Blog

Channel 4 welcome’s back its popular boating programme, Great Canal Journeys, to screens this November. This year, the waterways are explored by brand new boaters – Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth – who embark on spectacular canal journeys across Britain. Episode 1, titled as ‘London’s Waterways’, showed Sheila and Gyles exploring the upper reaches of the River Thames – a paradise of unspoiled...

Living on a canal boat in winter and want some tips? Or perhaps you’re thinking about embarking on a winter canal boat holiday? Our guide to winter boating has you covered – from what to consider when you’re cruising on the waterways, to how to keep warm and safe aboard your mobile home. Cruising considerations Boating in the winter still follows all of the rules you’d abide by any other time of...

The average UK canal depth varies from canal to canal, and lock to lock. However, most of the UK’s canals were initially constructed to take fully-laden freight carrying vessels of six-foot draft – as, originally, canal boats were in fact horse-drawn. Learn more about the history of canal boats in the UK from our detailed guide. Although the depth of canals varies throughout the nation, there are...

When you’re travelling by canal, or on a canal boat holiday, you might be wondering where you can moor your canal boat. Most visitor moorings on canals and rivers governed by the Canal & River Trust are often free of charge. You are permitted to moor almost anywhere alongside canal towpaths for no fee, as long as you are not causing an obstruction to the waterway. However, there may be certain pr...

If you’re looking for your next, or even your first, canal boat holiday, you may be wondering how far a canal boat can travel, and how fast it can travel. All of our canal boat holidays include a daily cruising time, as well as a recommended number of nights it will take to complete the route – but for more information on canal boat travel, our detailed guide has you covered. How far can you trav...

Looking for more information on what the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is, and where it’s located? We have answered all your questions in our detailed guide, from how high the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is to how to pronounce it, learn more now. What is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct? The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct means ‘the bridge that connects’, which is located above the River Dee on the Llangollen Canal in Llango...

With Halloween approaching and the autumn leaf-falling in full swing, October half term is a great time to escape with the family, friends or a loved one. Breaking up the long stretch between the end of summer and the beginning of Christmas festivities, we’ve put together our top October half term holiday ideas – from exploring the beauty of Scotland to canal boat holidays across the British water...

Considering booking an Oxford boating holiday? Our detailed guide has you covered. Whether you’re looking for canal boat hire in Oxford, or simply want to know more about what Oxford’s canals can offer, learn more about Oxford’s canal network today. Oxford Canals A picturesque haven of countryside, free from large-scale development, the Oxford Canal meanders through beautiful scenery sculpted by...

Considering booking a Manchester boating holiday? Our detailed guide has you covered – whether you’re looking for canal boat hire in Manchester, or simply want to know more about what Manchester’s canals can offer. Manchester Canals Manchester is surrounded by miles of waterways and canals which were built during the Industrial Revolution. These canals were traditionally used to transport coal i...

Looking to escape to the valleys and explore some of the Welsh countryside for your next trip? Wales has a lot to offer – from golden sandy beaches and sand dunes to explore, to a wealth of Welsh countryside to discover, you’re likely to find a trip to satisfy everyone. Whether you’re travelling with a loved one and looking for a romantic getaway, as a group or friends, or if you have the whole fa...