The Best Canal Trips on the UK Waterways 2026

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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.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#41 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Ripon Scenic Cruises

Canal Wharf, 12 Bondgate Grn, Ripon HG4 1AQ.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#42 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Lancashire Canal Cruises

48 Crabtree Ln, Burscough, Ormskirk L40 0RN

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Day Boat Hire and Skippered Boat Trips

#43 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Broads Tours

The Bridge, Wroxham, Norfolk, England, NR12 8RX

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Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres

#44 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Cotswold Canals Trust Wallbridge

Ebley Mill GL5 4UB

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Museums, Park and Skippered Boat Trips

#45 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park

Furnace Lane, Moira, Swadlincote DE12 6AT.

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Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips

#46 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

BMK Waterway Trust Electra

Campbell Wharf, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 4BG

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Skippered Boat Trips

#47 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Norfolk Wherry Trust

Forsythe Wherry Yard, Horsefen Rd, Ludham NR29 5QG

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Skippered Boat Trips

Norfolk Wherry Trust – Stalham

The Poor's, Staithe Rd, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9DA.

Skippered Boat Trips

#49 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Copper Quay

Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#50 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Accessible Boating

Galleon Marine Boatyard, Colt Hill, Odiham RG29 1AL.

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Museums and Skippered Boat Trips

Museum of the Broads

The Poor's, Staithe Rd, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9DA

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Skippered Boat Trips

#52 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Norfolk Wherry Trust – Cantley

Station Road, Cantley, Norfolk, NR13 3SH

Skippered Boat Trips

#53 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Jason’s Trips

Opposite, 42 Blomfield Rd, London W9 2PF.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#54 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Linlithgow Canal Centre

Manse Road Basin, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 6AJ

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Day Boat Hire

#55 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

CanalAbility

Lock View, Burntmill Ln, Harlow CM20 2QS.

Day Boat Hire

#56 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Barnes Brinkcraft Day Boat Hire

The Rhond, Hoveton, Norwich NR12 8UE.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#57 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Brindley Cruises

Narrow Boat Bosworth Lady, The Water's Edge, Brindley Pl, Birmingham B1 2JB.

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Skippered Boat Trips

#58 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Norfolk Wherry Trust – Oulton

Bridge Rd, Lowestoft.

Cafe and Day Boat Hire

#59 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Martham Ferry Day Boat Hire

Riverside, Martham, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RG.

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Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres

#60 Rated Canal Trips on the UK Waterways

Roundhouse

The Roundhouse, 1 Sheepcote St, Birmingham, B16 8AE

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