Cruising at just four-miles-per-hour aboard a canal boat is often described as the 'fastest way to slow down'.  Britain's 3,000-mile network of peaceful inland waterways wind through the countryside and into historic waterside towns and cities, so there are hundreds of destinations to choose from.  

Drifters Waterways Holidays (drifters.co.uk) offers over 500 boats for hire from 40 locations across England, Scotland and Wales.  2026 hire prices start at £599 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to four people, £875 for a week. Tuition is included in all Drifters' holiday prices and Drifters holidays are pet-friendly.

1. 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 begins along the Oxford Canal, soon passing through three locks at Hillmorton.  Boaters then transfer onto the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction and onto the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction. The lock-free Ashby Canal 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. Canalside pubs to visit include 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 23-30 March 2026 for £875. Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, cancellation protection, parking, tuition and first pet. Mobile Wifi is available at a cost of £20 per holiday.

2. Float across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (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, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 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 on through the 11-mile World Heritage site to Whittington and back. Canalside pubs to enjoy include the Bridge at Chirk Bank and the Sun at Trevor.

***The luxury 65ft 'Crown' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a weekend break from Chirk 10-13 April 2026 for £1,320, saving £329. Price includes boat hire, non-refundable damage waiver, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen, towels and first pet.  Fuel is charged on return based on use, circa £10-15 per day. 

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

On a short break from Drifters base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, boaters can cruise to Fradley Junction and back. The journey passes through the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 6,800 acres of heath land and ancient woodland to explore.  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 luxury 'Pegasus' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a 4-night break from Great Haywood 5-8 May 2026 for £1,233, saving £137.  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. 

4. Navigate the Kennet & Avon Canal to Georgian Bath and back (39 miles, 16 locks, 18 hours)

From the base of the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes in Wiltshire, boaters can travel along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to Bath and back.  As well as 16 locks (eight each way), the journey takes boaters through a series of swing bridges and over the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way include the Barge Inn at Seend, the Canal Tavern at Bradford on Avon and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff.  Once at Sydney Gardens boaters can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre to visit world famous attractions, including the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent.

***The 64ft 'Wily Fox' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a week's break from Devizes 5-12 May 2026 for £2,226, saving £358.  Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, bed linen, towels, canal map, life jackets, parking and tuition. Pets are extra, charged at £35 each.

5. Glide through the Staffordshire countryside to Market Drayton and back (42 miles, 12 locks, 20 hours)

On a week's break from Drifters' base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire, boaters can cruise to the historic market town of Market Drayton and back.  The journey takes boaters through the peaceful Staffordshire countryside, past a series of villages with historic pubs, including the Boat Inn at Gnosall, the Junction Inn at Norbury Wharf and the Boat Inn at Shebdon.  The route also takes canal boat holidays through a series of deep canal cuttings, full of vegetation and wildlife.

***The 63ft 'Sir Belin' narrowboat for up to eight people is currently available for a week's break from Brewood 24-31 July 2026 for £2,017.  Price includes damage waiver, pets, tuition, fuel, gas, parking, buoyancy aids and bed linen.

6. Boat along the Calder & Hebble to Shepley and back (22 miles, 32 locks, 16 hours)

On a short break from Drifters' base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-markers can cruise along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation to Shepley Bridge and back. The route navigates through wooded valleys and the historic towns of Elland and Brighouse.  At Elland there are two canalside pubs to moor alongside, and at Brighouse there's a choice of restaurants, pubs and shops.

***The 53ft 'Sussex 4' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a mid-week break from Sowerby Bridge 10-14 August 2026 for £1,440.  Price includes damage waiver, pre-holiday information, comprehensive instruction, fuel, gas, parking, buoyancy aids, first pet and bed linen.

7. Cruise into Birmingham city centre and back (22 miles, 0 locks, 10 hours)

On a weekend break from Drifters canal boat hire base at Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, canal boat holiday-makers can travel into Birmingham.  The journey begins cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden and a series of canal tunnels. The route takes boaters through Edgbaston Tunnel and into the heart of Birmingham where there are over-night moorings at Gas Street Basin. From there, it's a short walk to Brindleyplace and city centre attractions, including the Sealife Centre, Planetarium and Thinktank Science Museum.

***The 66ft 'Knot Sandpiper' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a weekend break 4-7 September 2026 from Alvechurch for £1,572, saving £277. 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 based on use, approx. £10-15 per day.

8. Navigate the Grand Union Canal to Thrupp Wharf and back (33 miles, 14 locks, 14 hours)

On a short break from Weedon in Northamptonshire, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Thrupp Wharf and back. The journey takes boaters through the Northamptonshire countryside past a series of canalside pubs, including the Narrow Boat at Stowe Hill, the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne and the Navigation Inn at Thrupp Wharf. The route also goes through the 1.74-mile long Blisworth Tunnel, the third longest navigable tunnel on the UK canal system. And past the Canal & River Trust's Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, telling the story of the working boat people.

***The 63ft 'Jasmin' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a 4-night mid-week break from Weedon 17-21 August 2026 for £1,511. Price includes damage waiver, parking, gas, bedding, buoyancy aids, towels and tuition. Fuel is extra, charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day. Pets are extra charged at £30 each.

9. Travel round the Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 43 hours)

On a week's break from Autherley, near Wolverhampton, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise around the Black Country Ring.  The journey begins cruising along the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, through the village of Gailey and the market town of Penkridge.  At Great Haywood Junction, boaters transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal and cruise through Rugeley and Cannock Chase.  At Fradley Junction, boaters transfer onto the Coventry Canal and head towards Tamworth.  At Fazeley Junction, close to Drayton Manor Adventure Park, the route follows the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal into central Birmingham. Boaters can moor up in the centre of Birmingham at Gas Street Basin to explore the city.  Then heard north up the New Birmingham Mainline canal to take on the Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks and reconnecting with the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal to return to Autherley.

***The 60ft 'Grace' narrowboat for up to six people is currently available from Autherley for a week 26 June to 3 July 2026 for £2,195. Price includes fuel, gas, parking, tuition and bedding. There's a compulsory £70 damage waiver, pets are charged at £45 each. NB Priced for occupancy of up to four adults. Children under 18 are included. Extra adults are charged at £50 each.

10. Boat through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh Quay and back (64 miles, 6 locks, 22 hours)

On a 7-night break from Falkirk, 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 historic 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 49ft 'Cactus Wren' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a 7-night break from Falkirk 24 April to 1 May 2026 for £1,275, saving £224. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition.  A fuel deposit of £110 for a week 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 information about visiting the canal network go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

ENDS

For Drifters press enquiries & images, contact Debbie Walker T 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 £713 for a short break, £980 for a week on a boat for up to four people. Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people.  Drifters also offers day boat hire from 19 bases across England and Wales.