Canal Boat Hire Shropshire England
Shropshire's waterways offer something completely different: your own floating home where you set the pace, stop at charming pubs when you fancy, and move at your own speed. You can experience some of the most beautiful canals, like the Shropshire Union Canal, which runs through scenic open land in Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire.
Canal Holidays Shropshire
We have multiple marinas based in Shropshire, including Blackwater Meadow Marina and Whitchurch Marina which sits on the border between England and Wales. We have 2-12 berths available to suit a couple’s holiday or a big family holiday. We’ll have a boat best suited to your needs.
Why Choose Our Canal Boat Holidays?
No Experience RequiredNever steered a canal boat? No problem. Our comprehensive briefing covers everything from locks to mooring. You'll understand what you need to do and feel confident to set off after our briefing. |
Fully Equipped BoatsEvery boat comes with a fitted kitchen, shower, toilet, heating, and bedding. You just need to bring food and clothes. Modern amenities include a fridge, cooker, 12V charging point and free Wi-Fi. We've ensured everything you need is on-board. |
Day Boat HireIf you don't feel like staying the required minimum 2 nights, we also have a day boat option to enjoy a relaxing cruise. |
International Tourists WelcomeWe provide everything you could need for your canal boat holiday. We even have free parking at our marinas, no charge or fees involved, no matter how long your stay. Feel free to give us a call on our international number +44 1905 610660. We take calls every day, and we'll be happy to answer any questions you have. |
Flexible BookingsWhether you're planning a short one-day escape or a longer holiday on the water, our flexible booking options make it easy. You can book online in just a few clicks or give us a call and we'll be happy to help you plan the perfect trip. |
Popular Canal Routes in Shropshire
Featured routes from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Chester or Ellesmere Port & Return
Maps & Guides for this route: P3, N4, L8 | Click here buy maps
MORE INFORMATIONLlangollen and return
Past Frankton Junction, through Chirk, across Chirk Aqueduct then Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and back.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Cheshire Ring
This Ring takes in parts of the Llangollen Canal, Shropshire Union Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Ashton Canal, Peak Forest Canal and all of the Macclesfield Canal. The route from Blackwater Meadow takes in several tunnels and aqueducts, countless lift bridges, swing bridges and snake bridges, and 138 locks
MORE INFORMATIONThe Four Counties Ring
This is one of the more rural cruising rings taking you through the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire andthe West Midlands.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured routes from Whitchurch Marina
Audlem & return
This fascinating route will take you back in time to the Romans, and will also uncover stories of bishops and monks, bickering aristocracy, speeding canal boats and government secrets – and the generosity of a Queen. From Shropshire to Cheshire and back, you’ll be treated to lock staircases and lift bridges, historic aqueducts, and glorious sweeping landscapes.
MORE INFORMATIONCaldon Canal
Another longer route from Whitchurch Marina. An alternative to the Four counties ring, but equally energetic.
MORE INFORMATIONChester & return
Visit the historic city of Chester with its shopping, restaurants, the River Dee and its spectacular cathedral.
MORE INFORMATIONFour Counties Ring
A varied route taking in parts of the Shropshire Union Canal, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Middlewich Branch. The route includes two tunnels, over 15 aqueducts, and 94 locks - can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONLlangollen & return
Towards Ellesmere, past Frankton Junction, through Chirk, across Chirk Aqueduct then Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and back – 7 nights – total locks 4
MORE INFORMATIONThe Cheshire Ring
The ring takes in the whole of the Macclesfield Canal, parts of the Trent & Mersey, Bridgewater, Rochdale, Ashton and Peak Forest Canals, providing a range of scenery.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured Locations in Shropshire
Shropshire Union CanalExperience rolling hillsides as you cruise this scenic waterway. The canal offers peaceful stretches through quintessentially English countryside. |
EllesmereA medieval market town home to The Mere. Known for its beautiful lake, gardens, and woodland walks, it makes a perfect trip for stretching your legs in nature. |
WhitchurchA historic Shropshire market town perfectly positioned on our canal network. Your gateway to exploring both the English countryside and the Welsh borders from our marina base. |
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct AccessWhile the aqueduct crosses into Wales, you'll cruise through beautiful Shropshire countryside to reach this UNESCO World Heritage site, which is also one of the seven wonders of the waterway. |
What Our Guests Say
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Alpine Swift from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Excellent service very well equipped and clean
17 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Alpine Swift from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Excellent scenery, great experience
17 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Swan - Tundra Swan from Blackwater Meadow Marina
We had an excellent trip on our barge
14 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Swan - Tundra Swan from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Very accommodating company, always available on the phone for any queries
14 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Agenturen i Marstrand = Swede Charter hanterade allt perfekt.
14 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Har varit enkelt att boka båt & få all info om ABC via deras agentur Swede Charter där vi bokade.
14 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Owl - Scops Owl from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Fitted well into the time we had the boat, with a good balance between travel and stopping to explore the villages and country along the way.
10 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Alpine Swift from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Lovely people , a lovely experience!
10 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Owl - Scops Owl from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Really friendly and informative staff - we had little experience and they answered all our questions and made everything super easy. This included walking us through the route we had planned and explaining the various parts of the canal we would come across. The boat was clean and well presented, with everything we needed.
10 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Alpine Swift from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Couldn’t fault any part of the booking service, collection of the boat , or the sad return of the boat at the end of our wonderful trip . All such lovely people to deal with . Slick , just slick all round.
10 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Brilliant so much supplied within the boat and again the staff were amazing. Very clean, very warm and very comfortable.
07 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Wow what an absolute amazing experience and fantastic weekend we had! The big thank you to all the staff involved. You guys are amazing. You gave us time care and was very attentive. you went above and beyond to make a birthday weekend special can’t thank you all enough! Never felt rushed so much information given and also so much provided within the boat facility really surprised me thank you once again would definitely be returning! 🫶🏼
07 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Lucy's Warbler from Whitchurch Marina
Great holiday. It would be 5 stars but on the bigger boats, while they scale up the crockery to match, the saucepans are too small for the number of people.
05 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Lucy's Warbler from Whitchurch Marina
Great canal but busy around Chirk
05 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Perfect Day from Whitchurch Marina
Superb experience from start to finish
05 Nov 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Swift - Tree Swift from Whitchurch Marina
Perfect service from ABC!
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Tree Swift from Whitchurch Marina
Very good boat, amazing route. We have got complete instructions as a beginners in marina. Thank you for your job!
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Sooty Swift from Whitchurch Marina
Would definitely recommend ABC. Staff were very helpful and gave us a thorough explanation around operating the boat. Loved our week away.
21 Oct 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina
All excellent can’t wait for the next trip
21 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina
Great service, great communication very friendly people an excellent boat and a very picturesque canal
21 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Swift - Sooty Swift from Whitchurch Marina
A great trip on the Llangollen canal. The boat had all the equipment you needed, bedding, towels, kitchen well equipt
21 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Lucy's Warbler from Whitchurch Marina
We felt so comfortable after the hand-over instructions. All six of us pitched in and communicated well, and we did our daily and nightly checks to ensure safe travels. We did not need to call for help, but felt comfortable enough with Richard to do so if we needed assistance. We planned and researched months in advance. Our expectations were high. Our trip, with six women on an 8 by 69 foot narrow boat, exceeded anything we could have imagined. At ABC, Kate, Richard, and Len gave us lots of information and encouragement. We headed out in a storm, but the weather and our skills improved quickly. We had a most amazing adventure. We maneuvered through locks, bridges, tunnels, aqueducts, and turned the boat around at Llangollen. We stopped at pubs, castles, and nature walks, and everything on the boat worked perfectly. Again, six women and two bathrooms, we cooked for each other, refilled our water tank, checked our engine levels, cranked down the propeller lubricator, only got stuck once, and removed rope and plastic bags from our propeller. We all participated: two out on the front, warning the pilot of upcoming boats and blind curves, and even sent scouts before a tunnel. We moored on bollards, piling clips, and mooring pins we hammered into the shore. Everyone we met, from fellow first-timers, live-aboards, to locals on the street, were wonderful, but even with their help, we never learned how to pronounce Welsh words. Next trip will be a loop or even a one-way. Thank you ABC Whitchurch Marina, for an unforgettable journey!
19 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Lucy's Warbler from Whitchurch Marina
Gave us excellent information. They taught us well, the boat worked great, well-stocked, and comfortable.
19 Oct 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Duck - Long Tailed Duck from Whitchurch Marina
All went to plan
18 Oct 2025
Featured Boats
Featured boats from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
Featured boats from Whitchurch Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
FAQ
Is there a minimum stay requirement?
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Yes, you must stay a minimum of 2 nights, unless you decide on the day hire option.
How much does it cost to hire a canal boat in Shropshire?
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Canal boat hire prices vary by season, boat size, and how long you plan to use the boat. Contact us for exact pricing on your preferred dates and boat size or add your destination and dates at the top of the page.
Do I need a licence or experience to hire a canal boat?
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No licence or prior experience is required to hire a canal boat in the UK. We provide comprehensive training before you set off, covering steering, locks, mooring, and safety procedures.
Can I bring pets on board?
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Yes, pets are welcome on our canal boats at no extra charge. We're experienced in pet-friendly holidays with well-ventilated boats featuring top-opening hopper windows. Your furry family members can enjoy the waterways with you completely free of charge.
