Experience Christmas on the canals

Spend Christmas or New Year on the canals with Anglo Welsh

This winter, we’re offering winter cruising* over Christmas and New Year from six of our narrowboat hire bases.

The canals are quieter during the winter months and people tend to make shorter journeys.  Winter canal boat hire is about enjoying being close to the water and nature. And visiting canalside pubs and attractions.

From a cosy narrowboat for two to a family canal boat for eight, all our boats have central heating, hot water, WiFi, TV and DVD players, so it’s always nice and warm on board.  Some of our boats also come with multi-fuel stoves for some extra special winter warmth. And there’s plenty of storage room on board, so you can bring lots of warm and wet weather clothing.

Here’s our guide to our top 6 narrowboat holidays for Christmas 2024

1.    Float to through the Warwickshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon

From our narrowboat rental base on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, it’s a six-hour cruise to Shakespeare’s Stratford.  The journey takes you through the Warwickshire countryside, passing through 17 locks along the way. Once in Stratford-upon-Avon, you can moor up in Bancroft Basin, just a short walk from the town’s excellent choice of theatres, restaurants, markets and museums.

2.    Experience Christmas in the World Heritage City of Bath

On a short break from our canal boat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Bradford on Avon, you can reach moorings at Sydney Gardens on the edge of Bath in around four cruising hours.  The route takes you through the Bath Valley and across the magnificent Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts.  There’s just one lock to pass through. From moorings close to Sydney Wharf, it’s a 15 minute walk into Bath City Centre with glittering lights and festive events, including panto at the Theatre Royal.

3.    Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley

Heading south from our base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal, you can reach Fradley Junction in around five hours.  The journey passes through five locks and 12 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside, including the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Places to enjoy along the way include The Wolseley Centre run by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the Wolseley Arms pub and the village of Handsacre with its ‘The Old Peculiar’ pub.  Once at Fradley, refreshments are available at the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn, and there are walking trails at the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.

4.    Travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere

From our base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, it takes around four hours to reach the historic market town of Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District.  Along the way, the route passes Whixall Moss Nature Reserve, Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park.  Once at Ellesmere, there’s a choice of independent shops and restaurants, as well as formal gardens, woods and castle grounds to explore at the Mere.

5.   Visit the ancient city of Chester afloat

From Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, it’s a seven-hour cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Chester.  Once there, you can visit the City’s famous 700-year old two-tired shopping galleries – the Rows.  And you can also take time to explore this ancient city’s Roman Walls, Amphitheatre, riverside gardens and sparkling city centre Christmas lights.

6.    Cruise to the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen

Departing from our base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes around two hours to cruise to Llangollen.  There you can moor up in Llangollen Basin and enjoy visiting this beautiful town nestled in the Berwyn Mountains.  Things to visit include the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and gardens and the Horseshoe Falls.  There’s a great choice of independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views.

*NB Winter maintenance work can affect some routes at certain times.  We’ll advise you at the time of booking.