This Easter, why not trade traffic jams and crowded hotspots for calm waters, open skies and a slower pace of life? As the days get longer, the nation’s canal charity, Canal & River Trust, is inviting people to discover the joy of a hire boat trip for a relaxing day out or an unforgettable waterside holiday.
The UK’s 250-year-old canal network stretches for over 2,000 miles across England and Wales, passing through historic cities, rolling countryside and wildlife-rich green spaces. There are over 1,000 self-drive canal boats available to hire on the Trust’s network, offering a unique way to unwind, reconnect with nature and explore some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
Hire boating offers something for everyone. Families can enjoy hands-on adventures steering through locks, couples can escape for a peaceful rural retreat, and groups of friends can explore scenic routes together, mooring up at a waterside pub or restaurant once the day’s cruising is done.
Choose between day boat hire, perfect for boating beginners wanting a relaxed day out with family and friends; short breaks exploring local routes and iconic canal landscapes; and longer holidays offering immersive journeys through gorgeous countryside and into the heart of the UK’s leading cities.
With flexible routes and no fixed schedules, boaters can travel at their own pace, stopping wherever takes their fancy. A canal holiday also offers a greener way to travel, encouraging slower journeys and closer connections with nature, while supporting local waterside businesses and communities.
No previous experience is needed to hire a canal boat. Operators provide full tuition before setting off, and boats are equipped with everything needed for a comfortable trip, including fully-equipped kitchens, comfortable beds, bathrooms, central heating and outdoor seating.
Matthew Symonds, head of boating at Canal & River Trust, said: “With spring on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to plan a canal escape and experience a different side of the country, one lock, bridge and bend at a time. People are looking for meaningful ways to switch off and recharge, and time spent on canals continues to grow in popularity, with more than eight out of ten hire boat holiday makers saying they’d recommend their trip to friends and family. It’s a fantastic way to see the very best of Britain.”
Popular narrowboat holiday destinations include:
- The beautiful Vale of Pewsey and Georgian Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal
- The Brecon Beacons on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in South Wales
- Worcester on the River Severn
- Birmingham on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
- Oxford ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ on the Oxford Canal
- Shakespeare’s Stratford on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal
- The historic canal village of Braunston in the heart of the canal network
- The Yorkshire Dales and UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
- The UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal
- The ancient city of Chester on the Shropshire Union Canal
For more information on planning your trip, visit: Boat holidays and trips | Canal & River Trust
