Skippered Boat Trips
River Stour Trust
The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AN
Skippered Boat Trips
#1 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Attractions on the Midland & South Wales Canals
The canals, rivers, and waterways of the Midlands and South Wales played an important role in Britain’s industrial development. Major waterways such as the River Severn and the River Wye were used to transport goods like coal, iron, and timber between towns and ports. During the Industrial Revolution, a network of canals was built to improve trade and travel, including important routes such as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. These waterways connected factories, mines, and cities, helping industries grow and making transport cheaper and more efficient. Today, many of these canals and rivers are used mainly for leisure activities such as boating, fishing, and walking, but they remain an important part of the region’s history and landscape.
Britain’s 4,700 miles of canals and rivers are lined with historic pubs, castles, and engineering marvels. Visitors can enjoy canalside pubs like the Admiral Nelson and The Turf Hotel, explore castles such as Beeston and Chirk, and see attractions like the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Anderton Boat Lift, and National Waterways Museums. Day boat hire is widely available, and guided cruises offer relaxing ways to discover the canals’ heritage and scenery.
Midland & South Wales Canals's Best Attractions in 2026
Museums, Park and Skippered Boat Trips
#2 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Museums, Park and Skippered Boat Trips
Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park
Furnace Lane, Moira, Swadlincote DE12 6AT.
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#3 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
#4 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#5 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
#6 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
#7 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust
Old Abergavenny Rd, Abergavenny NP7 9EW
Skippered Boat Trips
#8 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
Canal & River Tours
Bancroft Gardens, Waterside, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6AT
Canal Pub
#9 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
#10 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#11 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre
Church Ln, Saul, Gloucester GL2 7LA
Canal Pub
#12 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#13 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#14 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub and Hotel
#15 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#16 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#17 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Canal Pub
#18 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
Skippered Boat Trips
Skippered Boat Trips
Sabrina
Victoria House Victoria Quay, Victoria Ave, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury SY1 1HH.
Skippered Boat Trips
#20 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals