Top 6 cosy pubs to cruise to this winter

We’re offering winter cruising from seven of our canal boat hire bases

Winter canal boat hire provides the opportunity to cruise gently through the quiet winter countryside and stop off at canalside pubs along the way.

You’ll be snug and warm on board as all our boats have central heating and hot water, and some also have multi-fuel stoves.

We offer narrowboat hire over Christmas and New Year from six of our bases.  So you can celebrate the festive season afloat with family and friends.  Or simply escape from it all with your nearest and dearest, aboard your very own floating holiday cottage.

Here’s a Guide to Our Top 6 Cosy Canal Boat Holiday Pubs to Cruise to This Winter

**Please note that winter maintenance on the canals may affect some routes for part of the winter, so do just check with us when you make your booking:

1. Cruise to the Dusty Miller at Wrenbury Mill, Cheshire

From Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around seven hours to reach Wrenbury Mill.  The route travels through 10 miles of the Cheshire countryside, and passes through 11 locks.  You’ll start off on the Shropshire Union Canal, transferring onto the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction.  At Wrenbury Mill you can moor up and enjoy a meal at the Dusty Miller.  They serve traditional pub food, including chicken in a basket and pie of the day. The pub is dog friendly and they have a guide to local walks on their website.

2. Head to the Swan Inn at Fradley Junction, Staffordshire

From Great Haywood it takes around five hours to reach Fradley Junction.  The journey travels along the Trent & Mersey Canal for 12 miles, passing through five locks.  At Fradley, you can moor up next to the historic Swan Inn, serving ‘home cooked honest meals’.  They also have a doggy menu.

3. Visit the Fleur De Lys at Lowsonford, Warwickshire

From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, it takes around three hours to cruise to the pretty canalside village of Lowsonford.  There you can moor up to visit the Fleur De Lys, a 17th century country pub famous for its pies. Eleven different types of pie are served, accompanied by seasonal vegetables, chunky chips and gravy.  There are gluten free and vegan options, as well as veggie, meat and fish pies.

4. Dine out at the Corn Mill in Llangollen, Denbighshire

From Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, it takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach the pretty town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains.  Once there, you can moor up in Llangollen Basin and take a short walk to the popular Corn Mill pub.  Housed in a 14th century watermill on the banks of the River Dee, there’s a great choice of dishes on offer.  From pumpkin tortellini and a sweet potato curry, to a crispy buttermilk chicken burger and rump steak, all are calorie counted.

5. Visit the Black Bear at Whitchurch, Shropshire

Setting out from Whixall, it takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach the historic market town of Whitchurch.  You’ll travel through the Shropshire countryside along the Llangollen Canal. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore the town and visit the award-winning Black Bear pub on the High Street, housed in a medieval building.

6. Dine at the Cross Guns at Avoncliff, Wiltshire

You can reach the Cross Guns pub next to Avoncliff Aqueduct on a short break from our bases at Bradford on Avon and Bath.  One of Wiltshire’s best known pubs, the Cross Guns dates back to the 17th century. It’s large inglenook fireplace is the same style as those found at Hampton Court.

To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419. 

*Winter maintenance will affect some of the routes some of the time