How to choose your Route
There are literally hundreds of routes to choose from, and this can be a bit daunting so we have put together some suggested routes with details of how long they take, how many locks there are, and what there is to see and do, with suggested stops which are usually near a pub or town!
Week cruise, short Break cruise, city cruise, ring- a circular route, lock free, rural, popular, long, lots of locks, points of interest, routes for kids
This can be based on how far you have to drive your car to get there, or which marina is closest to an airport or train station. See also directions to the marina under locations. It can also be based on which route you want to do.
Do you want lots to see and do along the way, or have a lot of locks to keep everyone busy, or a few locks if you don't want to do anything too strenuous. Do you want a few towns to visit along the way, or something very rural to get away from it all!!
If you know what you're looking for, try our route search.
On your holiday if you do a route that we don't show, we would love to know as we can add it to the list!
One of our most requested canals is the Kennet and Avon which meanders it way for 86 miles linking the River Thames at Reading to the Bristol Avon. You can cruise the entire length of the beautiful Kennet and Avon Canal from Aldermaston via the picturesque market town of Newbury and then on to Hungerford.
Avon ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Bath and Aqueducts and River Avon from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Springwood Haven Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the wonderful Tardebigge locks from Dunhampstead Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Brecon and return from Goytre through the Brecon Beacons (4 nights holiday)
Bristol and return from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Cadbury World from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Caldon Canal and Froghall basin from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Canal Gems Harecastle Tunnel and Anderton boat lift from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Anderton (7 nights holiday)
Chester and return from Nantwich (3 nights holiday)
Chester and return from Wrenbury 4 nights (4 nights holiday)
Cotswolds including Tewkesbury and Pershore and Evesham from Dunhampstead Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Cotswolds towns and villages from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester Ring from North Kilworth (14 nights holiday)
A short break is a perfect introduction to a UK Canal Boating Holiday. Whether you are looking for a romantic break for two or a stag night or hen party for 12 a short break on a canal boat is a perfect choice.
Anderton Boat Lift from Nantwich marina (4 nights holiday)
Apsley Paper Mills from Middx (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Ashby Canal and Battlefields from Springwood Haven Marina (4 nights holiday)
Audlem along the tranquil Shropshire Union Canal from Wrenbury (3 nights holiday)
Batchworth and rural Grand Union Canal cruise from Middx (3 nights holiday)
Bath and Aqueducts and River Avon from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Beeston and return from Anderton (4 nights holiday)
Berkshire countryside from Aldermaston (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham, Cadbury World, The Sea Life Centre, Gas Street Basin, The Bullring from Lyons Boatyard (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham Star City Tamworth SnowDome and Drayton Manor Theme Park from Tamworth (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Braunston and return from Gayton (3 nights holiday)
The canals and rivers in the UK offer over 2,000 miles of waterways to explore so on a 7 night UK Canal Boating Holiday you can cover a lot more ground and extend your cruising possibilities.
Alton Towers and Caldon Canal from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Whitchurch from Blackwater (7 nights holiday)
Aylesbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Banbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Bath and the Vale of Pewsey from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Springwood Haven Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the Black Country Museum from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the wonderful Tardebigge locks from Dunhampstead Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Stourport on Severn (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch via Black Country Museum (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum in Birmingham from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Black County Ring from Alvechurch in 7 days (7 nights holiday)
UK Canal Boating Holiday guests lucky enough to be able to take a three week holiday or longer will be able to have a holiday of contrasts, taken at a really slow pace. The cruising will be diverse and the variety of places to visit endless. Meander through the countryside and moor up in exciting cities, navigate both wide and narrow canals and experience river cruising.
Avon ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Lyons Boat Yard (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Stourport on Severn (10 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Worcester (10 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Bingley and return from Anderton (14 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Bradford on Avon and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Caldon Canal from Kings Orchard Marina (10 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Anderton (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire Ring from Middlewich (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Whitchurch (11 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Wrenbury (10 nights holiday)
Devizes and return from Aldermaston (10 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester ring from Gayton (14 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester Ring from North Kilworth (14 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester Ring from North Kilworth Marina (14 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester Ring from Springwood Haven Marina (14 nights holiday)
When cruising a ring you can enjoy the very best that our canals and rivers have to offer. A circuit combines city centres locations with tranquil countryside and canal side villages with world heritage sites and family attractions. A ring or circuit means you will see something new each day.
Avon Ring from Lyons Boat Yard (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Stourport on Severn (10 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Worcester (10 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch via Black Country Museum (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Black County Ring from Alvechurch in 7 days (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Anderton (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Blackwater (14 nights holiday)
Cheshire Ring from Middlewich (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Whitchurch (11 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Wrenbury (10 nights holiday)
Droitwich Ring from Dunhampstead Wharf (3 nights holiday)
Droitwich Ring from Stourport (4 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester ring from Gayton (14 nights holiday)
East Midlands or Leicester Ring from North Kilworth (14 nights holiday)
If you are looking for an easy lock free cruise, that leads you through some of Britain's finest industrial architecture, choose the Alvechurch to Birmingham route. Explore Gas street basin with it's wealth of cosmopolitan restaurants or Brindley place for it's waterside pubs. Visit the Sea Life Centre and the Jewellery Quarter or shop at the famous Bull Ring Market.
Bath and return from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Bath and the breathtaking Caen Locks (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Springwood Haven Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the Black Country Museum from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Stourport on Severn (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch via Black Country Museum (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham Star City Tamworth SnowDome and Drayton Manor Theme Park from Tamworth (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Ring from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Bristol and return from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
If you want a rural cruise start your UK Canal Boating Holiday from Union Wharf and journey through the Foxton Locks to Stoke Bruerne. This is a tranquil route through rolling countryside. Pass through Weedon, well known for its antique shops and with a number of good pubs. There are also three tunnels to pass through the Husbands Bosworth, Crick and Blisworth.
Anderton Boat Lift from Nantwich marina (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Whitchurch from Blackwater (7 nights holiday)
Ashby Canal and Battlefields from Springwood Haven Marina (4 nights holiday)
Audlem along the tranquil Shropshire Union Canal from Wrenbury (3 nights holiday)
Aylesbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Bath and the Vale of Pewsey from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Beeston and return from Anderton (4 nights holiday)
Bradford on Avon and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Braunston and return from Gayton (3 nights holiday)
Brecon and return from Goytre through the Brecon Beacons (4 nights holiday)
Brewood and return from Nantwich (7 nights holiday)
Burton upon Trent from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Caen and return from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Caldon Canal from Middlewich (7 nights holiday)
Chirk and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Congleton and the Macclesfield Canal from Anderton (7 nights holiday)
Coventry and Braunston from Springwood Haven marina (7 nights holiday)
If you are looking for an easy lock free cruise, that leads you through some of Britain's finest industrial architecture, choose the Alvechurch to Birmingham route. Explore Gas street basin with it's wealth of cosmopolitan restaurants or Brindley place for it's waterside pubs. Visit the Sea Life Centre and the Jewellery Quarter or shop at the famous Bull Ring Market.
Birmingham, Cadbury World, The Sea Life Centre, Gas Street Basin, The Bullring from Lyons Boatyard (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Cadbury World from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Coventry Cathedral and Museum of British Transport from Springwood Haven marina (3 nights holiday)
Drayton Manor Theme park and Tamworths Snow Dome from Kings Orchard Marina (3 nights holiday)
Ellesmere and return from Whitchurch (3 nights holiday)
Glasgow and return from Falkirk (3 nights holiday)
Gloucester and Cotswolds towns along River Severn from Stourport (7 nights holiday)
Lapworth Flight from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Llangynidr and return from Goytre (3 nights holiday)
Market Bosworth and the tranquil Ashby Canal and the Medieval battlefields Visitor Centre at Bosworth (3 nights holiday)
Sharpness and Return from Stourport on Severn (7 nights holiday)
Whitchurch and return from Blackwater Marina (3 nights holiday)
If you would like to try a lock or two, and after your first one you will be an expert, choose the route from Rugby to Coventry and return. The route only has two locks each way and is ideal to give you an insight of how they operate. Maybe next time you will choose Worcester and navigate your way through the Tardibigge Locks, which are one of the longest flights on the canal system.
Apsley Paper Mills from Middx (4 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Lyons Boat Yard (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Stourport on Severn (10 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Worcester (10 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Bingley and return from Anderton (14 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Springwood Haven Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the wonderful Tardebigge locks from Dunhampstead Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Stourport on Severn (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum in Birmingham from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Bradford on Avon and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Caldon Canal from Middlewich (7 nights holiday)
Canal Gems Harecastle Tunnel and Anderton boat lift from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Blackwater (14 nights holiday)
Cheshire Ring from Middlewich (7 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Whitchurch (11 nights holiday)
Cheshire ring from Wrenbury (10 nights holiday)
The following routes contain a few locks. These are ideal for novices or people who do not want to do too may locks.
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Whitchurch from Blackwater (7 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Brecon and return from Goytre through the Brecon Beacons (4 nights holiday)
Bristol and return from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Chester and return from Nantwich (3 nights holiday)
Coventry and Braunston from Springwood Haven marina (7 nights holiday)
Coventry and return from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Edinburgh and return from Falkirk (4 nights holiday)
Ely from March through the Fens (4 nights holiday)
Gailey Staffordshire countryside (3 nights holiday)
Glasgow Bowling and return from Falkirk (7 nights holiday)
Glasgow Edinburgh and return from Falkirk (7 nights holiday)
Gloucester from Worcester marina (4 nights holiday)
Gnosall and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Great Hayward and Shugborough Hall from Kings Orchard Marina (3 nights holiday)
Great Haywood and Shugborough Hall from Stone (3 nights holiday)
Huntingdon through the Fens from March (7 nights holiday)
We have lots of cruising routes that are suitable for keeping the kids entertained. We have theme parks, castles, museums and much more....
Alton Towers from Anderton marina (10 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aylesbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Springwood Haven Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the Black Country Museum from Kings Orchard Marina (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and the wonderful Tardebigge locks from Dunhampstead Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Birmingham from Hinksford Wharf (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham mini ring from Alvechurch via Black Country Museum (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham Star City Tamworth SnowDome and Drayton Manor Theme Park from Tamworth (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum from Alvechurch (4 nights holiday)
Black Country Museum in Birmingham from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Bristol and return from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Find things to do whilst on your stag or hen party.
Birmingham cruise from Alvechurch (3 nights holiday)
Black Country ring from Gailey (7 nights holiday)
Coventry Cathedral and Museum of British Transport from Springwood Haven marina (3 nights holiday)
Drayton Manor Theme park and Tamworths Snow Dome from Kings Orchard Marina (3 nights holiday)
Glasgow and return from Falkirk (3 nights holiday)
Manchester and return from Anderton (4 nights holiday)
Milton Keynes and return from Gayton (3 nights holiday)
Newbury and return from Aldermaston (3 nights holiday)
Reading and return from Aldermaston (3 nights holiday)
Timperley and return from Anderton (3 nights holiday)
Worcester from Stourport on Severn (3 nights holiday)
Featuring the Bridgewater Canal, the first canal to be built, the Cheshire Ring takes you on a wonderful journey of discovery. Navigate the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood Junction and join the Trent and Mersey Canal heading north towards the Potteries and Peak District. Moor at Castlefields to explore the city of Manchester, including Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C., the huge Arndale shopping centre and the Science and Industry Museum
Alton Towers from Anderton marina (10 nights holiday)
Anderton Boat Lift and the River Weaver from Middlewich (3 nights holiday)
Anderton Boat Lift from Nantwich marina (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Whitchurch from Blackwater (7 nights holiday)
Ashby Canal and Battlefields from Springwood Haven Marina (4 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Lyons Boat Yard (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Stourport on Severn (10 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Worcester (10 nights holiday)
Aylesbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Banbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Bath and the breathtaking Caen Locks (4 nights holiday)
Bath and the Vale of Pewsey from Hilperton (7 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Gailey (4 nights holiday)
Birmingham and return from Worcester (7 nights holiday)
We have many UK Canal Boating locations throughout England, Scotland and Wales which means that there are many unique routes to choose from. This is ideal for our guests who ask for different requirements from their canal boat holiday.
Alton Towers and Caldon Canal from Stone (7 nights holiday)
Alton Towers from Anderton marina (10 nights holiday)
Anderton Boat Lift and the River Weaver from Middlewich (3 nights holiday)
Anderton Boat Lift from Nantwich marina (4 nights holiday)
Apsley Paper Mills from Middx (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Llangollen and return from Blackwater (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and return from Whitchurch (4 nights holiday)
Aqueducts and Whitchurch from Blackwater (7 nights holiday)
Ashby Canal and Battlefields from Springwood Haven Marina (4 nights holiday)
Audlem along the tranquil Shropshire Union Canal from Wrenbury (3 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Alvechurch (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Lyons Boat Yard (10 nights holiday)
Avon Ring from Stourport on Severn (10 nights holiday)
Avon ring from Worcester (10 nights holiday)
Aylesbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Banbury and return from Gayton (7 nights holiday)
Batchworth and rural Grand Union Canal cruise from Middx (3 nights holiday)
Bath and Aqueducts and River Avon from Hilperton (3 nights holiday)
Bath and return from Aldermaston (14 nights holiday)