Wiltshire is a beautiful part of South West England and a great place for a weekend break, being within easy driving distance of London and other major towns. There are plenty of places to visit such as the World Heritage Site of Avebury, historic sites like Salisbury Cathedral, market towns such as Bradford-on-Avon, Malmesbury and Devizes, picturesque villages such as Lacock, Royal Wootton Bassett and Castle Combe and areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Cranbourne Chase.
Recommended Routes For Weekend Breaks
BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE
From our Bradford on Avon narrowboat hire base in southwest England, you can cruise the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to Bath and Devizes on weekend breaks and holidays.
Bradford on Avon short break to Bath and Devizes
44 miles return
86 locks return
36 hours of cruising
Bath is one of the most famous cities in England, well known for its Roman heritage and spa baths and a popular destination for romantic breaks. Taking about half a day to cruise here, you can enjoy a relaxing cruise when you depart, spend the day in Bath and then take a leisurely cruise back to base.
You can then head east from our narrowboat hire base at Bradford on Avon to the historic town of Devizes. This old market town dates back to the 11th century and is well worth a visit, even on a rainy day.
If you don’t wish to climb the Caen Hill flight you can moor up before Lock 22, Lower Foxhangers Lock and then walk up to Devizes. You can then turn at Foxhangers Marina and cruise back to the base at Bradford-upon-Avon.
Please note that boat hire starts from a Saturday or a Tuesday at this base.
Find out more about this short canal boat break in Wiltshire.
Mini Breaks to Remember in Wiltshire
A weekend short break in Witshire starts from our narrowboat hire base in Bradford on Avon in the heart of England and from here you can discover the famous Kennet & Avon Canal and the historic towns that are situated next to it.
A visit to Bath is always memorable due to the nature of its’ Roman history and a trip on a canal boat to this amazing city will ensure that it’s a holiday you won’t forget!
For lovers of the outdoors, canal boat holidays in Wiltshire offer not just stunning scenery, but also the opportunity for some lovely walks and cycling, with the miles of pretty towpaths through the rolling countryside and chances to visit places like the World Heritage Site of Avebury.
Family Weekend Breaks in Wiltshire
Wiltshire has a lot to offer for a family weekend break. Narrowboating on the Kennet and Avon canal will be a fun adventure that all the family can get stuck into and enjoy.
You can hire a narrowboat from Saturday afternoon and after your full coaching session that all the family can be involved with, you can be on your way, cruising through the Wiltshire countryside.
Particularly suited to older children and teenagers, canal boat breaks in Wiltshire offer the opportunity to get fully involved in driving the boat and managing all the aspects of this type of family break, from casting off in the morning to mooring up for the night.
Many of the weekend break routes offer cruises along the waterways and also managing the locks that you may come across. Opening and closing the lock gates and ensuring smooth passage is just one of the activities that the whole family can be involved in during these short breaks in Wiltshire.
Black Prince also offer family activity packs that children can use to get fully immersed into their canal boat break, which can be used on a Wiltshire family weekend break.
Spring, Summer and Autumn breaks in Wiltshire
Enjoy a short break across many of the popular places to visit in Wiltshire when it suits you, as the Black Prince holiday season runs from mid-March to the end of October each year.
Spring and autumn weekend breaks tend to be popular for 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.
Please note that our narrowboat hire base in Wiltshire has Saturday and Tuesday start dates.
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.
You just need to remember to bring all your normal dog gear with you, such as the dog bed, lead, poop bags, toys etc.
Other pets are also welcome, please call us to confirm if we can cater for your particular pet.
You can read more about our pet-friendly boating holidays here.
Last-Minute Weekend Breaks in Wiltshire
We quite frequently have last-minute breaks available on our boats at our canal boat hire base in Wiltshire.
It’s probably best to call our team directly on 01527 575115 to check late availability as we can take a look at our booking system and let you know what’s available on what date / which boat etc.
Starting days for weekend breaks in Wiltshire are Saturdays, with departure times between 2pm and 5pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go for a weekend break in Wiltshire?
You can choose from many stunning destinations to visit on your weekend break in Wiltshire, perhaps the most famous being the historic city of Bath. This ancient Roman city can be reached from our narrowboat hire base at Bradford on Avon and is a relaxing cruise over the course of a day to reach Bath.
Do all your bases 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 on a Saturday in at our Wiltshire base (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.