4 Must-have Narrowboat Holidays

If you’ve been thinking about planning your next UK staycation but are struggling to decide where to visit, we’ve got the tools to help you find the perfect location. Experience remarkable scenery and breathtaking natural landscapes like no other when you visit one of our top 4 narrowboat destinations on your narrowboat holidays.

Oxford Canal

Source: Roger Kidd -  (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Connected to the River Thames and reaching a total of 77 miles, the Oxford Canal is the ideal spot for a weekend cruise as a family. Considered to be one of the most picturesque UK waterways, most of this canal route runs through the rolling countryside making it a peaceful spot to enjoy the scenery.

Surrounded by plenty of trees and wildlife, you will discover hidden gems along the way, including Cropredy which hosts two village pubs and an outdoor folk music festival every August. Explore hidden treasures such as the old canal town of Braunston or take advantage of the medieval city of Oxford and its ancient history.

Kennet and Avon Canal

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Resting on the doorstep of the quintessentially English regions Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, this canal route is historically made up of three waterways and covers a total of 87 miles from Bristol to Reading.

For narrowboat holidays here, you’ll be within reach of an abundance of spectacular country locations, passing alongside the foothills of the Cotswolds, also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There’s so much to see when you take a tour of the Kennet and Avon canal, including the city of Bath which is famous for its Georgian architecture and the remains of The Roman Baths.

The Grand Union Canal

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Perhaps the country's most famous canal, the Grand Union is actually an amalgamation of ten canals reaching 137 miles in total. Experience a unique tour of London with the family showcasing some of the city’s best sites from a different perspective.

If you’re the adventurous type, the Grand Union canal links London to Birmingham with an estimated running time of 7 days. Take up to two weeks to finish the route and discover an abundance of hidden gems along the way.

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

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Shorter than our other choices, the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal runs for just 35 miles providing a picturesque tour through the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Spend a weekend break on your narrowboat holidays through this Welsh canal and experience true peace and tranquility as you glide through some of the most eye-catching and dramatic views imaginable. Spot wildlife such as mallards, swans and kingfishers as you explore the waters before stopping off at one of several canalside restaurants for a romantic dinner.

Want to test your boating knowledge and see how much boating history you know? Take our general boating knowledge quiz and see where you rank.

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