Drifters members hire canal boats for the day from 19 narrowboat hire bases across England and Wales, offering the chance to enjoy a family day out boating on the canals this summer.
Full boating tuition is included, so it’s a great way for newcomers to canal boating to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.
All Drifters’ day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle, and most also have a toilet, cooker and fridge. So day boaters can plan a picnic afloat or stop-off for lunch at a canalside pub along the way.
Boats range in size and can accommodate between eight and 12 people. Drifters day boat hire prices start at £99 on weekdays, and £165 on weekends and bank holidays. Day boats are pet-friendly.
Drifters has published a guide to its top 10 destinations for days out boating on the canals this summer:
1. Enjoy views of the Peak District on the Peak Forest Canal (Derbyshire)
On a day out boating from New Mills Marina on the Peak Forest Canal in Derbyshire you can cruise to Marple and back, enjoying fantastic views of the rolling countryside along the way. You can moor up at the bottom of the Marple Lock flight to see boats passing through one of the steepest lock flights in Britain and walk to the Hattons Arms in Marple. The journey to Marple and back takes five-and-a-half hours and there are no locks. *Electric day boat ‘Field Day’ can accommodate up to 10 people and summer prices start at £189.
2. Navigate through Cannock Chase to the Wolseley Arms (Staffordshire)
From Drifters’ boat hire base Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, day boaters can cruise four miles, passing through two locks, to reach the historic market town of Rugeley. The journey, which takes around two hours, passes the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the popular Wolseley Arms pub at Wolseley Bridge. *Day boats ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ can carry up to 10 people each and summer prices start at £99.
3. Glide along the leafy Worcester & Birmingham Canal (Worcestershire)
On a day out from Alvechurch Marina near Bromsgrove, you can cruise north through the remains of the Forest of Arden to Kings Norton Junction and back. Along the way you can stop off at the canalside Hopwood House pub and take a walk around the Bittell Reservoirs. The route is lock-free but takes you through Wast Hill Tunnel, which is over a mile-and-a-half long. *Day boat ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people and summer prices start at £209.
4. Navigate to The Star Inn at Mamhillad in the Brecon Beacons (Monmouthshire)
On day out boating along on the beautiful Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal from Goytre Wharf, you can cruise through the Usk Valley enjoying incredible mountain views. It takes around two-and-a-half-hours to reach moorings close to the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62. *Day boats ‘Robin’ and Rooster’ can carry up to eight people each and summer prices start at £199.
5. Cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Napton-on-the-Hill (Northamptonshire)
From Braunston in heart of the canal network, you can cruise to the historic village of Napton-on-the-Hill. The journey takes you through the Northamptonshire countryside and into Warwickshire. Once at Napton, you can moor up and walk into the village where there’s a choice of pubs, including the popular Kings Head. The journey to Napton and back takes around six hours and there are no locks. *Day boat ‘Ouzel II’ can carry up to 12 people and prices start at £150.
6. Boat along the Shropshire Union Canal to Nantwich (Cheshire)
From Bunbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise south for six miles to Nantwich and back. The journey takes day you across the impressive Grade II* listed Nantwich Aqueduct, with panoramic views across the town and passes the canalside Barbridge Inn along the way. The journey to Nantwich takes around two-and-a-half hours and there are no locks. *Day boat ‘Bella’ can carry up to 10 people and prices start at £99.
7. Float across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ (Denbighshire)
If you have a head for heights, from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal day boaters can travel across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at over 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, this incredible structure offers amazing views of the Dee Valley below. After cruising over the Aqueduct, there are two tunnels and another aqueduct to cross, before reaching the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank. The journey to Chirk takes around two-and-a-half hours. *Day boats ‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each and prices start at £120.
8. Boat along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Avoncliff Aqueduct (Wiltshire)
From Hilperton Marina, near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, you can cruise west through the Bath Valley to Avoncliff and back, passing through the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon. There’s just one lock to pass through at Bradford on Avon, before reaching the impressive Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct. Here you can moor up and visit the canalside cafe. The journey to Avoncliff and back takes around six hours. *Electric day boat ‘Great Day’ can carry up to 10 people and summer prices start at £209.
9. Cruise through the countryside to Atherstone (Warwickshire)
On a day out from Springwood Haven Marina on the Coventry Canal near Nuneaton, you can cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to the historic market town of Atherstone and back. Along the way, you’ll pass the canalside Anchor Inn. The journey to Atherstone and back takes around three hours. *Electric day boat ‘Sunny Day’ can accommodate up to 10 people and summer prices start at £189.
10. Navigate through the West Berkshire countryside to the Spring Inn (Berkshire)
From Drifters’ day boat hire centre at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Reading, day boaters can cruise to Theale and back, stopping off to enjoy lunch at the Spring Inn, a 10-minute walk from the canal. The total journey takes just over four hours and passes through two locks each way. *Day boat ‘Heyday’ can carry up to 8 people and summer prices start from £209..
For more information about Drifters day boat hire go to Day Boats. Canal boat day hire. Rent a boat for a day (drifters.co.uk)
For more information about visiting the canals go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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