The Best Attractions on the Southern England Waterways 2026

moorings10

Southern England has a rich network of historic waterways that have shaped its landscape, economy, and culture for centuries. This includes the iconic River Thames, a vital commercial artery since Roman times, and the Kennet and Avon Canal, completed in 1810, connecting the Thames at Reading to the Bristol Channel through picturesque countryside and historic towns like Bath. Other significant waterways include the River Medway in Kent, the Hampshire Avon in Salisbury, and the Wey Navigation in Surrey, one of Britain's oldest artificial waterways from 1653.

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.

Filters:

Canal Pub

#1 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

The Two Boats Inn

Long Itchington

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#2 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Lazy Days Day Boat Hire

The Boatyard, High St, Weedon Bec, Weedon NN7 4QD.

Skippered Boat Trips

#3 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Basingstoke Canal Society – Odiham

Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham, Hook RG29 1DH

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#4 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Farncombe Boat House Day Hire

Catteshall Rd, Godalming GU7 1NH.

Canal Pub

#5 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

The White Hart, South Kilworth

Bridge 37 Leicester Section, 1 mile to South Kilworth

3.8

Canal Pub and Museums

#6 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Millers House Cafe

Three Mill Ln, London E3 3DU, United Kingdom

0.0

Skippered Boat Trips

#7 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Tooley Boatyard

Spiceball Park Rd, Banbury OX16 2PQ

0.0

Castle

#8 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Tower of London

London EC3N 4AB.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#9 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Chertsey Meads Marine Boat Hire

Meads Boatyard, The Meads, Chertsey KT16 8LN.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#10 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Union Canal Carriers Ltd

Dark Ln, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ.

Skippered Boat Trips

#11 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Electric Barge

Grand Union Canal adj, Sheldon Square, London W2 6NA.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#12 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Fox Narrowboats Dayhire

10 Marina Dr, March PE15 0AU.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#13 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Honeystreet Boats

Mill, Honey Street, Pewsey SN9 5PS.

Day Boat Hire

#14 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Inland Navigators

Canna Mead Weedon Lane, Dodford, Northampton NN7 4TA.

Castle

#15 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Little Wittenham Fort

Little Wittenham, Didcot OX14 4QZ.

0.0

Skippered Boat Trips

#16 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

The Pirate Castle

The Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf, Oval Rd, London NW1 7EA.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#17 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Narrowboat Day Hire Ltd

Cowroast Marina Cowroast, Tring Hertfordshire HP23 5RE

0.0

Skippered Boat Trips

#18 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Bruce Trust

Great Bedwyn Wharf, Brook Street, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, SN8 3PB

0.0

Day Boat Hire and Skippered Boat Trips

#19 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Lee & Stort Boat Co. Ltd

Ware Priory, Town Quay, High St, Ware SG12 9AL.

0.0

Day Boat Hire

#20 Rated Attraction on the Southern England Waterways

Cambridge Narrowboats

36 Lovell Rd, Cambridge CB4 2QR.

0.0