If you fancy a UK-based holiday where you can step on and slow down the pace, then there is no better option than to take a narrow boat holiday where you can meander through some of the finest waterways in the country.
Taking a narrow boat holiday is something a bit different to simply jetting off somewhere hot and baking on a beach for your annual two-week break. With a narrow boat holiday, you get to explore some great locations while chilling out and enjoying the lazy summer days at a more relaxed pace.
There is no rushing around from pillar to post or the need to book coach excursions or day trips where you need to meet up with your party at a specific time, giving you a very narrow window of time to fully explore or experience a place and all it has to offer.
Getting back to nature
Taking a narrow boat holiday will also allow you to reconnect with nature and drink in the natural surroundings of the countryside in a blissfully peaceful manner. There are all sorts of native wildlife to discover that you will hardly get to see in towns or cities.
Don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars so you can get a close-up view of our often shy wildlife creatures in their natural habitats. The banks of our waterways are filled with opportunities to see water voles, otters, Kingfishers, fish, deer and other wildlife that like to be close to the water.
While taking a holiday during the summer is very popular, don't forget that you can book a canal boating holiday any time between 1 March and 30 November. There is always plenty to see and do when you explore our waterways, so don't let the weather put you off taking a spectacular boating break!
Navigating locks
For first-time narrow boat captains, navigating a lock can seem a little daunting at first, however, once you have successfully navigated your first one, you will realise just how easy they are to get through.
The thrill of navigating the locks you encounter on your journey can be exciting for your whole family, so your kids will get a kick out of their adventures too and be fascinated about how locks work to control the movement of the water along the system.
Things to do on a narrow boat holiday
There are plenty of places to stop off along your journey where you can take in plenty of activities. You can stop at one of many waterside pubs for some freshly-cooked traditional meals and local-brewed ales, or go antique spotting in a local town and do a bit of people-watching while enjoying a latte in a town coffee shop.
If you are into bird watching, then you are in for a treat! You can expect to see an amazing range of wild birds that you will never see hopping around your back garden at home. There can be nothing more thrilling than spotting a flash of red and blue and then watching a kingfisher shoot across the water and diving for fish that get too close to the surface.
Dogs are welcome too!
Don't forget that we accept dogs on some of our narrow boats, so you don't need to leave your dog behind. You can get plenty of opportunities to walk your dog along the towpath and your dog will enjoy the change of scenery just as much as you will!
Check our availability page for more information about bringing pets with you. Your dog deserves a relaxing holiday too!