Autumn is just around the corner, and with the leaves changing colour and the banks and hedgerows abuzz with wildlife, it’s the perfect time to take a canal boat holiday.
To celebrate the amazing autumn colours on our canals, we teamed up with Drifters Waterway Holidays to put together a handy guide to help you explore some of the loveliest, leafiest stretches on our network.
The Calder & Hebble in West Yorkshire
First up, it’s the Calder & Hebble Navigation, a quiet, rural waterway meandering through the heart of West Yorkshire. On a short break from Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Sowerby Bridge, you can cruise along this beautiful, leafy route to Shepley Bridge and back, taking in wooded valleys, scenic countryside and historic towns and villages. This tranquil journey spans 22 miles, passes through 32 locks (16 each way) and takes around 16 hours.
The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in South Wales
Next, we have the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, known affectionately as the Mon & Brec. This sleepy waterway follows the line of the Usk Valley, clinging to the hillside as it winds through the stunning Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park On a short break from Drifters’ base at Goytre Wharf, you can travel to Talybont-on-Usk and back, cruising through green, sheep-filled fields, rolling hills and quaint country villages. This peaceful 39-mile sojourn takes around 18 hours, with ten locks along the way.
The Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire
Next up, we take a leisurely cruise along the southern section of the Shropshire Union Canal. On a weekend break, you can travel from Brewood to the historic town of Market Drayton, famous for its gingerbread and pretty black-and-white timbered buildings. Along the way, you’ll drift past charming villages, canalside pubs and verdant canal banks, alive with swans, moorhens and damselflies. This scenic 42-mile round trip includes 12 locks (six each way) and takes around 20 hours.
The Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire
This 87-mile-long waterway links the River Avon near Bath with the River Thames at Reading. On a week’s break from Devizes, you can cruise to the historic market town of Hungerford and back, winding through rolling hills and ancient woodland. This serene 54-mile trip will take you up the magnificent Caen Hill flight of locks and on through the Vale of Pewsey (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). In all, the journey will take roughly 40 hours, with 106 locks to navigate along the route.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal in Warwickshire
Renowned for its rich history and idyllic views, this narrow waterway connects the River Avon with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. On a short break from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise to Hatton and back, gliding by picturesque villages, rustic canalside pubs, unique split bridges and lock cottages. En route, you’ll travel through tree-lined sections, as the canal winds through the remnants of the ancient Forest of Arden. The 21-mile round trip will take you around 14 hours, with 34 locks to tackle along the way.
The Caldon Canal in Staffordshire
Finally, we visit the Caldon Canal, built in 1778 to carry limestone from the Peak District to the Potteries. On a week’s break from Stoke on Trent, you can make a round trip to the small village of Froghall, snaking through the picturesque Churnet Valley. Among the hills, hedgerows and drystone walls, you’ll discover vestiges of our industrial past, with mills, tunnels and aqueducts dotted along the route. In all, the 34-mile trip takes approximately 22 hours, going through 34 locks.
Drifters work closely with us here at the Trust to promote the enjoyment of canal holidays, offering over 500 boats for hire from 40 locations across the country. Tuition is included in all Drifters holiday packages, so whether you’re a novice or a seasoned boater, there are plenty of incredible canals to explore this autumn.
