Our beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways takes canal boat holiday-makers into some of Britain's best loved countryside.  There are places to moor up in quiet backwaters for the perfect rural retreat away from it all. And the chance to visit historic country pubs and farm shops along the way.

Drifters (www.drifters.co.uk) offers the choice of 550 boats from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  All Drifters operators provide hirers with boat steering tuition and canal boat holidays are pet friendly. 

To celebrate the forthcoming May bank holidays, Drifters has published a guide to its Top 5 bank holiday weekend rural retreats:

1. Napton in Warwickshire

From Drifters canal boat hire base at Stockton on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, it takes just over two hours to cruise to the village of Napton-on-the-Hill.  Here, alongside the Oxford Canal, a herd of water buffalo can often be seen grazing.  In 1999, the Buffalo Farm at Chapel Green started milking 20 water buffalo, and it's now home to 140 cows and 100 young buffalo.  Napton Village Stores sells the farm's Buffalo burgers, sausages, meatballs, steaks and ice cream.  They also sell other local produce in their bakery and delicatessen, including veg boxes, homemade meals, cider and homemade cakes.

***The 47ft 'Madeleine' narrowboat for up to four people is available from Stockton 3-6 May for £825.  Price includes boat hire, damage waiver, fuel, gas, parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, bed linen and towels. Pets are extra, charged at £25 each.

2. Great Haywood in Staffordshire

Drifters base on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood is deep in the Staffordshire countryside. On a weekend break, boaters can cruise to Tixall Wide lake, a peaceful haven for wildlife.  The journey takes just half an hour. Before heading out, the Canalside Farm Shop at Great Haywood is perfect for stocking-up on local produce.  The shop sells a variety of food sourced from local farms, including homemade sausages made using free range pork, fruit, vegetables, free range eggs and baked products. 

***The 65ft 'Curzon' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a weekend break from Great Haywood 3-6 May 2024 for £1,255. Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and first pet.  There's a compulsory non-refundable £50 damage waiver and diesel is extra – a £70 deposit is taken for short breaks (three or four nights), £110 for a week.  Charge based on use, circa £15 per day. 

3. The Mon & Brec in South Wales

Isolated from the main canal network, the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park and offers an escape to the country with incredible mountain views.  On a weekend's break from Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny, boaters can cruise lock-free to Llangynidr and back.  The route goes through a series of small villages with historic pubs, including the Lion Inn at Govilon, deep in the Welsh countryside. 

***The 56ft 'Red Sea Swallow' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available 24-27 May 2024 for £1,615, saving £284. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition.  A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.

4. Stoke Golding in Leicestershire

From Drifters base on the Coventry Canal at Springwood Haven, it takes around five-and-a-half hours to cruise to the historic village of Stoke Golding. The route takes boaters through the Leicestershire countryside along the lock-free Ashby Canal.  Stoke Golding has one of the most beautiful churches in England and there's a choice of pubs including the White Swan. Before heading out, boaters can stock up on local produce at the Poplars Farm shop and café near Nuneaton, selling fruit, vegetables, honey, local cheese, eggs, poultry and jams.

***The 49ft 'Tufted Wren' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available 24-27 May 2024 for £1,299. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition.  A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.

5. Chirk in Shropshire/North Wales

On a weekend break from Blackwater Meadow on the Llangollen Canal boaters can cruise through the Shropshire countryside to Chirk.  The journey there and back takes around 11 hours and there are only two locks to pass through each way.  Boaters will travel across the stunning Chirk Aqueduct, crossing the border from England to Wales.  Then through Chirk Tunnel to Chirk Marina, where boaters can moor up to visit the National Trust's Chirk Castle up on the hill.  There's a café at the castle, and choice of canalside pubs, including The Bridge at Chirk Bank.

***The 47ft 'American Tufted Swift' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available 24-27 May 2024 for £1,105, saving £194. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition.  A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.

For more information about Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk

For more information about visiting the canals go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

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For Drifters press enquiries contact Debbie Walker on 01628 618069 mb 077486 40577 walker.debbie@sky.com

Notes to editors

Drifters Waterway Holidays is made up of nine hire boat companies: ABC Boat Hire, Anglo Welsh, Black Prince, Countrywide Cruisers, Foxhangers, Kate Boats, Napton Narrowboats, Shire Cruisers and Union Canal Carriers.  Between them they offer over 550 boats for hire, operating from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  2024 hire prices start at £590 for a short break, £815 for a week on a boat for up to four people.  Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people.  All Drifters operators provide hirers with life jackets and boat steering tuition.  Drifters holidays are pet-friendly.