A short canal holiday on the Leeds and Liverpool canal through the Yorkshire Dales was wonderful. We picked up our hire boat from Silsden Boats situated between Keighley and Skipton just off the A629. You can arrive early and take over your canal hire boat around one o’clock in the day, which means you can set off and reach a lovely spot for your evening meal. The Silsden Boats staff have over 30 years of experience hiring canal boats and listening to their advice is useful.

We were planning a four night return trip from Silsden to Shipley along this lovely stretch of canal. The route took us through the picturesque Yorkshire Dales and aboard our seven berth boat were four adults and three children. The narrowboat was well fitted out with two double and three single berths. The vessel was equipped with
a 240v system, Microwave,central heating, TV, DVD, Radio/CD, Duvets and bed linen. At the stern of the boat were two toilet compartments. Also available were Helmsman’s waterproofs, in case it rained!
Our cruise took us east to Keighley where you can take the Worth Valley Steam Railway to Haworth and see the well known Bronte country. From there it’s on to the historic village of Saltaire, home to the Hockney Gallery. Eventually we arrived at Shipley where a funicular railway links the town to Shipley Glen, a noted beauty spot.

Two days outward bound and the same on return was ideal for a short break, but you could easily extend this canal holiday to seven days or more because there is so much to see and explore. If you would like to find out more about this canal holiday and how little it will cost, then follow this link.

The summer is well and truely here and now is the time to book your boating holiday!  I know times are hard and each week is difficult to get by, but you need time away. You need a holiday. A holiday with the family will lift your spirits and renew your energy levels. Spending time on the water is the quickest way to relax. Fact.

When I step aboard the boat and look around the worries and stress just disappears. Try it. Book a holiday afloat right now. It could be a canal holiday on one of the wonderful canals that transverse this wonderful country. Or a boat trip on the Norfolk Broads, travelling along one of the rivers and mooring up beside a pub. Perhaps it will be a holiday on a Scottish loch with the family. Whatever the break you choose, it will be worthwhile. Just decide to do it.

Although there are less families going abroad for their summer holidays, boating breaks in Britain are also selling a bit slower than previous years.  Most companies are eager to make sure their boats are fully utilised during the summer weeks so they have knocked a fifth off their prices.  This is good news for you! With your summer holidays coming up why not book a week on one of these boats?

Talk to the family about the possibility of spending sometime on a narrowboat and if they have not been on one before, emphasise the wonderful new experience that awaits them!  Young children will jump at the chance to go.  Older teenagers will need some convincing – they always do!  But you know that a few hours on board a narrowboat, pacing through a few locks, will convert them to really enjoying themselves.  You and your partner will really relax and unwind within a short time of arriving!

To find out about booking a narrowboat holiday, follow this link .

If you think about the items you might need when travelling along the canal.  Binoculars, for seeing wildlife close up or spotting other craft coming towards you on the canal.  Passing the binoculars around the family gets them involved too.  A camera is a good item to pack. Although most of us now carry a mobile phone will camera included, a digital camera on its own still gives better landscape pictures, in my opinion. Having mentioned the mobile phone, obviously bring it along as well. Texting people back home and sending interesting photos as you travel along the canal can be fun. Fishing rods are not usually included in your boat hire but may be rented from the narrowboat company.  Better still, why not bring your own. There are plenty of shops along most canal systems that sell fishing equipment.  Two rods for the family to use whether it is raining or bright sunshine, will keep the family busy! 

If it does rain or in the evening when you are tied up alongside then playing cards or dominoes are  great family games to play. So pack some cards and dominoes.  Other compact board games could also be brought along with you.  The kids will want to bring more hi tech games as well, so make sure they have actually got them packed! Almost every boat hire company will have a TV on board their narrowboat, so bringing the Wii Fi plus games is also an option. For very young kids, colouring books and plenty of drawing materials will keep them occupied.

A range of outdoor clothes will help your enjoyment. It is very unpleasent putting on wet clothes the next day if you have not brought a few to change into.  So a good waterproof jacket should be packed.  Some boat hirers include a waterproof jacket for the helmsman (helmswoman) but not for all the crew.  Wellies for wet tow paths is also a good idea. Trainers for dry weather.  Avoid flip flops as they are a menace on boats! Umbrellas for rainy days and for sunny days are useful. 

If you have not booked your narrowboat for travelling along the canals this year, why not find out just how little it will cost.  For a short break or a longer holiday, follow this link for more information.

Once aboard your narrowboat you have a choice of where to cruise. If you have 3 nights only for your break you could decide to travel from Droitwich to the cathedral city of Worcester and back. This will allow you to see a mixture of wonderful views of open fields and farmland as well as several interesting buildings in the city. The benefit for those who have not been on a narrowboat before is that several miles are covered before the need to tackle your first lock. Dropping down through the Worcestershire countryside you are soon in the historic, cathedral city of Worcester with all its land based attractions.

If you would like to hire a narrowboat and cruise the canal this summer, why not follow this link to find out hoThis impressive cathedral stands proudly above the River Severn and can trace its history right back to the 12th century! If you visit, its well worth taking part in the cathedral tour which runs twice a day from Monday to Saturday during the summer. The trained cathedral guide will talk you through the most important aspects of the cathedral, such as its architecture, monuments, and stained glass windows, and will also explain why it is that the current tower is the third one in the cathedral`s history!
If you would like to hire a narrowboat to cruise on the canals this summer, why not follow this link to find out how little it will cost?

Boating holidays whether on a canal boat, cabin cruiser or sailing boat brings out the team work in people.  The crew support each other through difficult times.  Everyone pulls together.  This means when the chips are down everyone tries their best to overcome the problem and works for the benefit of the team.  On board a boat this means all the crew work to ensure they get to their destination as easily as possible. Working as a team means everyone can enjoy the passage to the maximum.  The adults take pleasure in seeing the youngsters working together and learning new skills.  Everyone enjoys themselves! The process of travelling from A to B is pleasant.

If you would like to spend this summer with your family on a boating holiday, click this link to find a suitable venue.

Some readers may be considering a canal boat hire for the first time and are wanting to find out more about what is on offer.  Well the answer is lots!  There is lots to do on a canal cruise.  You would be surprised just how much there is to see and do as you potter along at 4 mph.  Not only is there the surrounding countryside to admire but also the whole process of travelling through the locks and canal.  You and the family will be kept busy, if that is what you want.

Of course, if you just want to sit and catch up with the next chapter in your new book, then you can do that too.  Sit and watch the world go by.  Breath that fresh country air, listen to the ducks and other wildlife busy going about their daily routine.  Plenty to do.  So why not book your canal cruise today and begin planning how you are going to spend your time on your floating holiday home!

Why not boat hire from Andersen Boats at Middlewich, as all their narrowboats are well equipped and ideally suited for boating holidays with either a couple or all the family.

Along this stretch of the Shropshire Union canal there are several canals which branch off, for example at Barbridge Junction you can go onto the Trent and Mersey canal. Further south, about a mile, you have the opportunity to go along the Llangollen canal at the Hurleston Junction. So plenty of choices!
 
At Nantwich you will immediately notice the old style building made from timber and painted black and white. It is an old market town typical of the type found around the English countryside. The town contains over a hundred listed buildings, with the largest collection of historic buildings outside Chester.  The oldest building in the town is St Mary’s Church, which dates from the 14th century. All throughout the town are many timber-framed or “black-and-white” buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. These interesting houses can be found in the centre on Barker Street, Beam Street, Churchyard Side, Hospital Street and High Street. They also can be seen across the River Weaver on Welsh Row. Two particularly important examples are Churche’s Mansion, an Elizabethan mansion house dating from before the fire, and the Crown Hotel, a former coaching inn built immediately after the fire. There are also many fine Georgian town houses and some examples of Victorian corporate architecture to view as you wander through the town.

Your short canal cruise should take you about 3 nights and during that time you will negoiate 8 locks and cover 27 miles.  You should during that time experience the English countryside and small town life which has not changed too much over the years. If you would like to find out more about boat hire on a canal holiday, click here.

Secondly, there is Craven Museum in the town hall, which has many interactive exhibits for all the family to get involved in.  Exhibits from Roman times right up to the Industrial Revolution can be viewed.  These give you an idea of how life was for the local inhabitants all those years ago.

Thirdly, there is a very old church, Holy Trinity, dating back to 1300 A.D.  It has had its fair share of bad luck over the years, because it was partly destroyed during the English Civil War and then it has been struck twice by lightening! It stands at the end of the high street, so is easily found.

Once back on the narrowboat you could travel further on to Gargrave, another lovely small village on the edge of the canal.  Why not find out more about hiring a boat on the Leeds and Liverpool canal by going here.

Casting off, putting the engine in gear and hearing that solid, dependable diesel chugging quietly below your feet is really the fastest way to slow down and relax! If you know what I mean?  As you look around, while you move along at 4 mph, you see people of all sorts enjoying the canal.  All along the canal towpath people are walking, talking, fishing or even getting ready to go paddling in their kayak!  Everything is peaceful.  Ducks are swimming away from you as you approach them and the occasional fish is jumping.  In the nearby fields, cows share the grazing with sheep and young lambs, the farmer is on his tractor doing something with his trailer.  Ahead, you see the first lock on this particular trip, and eagerly anticipate the challenge of entering it without hitting the sides!

If you are lucky there will be a lockeeper ready to take your mooring warps. He would have heard your approach and wandered from his cottage at the side of the lock.  Once your lines are ashore he will close the lock gates and begin to let the water either into the lock or out.  As your narrowboat either rises or falls you keep a close eye on your warps.  Sometimes you need to share a lock, to conserve the water supply, and this is an ideal time to meet other canal boat users.  For a short time you swap either useful information about where they have been or just make idle gossip!

As the lock gates open you are again free to travel on along the smooth waters of the canal. Boat hire for canal cruises is very popular in Britain and Europe.  More and more people are realising the benefits of canal boat hire.  Its an ideal boating holiday.  Relaxing and admiring the incredible scenery on offer is a great attraction for many people looking to get away from their work, even for a short time! 

Along the canal you not only pass through locks but also under bridges, many built more than 200 years ago.  Tunnels are another interesting place to experience, especially the first time!  Very often it is the unusual buildings along the side of the canals that prove to be fascinating mainly because of their history.  Older buildings were part of the industrial revolution and were built because of the benefits of canal transportation.  This ever changing landscape from fields with waterfalls and Follies to inner city buildings, many now converted to luxury apartments, offers some spectacular views.

Why not book a canal boat hire now.  Experience some of the things I have described, and more!  When you come back from your boating holiday, write a comment on this blog telling us all about your wonderful time!

Setting off from Wrenbury we travelled south towards the famous aqueduct and tunnel at Chirk.  Along the way the scenery was spectacular!  Rolling green hillsides, rivers and wildlife all around as we plodded along at 4 mph.  

At Whitchurch, we stop and visit the Heritage Centre. All the family would enjoy viewing the various exhibits, especially the sand pit for young children. The centre has a craft facility for you to get involved or buy some art work made on site. Whitchurch also has a large unusally shaped building called St. Alkmunds Church, built over 200 years ago. It is well worth a visit.

Once past Whittington, we eagerly anticipated seeing the Chirk Aqueduct. This 710 foot long and 70 foot high aqueduct was designed by the Scottish architect, Thomas Telford. He cleverly used a cast iron trough to hold the canal water and disguise it with stone masonery! It was complete in 1801 and has 10 arches spanning the River Ceiriog. The views from the aqueduct across to Wales, are delightful!

In contrast, we go from marvelling at the open air scenery to almost being fully enclosed as we enter the 420 metre long Chirk Tunnel. It was the first tunnel in Britain to incorporate a towpath. Again Thomas Telford was involved in the design this time with the engineer, William Jessop.

All too soon our short canal boat holiday is over.  It was for 3 nights, although longer breaks are available. If you would like to find out more about hiring a narrowboat on the Llangollen Canal,  click here.

I was brought up with going on holidays on boats. In fact I did not go abroad on holiday until I met my wife and we booked our honeymoon in Crete.  So for 24 years I spent every break on a boat.  Its in my blood and thankfully my wife appreciates the benefits of spending time on a boat.  Whether it is a narrowboat or a sailing boat as long as it is on the water I am happy.  What about you?  What experiences do you have that you can share?

Next, I recommend starting at Lower Heyford on the South Oxfordshire Canal and travelling northwards towards Fenny Compton you will enjoy the splendid scenery on either side of the canal. Water meadows and breathtaking landscapes as Spring flowers are in full bloom and Summer approaches.  The Cotswolds, well-known for gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), sleepy villages and lovely traditional style pubs lie to the west and north. As you reach Fenny Compton you will moor up at Fenny Marina, a very well maintained facility.

As a new day dawns you will move off along the canal towards Napton junction, which is where the South Oxfordshire canal meets the Grand Union canal.  You will stop for a spot of lunch at Napton Marina, you will notice the restored windmill as you approach, then you can wander around the area. You are going to be busy this afternoon navigating 9 locks at this junction to allow your narrowboat onto the Grand Union Canal, so if you have kids with you, get them involved!

Once through all the locks at Napton, you travel east along the Grand Union to Norton Junction.  This is a very pretty area. Especially when you get to Norton Junction and see the wonderful small cottage on the bank of the canal. If you choose to stop here and moor up you could visit The Bramble Patch at Weedon. This would be of particular interest if you are keen on fabrics, as they have a huge selection. The Patch also hold classes on everything to do with textiles.

Back to the narrowboat and you are now heading for Gayton junction to moor up for the night. Gayton is very well known by canal boat users. It is a junction that allows access to Northampton. However, you are going on towards Bilsworth and the Tunnel, which is the longest in the network. When you arrive at Stoke Bruerne you can visit the wonderful canal museum, with working models, videos, pictorial and three dimensional displays which bring to life the unique 200 year old story of the canal system. The museum has plenty of activities to keep the kids amused while you relax in its cafe. Or spend some time in the Boat Inn. Moor up for the night here and prepare for your return journey.

On the way back you could visit the Boat shop at Brauston for some freshly made bread! Or to pick up a momento of the Grand Union Canal such as a book, picture or guide. Nearer your final destination you could also visit a wonderful country house at Rousham.  Rousham Park House and Garden will really give you the impression of how it was for the gentry living 200 years ago.  Its gardens are still laid out just as they were in the 18 th century.

If this short narrowboat holiday inspires you to book a break away from your busy life then make the decision to book now!

The plan was to travel along the canal to the Peak Forest Canal end basin at Bugsworth. This was a very scenic journey surrounded by fields and trees for as far as you can see. The Macclesfield canal starts fairly high up but then continues to rise, through locks to the edges of the Pennines – a long ridge of hills down the spine of England. As you look around there is a mixture of wildlife across the county of Cheshire with some industrial buildings scattered along the canal.  Also of interest is the junction with the Trent and Mersey at Hardings Wood, passing the Victorian folly of Mow Cop and timber framed Little Moreton Hall, climbing the beautiful locks at Bosley and negotiating the interesting junction with the Peak Forest Canal at Marple, through Strines, Disley, New Mills, Furness Vale and Bridgemont to terminate at Bugsworth Basin.

The village at Bugsworth Basin was renamed in the 1920s and known as Buxworth, because the people there did not like the name bugs. As we stop occasionally, we are attracted by the numerous walks that are on offer. The Middlewood Way and the Mop Cop Trail, lead to a range of follies and monuments built during the industrial revolution, no doubt by wealthy mill owners.

The canal was designed by the great Scottish bridge and canal architect. Robert Telford, and he clearly grouped the locks into an arrangement whereby the narrowboatmen could as one lock is being used the other can be prepared. He  collected all Macclesfield’s locks into one flight and maintained a long level on each side of them by bold cut and fill techniques, which gives eight aqueducts, high embankments and cuttings, all providing a wonderful sight.

If you would like to hire a narrowboat for a short break or longer holiday why not find out more here.

Most days will have a mixture of sunshine and showers during the summer so be aware of tomorrow’s forecast and plan your activities around the possible weather. If you expect heavy rain why not plan to stay indoors either at a closeby pub or onboard with a good book or game. Light showers should allow you to keep travelling along and the crew can watch the passing scenery from the windows. Just call on them when locks appear ahead!

If you are near a shopping mall you could all spend the day wandering around protected from the elements. Sight seeing might need a bit more planning – indoor activities would be best – art galleries, museums and arcades are all possible venues when it’s wet.

In the event you are all stuck on the boat, then card and board games make great family activities in bad weather. Fishing can still be done in the rain and properly dressed the family need not get soaking!  So you see there is plenty to do when the weather turns nasty!

Tying up for the evening beside a pub, and going in for a lovely meal and a drink. If it is a more adventurous holiday break then why not use the boat as a means to get to exciting places, tie up and get on our mountain bikes to visit the surrounding places of interest.

For the kids, a visit to a theme park etc. can be slotted into the holiday because you have your mobile accommodation with you. The best of both worlds. Kids can also get involved in the lock operation, steering for short intervals, mooring up and all the other messing about on a boat that will make the holiday go well.  Remember to take some games with you – either board games or computer games that the kids can play at certain times of the day and evening. Think ahead and bring stuff that will keep them busy – Bikes, Kites, football, roller blades, dolls etc. can all be used either on board or on the tow path and surrounding areas once you tie up for the day. Fishing rods, toy boats, romote control toys, are all useful. Give them a camera to record the holiday or scrap book to collect items of interest. The list can go on, but do consider the kids because if they are busy being occupied you will get peace to enjoy your holiday too!

When near busy towns or cities you can moor up and go shopping or site seeing. There are loads of activities to do once you do a bit of research before hiring the canal boat.

1. How many people are staying on the boat?  If there is just two of you it will mean you can hire a smaller boat and reduce the cost of the break away on the canals.  So for example a short break may cost between £300 – £400. A week long break will cost between £500 – £800.  A family of 4 to 6 people will cost more due to the larger boat and other costs.  For example, a short break may cost between £500 – £700, while a holiday lasting a week may cost between £700 – £950.  Look out for special deals to reduce these figures.

2. What time of year are you going on your boating holiday?  Most boat hirers split the year into 3 groups. Low season – winter normally. Mid season – spring and autumn. High season – the summer and school holidays. Prices will vary considerably depending on these seasons. Other factors for short breaks are weekends only or mid week breaks.
If you can manage a 4 day mid week break say in April or May, you should get a bargain price!

3. Where do you want to holiday?  Different areas are able to charge more because of their popularity than others. That’s not to say the cheaper areas do not have as much to offer, just different.  So a holiday that takes you along the canal through Manchester will probably be cheaper than some parts of the Grand Union, around London. However, each has its own benefits and pleasures.

So do a bit of research with the holiday companies featured here on this blog. Set yourself a realistic budget and start putting some money aside each week or month for your dream holiday on a canal boat.

There are a range of different holidays you could choose, so do some research or ask at the numerous boating holiday companies for advice. Here on this website you will also find loads of information. Whether it is for a family function, romantic excursion or a personal relaxation trip, your boat holiday company representative will create whatever is necessary to make your trip comfortable. The small narrow boats will only sleep 4 or 6 comfortably so if you are taking a larger group for an overnight adventure, then you must find a larger boat to accommodate your group. Many people will take a boating holiday cruise down one of the canals and then stop at a village pub for an afternoon or evening and then hop back onto their boat the next day to continue their cruise.

These boat cruises are filled with incredible wines and beers and wonderful meals while watching the beautiful rolling hills pass by. All of the senses are in tune to the quiet gliding through the water under branches of large weeping willow trees. It is an experience that everyone needs to have at least once in their lifetime. You will certainly be relaxed and feel at peace with the world soon after boarding one of these boats.

However, if you are going on holiday with young children then the family holiday will probably require a bit of adventure. Eating on deck is like having a picnic or perhaps your captain will stop and let you pick a spot where you can get off the boat and picnic under an apple tree that has a another beautiful scenic view of the countryside. Visiting old castles and old ruins is always great fun with the kids and returning to your boat with its historical value can be a wonderful history lesson. There are boating holidays geared just for cathedrals and churches; there are boating holiday cruises that follow the old paths of ancient warriors; and there are boating holiday cruises that just slowly and lazily cruise the canals. These latter cruises are sometimes the very best. There is nothing fancy, just you, the boat, the water and nature. Also, of course, there is always the boating holiday that you design yourself!

To find a boating holiday that suits your needs then looking for ads on the internet is probably your best source to find a boating holiday adventure. You can find the websites of the companies that specialize in these holidays and read about each specialty. You can also see a picture of the narrow boats that they own and decide if they have what you are looking for. Check off each item that suits your needs and then narrow in to the company that is the best fit. But do not hesitate with your plans because boating holidays on the canals of Great Britain are very popular and are filling up fast. Most people have to book in advance to reserve their boat. Allow time to do the research and book your holiday, you will really enjoy it!