The charity making life better by water
Making life better by water
There are many reasons to hire a boat and cruise our canals, not least that research suggests spending time by water can improve mental health.
Tempted by a cruise along our canals and rivers this year, but need a little more persuasion? Here are nine reasons why you should hop aboard and take to the waters.
With a maximum speed of 4mph along our canals, you're more or less cruising at a walking pace.
This will give you plenty of opporunities to indulge in some feel-good hobbies, whether that's nature-spotting, reading, photography, or, if the weather permits, sunbathing!
Did you know that there are over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers to explore?
Follow the picturesque Oxford Canal to meander through the countryside. Take the Llangollen Canal across the border between England and Wales. Or cruise the Worcester & Birmingham Canal into the vibrant city centre.
With a range of cruising ring routes varying in duration and length, you can even start and end in the same place, making logistics that little bit easier. We also offer free short stay and visitor moorings, so there’s plenty of choice of where to stop for the night as you discover new parts of the UK.
Our canals and rivers weave throughout England and Wales, passing towns, cities, and rural villages you may never even have known existed.
On your journey, you may come across historic architecture like pillboxes from WW2, which are now often frequented by a variety of bat species. You could stumble upon hidden pockets of nature that may go unnoticed from the towpath, and catch glimpses of hard-to-spot wildlife, like the endangered water vole.
You could even find yourself mooring up at a vibrant waterfront location that's bursting with independent shops for unique holiday memorabilia, like Birmingham City Centre.
Relaxing canal boat trips still offer opportunities for gentle exercise in the fresh air.
Whether you’re working the locks, walking local footpaths, cycling the towpaths, or standing at the tiller, waterway getaways are a good way to get moving and shake off your normal routine.
Cruising a canal boat means working as a team. Everyone can help, regardless of their age or ability - from planning your route and doing the locks, to making sure the skipper has a cup of tea.
And, once the day is done, you can all hunker down and enjoy a board game or two in your cosy cabin.
Taking a canal boat holiday in the UK produces significantly fewer emissions than flying or driving. Using less water and power than a land-based vacation boosts your green credentials.
Parts of our network are over 250 years old, and thousands of historic structures still exist along it today.
You could venture over the 'stream in the sky' - the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, or travel through the awe-inspiring three-mile-long Standedge Tunnel beneath the Pennines.
We also have plenty of museums and attractions to learn more about the industrial heritage of our waterways, like a trip to the National Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks or the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire.
If you're anxious about driving a boat, you shouldn't be.
Learning how to drive a boat and navigating the waterways is pretty straightforward. Your hire boat company will explain everything you need to know before you set off on your own. Plus, we have plenty of volunteers looking after boaters across our network.
Our newsletter is packed full of exciting updates and stories of how our charity keeps canals alive.
Last Edited: 3 March 2026
Sign up to our newsletter and discover how we protect canals and help nature thrive
