Quote from Penny McCarthy on October 22, 2024, 2:59 pm

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 eight 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 and Stratford-upon-Avon.

All Drifters’ boats have central heating, hot water, televisions and DVD players.  Some also have multi-fuel stoves and Wifi.  So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.

Drifters’ prices over Christmas and New Year start at start at £680 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for up to four, £930 for a week.

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 48ft ‘Osney’ narrowboat for up to four people is available for a mid-week over Christmas (23-27 Dec) or New Year (30 Dec to 3 Jan) for £680.  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) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

Cruise 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 54ft ‘Leah’ narrowboat for up to four people with a solid fuel stove is available from Bradford on Avon for a week over Christmas (20-27 Dec) or New Year (27 Dec to 3 Jan) for £990.  Or for a four-night mid-week break over Christmas (23-27 Dec) or New Year (30 Dec to 3 Jan) for £715. 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) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley Nature Reserve

Heading south from Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, boaters can reach Fradley Junction in around five hours.  The journey passes through five locks and 12 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside, including the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Places to visit along the way include The Wolseley Centre run by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the Wolseley Arms and the village of Handsacre with its ‘The Old Peculiar’ pub.  At Fradley there are walking trails at the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve and the Swan Inn.

***The 65ft luxury ‘Curzon’ narrowboat for up to four people is available for a mid-week break over Christmas (23-27 Dec) or New Year (30 Dec to 3 Jan) for £940.  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) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

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 62ft ‘Mayfly’ narrowboat for up to eight people is available for a week over Christmas (20-27 Dec) or New Year (27 Dec to 3 Jan) for £1,200.  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) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

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 for a week over Christmas (21-28 Dec) or New Year (31 Dec to 7 Jan) for £940.  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) 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