Cruising Britain’s beautiful inland waterways aboard a canal boat is a great way to see the spring countryside bursting with new life. Travelling at just 4mph, canal boat holiday-makers can enjoy watching out for nesting birds, waterfowl chicks, spring lambs and blossom on the trees and hedgerows that line our waterways.
Drifters Waterways Holidays (drifters.co.uk) offers over 500 boats for hire from 40 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. 2026 hire prices start at £713 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to four people, £980 for a week. Tuition is included in all Drifters’ canal boat holidays prices and most boats are pet-friendly.
Cruise down the Oxford Canal to Banbury and back (46 miles, 44 locks, 25 hours)
On a week’s holiday from Drifters base at Napton, boaters can cruise through the spring countryside to Banbury and back. The route begins cruising past Napton-on-the-Hill with is canalside Folly pub and excellent village shop selling local produce. Next boaters will encounter the nine-lock Napton Flight, which stretches for two miles. At Fenny Compton there’s another canalside pub – the Wharf Inn. The route then takes boaters through Fenny Compton Tunnel and the Claydon Flight of five locks. The village of Claydon is home to the quaint Marton Museum of Country Bygones. At Cropredy, famous for its annual folk music festival, boaters can visit the Brasenose Arms. In Banbury, boaters can visit Tooley’s Boatyard Museum, the Banbury Cross and a choice of historic pubs, including Ye Olde Reindeer Inn. One of the more popular canal boat holidays.
***The 48ft ‘Sophie’ narrowboat for two people is currently available for a week from Napton 25 April to 2 May 2026 for £1,116m, saving £279. Price includes diesel, gas, cancellation protection, parking, wifi and tuition. There’s a compulsory £75 damage waiver and pets are charged at £45 each.
Navigate the Llangollen Canal UNESCO World Heritage site (28 miles, 4 locks, 12.5 hours)
From Drifters base at Chirk on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains can be reached on a short break, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way. On reaching Llangollen, boaters can enjoy visiting the town’s independent shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as its Steam Railway and Horseshoe Falls. On the return journey, boaters can head back across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and on through the 11-mile World Heritage site to Whittington and back. Canalside pubs to enjoy include the Bridge at Chirk Bank and the Sun at Trevor.
***The 62ft ‘Lautrec’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a weekend break from Chirk 10-13 April 2026 for £1,320, saving £329. Price includes boat hire, non-refundable damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet. Fuel is charged on return based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
Travel through the Staffordshire countryside to Drayton Manor Theme Park and back (48 miles, 10 locks, 22 hours)
On a 7-night break from Drifters base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, boaters can cruise to moorings next to Drayton Manor Theme Park. The journey takes boaters through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a series of villages with canalside pubs. These include: the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge; the Ash Tree at Rugeley; the Swan Inn at Fradley; and the Plough Inn at Huddlesford. After turning right at Fazeley Junction, boaters can moor up close to Coleshill Road Bridge and then walk to Drayton Manor Theme Park, home to over 50 rides and attractions.
***The 48ft luxury ‘Pulteney’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a 7-night break from Great Haywood 22-29 May 2026 for £1,540. Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and first pet. There’s a compulsory £50 damage waiver and a £110 fuel deposit is taken for a week-long break. Charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
Cruise through the Fens to Cambridge and back (34 miles, 4 locks, 12 hours)
On a weekend break from Drifters narrowboat hire base at Ely on the River Great Ouse, boaters can cruise gently through the countryside to Cambridge and back. The journey begins on the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, one of the National Trust’s beautiful wetland nature reserves. There boaters can moor up to enjoy walking through fenland and farmland, past marshes and reed beds. The journey then connects to the River Cam, and goes into the famous university city of Cambridge, where there are many beautiful buildings, including King’s College Chapel. Cambridge also has a great choice of shops and restaurants to visit, including the Ivy Brasserie and Bills.
***The 52ft ‘Princess’ narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a weekend break from Ely 10-13 April 2026 for £996, saving £175. Price includes boat hire, non-refundable damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet. Fuel is charged on return based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
Navigate the Kennet & Avon Canal to Georgian Bath and back (25 miles, 2 locks, 13 hours)
On a weekend break from Hilperton on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, boaters can cruise to Syndey Gardens in Bath and back. The journey takes boaters through Bradford on Avon Lock and across the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way include the Canal Tavern at Bradford on Avon, the Cross Guns at Avoncliff and the George at Bathampton. Once at Sydney Gardens boaters can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre to visit world famous attractions, including the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent.
***The 66ft ‘Tawny Lark’ narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a 3-night break from Hilperton 1-3 May 2026 for £1,425. Price includes damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, three pets, buoyancy aids, wifi and tuition. A fuel deposit of £60 is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.
Glide through the Staffordshire countryside to Market Drayton and back (42 miles, 12 locks, 20 hours)
On a week’s break from Drifters’ base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire, boaters can cruise to the historic market town of Market Drayton. The journey travels slowly through the peaceful Staffordshire countryside, past a series of villages with historic pubs, including the Boat Inn at Gnosall, the Junction Inn at Norbury Wharf and the Boat Inn at Shebdon. The route also takes canal boat holiday-makers through a series of deep canal cuttings, full of vegetation and wildlife.
***The 60ft ‘Sir Bruin’ narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a week’s break from Brewood 8-15 May 2026 for £1,463, saving £163. Price includes damage waiver, pets, tuition, fuel, gas, parking, buoyancy aids and bed linen.
Boat along the Rochdale Canal to Hebden Bridge and back (14 miles, 20 locks, 11 hours)
On a short break from Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-markers can cruise along the Rochdale Canal to Hebden Bridge and back. The route navigates slowly along the side of the valley, passing the Lord Nelson pub at Luddenden Foot and Mytholmroyd, birthplace of Ted Huges. At Henden Bridge, there’s a choice of independent restaurants, pubs and shops and fantastic walks up to Heptonstall and along Hardcastle Crags.
***The 56ft ‘Worcester 4’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a mid-week break from Sowerby Bridge 27 April to 1 May 2026 for £1,295. Price includes damage waiver, pre-holiday information, comprehensive instruction, fuel, gas, parking, buoyancy aids, first pet and bed linen.
Navigate the Grand Union Canal to Linslade and back (73 miles, 28 locks, 30 hours)
On a 7-night break from Weedon in Northamptonshire, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Linslade and back. The journey takes boaters through the countryside past a series of canalside pubs, including: the Narrow Boat at Stowe Hill; the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne; the Navigation Inn at Thrupp; the Red Lion at Fenny Stratford; and the Three Locks at Soulbury. The route also goes through the 1.74-mile long Blisworth Tunnel, the third longest navigable tunnel on the UK canal system. At Linslade, next to Leighton Buzzard, there’s an arts centre and a choice of places to eat and shop.
***The 63ft ‘Jasmin’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a 7-night break from Weedon 15-22 May 2026 for £1,621. Price includes damage waiver, parking, gas, bedding, buoyancy aids, towels and tuition. Fuel is extra, charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day. Pets are extra charged at £30 each.
For more information about Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk.
For information about visiting the canal network go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
Drifters Waterway Holidays is made up of 10 hire boat companies: ABC Boat Hire, Anglo Welsh, Black Prince, Countrywide Cruisers, Foxhangers, Grand Union Narrowboats, Kate Boats, Napton Narrowboats, Shire Cruisers and Union Canal Carriers. Between them they offer over 500 boats for hire, operating canal boat holidays from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales. 2026 hire prices start at £713 for a short break, £980 for a week on a boat for up to four people. Narrowboats for canal boat holidays range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people. Drifters also offers day boat hire from 19 bases across England and Wales.
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