There are so many beautiful places to explore here in the UK and often, the best way to see Britain is by canal. It's easy to see why Barge holidays have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many different routes and luxury boats to choose from for your UK staycation.
If a canal boat holiday sounds like your idea of bliss, we've put together everything you need to know about booking this holiday with a difference, from how to hire a canal boat, to the best destinations to travel around.
Hiring a canal boat
Hiring a canal boat couldn't be easier. Depending on how long your holiday is, you can hire canal boats for a few days or a week. In most cases, the person hiring should be aged 18 or over, and you won't need a licence to hire.
You might be surprised to learn that you don't need any previous experience of steering a boat to be able to hire one. Canal boats are extremely easy to handle, with one lever controlling speed and forward or reverse direction.
Before you embark on your travels, most boat hire companies will provide you with tuition on how to handle the boat and You'll also be shown how to take the boat through a lock.
You'll be pleased to know that most canal boats to hire are also pet friendly, meaning your four-legged friend can also come along with you on your travels.
Where can I go on the boat?
With so many different routes to take in the UK, it's important to sit down with a canal map and really think about where you might want to go before hiring a boat. Most boat hire companies will also have guides who can help you decide which route is best to take with the time you have for your holiday.
The best barge holiday destinations
Here are some of the most popular canal routes in the UK that you can book through canalholidays.com.
Avon Ring
This route travels right through the heart of England, with stunning countryside surrounding you. Take the River Avon from Stratford-upon-Avon between the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds through idyllic English villages. This route takes about two weeks to travel for beginners.
The Yorkshire Dales
Known for fantastic views of the Yorkshire Dales, this route is great for first timers as it's a notoriously uncrowded route. It should take around a week to complete this route through the most rural parts of the Pennines.
Edinburgh to Glasgow
If you're looking for a Scottish Barge holiday, this is a really pleasant and leisurely route which covers the Union and the Forth and Clyde canals between Edinburgh and Glasgow. As well as being rather picturesque, you'll also see plenty of history on this canal too. This route should take around a week.
The Llangollen Canal
Considered the most beautiful waterway in the country, it's known for its many views and lift bridges. Both short breaks and week long breaks are available for this route, depending on how easy you want to take things.
Thames Ring
This superb route located in the South of England is ideal for doing over a week or two weeks, although there are short break options available. If you choose to explore the whole route, you'll get a real experience of the River Thames, Oxford and the many scenic villages in these surrounding areas.
Norfolk Broads
Another really popular area for canal boat holidays is the Norfolk Broads, with loads of different routes to take depending what you're in the mood for. From idyllic Norfolk villages and market towns to access to the coast, with over 60 broads and different rivers to choose from, it's a great place to enjoy a canal holiday.
Canal boat holidays for beginners
If you're a newbie to the world of canal boat holidays, here are some of the destinations we'd recommend:
• Brecon Beacons: This quiet waterway is away from the main canal network and runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
• Birmingham: It might surprise you to know but Birmingham has more canals than Venice and it offers a picturesque journey for any novice.
• Peak District: A glorious way to take in the beautiful National Park, cruise along Caldon Canal to Cheddleton Flint Mill for a gentle cruise.
• Ashby: During this 22-mile, lock-free Ashby Canal, you'll amble past the historic town of Market Bosworth.
• Bath: From Bradford on Avon, journey to Georgian Bath in this six hour trip where you can make use of your boat as a base to explore.
How much does a canal boat holiday cost?
The cost of your holiday really depends on when you're planning on going, which route, how long for and how many people are going with you. To give you an idea, for a week-long trip in the summer, it'll cost you upwards of £1000.