National canal holiday company Black Prince Holidays (https://www.black-prince.com) has recorded its best ever booking numbers since the lifting of lockdown restrictions on July 4.

After a sold out summer bookings have continued to grow, with September and October half term fully booked. The only weeks still available at Black Prince's nine bases across the UK are from the beginning to middle of October.

Leighton Jones, operations director at Black Prince says: “When lockdown was lifted we had an idea that people would be ready to travel, but we have been amazed at how interest in canal holidays has grown.

"Many of our customers have been trying a narrowboat break for the first time. They've been drawn to the waterways by the sense of adventure, the remoteness and the ease of social distancing. Even the rule of six change has failed to dampen interest."

Here, Leighton Jones recommends three narrowboat holidays that are available this autumn.

THREE HOLIDAYS IN ONE
The Stourport Ring throws together several different styles of holiday. There's activity when cruisers tackle the Tardebigge Flight, which is the longest run of locks in the UK. Reach the top and it's on to Birmingham, where narrowboats can stop at Gas Street Basin for a city break. Then the route moves into some of the UK's prettiest scenery, with the chance to stop at the National Trust's Kinver Edge, jump aboard the Severn Valley Railway and then drift along the River Severn, before completing the route through Worcester.

Seven nights starting 10 October from Stoke Prior in Worcestershire from £1,099 for up to six sharing (01527 575 115, https://www.black-prince.com)

REMOTE ROUTE
One of the UK's quietest waterways is the Caldon Canal, which is an offshoot of the popular Trent and Mersey. It's an out-and-back route so casual cruisers often overlook it, but the scenery through the Churnet Valley is absolutely stunning, especially as colours change over autumn.

Four nights starting 5 October from Stoke on Trent costs from £675 for up to six sharing (01527 575 115, https://www.black-prince.com)

DOG FRIENDLY FLIGHT
Black Prince includes one free place for dogs and a second pet can be added. Most routes have towpaths and countryside yomps that are perfect for walkies, but the Hatton Flight on the Grand Union Canal is a particular favourite with boaters in the know.

Seven nights starting 19 October from Napton in Warwickshire on 19 October from £1,099 for up to five sharing plus one dog (01527 575 115, https://www.black-prince.com).

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Notes to editors
About Black Prince Holidays
Black Prince Holidays offers canal holidays from nine bases across the UK. The company has a fleet of modern, award winning narrow boats with two to 10 berths available and its team are British Marine Federation accredited for hire boat instruction and handover procedures.

New COVID-19 procedures in place for guest safety
Black Prince has been working closely with the British Marine Federation to put in place strict safety measures to keep guests safe on their holiday. These include a new socially distanced check-in procedure and boat handover, and a new cleaning process with extra emphasis on high-touch areas.

For press information contact:
Daniel Johnson Public Relations
t: 07429 256 670
e: daniel@danieljohnsonpr.com