Canal boat holidays on Britain's beautiful inland waterways offer the chance for families to escape into the countryside this summer for a nostalgic outdoor family adventure, connecting with nature and each other.

All the family can team-up to plan the route, steer the boat, work the locks and enjoy exploring traffic free towpaths and canalside market towns and villages. 

Nigel Stevens of Drifters explains: “Families tend to arrive at our boat yards in a stressed and rushed state of mind.  But once they've settled into the slower pace of life of a canal boat holiday, cruising slowly through the countryside, they unwind and become focused on the journey and each other. 

“Parents often say how much they enjoyed seeing their children getting away from their screens and instead watching out for wildlife, noticing their surroundings and helping with the locks, steering and mooring up. They also enjoy playing cards and board games together in the evening, bringing back memories of their own family holidays when they were children.”

Drifters (www.drifters.co.uk) offers the choice of over 500 boats from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  All Drifters operators provide hirers with boat steering tuition and canal boat holidays are pet friendly. 

2025 summer holiday prices start at £725 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four people, £1,235 for a week.

Drifters has published a guide to its top 8 canal boating escapes into the countryside this summer:

1. Float across 'The Stream in the Sky' (28 miles, 4 locks, 12.5 hours)

From Drifters base at Chirk on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains can be reached on a short break, with the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to travel across 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 then continue on past Chirk Marina to experience more of the 11-mile World Heritage site, going through Chirk Tunnel and over Chirk Aqueduct and on to Whittington. Canalside pubs to enjoy include the Bridge at Chirk Bank and the Sun at Trevor.

***The 52ft 'Princess Signature' luxury narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a weekend break from Chirk 25-28 July 2025 for £1,360, saving £239. Price includes boat hire, non-refundable damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen and towels.  Fuel is charged on return based on use, circa £10-15 per day. 

2. Cruise through the Staffordshire & Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton & back (68 miles, 14 locks, 30 hours)

On a week's break from Drifters boat yard at Gailey on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise to Market Drayton, the historic market town famous for its gingerbread.  The journey takes boaters through 34 miles of quiet countryside, and along sections of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Shropshire Union canals.  Along the way, there's a series of villages with canalside pubs to stop off at, including the Anchor Inn at Cross Green, the Bridge Inn at Brewood and the Hartley at Wheaton Ashton. 

***The 48ft 'Common Kestrel' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a week's break 1-8 August 2025 for £1,530, saving £269. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids, mobile Wifi and tuition.  A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £10-15 per day.

3. Navigate to Bradford on Avon & back (20 miles, 14 locks, 11 hours)

On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, canal boat holiday-makers can navigate to the medieval market town of Bradford on Avon and back.  The route takes boaters through the Wiltshire countryside, and a series of locks and swing bridges.  Bradford on Avon on the edge of the Cotswolds, often described as a 'mini Bath', has a great choice of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as riverside walks and historic buildings, including a stunning medieval Tithe Barn. Canalside pubs to enjoy include the Barge Inn at Seend and the Canal Tavern at Bradford on Avon.

***The 58ft 'Tibetan Fox' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a mid-week break from Devizes 28 July to 1 August 2025 for £1,358, saving £150.  Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, bed linen, towels, canal map, life jackets, parking and tuition. Pets are extra, charged at £30 each.

4. Visit the old mill town of Hebden Bridge (14 miles, 20 locks, 11 hours)

On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-makers can travel along the Rochdale Canal to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge and back.  Climbing through woods, fields and small stone towns, the journey there and back covers 14 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 11 hours. Once at Hebden, boaters can enjoy a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, as well as stunning countryside walks with woods and crags to explore, and the Calder running alongside. Canalside pubs to visit include the Shoulder of Mutton at Mytholmroyd and the Stubbing Wharf at Hebden Bridge.

***The 53ft 'York 4' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a mid-week break from Sowerby Bridge 8-11 August 2025 for £1,250.  Price includes damage waiver, pre-holiday information, comprehensive instruction, fuel, gas, parking, buoyancy aids and bed linen.

5. Travel along the peaceful Ashby Canal SSSI to Shakerstone and back (95 miles, 8 locks, 37 hours)

On a week's holiday from Drifters base at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, boaters can cruise a section of the Oxford Canal and explore the beautiful Ashby Canal.  The route starts with navigating a section of the Oxford Canal and passing through three locks at Hillmorton.  Boaters then transfer onto the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction and onto the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction. This peaceful 22-mile long waterway passes the historic town of Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field.  A six-mile stretch of the Ashby Canal from Snarestone to Carlton Bridge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its aquatic plants and dragonflies, making it one of the best canals to spot wildlife. The journey to Shakerstone and back, travels 95 miles, passes through eight locks (four each way) and takes around 37 hours. Canalside pubs to visit include the Admiral Nelson at Braunston, the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction and the Barley Mow at Newbold.

***The 40ft 'Malvern' narrowboat for up to four people is available for a week from Braunston 22-29 August 2025 for £1,235. Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, cancellation protection, parking, tuition and first pet. Second pet is charged at £25 per week. Mobile Wifi is available at a cost of £20 per holiday.

6. Cruise through Cannock Chase to Fradley & back (25 miles, 10 locks, 12 hours)

On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, boaters can cruise to Fradley Junction and back. They journey passes through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 6,800 acres of heath land and ancient woodland to explore.  And boaters can also explore the woodland trail at boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Canalside pubs to stop off at include the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge, the Ash Tree at Rugeley and the Swan Inn at Fradley.

***The 67ft 'Pegasus' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a midweek break from Great Haywood 25-29 August 2025 for £1,865.  Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and up to three pets.  A £70 fuel deposit is taken for short breaks (three or four nights), £110 for a week.  Charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day. 

7. Boat to Gargrave Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales & back (23 miles, 6 locks, 12.5 hours)

On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters narrowboat hire base at Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Keighley in West Yorkshire, boaters can cruise to Gargrave 'Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales' and back.  The route takes boaters through the beautiful River Aire Valley and Skipton with its medieval castle and woods.  Boaters can moor up at Gargrave and walk into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Pubs to enjoy include the White Lion at Kildwick, the Slaters Arms at Bradley and the Mason's Arms at Gargrave.

***The 50ft 'Gwen's Drum' for up to five people is currently available for a midweek break 4-8 August 2025 for £1,245.  Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and up to three pets.  A £70 deposit is taken for short breaks (three or four nights), £110 for a week.  Charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day. 

8. Travel through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh & back (64 miles, 6 locks, 22 hours)

On a week's break from Drifters canal boat hire base at Falkirk boaters can cruise along the peaceful Union Canal to Edinburgh Quay and back. The journey begins with a passage through the Falkirk Wheel, and then passes through the lovely Scottish Lowland villages of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Ratho.  Visitor moorings are available at Edinburgh Quay, just a five-minute walk from Princes Street. From there, boaters can visit the City's many attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and Mary King Close, frozen in time beneath the Royal Mile. Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Bridge Inn at Ratho and the West Port Hotel at Linlithgow.

***The 58ft 'Shakespeare' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a week's break from Falkirk 25 July to 1 August 2025 for £2,449.  Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, damage waiver, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet.  Fuel is charged on return, circa £10-15 per day.  For boats starting at Falkirk there's an additional licence of £15 for three nights, £25 for longer, payable on arrival.

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.  2025 hire prices start at £715 for a short break, £970 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.