Day boat hire on Britain’s peaceful network of inland waterways is a great way to explore the countryside this summer.
Drifters Waterways Holidays (www.drifters.co.uk) offers day boat hire from 16 boat yards across England and Wales, with prices starting from less than £10 per person.
Full tuition is included so those new to canal boating can get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks. Boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle and most day boats also have a toilet, cooker and fridge. So day boat hirers can pack a picnic or plan a stop at a canalside pub along the way.
Here’s a list of Drifters’ day boat hire locations in 2020:
Berkshire
Kennet & Avon Canal at Aldermaston, near Reading – ‘Heyday’ can carry up to 8 people, prices start from £129.
Cheshire
Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury, near Tarporley – ‘Bella’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Trent & Mersey Canal at Anderton, Cheshire – ‘Daydream’ can carry up to 12 people, prices start at £139.
Leicestershire
Grand Union Canal Leicester Line at Market Harborough – ‘Moorhen’ can carry up to 12 people, weekday hire starts at £160, weekends & bank holidays from £210.
Northamptonshire
Grand Union Canal at Braunston – ‘Water Ouzel’ can carry up to 12 people. Weekday prices are £140, £175 for weekends and bank holidays.
Grand Union Canal at Gayton Marina, near Northampton – ‘Day Lark’ can carry up to 12 people, prices start at £129.
Shropshire
Llangollen Canal at Whixall – ‘Julia’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch – ‘Day Tripper’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start from £119.
Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow Marina, near Ellesmere – ‘Lazy Days’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start at £119.
Staffordshire
Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood, near Stafford – ‘Daphne’ and ‘Abi’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Warwickshire
Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, near Stratford upon Avon – ‘Dolly’ and ‘Charlie’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Wiltshire
Kennet & Avon Canal at Hilperton, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire (‘Cheers’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start from £122).
Worcestershire
Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Alvechurch, near Bromsgrove – ‘Away Day’ can carry up to 10 people, prices start at £137.
Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove – ‘Emma’ can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
North Wales
Llangollen Canal at Trevor, near Llangollen, Wrexham (‘Jacob’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Lotty’ can carry up to 10 people each. Weekday hire is £120, £160 weekends and bank holidays.
South Wales
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny – ‘Robin’ and ‘Rooster’ can carry up to eight people, prices start from £137.
For more information about Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk
For more information about visiting the canals go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
