Enjoy a different kind of weekend break in Warwickshire on board a Black Prince canal boat.
Relax whilst cruising to the historic towns of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon on canals including the Grand Union Canal, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, plus the Coventry, the South Oxford and the Ashby Canals in central England.
Recommended Routes For Weekend Breaks
NAPTON BASE, WARWICKSHIRE
From our Napton base in Warwickshire, there are a variety of routes you can take that suit a weekend break and you can cruise for as many hours as you wish, with regular winding holes (turning points) along every route that allows you to turn and head back to base whenever you choose.
Napton to Welford return short break
Locks: 26
Cruising Time: Around 22hrs return
This canal short weekend break will give you either a busy three-day holiday or a more relaxed four-day journey. You can of course travel the waterway at your own pace; there are plenty of winding holes / turning places along the route, allowing you the opportunity to head back at a point to suit you.
You’ll cruise through the beautiful canal centre of Braunston on the Grand Union Canal until you reach the Leicester arm which branches off to Welford. It’s open English countryside at its best, with plenty of opportunities for spotting birds and wildlife in general as you pass rural spaces and country houses.
You’ll negotiate the seven Watford Locks to the “Leicester Summit” to Crick and then along a long stretch of quiet countryside waterway to Welford.
Mini Breaks to Remember in Warwickshire
A truly memorable weekend short break in Shakespeare’s country of Warwickshire starts from our narrowboat hire base in Napton and from here you can explore various canals, including the Grand Union Canal, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. the Coventry Canal and the South Oxford Canal.
The most frequent feedback we have from our guests is that this type of holiday is so different, that it becomes one of the most memorable holidays they have ever experienced.
For lovers of the outdoors, canal boat holidays in Warwickshire offer not just stunning scenery, but also the opportunity for some lovely walks and cycling, visits to pubs and cafes for afternoon tea, with the miles of pretty towpaths through the rolling countryside. Popular attractions include Warwick Castle and the historic reenactments of War of the Roses, Old Town Warwick, the Horrible Histories Maze, Lord Leycester Hospital and Royal Leamington Spa.
Family Weekend Breaks in Warwickshire
Look no further than Black Prince to experience a fun family break in Warwickshire. You can hire a narrowboat from either Friday afternoon or Saturday and enjoy a long weekend break in the open countryside.
Particularly suited to older children and teenagers, canal boat breaks in Warwickshire offer the opportunity to get fully involved in driving the boat and managing all the fun stuff on this holiday such as opening the locks and mooring up.
Black Prince also offer family activity packs that children can use to get fully immersed into their canal boat break. Find out more about hiring a boat from our base in Warwickshire and get planning your Warwickshire family weekend break!
Spring, Summer and Autumn breaks in Warwickshire
Black Prince offers spring, summer and autumn breaks throughout the year, from mid-March to the end of October. This gives you the chance to appreciate the stunning Warwickshire scenery whatever the season.
Spring and autumn weekend trips tend to be popular for romantic breaks, quieter waterways and lower prices, whilst the summer weekend breaks offer more lively canals with the opportunity to be more social on your holiday! We offer weekend short breaks throughout the main summer season, including July and August.
Dog-friendly Weekend Breaks
What would a quick weekend getaway be without the family pet? Black Prince welcomes up to two dogs on their dog-friendly boats, with the first pet travelling free of charge, so your pooch can be part of the crew. We also accept other family pets – please call us to check what we can accommodate on each short break in Warwickshire.
Don’t forget to take all your normal dog items with you, such as the dog bed, lead, poop bags, toys etc.
You can read more about our pet-friendly boating holidays here.
Last-Minute Weekend Breaks in Warwickshire
We occasionally offer last-minute availability for weekend breaks at our canal boat hire base in Warwickshire.
It’s probably best to call our team directly on 01527 575115 if you would like to book five days before travel so that we can ensure you are booked in and receive all the relevant information that you’ll need before travelling.
Starting days for weekend breaks in Warwickshire are Fridays and Saturdays, with departure times between 2pm and 5pm. Friday departures are for three nights and you are due back to base on Monday morning by 9.30am, Saturday departures are due back Tuesday morning by 9.30am.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go for a weekend break in Warwickshire?
See the sights of Warwick, Stratford upon Avon and Leamington Spa from a completely new vantage point! On a canal boat holiday, you can cruise past these iconic towns, stopping off to visit each one if you fancy it.
Does your narrowboat hire base in Warwickshire offer weekend breaks?
Yes, you can cruise over the weekend from any one of our nine canal boat hire bases across England, Scotland and Wales. Please note that we have both Friday and Saturday departure days.
How many nights is a weekend break?
A weekend break is 3 nights, departing either on a Friday or Saturday (please note that this is dependent on the boats we have available).
Can I travel for just two nights on a weekend?
No, our minimum hire duration is 3 nights.