SHORT BREAKS FROM 9 BASES

Short breaks make an excellent introduction to narrowboating, so if it’s your first time this may be the ideal way to see if its the type of holiday for you. We can recommend some easy routes, with or without locks depending on how adventurous you want to be!

Or if you are seasoned boater then short breaks on the canals are the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new.

Total flexibility

Each of our canal boat bases offer short break options, with varying start dates including a Friday, Saturday, Monday or Tuesday.

Most routes would be return journeys along one stretch of canal, with the same start and finish point.  Check out each of our base pages for suggestions on short breaks, but remember, these are only suggestions.  This type of holiday is totally flexible and you can travel as far or as little as you wish in your time on the boat.

The teams at each of the bases will give you advice on your arrival about how far they would advise you to go depending on how many hours a day you wish to cruise. You’ll be provided with maps on the boat that highlight turning areas (winding holes) and suggestions on the places to moor for the night.

Mini Rings

If you don’t mind a busy short break and you fancy completing a ‘Ring’ (circular route) could try the Mid Worcestershire Ring from our Stoke Prior base, which is doable within a four-night break. The only thing to bear in mind is there can be pressure on a ring to make it back in time, so you have to do a certain amount of travelling time in a day, whereas a return journey could be as long or short a day as you please.

Start dates

Depending on the base you start from, you can generally start a short break from 2.30pm Saturdays, Mondays and Fridays or from 9.30am on Wednesday departures (Chirk and Falkirk only). Boats should be returned and vacated by 9.30am Saturdays, Mondays, Fridays and Tuesdays or 2.30pm on Tuesday return from Chirk or Falkirk