Explorer's Guide
Where to Find Floating Cafés and Food Boats on your UK Canal Holiday
7th January 2026
Among the 35,000 canal boats on the UK’s waterways, independent food boats and cafés are thriving. While pubs are a staple of any staycation, there is a handful of vendors serving everything from coffee and cakes to burritos and chutneys right on the canal. They cruise through the regions, popping up at towpath hotspots and floating markets.
With any holiday you book, food is part of the adventure. This guide highlights food boats regularly seen near ABC Boat Hire’s most popular holiday routes.
11 Canal Restaurants, Markets and Food Stops to Look Out For
We’ve picked out some of the best canal-based cafés, delis and roving traders you may discover along some of our cruisers’ favourite canal routes, including the Grand Union, Kennet & Avon, Macclesfield, and Llangollen. Stock up your holiday snacks with sustainable, small-batch products or pick up fresh produce to enjoy homemade meals on our award-nominated self-catering boats.
One thing to note is that exact locations may vary, as many traders roam, so always check their social pages before you travel. Our teams at our marinas can also point you towards any traders currently nearby.
Burrito Boat – Roving Trader
Image Credit: The Burrito Boat Facebook
Where: Leamington Spa, Milton Keynes, and other Grand Union spots
What: Mexican street food (burritos, tacos, nachos)
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A colourful, flavourful narrowboat serving Mexican favourites cooked entirely from scratch aboard the 64ft barge. No frozen shortcuts either. Expect generous portions and rotating weekly specials, always served with a lively atmosphere when the hatch is open.
Café Afloat – Diglis Basin, Worcester
Image Credit: Café Afloat Facebook
Where: Permanently moored at Diglis Basin
What: Breakfasts, toasties, wraps, loaded fries, milkshakes, and barista coffee
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A friendly quayside café with fresh, cooked-to-order meals served seven days a week between 9am and 4pm. It’s the ideal spot for a pre-cruise breakfast or a relaxed afternoon treat after mooring up in Worcester.
Floating Farmshop – Macclesfield Canal
Image Credit: Floating Farmshop Facebook
Where: Bollington, High Lane, Poynton and nearby
What: Seasonal jams, chutneys, baked goods, picnic boxes, workshops
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
Pick up handmade preserves and fresh bakes from this 30ft narrowboat called Sunflower along the Macclesfield Canal. With a focus on ethical, local produce, the Floating Farmshop serves up every colour nature offers, as well as organising sustainable workshops.
WG Boat Cafe (formerly The Water Gypsy) – Kennet & Avon Canal
Image Credit: WG Boat Cafe
Where: Cruises between Devizes, Semington, Bradford on Avon, Bathampton, and Bath
What: Tapas-style fusion dining using local produce. Licensed for alcohol
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A beautifully renovated wide-beam boat hosting intimate pop-up dining for adults. These private dining experiences accommodate up to 12 guests at a time in this unique supper club, with meals inspired by global tapas flavours from Morocco to Portugal and Asia.
Gangplank Spirits & Preserves – Roving Trader
Image Credit: Gangplank Spirits and Preserves Facebook
Where: Travels across the UK canal network, often seen at floating markets and events
What: Foraged fruit gins, cordials, jams, chutneys, and crepes. Also operates as a café and bar
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A respected microbusiness with Great Taste Awards that’s known for ethical sourcing and small-batch creations. Whether you fancy a little tipple onboard your own canal boat or you fancy a stroll with a warm crêpe, this trader always draws a crowd with its offerings and sustainability-first ethos.
Cheese Aboard The Cheeseboat – Llangollen Canal & Midlands (formerly The Cheese Boat)
Image Credit: Cheese Aboard The Cheeseboat Facebook
Where: Regularly cruises the Llangollen Canal and Four Counties Ring
What: British and Welsh cheeses, chutneys, and crackers
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A floating treasure trove for dairy lovers. They showcase waxed and bottled produce from across Britain and Wales as the official floating representative for Great British Cheese. It’s a must-visit for an indulgent onboard grazing platter or picking up gifts for fellow foodies.
The Slush Boat – Roving Trader
Image Credit: The Slush Boat Instagram
Where: Seen at floating markets and canal events, including Nantwich and the Bridgewater Canal
What: Slushies, ice cream, cold drinks, snacks, and hot beverages
Socials: Instagram | TikTok
A cheerful family favourite bringing colour and speciality cold drinks to towpaths around the North West. It’s the perfect stop on warmer days to grab flavoured slushies or classic ice creams to really chill out on your canal boat holiday.
The Coddiwomple Cake Boat – Midlands Waterways
Image Credit: The Coddiwomple Cake Boat Facebook
Where: Trades between Long Eaton and Great Haywood, often at floating markets and festivals
What: Homemade cakes, fudge, hot dogs, soup, drinks, and dog biscuits
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
A 1970s narrowboat filled with homemade cakes, creative bakes, and comforting savoury treats. The friendly crew and unique set-up make this a popular stop at floating markets. There’s truly something for everyone (including four-legged crewmates!).
Baked on Board – Shropshire Union Canal
Image Credit:
Where: Cruises around Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire; often seen at Anderton Boat Lift, Barbridge, and Nantwich
What: Wood-fired pizzas served fresh
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
This roving pizzeria serves up wood-fired specials from a 52ft narrowboat called ‘Forget Me Not’. There’s a rolling menu with canalside favourites and seasonal exclusives so it’s an easy dinner choice after a long day of cruising.
All Things Spanish – Roving Trader
Image Credit: All Things Spanish Facebook
Where: Trades around Cheshire, often seen near Northwich and at canal festivals
What: Spanish-themed gifts, crafts, and homeware inspired by Iberian culture
Socials: Facebook
A vibrant floating shop celebrating, well, All Things Spanish. You’ll find colourful textiles and tapas-inspired gifts, as well as freshly ground Spanish coffee to sip on beside the canal. It’s a charming reminder of the Iberian region flowing through the heart of England.
The Barge and Quarterdeck – Stratford-upon-Avon
Image Credit: The Barge and Quarterdeck Facebook
Where: Moored at Canal Basin, Waterside Bancroft Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon
What: Wood-fired pizzas, drinks, and alfresco dining from a traditional Dutch barge
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
An extremely popular waterside spot valued for its artisan pizzas, local drinks and sunny open-air seating. The ‘Excellent’-rated traditional Dutch barge from Windmill Hill Brewing Company is open daily from 11:30am till 4pm and is an ideal break between exploring Stratford’s attractions.
Tips for Finding Food Boats on Your Route
Finding food boats is part of the fun of your canal boat holiday route. Some may appear unexpectedly, while others follow seasonal cruising patterns or trail along festival circuits. Planning ahead helps you catch the best of them during your narrowboat holiday.
- Follow traders on social media and check cruising schedules and festival appearances.
- Look out for floating markets hosted by the Roving Canal Traders Association (RCTA) which is great for catching multiple boats.
- Look for towpath signs like chalkboards, bunting, and open hatches.
- Ask ABC staff at your marina, as they often know which boats have been spotted nearby.
- Expect more activity in spring and summer, especially during bank holidays.
Plan Your Route with Food in Mind
Once you’ve found the traders and treat-makers you want to visit, explore our canal boat holiday routes to map out where you’re most likely to spot them. Our marina teams can help highlight popular mooring points and local markets so you can build a break filled with great scenery and even better food.
