How to escape the crowds during school term breaks with canal boat holidays

Are you wondering where the best family UK holidays are without the stress of overcrowded destinations, long travel times, or expensive accommodation?  

Whether you’re planning a short Easter escape, a cosy October adventure, or a longer summer staycation, a canal boat holiday offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. It’s a unique way to experience the UK while spending quality time with your loved ones. Discover how you can impress the kids and unwind during the school holidays. 

Why canal boat holidays are the ultimate stress-free breaks  

Organising a holiday with younger children or teenagers can be challenging and often leave you exhausted before the trip even begins. But there is a way to unwind, escape the crowds and enjoy quality time as a family at a slower pace – that’s right, it’s a narrowboat holiday. 

Escape the hustle and bustle  

Unlike hectic European getaways, where airports are packed and tourist destinations are overflowing, canal boat holidays offer a peaceful retreat away from the masses. Glide along the water, surrounded by stunning landscapes, charming villages, and peaceful waterways – far from the stress of traffic jams or overcrowded resorts.  

No packing and unpacking 

One of the biggest holiday stresses is having to constantly pack and unpack your luggage as you move from one hotel to another. On a canal boat holiday, your accommodation moves with you! Once you’ve unpacked, you can settle in and enjoy the journey. Your home on the water is also your transport, making everything simple and convenient.  

Travel at your own speed 

Life moves fast. It probably feels like the next school holiday is right around the corner, too. But a canal boat holiday encourages you to slow down and take it easy. As narrowboats typically travel around 4mph, you can soak in the scenery, spot wildlife, and be more intentional with activities. There’s no rushing around from one attraction to the next, just stress-free cruising where the journey itself is part of the experience. 

Space for all the family  

Worried about feeling cramped if you’re taking everyone on holiday? With ABC Boat Hire’s narrowboats accommodating up to 12 people, there’s plenty of space for everyone. You can enjoy meals together in the cabin, sit up on the deck and watch the world go by, or have a bit of quiet time with a book – there’s room for rest and bonding for everyone. 

Enjoy the great outdoors  

A canal boat holiday lets you disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other. You can balance screen time with fresh air, historic venues, and encounters with wild animals like herons, ducks and otters. Your children can help with locks, create mini adventures along towpaths, or try fishing on approved canal routes, while parents can enjoy the simple pleasure of unwinding on deck with a coffee or glass of wine. 

Your holiday, your way  

Most holidays come with rigid schedules and tight itineraries, but narrowboat trips offer complete flexibility. If you start exploring a local village and the weather takes a turn for the worse, simply keep your boat moored for another day in the same location and try again tomorrow. Have some fun on the water from the comfort of the cabin. You can cruise as much or as little as you like and tailor the experience to suit your family’s needs. 

It isn’t just about getting from A to B, but embracing a simpler, stress-free way to make lasting family memories while the kids have time off. 

Scenic canal routes offering fun, adventure and fascination  

School holidays are a great opportunity to take a break from routine and spend quality time together. Whether you want to provide unique experiences for your children, boost their curiosity, or build their problem-solving skills, managing a narrowboat can be both educational and fun. 

If you’re travelling with younger children or teens who prefer to explore, shorter routes with frequent stops might be a better choice. But if your family is more adventurous or enjoys a challenge, longer routes can be more exciting, but they require more time for cruising, working the locks, and planning rest stops. 

Here are some short and long canal routes with attractions to consider: 

Route: Anderton Marina, Chester & Return 

Attractions: Chester Castle, Chester Zoo 

Number of locks: 44 

Route: Alvechurch Marina, Stourport Ring 

Attractions: Sea Life Centre, Thinktank 

Number of locks: 116 

Route: Falkirk, Edinburgh & Return 

Attractions: Edinburgh Castle, Falkirk Wheel 

Number of locks: 6 

Route: Springwood Haven Marina, The East Midlands/Leicester Ring 

Attractions: The Haunted Saddington Tunnel, the National Space Centre 

Number of locks: 100 

Route: Gayton Marina, Warwick & Return 

Attractions: Warwick Castle 

Number of locks: 72 

Ready to take the next step? 

Whenever your children’s school term breaks are, skip the crowds and set off for an unforgettable family adventure on the water. Book your canal boat holiday with ABC Boat Hire today!