Top 6 family canal boat holidays this summer
Our guide to the best narrowboat holiday destinations for families this summer
Set off together for a family adventure afloat this summer, exploring the countryside and visiting exciting waterside attractions.
Here’s a guide to our top 6 family canal boat holidays this summer:
1. Walk the Roman walls of Chester
On a short break from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal you can cruise to the ancient city of Chester and back. You’ll cruise through the Cheshire countryside, passing Beeston Castle and Tattenhall with its famouse Cheshire Ice Cream Farm. And you’ll go through the village of Christleton with its Cheshire Cat canalside pub. Once there, you can explore this great heritage city home to the most complete City Walls in Britain. The walls date back to the Roman occupation 2,000 years ago. Walking the walls you can follow in the footsteps of the Roman soldiers and panoramic views on both sides. The journey to Chester and back travels 12 miles, passes through 18 locks (9 each way) and takes around 14 hours.
2. Visit Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains
On a week’s holiday from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to Llangollen and back. You’ll travel through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District and the historic market town of Ellesmere. You’ll also cruise along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage Site, including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. You can moor up in Llangollen Basin to explore the town, including the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and gardens and the Horseshoe Falls. There are many independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views. The journey to Llangollen and back travels 52 miles, passes through 4 locks (2 each way) and takes around 24 hours.
3. Explore the Royal Armouries Museum at Leeds Dock
On a week’s break from Silsden you can cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Leeds and back. Along the way you’ll go through the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. And you’ll pass through UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire, home to Salts Mill and the David Hockney Gallery. When you reach Leeds, you can moor up in Leeds Dock and explore the free to visit Royal Amouries Museum. There are thousands of items on display, including Japanese Samurai armour and movie props. The journey to Leeds Dock and back travels 44 miles, passes through 54 locks (27 each way) and takes around 32 hours.
4. Travel round the Birmingham Mini-Ring & visit the National Sea Life Birmingham
On a week’s break from Wootton Wawen you can complete the Birmingham Mini-Ring. You’ll cruise sections of the Stratford, Grand Union, Birmingham & Fazeley and Worcester & Birmingham canals. You’ll pass a series of canalside pubs along the way, including the Kings Arms at Heronfield. Once in Birmingham, you can moor up in Gas Street Basin to explore the city centre, including the National Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace. The circuit cruises 48 miles, passes through 84 locks and takes around 33 hours.
5. Visit the food and drink capital of Staffordshire
On short break from Great Haywood you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to the bustling market town of Stone and back. The route along the Trent & Mersey Canal takes you through the village of Weston on Trent, home to the Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire with an excellent choice of restaurants, pubs and wine bars. There are also regular markets, the annual food festiavel and Stone has its own micro ‘Lymestone Brewery’. The journey to Stone and back travels 20 miles, passes through 8 locks (4 each way) and takes around 10 hours.
6. Cruise to Devizes for some cheesecake
On a short break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise to Foxhanger Wharf and back. There you can moor up and walk up the famous flight of locks at Caen Hill, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Then head into the historic market town of Devizes, home to the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre with its famous shire horses making daily deliveries. And you can visit some of the town’s independent shops and restaurants, including the Dolcipani Bakery, famous for its Devizes Cheesecake. The journey to Foxhangers Wharf and back travels 11 miles, passes through 14 locks (7 each way) and takes around 15 hours.
