Britain's beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways weaves through the countryside into some of our best-loved towns and cities. Canal boat holiday-makers can use their boat as a base to explore city centre attractions that are perfect for families. 

Drifters (www.drifters.co.uk) offers the choice of 500 boats from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  Tuition is included. 

Drifters has published a guide to the best city breaks afloat for the October Half Term holiday:

Oxford – from Drifters base on the Oxford Canal at Lower Heyford, boaters can cruise to Oxford in around eight hours, passing through 10 locks along the way. There are places to moor up near Isis Lock, a short walk into the city centre.  Places to visit include Oxford Castle, the Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum.

***The 58ft Duchess narrowboat for up to four people is available for a week-long break from Lower Heyford 18-25 October 2025 for £1,170, saving £129.  Price includes boat hire, damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet. Diesel is extra, charged based on use on return, circa £15 per day. Second pet charged at £30.

Birmingham – from Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it takes just five hours to reach Birmingham city centre moorings in Gas Street Basin. From there, it's a short walk to Brindleyplace, home of the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham, and other attractions, including Thinktank, Birmingham's Science Museum, China Town and the Jewellery Quarter. The route cruises 22 miles of canal (11 each way) and there are no locks.

***The 49ft 'Golden Crested Wren' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a 4-night mid-week break from Alvechurch 20-24 October 2025 for £899. 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.

Bath - From Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal on the edge of the Cotswold Hills in Wiltshire, boaters can cruise to UNESCO World Heritage Bath and back.  The six hour journey to Sydney Gardens on edge of the city centre travels nine miles through the Avon Valley, passing through three locks along the way.  Boaters can moor up at Sydney Gardens and take a 15 minute walk into Bath City Centre to visit attractions, including the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent.

***The 48ft Princess Signature narrowboat for up to four people is available for a weekend break from Bradford on Avon 18-21 October 2025 for £810, saving £189.  Price includes boat hire, damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, bed linen and towels. Diesel is extra, charged based on use on return, circa £15 per day.

Cambridge – on a short break from Drifters base on the River Ouse at Ely, boaters can cruise to the world famous historic city of Cambridge and back.  There are moorings just below Jesus Green Lock on the River Cam. From there, boaters can explore Cambridge, including King's College Chapel and quaint streets filled with antique shops, museums, art galleries, restaurants and tearooms. The journey from Ely to Cambridge and Wicken Fen and back travels 38 miles, passes through six locks (three each way) and takes around 13 hours.

***The 52ft Princess narrowboat for up to six people is available for a weekend break from Ely 18-21 2025 for £810, saving £189.  Price includes boat hire, damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet. Diesel is extra, charged based on use on return, circa £15 per day. Second pet charged at £30.

Worcester – this beautiful Cathedral City on the River Severn is connected to the canal network at Diglis Junction.  Drifters offers canal boat holidays from Worcester Marina.  From there, boaters can complete the Droitwich Ring on a 4-night break.  This 20-mile circuit takes boaters through Worcester via the River Severn, along the Droitwich Canals and a section of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.  There are 33 locks and it takes around 16 hours. 

***The 66ft 'Dunns Lark' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a 4-night mid-week break from Worcester 20-24 October 2025 for £1,040, saving £259. 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.

Edinburgh – On a 7-night break from Falkirk, where the Scottish Lowland canals meet, boaters can cruise along the Union Canal to Edinburgh Quay and back.  The route starts at the site of the Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boat lift.  The journey then takes boaters through the Falkirk Tunnel, across the magnificent Avon Aqueduct and through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho.  Once in Edinburgh, boaters can moor up in Edinburgh Quay and walk into the city centre to visit attractions including Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and Mary King Close.

***The 66ft 'Desert Lark' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a 7-night break from Falkirk 18-25 October 2025 for £1,799. 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. An additional licence is needed for Scottish Canals. £25 for a week-long break.

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 10 hire boat companies: ABC Boat Hire, Anglo Welsh, Black Prince, Countrywide Cruisers, Foxhangers, Grand Union Narrowboats, Kate Boats, Napton Narrowboats, Shire Cruisers and Union Canal Carriers.  Between them they offer over 500 boats for hire, operating from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  2025 hire prices start at £630 for a short break, £875 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.