The UK has a very long established and extremely varied Boating Tourism Sector.

Canal Tourism:

The canal network was nationalised alongside railways and ports in 1948.

Although some canals were in desperate need of repair and it was suggested that others should be closed completely, no legislation was passed so nothing happened.

However, enthusiasts still used the canals for holidays and leisure, and private groups formed to do what they could to restore stretches of waterways. The first hire boat fleets were started by pioneers in the 1950’s, using converted old working boats and small cruisers and they gradually grew in popularity.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the economic importance of canals to the leisure industry was realised, with the Transport Act of 1968 providing vital public funding to the restoration projects that had been started by enthusiasts.

Canals are now mostly used for leisure rather than the industrial purpose they were constructed for. In some. urban areas in recent years there has been an increase in permanent live aboard boating for those seeking a quiet simpler lifestyle

Canal holidays, something for everyone?!

How to choose from over 900 different boats and routes

To enjoy a canal holiday, for the first time, you need to ask yourself a few key questions to help narrow down the huge range of available options

How big a boat?

How many of you are going in the adventure- canal boats range from 2 to 12 berths. Generally larger boats cost more in total- but less per head. Do you want one or two bathrooms? How much outdoor space will you need?

When do you want to travel and for how long?

Most boats have a minimum of 3 nights, but 7 or 14 night holidays are typical.

The price per night is lower on longer trips.

Which canal do you want to explore?

Do you want an urban adventure or rural relaxation? A gentle river or lots of locks and swing bridges? An epic ring journey or a sleepy backwater with lots of opportunities for walks and side trips

Time of Year

The hire season generally runs form March to October, but some routes and vessels are suitable for winter cruising too. Peak school holiday periods tend to be more expensive.

Boat Quality

Better equipped boats, with more features, cost more!

Discounts

If you are not tied down to a route or exact date , be sure to shop around for the many tempting offers and special discounts that may be available.

The prices are normally inclusive of all your costs except fuel. Whilst the price might seem high you need to work out the price per head per day, to see the value they offer. If doing a price comparison to other types of holidays please make sure it is a fair comparison of all costs not just a low or misleading headline price.

New hire boats cost well over £100k to hand build , and the low volume of guests and high staff ratio, make all hire boats a premium product!

Addiction

There is a huge unique network to explore, and as the boating enthusiasts will tell you, it is: “the quickest way to slow down”.

Be warned canal holidays are addictive, with many hire boaters coming year after year ; or even enjoying it so much they buy their own boat

The ancients recognised 7 Wonders of the World….

These are my personal “Wonders of the UK Waterways”

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site

‘Pontcysyllte’ pronounced Pont – ker – sulth – tay, is the Welsh name for ‘the bridge that connects’. Strangely, locally everyone seems to have a different way of actually saying it! https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk

Caen Hill Lock Flight

Very impressive lock flight just outside Devizes in Wiltshire

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/caen-hill-locks/an-uphill-struggle-caen-hills-history

Hatton Locks, Warwick

Know locally as the “Stairway to Heaven”, the impressive flight of 21 broad locks lift the Grand Union Canal out of the Avon Valley, and are almost on the the English watershed. https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/hatton-locks-stairway-heaven

Foxton Lock Staircase

Built originally in 1810, they lift boats 75 ft up to the Leicester Summit, and are a 10 narrow lock flight made up of two 5 lock staircases, with side ponds The remains of an abandoned Incline Plane are adjacent to the lock flight.https://foxton-lock-keepers.wixsite.com/foxton-locks/photos

Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire

The “Cathedral of the Canals” is a restored boat lift linking the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal. Boats are lifted vertically 50ft in a structure designed in 1875

I steered the first full length pair- Hind & Hart- to descend the boat lift after its restoration in 2002 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderton_Boat_Lift

The Bratch, Wombourne

The Bratch Locks on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire were designed by James Brindley ( a distant relation of mine) in 1772.

The 3 locks and the unusual lock keepers cottage make a delightful waterways scene https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/the-bratch

Standedge Tunnel, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

There are actually 4 tunnels at Standedge near Marsden, burrowing under the Pennines

The current restored canal tunnel opened in 1811 and is the longest, highest, and deepest in the United Kingdom. Alongside is a defunct railway tunnel used by support vans and an active trans pennine rail tunnel both with linked side adits into the canal tunnel.  

The original tunnel was 5,445 yards (4,979 m) long, 636 feet (194 m) underground at its deepest point, and 643 feet (196 m) above sea level. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standedge_Tunnels