wharf.

Looking for a boating escape? Discover this hidden gem in the Brecon Beacons – Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Surrounded by extraordinary beauty from the Brecon Beacons National Park, admire the Black Mountains as a spectacular backdrop while discovering water trails – all in the company of mountains, sheep and open spaces, with the taste of fresh air.

This beautiful canal route has colours that change with the season under an intimate tree-lined route. For captivating countryside paired with wonderous wildlife to explore, this route is the perfect choice for a lover of grand scenery and nature.

2. Kennet & Avon Canal from Hilperton Marina

Often considered one of the best for natural beauty and wildlife, the Kennet and Avon canal is a great place to start. This canal provides a series of routes which are perfect when you’re searching for scenic canal routes to explore on your next trip away.

Whether it’s travelling through the leafy landscape of Devizes, or exploring the ancient forest, Celtic mounds and mysterious crop circles of the Reading route, the Kennet and Avon canal offers something for everyone. All the routes from this canal offer a combination of character and countryside – providing the perfect blend for a holiday on the water.

3. Chester return from Gailey Wharf

Starting out in the Midlands, Gailey Wharf can lead you up to the beautiful countryside route in Chester, or you have the option to stay local exploring areas of the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

On the Chester return route, enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Cheshire Plains – perfect for taking long walks or even hiring bikes, this relatively flat lowland spans throughout Chester. Take in the views from your canal boat on your trip away, or moor up and get exploring for yourself!

4. Llangollen Canal from Whitchurch Marina

With wildlife and plant life teeming from the corners of the canal, to Britain’s third-largest lowland raised bog, (which is apparently large enough to be seen from space!), there’s plenty to see on this narrowboat route from Whitchurch Marina.

Upon entering Wales, you’re met with the distinct Welsh countryside scattered with mountains and nature that stretches as far as the eye can see. If you have enough time while you’re there, why not visit Horseshoe Falls? A weir on the River Dee which is the perfect place to take the family, admire the beauty of the falls or enjoy a mile and a half walk around the area exploring local landmarks and finding out about the surrounding wildlife.

5. Forth & Clyde Canal from Falkirk

Explore the beauty of the Forth and Clyde canal routes from Falkirk on your next narrowboat holiday. The Forth and Clyde canal is much wider than your average English canal – and holds host to beautiful Scottish scenery waiting to be explored. One of the most significant monuments to ensure you visit is the Falkirk Wheel – a huge structural wonder, this attraction connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

And if you want to venture onto a specific route from Falkirk that really captures the Scottish scenery, the Glasgow and return route showcases the majestic Campsie Fells. This Scottish countryside area spans east to west from Denny Muir to Dumgoyne.

Now you’ve discovered our best canals in the UK to explore scenic views, it’s time to get going. Find out everything you need to know about boating from our ultimate canal boat guide . Alternatively, get in touch with a member of our helpful team for more information and advice on your next holiday on the water.

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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.

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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.

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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.