With quiet canals, frosty towpaths, historic waterside pubs and festive waterside destinations to enjoy, a holiday on Britain’s peaceful canal network is a great way to get away this Christmas.
Drifters Waterway Holidays (www.drifters.co.uk) offers winter cruising* from seven of its bases, with boats offering accommodation for between two to 12 people.
A narrowboat could provide the perfect base for a rural retreat, or to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations in exciting waterside destinations, including Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Chester.
All Drifters’ boats have central heating, hot water, televisions, DVD players and Wifi. Some also have multi-fuel stoves. So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.
Drifters’ prices over Christmas and New Year start at start at £765 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to four, £970 for a week.
1. Cruise through the Welsh mountains to the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen
From Drifters’ canal boat rental base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes around two hours to cruise to Llangollen. There boaters can moor up in Llangollen Basin and enjoy visiting this beautiful town nestled in the Berwyn Mountains. Things to see include the Llangollen Steam Railway, the National Trust’s Plas Newydd house and gardens and the Horseshoe Falls. There’s a great choice of independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with river and mountain views.
***The 65ft ‘Fitzroy’ narrowboat for up to four people with solid fuel stove is available 23-27 Dec or New Year (30 Dec to 3 Jan) for £1,035. The 69ft ‘Delphinus’ narrowboat for up to 12 people is available 23-27 Dec for £1,165. Or the 69ft ‘Norton’ narrowboat for up to 12 people is available 29 Dec to 2 Jan for £1,065. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
2. Navigate through the Bath Valley to Georgian Bath
From Drifters base at Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, it takes around four hours to cruise to moorings at Sydney Gardens, just a 15 minute walk from Bath City Centre. They journey passes through just one lock and across the Avoncliff and Dundas Aqueducts. There’s so much to see and do in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, including a visit to the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms.
***The 50ft ‘Angela’ narrowboat for up to four people is available from Bradford on Avon 22-26 Dec or 29 Dec to 2 Jan for £795. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
3. Cruise through the countryside to Staffordshire’s foodie capital
Heading north from Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, boaters can reach the historic market town of Stone in around five hours. The journey passes through eight locks (4 each way) and passes through 10 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside. Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Saracen’s Head at Weston and the Dog & Doublet at Sandon. Once at Stone, considered to be Staffordshire’s foodie capital, boaters can explore a great choice of places to eat and shop.
***The 65ft ‘Lady Carol’ narrowboat for up to six people is available 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £950. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
4. Travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere
From Drifters’ canal boat hire base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, it takes around four hours to reach the pretty historic town of Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. Along the way, the route passes Lyneal Moss and Colemere Country Park. Once at Ellesmere, there’s a choice of independent shops and restaurants, as well as gardens, woods and castle grounds to explore at the Mere.
***The 58ft ‘Rushton’ narrowboat for up to four people is available 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £795. The 62ft ‘Mayfly’ narrowboat for up to eight people is available 29 Dec to 2 Jan for £960. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
5. Float to through the Warwickshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon
From Drifters’ narrowboat rental base on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, it’s a six-hour cruise to Stratford upon Avon. The journey takes boaters through the Warwickshire countryside, passing through 17 locks along the way. Once in Stratford, boaters can moor up in Bancroft Basin, just a short walk from this popular tourist town’s excellent choice of theatres, restaurants, markets and museums.
***The 48ft ‘Rowan’ narrowboat for up to four people is available from Wootton Wawen 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £765. The 65ft ‘Aries’ narrowboat with multi-fuel stove is available 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £960. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
6. Cruise through the Aire Valley to Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales
On a short winter break from Drifters base at Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Keighley, boaters can cruise to Skipton and back. The 6.5 mile journey through the Aire Valley takes around 3.5 hours and there are no locks. Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Slaters Arms at Bradley and the Bay Horse at Snaygill. Once at Skipton, boaters can moor up to explore this ancient market town and its medieval castle.
***The 57ft ‘Drummer Boy’ narrowboat for up to seven people is currently available from Silsden 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £855. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.
7. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Chester
On a short Christmas break from Drifters base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, boats can cruise to Chester and back. The 12 mile (six each way) journey through the Cheshire countryside passes through 18 locks (nine each way) and takes around 14 hours (seven each way). Pubs to enjoy along the way include the Shady Oak at Wharton’s Lock and Cheshire Cat at Christleton. Once at Chester, boaters can moor up to experience Christmas or New Year in this ancient city with Roman Walls, Chester Rows shops and a great choice of places to eat and drink.
***The 48ft ‘Chertsey’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available from Bunbury 23-27 Dec or 30 Dec to 3 Jan for £765. The 69ft ‘Mirabella’ narrowboat for up to 10 people is currently available from Bunbury 29 Dec to 2 Jan for £1,165. Price includes bed linen, towels, three pets, parking and tuition on arrival. A fuel deposit (£70 for a short break, £110 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £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 canal network go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk