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Best Autumn Breaks UK : Top 15 Getaways for Stunning Fall Adventures

With a choice of nine fascinating destinations across England, Scotland and Wales, Black Prince offers some lovely canal side destinations for an autumn break in the UK.   A narrowboat holiday gives you access to plenty of new places to visit, as long as providing a relaxing getaway at a great time of year.

All Black Prince canal boats are fully equipped with the essential mod cons, including central heating and hot water.  The central heating can be put on at any time, including when the engine is off and you’ll soon find that your floating accommodation becomes snug very quickly.

Comfortable, sprung beds are fully made up on arrival, with duvets and pillows being provided.  If you’re settling in for the evening then enjoy a meal prepared in your fully equipped kitchenette and relax in front of the TV.

Think of an autumn escape as prolonging your summer, but at a much quieter time of year.   It’s a great time to discover somewhere new so here are our top ideas for the best autumn breaks in the UK.

Couple in bedroom Black Prince boats

1) A rejuvenating autumn trip to Bath

After a hectic and hot summer, the autumn can be a perfect time to unwind and enjoy some pamper time.   Head to the most famous pamper site of them all, the 2,000 year old Roman Baths, filled with ancient mystical artifacts and thermal water that still steams today.   You can’t relax in the main Roman bath attraction of course, but you could head to the natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa?  Find out more here: www.thermaebathspa.com.

When you’ve soaked up the history at the Baths, then head to the magnificent Royal Crescent, The Circus, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey and see those entire picture-perfect postcard attractions in Bath come to life.

You can visit Bath from our canal boat base at Bradford-Upon-Avon.

bath uk

2) Autumn Walks

There’s no better time to witness the warm, colourful hues of the surrounding landscape and enjoy the sensations of walking through the countryside, crunching autumn leaves underfoot.

UK autumn breaks are great for a bit of foraging, whether it be berries, fruit or mushrooms for the more experienced forager.  Plus keep an eye out for the woodland animals and canal side wildlife preparing themselves for the long winter ahead.

A narrowboat holiday is also perfect for our furry friends.  Bring along the family pet and enjoy the benefits of dog-friendly holiday with plenty of walks and adventure thrown in.

Try an autumn canal boat cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal from our hire base in Bradford-on-Avon. 

Canal boating Kennet and Avon

3) Photography Trips

Photographers always rave about the colours of the natural environment during the autumn period.  This is a great time to practice those photography skills, with the trees turning golden brown and the autumnal light perfect for capturing great shots.

Autumn in the UK is all about colour.  Take some time to photograph all the different colours of the leaves as they transition from the summer greens to the autumn browns.   Try taking your photos early in the morning or early evening to get the best light – the ‘golden hours’ of photography, where the rising and setting of the sun adds an extra golden bit of magic to your shots.

Plenty of routes with Black Prince will see you immersed in nature.  If wildlife photography is your passion, then head to places like the Fens, where the wildlife, together with the autumn hues can make for some spectacular shots.

You can visit the Fens from our Ely base in Cambridgeshire.

Wild Konik Ponies On The Banks Of Burwell Lode Waterway

4) A Cultural Trip

If you fancy a bit of culture at a time that much quieter than the peak season months of July and August, then Stratford on Avon is a beautiful place to visit on your UK autumn break.

From our canal boat base at Stoke Prior in Worcestershire, you can cruise the Worcester and Birmingham Canal onto the Stratford Canal down to one of the UK’s most important cultural areas, mainly celebrated as the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare.

Stratford is home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as well as The Shakespeare Birthplace, the site of Shakespeare’s family home in Stratford-upon-Avon for the last 19 years of his adult life.

Just before Stratford, the canal passes through the tiny village of Wilmcote, where you can stop and visit Mary Arden’s house. The historic half-timbered Tudor farmhouse was home to Shakespeare’s mother before she was married.

Visit Stratford upon Avon from our canal base at Stoke Prior.

Shakespeare Stratford Upon Avon

5)  History coming alive

Another, perhaps less well-known, attraction is Bosworth Battlefield, which is the scene of the dramatic Battle of Bosworth which took place on Monday 22nd August 1485, marking a major turning point in English history.

You can reach the Bosworth Battlefield from our Clifton base in Northamptonshire. Cruise along the Ashby Canal to visit this fascinating heritage centre and discover more about the Battle of 1485 where Richard III fought for his crown and lost his life, and Henry Tudor became King!

With interactive, hands-on displays and a range of activities, including guided walks, you can find out about medieval warfare, how the battle unfolded and the impact of the new and powerful Tudor dynasty.

Visit the Battle of Bosworth Heritage Centre from our Napton base

6)  Scare yourself silly at Halloween

Victorian waterways are filled with tales of terrible ghouls and ghosts

For a Halloween holiday with an authentic eerie atmosphere try a canal-boat break on the UK’s waterways, many of which were constructed during the Victorian era and echo with stories – some based in truth, some fanciful – of gruesome ghosts and ghouls.

For example, Church Eaton on the Shropshire Union Canal in Staffordshire is allegedly home to the ghost of an American pilot.   This pilot was drowned during the Second World War and continues to haunt the Shropshire Union Canal at the scene of his crash near to the hamlet of Little Onn, which was home to an RAF airbase during the forties.

You can read more about ghosts and gouls on our waterways here.

October holidays

7) October half-term holidays

Obviously with the children off school, the half-term break is a great time for a family canal boat holiday. Whether you’re travelling with your own kids or perhaps with the grandchildren, a boating holiday with Black Prince has often been quoted as the ideal holiday for family bonding, and makes for one of the best UK autumn breaks.

Half term holidays on the waterways are a great chance for kids to re-charge their batteries in a way that gets them outside rather than in the stuffy classroom.   Great big doses of fresh air whilst walking or cycling the towpaths are the perfect antidote to studious learning.

And of course it’s not all physical outdoor activity; each day brings a new vista along the waterways which presents oodles of new experiences to be discovered. The canal network is a history lesson in itself as you cruise through many historic towns and cities which provide a fascinating insight to the development of the modern world.

If you haven’t tried a canal boat holiday before then imagine how the children would love the adventure of learning how everything on a narrowboat works, from steering the boat to working the locks, navigating the tunnels and chatting to fellow boating enthusiasts as you cruise by.

Get more ideas on half term holidays from our blog here.

Family narrowboat adventure

8) New to Narrowboating

The autumn can be a perfect time to try narrowboating if you are new to this type of holiday.  The waterways will be much quieter than the busier times of June, July and August, and there tends to be a much more relaxed pace of life to be enjoyed. A UK autumn break is perfect for couples or holidaying with friends.

Read our ‘new to narrowboating‘ section for top tips if you are considering a narrowboat holiday in the UK for the first time.

autumn holidays

9) Autumn Antique Hunting

A popular early autumn cruise is along the Kennet and Avon Canal, through the pretty villages of Wilcot, Pewsey, Crofton to the fascinating town of Hungerford. It is a lovely countryside route, particularly pretty in the autumn, with the changing colours.

Hungerford is a picturesque market town, renowned for its thriving antiques trade, so a great place to pick up something special (as long as you can fit it in the narrowboat!). Hungerford also has lots of lovely little boutique shops, cozy pubs, and great restaurants, perfect for cosy autumn evenings by the fireside.

This is an active route, with quite a few locks to contend with at the start and end of the week, including the famous Caen Hill flight of locks.

antique shop

10) Warwick Castle visit

Another popular autumn half term holiday idea is our Canal and Castle cruise. Starting from our narrowboat hire base at Napton in Warwickshire you’ll head north to the Grand Union Canal which takes you into the heart of Warwick. Warwick Castle is located within an easy walk of the canal, and it’s a great day out for families with children or just as adults.

Warwick Castle is a historic fortress with over 1,100 years of history. Originally built as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle by William the Conqueror in 1068, it was later rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, offering a mix of historical, educational, and entertainment experiences. Highlights include the interactive exhibits such as the “Kingmaker” experience and live shows like falconry displays and jousting. It’s a great day out!

You can enjoy an autumn cruise to Warwick from our Napton hire base in Warwickshire.

warwickshire canal cruise

11) Short break to Lymm, Cheshire

This lovely countryside cruise is perfect for an autumn short break. You’ll navigate the wide open Bridgewater Canal  through the woodland and farmland of Cheshire to Lymm. This picturesque Cheshire village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1066 and is a lovely place for a walk, with plenty of restaurants and pubs for a cosy meal in.

On a four-night break we recommend heading just past Lymm and enjoy a stroll around Dunham Massey. This dog-friendly National Trust property has huge parklands with herds of deer, some quite tame, plus the famous plantsman’s gardens at which to marvel. The colours during the autumn will be gorgeous, don’t forget your camera!

You can enjoy an autumn cruise to Lymm from our Acton Bridge hire base in Cheshire.

12) Northern lights in Scotland

Always wanted to see the northern lights? In the UK, one of the best places to try and see this amazing phenomenon is in Scotland between September and March, over the winter months. If you’re looking for an autumn cruise with a bit of drama, then head to our base in Falkirk, in the Scottish midlands and moor overnight in the quiet countryside. The conditions need to be right – clear skies and increased solar activity – but at the very least, you’ll experience a beautiful night sky.

You can enjoy an short break autumn cruise to Ratho from our Falkirk hire base in Scotland.

northern lights scotland

13) Medieval Chester

A lovely one week autumn break with a very manageable six hours per day cruising time is the Chester return trip from our base in Cheshire. This famous medieval city is steeped in history and a fascinating place to visit – both for sight-seeing and for a spot of retail therapy. It was one of the last towns to fall to the Norman Conquest, and dates back to the year 79, when it was established as a Roman fort. The city has some of the best-preserved Grade I listed walls in the UK, a gothic design Town Hall and a Norman cathedral.

You can enjoy an short break autumn cruise to Chester from our Acton Bridge hire base in Cheshire.

Chester city

14) Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Enjoy a short break or longer autumn break over the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to the town of Llangollen. This holiday from the Black Prince Chirk Hire Base goes along the whole length of the very pretty Llangollen Canal, which crosses the border between Shropshire in England and north Wales. Llangollen boat trips suit those looking for a stunningly picturesque route on the Llangollen canal – but you’ll need a head for heights when crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct!

You can enjoy an short break autumn cruise to Llangollen from our Chirk hire base in Wales.

pontcysyllte aqueduct, Wales

15) City break to Cambridge

And lastly but by no means least, a short break to Cambridge is a perfect autumn getaway. This is a three-day canal boat holiday from Ely to Wicken Fen and Cambridge is a lovely route for those keen on both wildlife spotting and visiting historic sights. In Cambridge, you can visit one of the eight museums or attend the Cambridge Literary Festival which takes place each September. Plus you can enjoy the full colours of autumn cruising along the beautiful River Cam.

You can enjoy an short break autumn cruise to Cambridge from our Ely hire base in Cambridgeshire.

River Cam Cambridge