The UK has seen a steep rise in short breaks and long weekends rather than longer holidays in recent years. In fact the demand for two-week breaks has dropped by 24 per cent and three-week holidays has fallen by 18 per cent overall.
Many holidaymakers realise that taking more frequent short breaks is better for their mental health than one long holiday per year and this has seen a massive rise in demand for short-break barge holidays and bookings for canal cruisers.
In a study performed by a leading travel specialist company people now choose to take more frequent short breaks throughout the year compared with traditional holidays. Holidaymakers are also looking for more exciting short breaks with plenty of variety and activities rather than a simple beach resort holiday.
This can explain why the popularity of narrow boat short breaks has exploded as they can offer holidaymakers a chance to get away from it all while having fun navigating their own canal boat and exploring the British countryside.
Our friendly team at Wyvern Shipping have several narrow boats for hire. We have designed and fitted out our canal cruisers to make a perfect floating home for a family canal boating holiday.
We have everything you need to hire a high-class barge and take to the British waterways and discover the beauty that lies right on our doorstep. You don't need to worry about navigating our self-drive boats, as we will give you all the training and guidance you need to feel confident on the water.
You will learn how to use the tiller to steer your boat. Tiller steering is much more precise, quicker to learn and has more feel than a steering wheel. You will also have the whole boat in front of you when steering.
Believe us when we say that there is nothing better than the feeling of being the captain of your own boat! We know every inch of our canal boats because we designed and built them in our workshop in Leighton Buzzard. We are sure you will fall in love with our narrow boats and will want to come back again for another holiday with us!
Once you have learned how to navigate your barge, you can explore miles of beautiful waterways. You can experience the thrill of travelling through tunnels, navigating locks and aqueducts and then chilling out in the evening moored-up alongside a waterside pub and enjoying a meal and a glass of local brew.
Our canal boat holidays are great fun for all the family. If you love nature and wildlife, then you can gently float along the water and observe a vast number of bird species and wetland creatures going about their day. Great for an avid photographer or painter!
You can stop off at any of the towns and villages you will sail through. If you fancy a day of shopping and people watching while sipping on a coffee in a local cafe, or you want to take a gamble with your family and walk around a pretty village, then you can have the best of both worlds with our canal boat holidays!
Why not come on a Wyvern narrowboat for a boat trip or short break canal holiday? Check our availability and book your next luxury canal boat holiday.
Our canal boat holidays offer you the chance to take life at a slower pace while you enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of our natural waterways.
Your narrow boat is completely fitted out for your comfort and convenience with a fully-fitted galley kitchen, comfortable beds, settees with scatter cushions, and you can easily look out over the water through the generous size windows that line each side of the boat.
Alternatively if you would like to have a large family holiday, or would prefer to spend some time with your closest friends, then our 150-year-old Bedfordshire country cottage is available and would meet your requirements for that type of holiday, it sleeps up to 11 people in 6 bedrooms.
Why not book your next short break with us – but make it quick as our dates get booked out really quickly!