Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

moorings10

Canal trips have become a popular leisure activity in the UK, offering a relaxing way to explore historic waterways. Day boat hire is available across England, Wales, and Scotland, with no license or experience needed—operators provide basic training. These self-drive adventures are ideal for families, friends, or couples, as narrowboats cruise slowly past countryside, villages, and industrial sites. For a more luxurious option, restaurant and hotel boats serve gourmet meals while gliding along the canals. Major routes include the Kennet and Avon, Oxford, Llangollen, and Caledonian canals, each with unique scenery. Longer holidays are also available, letting guests create their own itineraries and stop at waterside pubs and villages, making canal boating a distinctive and tranquil British holiday.

UK Waterways's Best Canal Trips in 2026

Filters:
Museums, Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#1 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre

Waters Rd, Huddersfield HD7 6NQ.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#2 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Seagull Trust Cruises

Canalside, Baird Rd, Ratho, Newbridge EH28 8RU.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips
#3 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Bridgewater Cruises

Boothstown, Marina, 14 Quayside Cl, Boothstown, Worsley, Manchester M28 1YB.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#4 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Electric Barge

Grand Union Canal adj, Sheldon Square, London W2 6NA.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire
#5 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Fox Narrowboats Dayhire

10 Marina Dr, March PE15 0AU.
0.0
reviews
  • Dog Friendly
Skippered Boat Trips
#6 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

The Pirate Castle

The Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf, Oval Rd, London NW1 7EA.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#7 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

River Stour Trust

The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AN
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#8 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Bruce Trust

Great Bedwyn Wharf, Brook Street, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, SN8 3PB
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire
#9 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Narrowboat Day Hire Ltd

Cowroast Marina Cowroast, Tring Hertfordshire HP23 5RE
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#10 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

River Lee Cruises

Nazeing New Rd, Broxbourne EN10 6TD
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#11 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Accessible Boating

Galleon Marine Boatyard, Colt Hill, Odiham RG29 1AL.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#12 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Waterways Experiences

Nash Mills Recreation Centre, Red Lion Ln, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9TE
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#16 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Seagull Trust Cruises – Falkirk

The Boathouse, South Bantaskine Road, Bantaskine Estate, Falkirk. FK1 5PT
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire
#17 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways
2020/01/place_407_7928.png

CanalAbility

Lock View, Burntmill Ln, Harlow CM20 2QS.
  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#18 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Cotswold Canals Trust Wallbridge

Ebley Mill GL5 4UB
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Cafe, Day Boat Hire, Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips
#19 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Chichester Canal Centre

Canal Wharf, Basin Rd, Chichester PO19 8DT.
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible
Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips
#20 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

BMK Waterway Trust Electra

Campbell Wharf, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 4BG
0.0
reviews
  • Accessible