Drifters (drifters.co.uk) offers the choice of over 500 canal boats for hire from 40 locations across England, Wales and Scotland, and each year new boats are added to the fleet. 

There are over 35,000 canal boats on Britain's historic network of navigable canals and rivers, and around 1,000 of these are holiday hire narrowboats. 

Here's a guide to Drifters' Top 10 new boats being built over the winter for hire in 2026:

1. The new 'Princess 2 Royal' will launch at Falkirk

This 47ft cruiser stern* narrowboat is perfect for couples and beginners, as the shorter length makes it easier to steer. The Princess 2 Royal features a galley kitchen at the back of the boat with microwave, 4-ring gas cooker, oven, grill, small fridge, toaster and cooking equipment. There's a full-sized double bed in the front of the boat (which can be extended to king size). The saloon has a smart TV, and a seating/dining area that can be converted into a double-bed. The boat also has a bathroom with a full sized shower, wash basin and flushing toilet.

POPULAR ROUTES: on a short break from Falkirk, canal boat holiday-makers can travel up the famous Falkirk Wheel boat lift and cruise through the Scottish Lowlands along the Union Canal to Linlithgow and back; and on a week's break, they can continue on to Edinburgh.

***2026 prices for the new Princess 2 Royal start at £1,049 for a short break, £1,499 for a week.  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.

2. The new 'Crown Royal' narrowboat will be available from Stoke Prior

This new 65ft Royal range 'Crown' cruiser stern* narrowboat for up to six people will be available from Stoke Prior on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Worcester. The Crown is a great choice for friends holidaying together as there are two separate bedrooms with full-sized double beds (or two singles) and two toilet and shower rooms. The Crown also features a spacious galley kitchen with microwave, a large flat screen TV and DAB/Bluetooth Radio.

POPULAR ROUTES: on a short break from Stoke Prior, boaters can cruise through the Worcestershire countryside to Worcester and back; and on a week's holiday, they can complete the Mid-Worcestershire Ring, taking in sections of the River Severn, the Droitwich Canals and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

***2026 prices for the new Royal range Crown narrowboats start at £1,249 for a short break, £1,849 for a week.  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. 

3. The new 'Crown Royal' narrowboat will be available from Napton

This new 65ft Royal range 'Crown' cruiser stern* narrowboat for up to six people will be available from Napton, where the South Oxford Canal meets the Grand Union Canal. The Crown is a great choice for friends holidaying together as there are two separate bedrooms with full sized double beds (or two singles) and two toilet and shower rooms, allowing for more space and privacy. The Crown also features a spacious galley kitchen with microwave, a large flat screen TV and DAB/Bluetooth Radio.

POPULAR ROUTES: on a short break from Napton, boaters can cruise through the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire countryside to the village of Fenny Compton and back; and on a week's holiday, they can continue heading south along the Oxford Canal to Thrupp, near Oxford.

***2026 prices for the new Royal range Crown narrowboats start at £1,249 for a short break, £1,849 for a week.  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. 

4. A new 'Ocean' Class narrowboat will launch at Trevor

A new 60ft 'Ocean' Class cruiser stern* narrowboat for up to 10 people will be available to hire from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales.  The boat will feature: two double cabins and three sleeping areas that can either be configured as a doubles or singles; a toilet/shower room; and an extra toilet.

POPULAR ROUTES: on a short break from Trevor boaters can cruise across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Chirk; and on a week's holiday, they can continue on to Whitchurch or Wrenbury. 

***2026 'Ocean' Class prices start at £1,245 for short break, £1,615 for a week.  Price includes bed linen, towels, up to three pets, parking and tuition on arrival.  A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) is extra. Fuel charges are based on use, circa £15 per day.

5. A new 'Ocean' Class narrowboat will launch at Wootton Wawen

A new 60ft 'Ocean' Class cruiser stern* narrowboat for up to 10 people will be available to hire from Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal in Warwickshire.  The boat will feature: two double cabins and three sleeping areas that can either be configured as a doubles or singles; a toilet/shower room; and an extra toilet.

ROUTES: on a short break from Wootton Wawen, boaters can cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Shakespeare's Stratford and back; and on a week's holiday, they can cruise to Warwick Castle and back via the Hatton flight. 

***2026 'Ocean' Class prices start at £1,245 for short break, £1,615 for a week.  Price includes bed linen, towels, up to three pets, parking and tuition on arrival.  A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) is extra. Fuel charges are based on use, circa £15 per day.

6. The 'Ringed Plover' will launch at Hilperton

The 58ft 'Ringed Plover' semi-traditional stern* narrowboat for up to five people will be available to hire from Hilperton, on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge. The 'Ringed Plover' will have two cabins: the rear can be configured as one double or two singles, with optional wider beds; and the mid cabin will have a permanent double bed. The seating/dining area in the saloon can be converted into a single bed in the evening, if required. The bathroom has a hand basin, flush toilet and shower with bi-fold doors.  The boat has a fully equipped galley kitchen, two televisions and free wifi.

ROUTES: on a short break from Hilperton boaters can travel through the Bath Valley to Bath and back; and on a week's break they can cruise to Devizes, up the Caen Hill flight and on through the Pewsey Vale to Savernake Forest and back.

***2026 prices for 'Ringed Plover' start at £899 for short break, £1,999 for a week.  Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman's waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials.  Fuel is extra: a £60 deposit is taken for a short break, £110 for a week's holiday.  Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.

7. The 'Oriental Plover' will launch at Whitchurch

The 58ft 'Oriental Plover' semi-traditional stern* narrowboat for up to five people will be available to hire from Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire. The 'Oriental Plover' will have two cabins: the rear can be configured as one double or two singles, with optional wider beds; and the mid cabin will have a permanent double bed. The seating/dining area in the saloon can be converted into a single bed in the evening, if required. The bathroom has a hand basin, flush toilet and shower with bi-fold doors.  The boat has a fully equipped galley kitchen, two televisions and free wifi.

ROUTES: on a short break from Whitchurch boaters can cruise through Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere and back; and on a week's break they can continue on to Llangollen, cruising across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct along the way.

***2026 prices for 'Oriental' start at £899 for short break, £1,999 for a week.  Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman's waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials.  Fuel is extra: a £60 deposit is taken for a short break, £110 for a week's holiday.  Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.

8. The 'Peregrine Falcon' will navigate from Gayton

The 69ft 'Peregrine Falcon' semi-traditional stern* narrowboat for up to eight people will be available to hire from Drifters' narrowboat hire base at Gayton on the Grand Union Canal near Northampton.  The 'Peregrine Falcon' will have three cabins. Two at the front which can either be configured as a double or two singles, with the option to make them wider. The mid cabin has a permanent double bed and the seating area can be converted into a double bed in the evening, if required. There are two bathrooms with hand basins, flush toilets and showers with bi-fold doors.  The boat has a fully equipped galley kitchen, two televisions and free wifi.

ROUTES: on a short break from Gayton, boaters can travel to Cosgrove or Braunston; and on a week's holiday they can reach Crick, Market Harborough, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard or Coventry.

***2026 prices for 'Peregrine Falcon' start at £1,249 for short break, £1,799 for a week.  Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman's waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials.  Fuel is extra: a £60 deposit is taken for a short break, £110 for a week's holiday.  Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.

9. 'Bamboo Partridge' will cruise from Blackwater Meadow

The 66ft 'Bamboo Partridge' semi-traditional stern* narrowboat for up to six people will arrive at Blackwater Meadow on the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire.  The 'Bamboo Partridge' will have two double cabins that can be made up as singles or doubles (with optional wider beds), and the seating/dining area can be converted into a double bed. She will have two shower/toilet rooms, a front deck table, LED lighting, two televisions and WiFi.

ROUTES: on a short break from Blackwater Meadow boaters can cruise through the 11-mile UNESCO World Heritage site, including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct; and on a week away, they can also travel to Whitchurch and Wrenbury.

***2026 prices for 'Bamboo Partridge' currently start at £1,199 for a short break, £1,649 for a week.  Price includes bedding, towels, non-refundable accidental damage waiver, two pets, car parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, helmsman's waterproofs and a welcome pack with cleaning materials.  Fuel is extra: a £60 deposit is taken for a short break, £110 for a week's holiday.  Actual cost based on use, circa £15 per day.

10. 'Blackpoll Warbler' will be bookable from Aldermaston

The new 69ft 'Blackpoll Warbler' semi-traditional stern* narrowboat for up to eight people will arrive at from Drifters' base at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire.  The boat will have three cabins: one fixed as double; and two which can be configured as doubles or singles.  'Blackpoll Warbler' will have LED lighting, a front deck table, optional wider beds, two shower/toilet rooms, WiFi and two TV's. 

ROUTES: on a short break from Aldermaston boaters can travel to Newbury or Hungerford; and on a week's holiday they can reach Oxford, Pewsey or Windsor.

***2026 prices aboard 'Blackpoll Warbler' currently start at £1,249 for a short break, £1,799 for a week.  Price includes bedding, towels, collision damage waiver, two pets, car parking and tuition.  Fuel is extra: a £60 deposit is taken for a short break, £110 for a week's holiday.  Actual cost based on use, circa £10-15 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 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.  2026 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.  All Drifters operators provide hirers with life jackets and boat steering tuition.  Drifters holidays are pet-friendly.

*There are two main types of stern (back of the boat) available: the cruiser stern has an open back deck with room for a number of people to stand; while the semi-traditional has a smaller deck/steering area with a seating area that can be enclosed with doors.