Best week-long breaks this autumn
To celebrate the autumn colours, we’ve put together a guide to our best week-long cruises through the countryside
This autumn adventure afloat on a canal cruise through the countryside, enjoying the beautiful colours in the trees and hedgerows that line our canals and rivers.
Canal boat holidays are a great way to connect with nature. You can watch-out for a abundance of wildlife along the way.
Our best week-long breaks this autumn
1. Cruise through the Shropshire countryside to Whitchurch
On a week’s break from Trevor in North Wales, you can travel along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch and back. Along the way, you’ll cross the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with amazing views of the Dee Valley. Then it’s on through the Shropshire countryside, passing through Ellesmere, in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore this historic market town, including its award-winning Black Bear pub. The journey from Trevor to Whitchurch and back takes 24 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
2. Navigate through the Yorkshire countryside to Barnoldswick
On a week’s break from Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire, you can cruise through the Yorkshire countryside to Barnoldswick. The journey takes you through a series of historic towns and villages, including Skipton, with its medieval castle and acres of woodland trails to explore. And East Marton with access to the Pennine Way National Trail. The journey from Silsden to Barnoldswick and back takes 22 hours and passes through 30 locks (15 each way).
3. Boat through the Cheshire countryside to Red Bull Wharf
On a week’s break from Bunbury, you can cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Red Bull Wharf and back. The route will take you along the rural Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, running from Barbridge Junction to Middlewich. This peaceful 10-mile long waterways passing through the pretty village of Church Minshull, with its popular Badger Inn. The journey from Bunbury to Red Bull Wharf and back travels 53 miles and passes through 70 locks (35 each way).
4. Wend your way through the Wiltshire countryside to the Vale of Pewsey
On a week’s break from Monkton Combe on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Bath you can reach Pewsey Wharf. The journey takes you up the 29 locks of the Caen Hill Flight, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. And through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Places to visit along the way include the historic market towns of Bradford on Avon and Devizes. It takes around 38 hours to cruise from Monkton Combe to Pewsey and back, passing through 74 locks (37 each way).
5. Journey to Llangollen North Wales and visit the Horsehoe Falls
On a week’s break from Whixall Marina, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can reach the historic town of Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains. Along the way, you’ll travel through the Shropshire countryside to Ellesmere, with its beautiful Mere and woodland walks. You’ll cruise across the magnificent Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts, enjoying incredible views of the Welsh Mountains. At Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, you can visit the famous Horseshoe Falls. The journey from Whixall to Llangollen and back takes around 24 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
6. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Drayton Manor Theme Park
On a week’s break from Great Haywood near Stafford, you can cruise to Drayton Manor Theme Park and back. Head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing through Cannock Chase Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty and the historic town of Rugeley. At Fradley Junction, home of Fradley Pool Nature Reserve, transfer onto the Coventry Canal. You’ll pass through the villages of Huddlesford (home of The Plough pub), Whittington (home of The Swan pub) and Hopwas (home of the Tame Otter pub) before reaching Fazeley Junction. Turn right a moor up between Tolson’s Footbridge and Coleshill Road Bridge. From there you can walk to Drayton Manor Park. The journey to Coleshill Road Bridge and back cruises 48 miles, passes through 10 locks (5 each way) and takes around 22 hours.
7. Travel to Warwick Castle and back
On a week-long holiday from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise to Warwick Castle and back. The journey begins heading north along the Stratford Canal through the remains of the Forest of Arden. At Lapworth Junction you take the Lapworth Link and transfer onto the Grand Union Canal. You’ll boat through the 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel and soon after you’ll reach the top of the flight of 21 locks at Hatton, lowering/raising the canal by 45 metres over two miles. The Hatton Locks Cafe and Hatton Arms pubs are popular places to stop for refreshment. Soon after Hatton Bottom Lock No.26 you’ll connect with the Saltisford Arm at Budbrooke Junction. There you can moor up and visit Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience. The journey to Warwick and back travels 28 miles, passes through 76 locks (38 each way) and takes around 23 hours.
