canal boat cruise yorkshire

Hebden Bridge Cruises

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Scenic Canal Boat Trips and Dining Cruises in the beautiful Calder Valley

Now offering a taste of Yorkshire platter served throughout the day and for evening dinner cruises at 5 and 7pm

We no longer offer Sunday lunches 

Welcome to Hebden Bridge Cruises

We are closed until the 16th September because we’re off on holidays. Any enquiries will be answered then.

  Stop  the world and get off and come onboard lovely Gracie, a traditional narrowboat.  

Treat yourself to a relaxing and scenic cruise along the Rochdale canal in the heart of the Calder Valley with our all female crew.

Book just for the cruise or enjoy a cream tea, afternoon tea or a taste of Yorkshire platter, as you relish in the tranquillity and beautiful scenery. Spot the multitude of wildlife whilst listening to informative commentary about the fascinating history of the canal, Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas

Everyone loves a party, and you can have yours onboard, from hen and stag parties, to birthdays, or anything else you want to celebrate. For groups over 8 people you have the boat to yourselves. Book in the evening for a 1.5hr cruise through a lock. Longer cruises can be arranged.

Our parties aren’t just for the adults, we do children’s parties too, so if you fancy something different we have various packages available. Please give me a ring or email with your inquiries.

As there’s so much history, wildlife and wonderful scenery we offer educational,  and informative cruises, so children can learn outside of the classroom.  We have a risk assessment in place and I’m also DBS checked.

Alternatively vouchers are available as a wonderful present for those special people in your life

Choose your cruise and book now or buy a voucher

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JUST THE CRUISE

 That’s it! No frills or whistles!

Taste of Yorkshire

Locally sourced charcuterie and cheeses, chutney, bread and crackers served on our evening cruises or throughout the day. Veg and vegan platters available

TEA CRUISES

 Delicious home made scone with fresh cream and strawberry jam along with a pot of Yorkshire Tea served in our vintage china tea service or go for the full monty and have an afternoon tea

CELEBRATION CRUISES

W hy not charter our narrowboat Gracie for that special celebration? Come on one of our scheduled trips or at a time that suits you. Different menus and cruise lengths available.  

UK office hours:

Monday to Sunday: 8am to 8pm (GMT)

Explore Yorkshire on your next Canal Boat Holiday

Misty moors, pretty mill towns and the Bronte Sisters - Yorkshire conjures up many different pictures. From the bustling city of Leeds, to trendy Hebden Bridge and classy York the Yorkshire waterways are also a great way to explore the versatile countryside, villages, towns and cities of “Gods own country”.

No matter if you are looking for a relaxed weekend away from the hustle and bustle of life, a more active route through lots of locks and swing bridges or spectacular views and plenty of pubs - Yorkshire is the perfect place to experience it all. Depending on how many nights you have available, there are a vast amount of routes you can choose from. On a short break you can visit the World Heritage Site of Saltaire and dwell among David Hockney’s world famous art. In one week, you can experience the Bingley 5-Rise first hand, visit pretty Skipton and have a ramble around the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park as part of your cruise. You can even spend longer on your holiday boat and sample Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge or even York on a 10-14 night holiday. No matter how much time you have on hand or what you would like to do whilst being on your holiday boat - the options on a canal boat holiday in Yorkshire are plenty.

Canal Boat Hire Yorkshire - Holiday Routes and information for yorkshire canal boat holidays

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New Dawn - 8 berth widebeam

Starting from leeds, yorkshire.

From £895.00

Damage Deposit: £200

Fuel: Included in price (up to 1 tank)

T&C: Click here

Charlotte - 6 berth narrowboat

From £590.00

Can't find the boat you are looking for? We are online so why not start a live chat or give us a call?

Emily - 4 berth narrowboat

From £585.00

River Dancer - 4 berth narrowboat

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Please Note: We cannot guarantee that any specific route will be available during your canal boat holiday . Closures, for example due to maintenance or water-levels may mean certain routes are not possible.

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Narrowboat Nomad

Canal Holidays in Yorkshire: A Guide to Exploring the Region’s Waterways

Canal holidays in Yorkshire offer a unique and relaxing way to explore the region’s stunning countryside. With over 200 miles of navigable waterways, visitors can travel through picturesque towns and villages, tranquil countryside, and historic landmarks.

The canals of Yorkshire are rich in history, with many dating back to the Industrial Revolution. They were once bustling trade routes, transporting goods such as coal, wool, and textiles. Today, they offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, with narrowboats providing a comfortable and cosy base for exploring the region.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a solo retreat, canal holidays in Yorkshire offer something for everyone. With plenty of opportunities for cycling, walking, and fishing, as well as visiting local pubs and restaurants, a canal holiday is the perfect way to experience the beauty and charm of Yorkshire at a leisurely pace.

Canal Holidays in Yorkshire

Boating experience.

Canal holidays in Yorkshire provide an unforgettable boating experience for all. Whether you are an experienced boater or a first-timer, the narrowboats offer a unique way to explore the waterways of Yorkshire. The boats are easy to handle and come with all the necessary amenities to make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. The crew will provide lock instruction and training to ensure you have a smooth and safe journey.

Routes and Navigation

Yorkshire has a variety of canal routes to choose from, each with its own unique sights and scenery. The Pennine canals offer a journey through the Yorkshire Dales and the Pennines , while the Leeds and Liverpool canal takes you through the heart of Lancashire. One-way trips are also available, allowing you to explore more of the northern waterways. Navigation is made easy with clear signposting and maps provided on board.

Availability and Booking

Canal holidays in Yorkshire are available throughout the year, with short breaks and longer trips available to suit your schedule. Boat hire is available from companies such as Pennine Cruisers and Shire Cruisers , with a range of narrowboats to choose from. Gift vouchers are also available, making it the perfect present for any occasion. To check availability and make a booking, simply visit the company’s website or contact them directly.

Overall, canal holidays in Yorkshire offer a unique way to explore the waterways of the north , with a rich history and stunning scenery to enjoy along the way.

Yorkshire Canals and Waterways

Yorkshire is home to a vast network of canals and waterways that offer scenic and peaceful canal holidays. The region’s waterways are perfect for narrowboat cruises, providing a unique way to explore the beautiful countryside and charming towns of Yorkshire.

Leeds-Liverpool Canal

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is one of the longest canals in the UK, stretching over 127 miles from Leeds to Liverpool. The canal offers a mix of industrial heritage and stunning natural beauty, making it a popular choice for canal holidaymakers. The canal route passes through South Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Pennine Canals.

Pennine Canals

The Pennine Canals are a series of interconnected canals that traverse the Pennine Hills. The canals offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Yorkshire, with stunning views of the rolling countryside and charming towns along the way. The Pennine Canals include the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Rochdale Canal, and the Peak Forest Canal.

The River Aire is a beautiful waterway that runs through the heart of Yorkshire. The river offers a peaceful and scenic route for canal boats, with plenty of sights to see along the way. The river passes through the historic town of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the picturesque village of Gargrave.

Navigating the locks along the canals is an enjoyable experience for both experienced boaters and first-time crews. One-way trips are available, allowing holidaymakers to explore different parts of Yorkshire without having to return to their starting point.

There are plenty of restaurants and pubs along the canal route, offering a chance to sample local cuisine and enjoy the local hospitality. One of the most popular sights along the route is the Bingley Five Rise Locks, a staircase of five locks that raise boats 18 meters in just a quarter of a mile. The Foulridge Tunnel is another notable landmark along the canal, measuring over 1.5 miles in length.

Overall, canal holidays in Yorkshire offer a unique and relaxing way to explore the region’s stunning scenery and historic landmarks. Reviews of the waterways are overwhelmingly positive, with many holidaymakers returning year after year to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the northern waterways.

Boating Holidays in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a beautiful county in the north of England, and one of the best ways to explore its stunning scenery is by taking a boating holiday on its canals. Narrowboats are the ideal vessel for navigating the region’s waterways, and there are numerous routes to choose from.

Short Breaks

Short breaks are a popular option for those who want to experience canal holidays in Yorkshire without committing to a longer journey. These typically last for three or four nights and cover a distance of around 20-30 miles. Popular routes for short breaks include the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which takes in the stunning World Heritage Site of Saltaire, and the Rochdale Canal, which passes through the Pennines.

One Way Trips

For those who want to explore more of the region, one way trips are a great option. These allow you to travel along a canal route in one direction, before returning by train or taxi. Popular one way trips in Yorkshire include the journey from Skipton to Leeds along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which takes in the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks and the Foulridge Tunnel.

Canal Rings

Canal rings are circular routes that allow you to explore a variety of sights and scenery without retracing your steps. The Pennine Ring is one of the most popular canal rings in Yorkshire, taking in the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the Rochdale Canal, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This route covers a distance of around 130 miles and takes approximately one week to complete.

When it comes to boat hire, there are a number of companies to choose from, including Pennine Cruisers and Shire Cruisers. Both offer a range of narrowboats to suit different group sizes and budgets, and experienced boaters will find navigating the canals straightforward thanks to the clear navigation and lock systems.

Availability can be limited during peak periods, so it’s advisable to book your canal holiday in advance. There are plenty of restaurants and pubs along the canal route where you can enjoy a meal or a drink, and the region’s northern waterways offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Reviews from previous canal boating enthusiasts often highlight the beauty of the scenery, the peacefulness of the journey, and the friendliness of the crew. Whether you’re looking for a short break or a longer journey, a canal holiday in Yorkshire is a unique and enjoyable way to explore this stunning part of England.

Yorkshire Villages and Pubs

Skipton and surrounding villages.

Yorkshire is known for its picturesque villages and stunning scenery, and Skipton is no exception. Located in South Yorkshire, Skipton is a popular starting point for canal holidays. From here, experienced boaters can navigate the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which winds its way through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

As you cruise through the countryside, you’ll come across a number of charming villages that are well worth a visit. One such village is Gargrave, which is just a short distance from Skipton. Here, you’ll find a number of traditional pubs and restaurants, serving up hearty Yorkshire fare.

Another village that’s worth a visit is Kildwick, which is home to the historic Fleece Inn. This traditional pub has been serving customers for over 300 years, and is a great place to stop for a pint and some food.

Pubs and Restaurants

When it comes to pubs and restaurants, Yorkshire has plenty to offer. Whether you’re looking for traditional pub grub or something a bit more sophisticated, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.

One popular pub in Skipton is The Woolly Sheep Inn , which is located just a short walk from the canal. This traditional pub serves up a range of real ales and classic pub dishes, such as fish and chips and steak and ale pie.

If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, The Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey is a great choice. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves up modern British cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients.

Overall, Yorkshire is a great destination for canal holidays. With its stunning scenery, charming villages, and great pubs and restaurants, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice among boaters.

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Mooring in Skipton and luxury interiors of Blue Otter Skipton

Famous for being the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, from your starting point in Skipton you can go east to Leeds or west to Liverpool and discover England’s canal heritage against a backdrop of rolling hills.

Explore Yorkshire and Lancashire from England’s longest water highway, at 128 miles the Leeds Liverpool Canal takes in some of the most beautiful countryside of all canals. Discover historic sites, award-winning pubs and restaurants, with the option to moor up and hop back on to dry land for a hike along well-known pathways such as the Pennine Way at Gargrave. Our short break canal holidays begin in the market town of Skipton, home to one of England’s best preserved medieval castles.

Alternatively to the west of Skipton in the direction of Liverpool. This stetch of the canal takes in stunning scenery, picturesque villages, through valleys and the unique double bridge at West Marten, as well as Foulridge Tunnel. Sections of this route were also used in the latest filming of All Creatures Great and Small.

Blue Otter Skipton comfortably accommodates 2 adults. Fitted out with a main bedroom (queen-sized bed with a king-sized duvet), bathroom with a hot-water shower and an open plan kitchen with two chairs in the lounge, you can meander along the canals in style. Within minutes on board you’ll enjoy a charming narrowboating experience. How far you go depends on how often and how long you wish to stop. You decide the route and the pace to go as far as Leeds or stay as near as you wish to Skipton during your time on board.

If you haven’t been boating before, on the first day we’ll go with you through the first swing bridges, locks, show you how to moor up and navigate the canals until you feel at ease to enjoy the rest of your time on board in full command.

Skipton is easily accessible by road and the train station is just 40 minutes from Leeds. Buses are also available to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the filming home for the new series of All Creatures Great and Small.

Blue Otter Skipton [email protected] Tel: 07435 306950

50 ft | 1 bedroom with double bed | Suitable for 2 passengers

(Pets accepted on request, please email [email protected] before booking)

Full Week Routes

7 nights – Leeds and return: 60 miles, 58 locks The emergence of Leeds as an industrial powerhouse was one of the reasons for the creation of the Leeds-Liverpool canal. A week’s cruising will take you through tranquil woodlands and picturesque villages, such the 17th century village of Kildwick, past historic sights such as National Trust Riddlesden Hall, the UNESCO Heritage Site of Saltaire and down engineering masterpieces such as Bingley Five Rise Locks. The descent into Leeds is green and scenic, dispelling all preconceived notions of an industrialised landscape, to suddenly arrive in the centre of the city behind the main train station. The city centre visitor moorings at the wharf allow for 2 nights complimentary stay before making your way back to Skipton.

7 nights – Burnley and return: 74 miles, 60 locks  From the market town of Skipton cruise  across the Pennines and over the highest point of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal near Barnoldswick. Just past here, a cow named Buttercup is reported to have floated through Foulridge Tunnel in 1912 and was revived with rum at the other side. The scenery becomes more industrial with the town of Nelson being followed by Burnley and its old waterside buildings. The historic Weaver’s Triangle museum and mooring in the city centre has recently been renovated, as has much of Burnley’s pedestrian area. One hour cruising past Burnley is a beautiful countryside mooring spot for the night before turning around and cruising back to Skipton.

7 nights – Bingley and Foulridge: 68 miles, 52 locks This route takes in the two iconic parts of the canal with contrasting views of woodlands and wide open countryside, dotted with points of interest along the way. From the market town of Skipton in the direction of Leeds, the canals are flanked with woodlands taking you to the Bingley Five Rise, a staircase of five locks lowering you 60 feet down the Aire valley. Visit the model village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to it’s founder in Victorian times,  Sir Titus Salt, designed to improve the live of his mill workers. Today the mill is a gallery and art space, home to a permanent David Hockney exhibition. Return past Skipton and then cruise into the rural Yorkshire Dales countryside to Foulridge – perhaps venture through the tunnel

Short Break Routes

Travelling west from skipton direction liverpool .

5 nights – Skipton to Barrowford and return – 24 hours and 30 locks and 2 tunnels

Travelling East from Skipton direction  Leeds

5 nights – Skipton to Saltaire and return – 18 hours and 20 locks (including Bingley Five Rise)

Take a short video journey with our German guests on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal with Blue Otter Skipton.

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10/11 nights Hebden Bridge

Leeds and liverpool canal & the calder and hebble navigation, the perfect destination for canal boat holidays in yorkshire.

Leeds to Hebden Bridge (return) can be completed in 10 days. This is based on between 7 and 9-hour days of summer light. The time scales here are just to show a guide of what can be found on the route.

1 day – Leaving Leeds

Leaving the mill in the distance heading south down the Leeds and Liverpool Canal you have 2 locks before you enter Granary Wharf (that those from Leeds would say is the START of the canal, the longest in the country). Granary Wharf has had some major yet sympathetic development and is now home to numerous restaurants, bars and pubs (all of which would have my recommendation) as well as being very literally a stone’s throw from the train station and the rest of the city.

Leaving Granary Wharf through River Lock you embark on a journey down the river Aire, the start of the still commercially active, Aire and Calder navigation. This takes you through the heart of the city, past Calls Landing and Brewery Wharf, to Clarence Dock (now Leeds Dock but once known as Tatty Basin due to potatoes being transported by barge) home of The Royal Armouries Museum.

Continuing downriver through Leeds Lock (automated as are future locks on the Aire and Calder) you start to leave the city and the river through Knostrop Lock and pass Thwaites Mill Industrial Museum, still home to a beautiful and operational steam-powered crane. Leaving the urban sprawl greenery starts to take over.

Once you’ve navigated under the M1 and passed through Fishpond Lock you enter the wonderful Woodlesford.   Surrounded by Greenery, the river to your left and the village on your right, it’s the perfect location for any kind of evening. The village is home to 2 supermarkets, 3 pubs, 1 restaurant, a hand full of takeaways, and a chippy that has never let me down.

Leaving Woodlesford through Woodlesford Lock it’s a short cruise to Lemonroyd Lock which is situated next to St Aidan’s Nature Reserve. As much as you have cruised for more minutes and will feel a little more out of the way, Woodlesford Village is only a 10-minute walk away so you still have access to its amenities.

Locking through Lemonroyd Lock can be exciting for experienced boaters let alone novices due to its sheer scale, being one of the deepest locks in the country (13.6 feet) and being built to accommodate the Aire and Calder barges. Once the vast gates have opened you are now back on the river, it’s easy to forget where you are when the trees are in full foliage and you navigate the river’s romantic natural bends.  

After about 45 minutes you will come to Allerton Bywater, historically important to the area’s waterway heritage as somewhere Tom Puddings would be loaded. Now it is a comforting village surrounded by nature reserves and open space. Home to a riverside pub and other amenities you might expect on your canal boat holiday in Yorkshire.

Day 2 – Disembarking from Allerton Bywater

Disembarking from Allerton Bywater heading down river you will shortly arrive at Castleford junction. For the Calder and Hebble Navigation, you want to take a sharp right at this junction heading up the river Calder. After around 40 minutes or so you should arrive at Woodnook Lock which will take you off the river and back onto the man-made navigation.

Once pend through Woodnook Lock it will take about an hour and a half, including 2 locks, to arrive at Stanley Ferry. The first thing you will pass through is the Stanley Ferry aqueduct built in 1836 to take the Aire and Calder Navigation over the River Calder.

As you pass you will also notice the lock workshop on your right, run by the Canal and River Trust, this is where the majority of the lock gates are made bespoke to each lock. With an array of boats to gongoozle (boat spot), Southern Washlands Nature Reserve and The Stanley Ferry pub canal side the visitor moorings here are definitely worth using.

Another hour cruise through Stanley Ferry flood lock (should be open and no need to operate) Back on the river you will come to Fall Ing Lock, be sure to open the paddles gradually penning uphill as the current on these paddles can be extremely aggressive. Once through and a couple of bends later you will arrive at Wakefield visitor moorings with the Ruddy Duck pub opposite. You are now in the heart of Wakefield city centre, a city that is renowned for its rhubarb, cathedral, and for its eclectic mix of watering holes due to its mining heritage. You are also now navigating the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Leaving Wakefield on the Calder and Hebble Navigation you now have a pleasant and scenic hour-and-a-half cruise including only 2 locks to Calder Grove and the Navigation Inn. The first of these locks, Thorne Lock, is the first time you will encounter the need for a Hand Spike, a lock tool unique to the Calder and Hebble Navigation, a favourite Yorkshire canal boat holidays destination.

Once through Broad Cut Low Lock, you will find The Navigation Inn canal side pub, nestled between the beautiful metal work of Waller Bridge and red brick Broad Cut Railway Bridge. It would almost be rude not to make the 20 steps from boat to bar.

Heading another 50 minutes on, including 1 lock, you will head through one of my favourite stretches of canal, with steel and iron bridges reminiscent of Van Gogh’s ‘Water Lillies’ and open space with wide views. This will lead you to the Bingley Arms Inn, yet another canal-side pub house in the village of Horbury Bridge.

Another hour and 30 minutes, including 3 locks, have your handspike ready, and you will approach Dewsbury Arm Junction visitor moorings at the feet of Thornhill Double Locks. If wanting to venture up the Dewsbury arm, I would advise doing this by foot as moorings are limited in the basin and manoeuvring can be difficult. But The Leggers Inn pub in the basin is well worth the 10-minute walk and a further walk to explore Dewsbury Market and Sea Urchin fish and chips may be seen by some as a justified venture.

Day 3 – The Calder and Hebble Navigation

Heading up Thornhill Double locks along the Calder and Hebble Navigation you have varied scenery as you leapfrog between river and navigation sections. Within 2 hours you will arrive at Shepley Bridge Lock. Once pend up the river you will pass Shepley Bridge Marina and services on your right.

If you continue another 20 minutes you will come to the heart of Mirfield and available mooring spots. The town has all the amenities including 3 supermarkets and yet another Navigation Inn that’s canal side with its own visitor mooring.

Leaving Mirfield past Mirfield Marina you will then join another section of the river. After a short cruise, you will be approaching Battyeford Lock which is the way to go to continue along the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

You will see signs directing all craft in that direction, but… if you fancy a very small detour and lesser-known mooring spot, continue upriver for a very short time and you will see The Pear Tree pub on your right with a jetty attached to the beer garden (take care on the jetty as it’s a little flood battered), enjoy some food or spend the evening and simple reverse or turn back to Battyeford Lock landing.

Passing though, out of Battyeford Lock, you will see South Pennine Boat Club, a fine spot for some gongoozling. Within 40mins you will be penning through Cooper Bridge lock and Cooper Bridge visitor moorings will be just around the bend. Immediately after these moorings you will find a junction in which you will be presented with a choice, turn sharp right for the Huddersfield broad and narrow canals (see Huddersfield section) or turn left to continue on your Yorkshire canal boat holidays on the Calder and Hebble Navigation towards the Rochdale canal.

Continuing along the Calder and Hebble Navigation you have just short of a 2hr cruise to Brighouse basin including 4 locks (1 of which will take you out of the lower basin, but visitor moorings are also located there). This is a very pretty little journey that takes you through the Kirklees lock where there is some lovely scenery. Certainly a nice overnight location or at least to stop for a brew.   Once at Brighouse you have entered Calderdale and have all the delight the town has to offer. The charity shops here are definitely worth a scan as I’ve left without a golden find.

Day 4 – Leaving Brighouse

Leaving Brighouse behind you have almost 5hrs, including 10 locks) till you arrive at Sowerby Bridge and the start of the Rochdale Canal. You pass through the picturesque Cromwell nature reserve and head on through Elland that’s home to a selection of ale houses. You will then approach Salterhebble locks, this is a ‘picture postcard’ set of locks, the first of which has and electric guillotine as its bottom gates. The water point after the second lock may be worth a visit.

The third lock leads to you Salterhebble Junction where you take a sharp left (right taking you for a very short trip up a dead end) to Sowerby for a lock-free cruise. Ideally once entering Sowerby Bridge turn left at the basin entrance to find visitor moorings and lock No1 of the Rochdale canal.

Day 5 – The Locks to Hebden Bridge

You now have a 3-and-a-half-hour journey including 7 locks to Hebden Bridge. Find out more about Hebden Bridge at Visit Calderdale. The third of which is Tuel Lane Lock, the deepest in the country 19’8” deep. To the most experienced boaters, this is still an exciting occasion to be pend through by the lock keepers manning the feat of engineering.

The cruise to Hebden Bridge is as scenic as you would imagine. Once arriving in Hebden Bridge try and moor up one of our beautiful boats on the park side before the entrance to the dry dock, as this may be where you will be turning around unless continuing the climb up and over the Pennines, to the highest lock in the country and the summit of the Rochdale canal. Hebden Bridge itself is a village full of art, music, crafts, culture, walks, waterfalls and beer.

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29th November 2022

Cruise Guide to the Rochdale Canal

The Rochdale Canal climbs from the heart of Manchester to cross the Pennines amid spectacular moorland scenery before descending through Yorkshire mill towns

Our cruise through the Rochdale Canal from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire begins with a mile of urban waterway through Manchester’s city centre. And for many years that mile was all that there was of the Rochdale Canal. The magnificent trans-Pennine section had been abandoned in 1952 after the last freight traffic died, and all that remained was the short urban section (known as the ‘Rochdale Nine’ on account of its nine locks) linking the Bridgewater Canal to the west of Manchester with the Ashton Canal to the east.

Even that mile-long link was nearly lost, along with the Ashton and lower Peak Forest canals. The long and ultimately successful campaign in the 1960s and early 1970s to save what had been christened the ‘Cheshire Ring’ is one of the stirring stories of the waterways movement and the early canal restoration era. It culminated in the reopening of the Ashton and Peak Forest in 1974, followed by the Rochdale Nine a couple of years later.

Climbing the Rochdale Nine locks through the heart of Manchester

Up the Rochdale Nine

The ‘Rochdale Nine’ still fulfil that role as a connecting link in the Cheshire Ring. They begin with Lock 92, Duke’s Lock, which lifts boats from the Castlefield complex of basins which form the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal onto the start of the Rochdale. It’s a slightly odd lock – it seems to take forever to fill and empty, and the bottom gates are operated not by pushing on the balance beams, but using a windlass to operate a winch which pulls the gates with via a chain. Incidentally its name refers to the Duke of Bridgewater – who was initially reluctant to let the newer Rochdale Canal connect to his Bridgewater Canal. When he did finally agree to it (he realised that turning away through trade from the trans-Pennine canals wasn’t a good idea), he insisted on his own men building the connecting lock.

Duke’s Lock is followed by the remaining eight locks making up the city centre ‘Nine’, as the canal climbs through what was (at the time that its future was in the balance) a rather grim inner-city area, but is now buzzing with nightlife and surrounded by bars and restaurants. It leads on up to the colourful Gay Village, and through a mysterious cavern-like covered length (complete with an underground lock) buried under a 1960s tower block, to emerge blinking into the daylight at Ducie Street Basin.

Here, boats following the Cheshire Ring turn sharp right through a bridge that forms the start of the Ashton Canal – and from the next quarter-century after the reopening of the ‘Nine’, that was all they could do. The Rochdale Canal leading straight ahead was not only abandoned, but the next few miles had been reduced to an unnavigable ‘water channel’ by filling it in to just a few inches deep in the interest of preventing drownings. All that changed in the 1990s when the efforts of the Rochdale Canal Society, which had been beavering away since the 1970s on restoring sections of canal further north and fighting for the canal’s future when new road schemes threatened it, were rewarded with the announcement of a major grant from the National Lottery’s Millennium Fund.

There were problems to overcome on the way. Not least when the canal’s owners (a property company who made money from using the largely filled-in Ducie Street Basin as a city centre car park) tried to push up the sale price of the canal, which up to then had been a not terribly valuable asset. Not to mention a landowner who was so opposed to the canal opening through his property that he jumped in and swam in front of the dignitaries’ boat at the official opening! But the restoration was completed and the canal reopened throughout in 2002.

The canal leaves Manchester city centre accompanied by a series of old cotton mill buildings

Climbing out of Manchester

You can still see some signs of rebuilt locks and new bridges as the canal heads north eastwards out of the city centre, past a succession of impressive old mill buildings recalling Manchester’s cotton industry. That isn’t the only industry that’s left its mark on the canal – this was a coalmining area too, and mining subsidence has affected the levels. Lock 77 has had to be raised to counter this, and has ended up as the fourth deepest lock in the country with a rise of over 15ft. Speaking of locks, they keep up a steady climb with little respite, making this length rather hard work for small crews as the canal gradually raises itself through Manchester’s  suburbs of Newton Heath and Failsworth.

Reopening the canal through Failsworth was a notable achievement, as it involved the demolition of a supermarket which had been built on the route after the canal closed – which was done during the final six months of the restoration. I remember it well, having been on a site visit in winter 2002 and thought “That’ll never be open in six months!” It was.

Failsworth Top Lock marks the end of the climb (at least for now). It’s followed by another reminder of the canal’s restoration, and a significant victory by its supporters, as the canal crosses the M60 Manchester orbital motorway via a series of tight bends and a tunnel-like culvert under the road. It certainly isn’t a thing of beauty, and the towpath rather inconveniently leaves the canal for some distance. But it was a remarkable achievement to get provision made for the canal’s future restoration at all at a time several years before the National Lottery’s millions were available to make it a reality.

Into the countryside

The rather stereotypically northern sounding Grimshaw Lane liftbridge is an unusual vertical rising structure, operated by boaters using a Canal & River Trust ‘Watermate’ (sanitary station) key. But in reality the canal is starting to look considerably less grim as the almost unremittingly urban surroundings which have accompanied it ever since Duke’s Lock finally start to give way to some open country as Chadderton is passed.

As Manchester is left behind, the canal gradually becomes more rural

Look out for the Irk Aqueduct. It isn’t a particularly impressive structure, but it’s pretty much the only notable aqueduct on the Lancashire side of the canal. And it’s caused the canal’s owners some headaches over the years with major embankment collapses alongside the aqueduct, both in recent years and back in 1927. It’s followed by a flurry of locks as the climbing begins again, with a set of four followed by a flight of six climbing to Slattocks. There’s further evidence of the challenges faced during the canal’s restoration in the form of a culvert under the M62 motorway which carries a floating towpath alongside the navigable channel. The reason for this curious arrangement is that the motorway having been built during the long years of canal closure, it blocked the channel with no provision for navigation. Rather than try to fund a new motorway bridge, the restorers diverted the canal through this existing bridge which had been built to carry a former farm lane. But this was too narrow to take both a 14ft wide navigation channel (this canal was built for wide boats) and a towpath. Reluctant to either restrict the restored canal to 7ft beam narrowboats, or to fail to provide a towpath for walkers, they hit on the ingenious idea of building the towpath from floating pontoons so that it can be floated out of the way when a widebeam boat needs the full width.

Another new concrete ‘tunnel’ dating from the canal’s restoration carries it under the A627 and into the outskirts of Rochdale, where the canal skirts the old mill town’s eastern fringes, with the town centre and its useful shops a little way to the west of Bridge 60. It used to be served by a short arm of the canal, but it has long been derelict – although there have been proposals for a revival.

Views of the Pennines as the canal reaches Littleborough

Crossing the Pennines

Leaving Rochdale behind, for the first time there’s a sense that we’re on a trans-Pennine canal, with glimpses of the hills in the distance. As if to shatter this illusion, the canal promptly passes under a bridge carrying a tramway, reminding us that we’re still within the further reaches of Manchester’s transport networks!

Passing Smithy Bridge, the canal approaches Littleborough, where the hills close in on both sides and the final climb up the River Roach valley begins. A closely spaced series of 12 locks leads up to the summit, which it reaches at the appropriately-named village of Summit, complete with the canalside Summit Inn. A sign proclaims that West Summit Lock, the last of the long climb, is “the highest broad lock in England”. Well, call me a pedant, but wouldn’t the lock at the far end of the summit have an equal claim to fame?

On the final climb to the summit

The canal’s summit is dramatic, as the valley cuts through the Pennines, but it’s also short, which has been a headache for the canal’s operators at times. At just three quarters of a mile long it doesn’t hold a huge reserve of water, so it can be subject to fluctuations in level; it also doesn’t give boaters much time to relax before the locks begin again. The initial descent is as steep as the climb, with lock after lock lowering the canal through splendid Pennine valley scenery to Walsden and Gauxholme. The canal is squeezed into the valley alongside a railway and a main road, leading to some interesting engineering where they meet. This includes viaducts, an impressive castellated railway bridge over the canal, and ‘The Great Wall of Todd’, an immense blue-brick retaining wall supporting the railway on the valley side high above the canal on the approach to Todmorden.

On the descent from the summit into Yorkshire

The descent into Yorkshire

Lock 19 is another curiosity: during the time that the canal was closed, the main road was widened over the tail of the lock, leaving no space to reinstall conventional lower lock gates in their original position. But a small aqueduct under the head of the lock meant it couldn’t be extended at that end either – and the restorers were keen not to reduce the maximum boat length below the 72ft that it was built for. So they installed a vertical guillotine type lower gate, which took up less space. It’s power operated using a Watermate key.

Todmorden is a fine old mill town with an interesting situation at the junction of two valleys and historically (until the boundary was adjusted in the late 19 th Century) at the point where Lancashire and Yorkshire met. The town hall sat symbolically on the exact boundary with half of the building in each county.

A tall mill chimney marks the canal’s arrival in Hebden Bridge

The Calder Valley’s mill towns

So far, the descent in the Yorkshire side has mirrored the climb on the Lancashire side, but the final section has no close parallels with the climb out of Manchester. Rather than a succession of locks running through an urban area, the canal descends slightly more gently down the upper Calder valley, between splendid hillsides, often wooded, and separated from railway and road by the infant River Calder. But one feature it does share with the Manchester end is mills. Built of stone rather than brick, there are some fine reminders of the woollen industry as we approach the next attractive old mill town of Hebden Bridge, which since the decline of industry has reinvented itself as a centre for arts, creativity and alternative living.

Passing through the old mill village of Mytholmroyd

Tuel Lane Lock, the deepest in the country, leads down into a new tunnel as the canal nears its terminus in Sowerby Bridge

An aqueduct crosses the Calder in the town centre, then a long, curved, tunnel-like bridge (best to give a blast on the horn in case there’s anything coming) takes the canal under the main road on its way out of town. The descent slows still further after Mytholmroyd, with just two locks in the next four miles or so. Sowerby Long Bridge is just that – a long and tunnel-like bridge – as the canal approaches its end in the town of Sowerby Bridge. But it’s kept one of the most spectacular pieces of engineering from the canal restoration till last…

The deepest lock

Part of the original route through the town (including two locks) having been filled in and a road diverted to run along it, a new route for the restored canal was needed. But there wasn’t really any space for one. The solution was to replace the two lost locks with one double-depth one (at 19ft 8in the deepest in the country), which exits directly into a new tunnel. This takes a sharp curve to the right, emerging on the far side of a main road and rejoining the original route.

A final two locks descend to reach a junction with the Calder & Hebble Navigation . Turn right to continue the route down the Calder Valley towards Wakefield, or left for a short dead-end to a terminal basin surrounded by restored historic waterway warehouses, and a splendid place to stop for a rest after your trans-Pennine cruise.

by Martin Ludgate

Our Deputy ed is a guru on all things to do with canals.

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Your holiday (13677)

Hi Susan: Now we’re all back in the US, we want to thank you and all the people involved at Shire Cruisers for your friendly services and flexibility during our trip. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on the Suffolk (a great boat, just the right size for us) and wish you all the best in the future. - Keep well, Dave

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just a big thank to Susan and Nigel, and all at Shire Cruisers, also to Sam at Barnoldswick for looking after us and seeing us on our way and helping us on our return. We really enjoyed our canal trip last week on the Cambridge.

Best wishes,

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Canal cruises yorkshire and lancashire, phone number: 07834 320 199.

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Hotel Boat Hire For Canal Cruises Skipton, Leeds, Chorley, Bridgewater, Liverpool

We welcome you on board our 5-star hotel boat for canal cruises through the beautiful waterways of Lancashire and Yorkshire. We have designed some amazing canal trips which offer the best of English waterways while you travel in comfort and luxury.

Panoramic Dales 

Reedley Marina Nr. Burnley to Skipton

With the Dales to Reedley Marina, this cruise has attractive trips of locks & scenic views for miles.Travelling through villages in the Dales we make our way as much as the top of the Leeds Liverpool with views worthy of the climb. We twist around with amazing separated scenery, with Oyster Catchers, Curlew & Kingfishers nearby.

 Cultural Wonders

Skipton to Leeds

Another remarkable canal cruise. All these waterways really are beautiful. There are several staircase locks consisting of the famous Bingley Five Rise. The eco-friendly corridor out of the City contrasts with the wide opens panoramas across Yorkshire. As with all Leeds and Liverpool cruises we are looking out over the exceptional scenery.

The Lancashire countryside is always a surprise with its rolling countryside, wildlife and lovely walks. 

Red & White Rose Glory

Skipton to Chorley

This cruise ship integrates the Panoramic Dales & Lancashire Gems cruises to reveal you the beauty of both regions.With history, wild animals & sights aplenty who might request for even more. From the gateway to the Dales to the top of Cheshire plain this cruise is a lot a journey via background as the countryside. This cruise inspires with its spectacular views & intrigues with its canal background. This really is not one to miss out on.

 Locks, History and Aqueducts

Chorley to Bridgewater Marina Nr. Manchester

Beginning near Chorley at the charming Johnson Hillock set of locks this cruise after that upright the Bridgewater canal. This cruise ship covers a great deal of history. This is an area of exactly what was going to be the Lancaster Canal and into the canal that started the canal marina period. The Lancashire countryside is always beautiful.  Enjoy its rolling countryside, wild animals and wonderful strolls. The cruise additionally has our most lock extensive day. We pass through the fantastic flight at Wigan, an additional surprise as it is a lovely flight, we also see Kingfishers there. After that its onto the Bridgewater Canal.

We travel the Northern canal and river system. This includes Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Selby Canal, River Aire, The Calder, Aire & Calder and South Yorkshire waterways. Destinations of our cruises include the following locations:

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Are you looking for Hotel Boat Hire For Canal Cruises in Lancashire and Yorkshire? We offer luxurious 5-star hotel boat trips throughout the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Northern canal and river system.

Contact us today on 07834 320 199 to book your hotel boat hire.

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 short-break holidays, 3, 4, or 5 day cruises, please note that we are unable, to accept bookings for longer than 5 days, you choose..., stay in lovely skipton .., ...  or take a relaxing cruise along the, stunningly scenic,, leeds liverpool canal, aboard the lovely narrowboat  ,   * ellis belle *, our beautiful,  - pet-free, traditional style canalboat.

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Your journey aboard the Ellis Belle will start from the ancient and

beautiful market town of Skipton.

You will cruise through the stunning rural scenery of the Yorkshire Dales

along the historic

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Take a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Leeds & Liverpool Canal

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Book Our Delicious Evening Fish And Chip Cruise!

The Dalesman passenger boat is an iconic vessel that has been a fixture of Skipton Boat Trips since its construction in 1992. Built by Colecraft, and fitted out by Snaygill Boat Yard, the Dalesman has become a beloved part of the Skipton community, offering visitors and locals alike the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales from the comfort of a boat.

The Dalesman is a 57-foot long narrowboat that was built specifically for passenger use. It can accommodate up to 46 passengers and is equipped with modern amenities such as a licensed bar, and a heating system, making it suitable for year-round use.

The boat travels along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, passing through picturesque towns and villages such as Gargrave, Bradley, and Kildwick. Along the way, passengers can see the rolling hills, verdant pastures, and quaint cottages that make the Yorkshire Dales so charming.

Skipton Boat Trips offers a range of different trips on the Dalesman, including day trips, evening cruises, and private hire for special events such as weddings and birthdays. The boat is also available for themed cruises, such as gin-tasting and fish & chips, adding an extra element of fun and entertainment to the experience.

The Dalesman is not just a popular attraction for tourists but also a significant contributor to the local economy. It has created jobs for Skipton residents and has helped to boost tourism in the area, bringing visitors from all over the world to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Dalesman has received numerous upgrades and renovations to maintain its top-notch condition throughout the years. Its original engine, which has traveled a distance equivalent to twice around the world, without leaving Yorkshire, has been replaced with a new one. Furthermore, its interior has undergone a refurbishment to ensure that passengers can enjoy a comfortable and pleasant experience. The boat is regularly inspected and maintained to comply with safety standards, guaranteeing that passengers are in capable and secure hands.

In conclusion, the Dalesman passenger boat is an integral part of Skipton Boat Trips and the wider Skipton community. It offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales in a unique and memorable way. As the boat continues to be a popular attraction, it is likely that it will remain a fixture of Skipton’s tourism industry for many years to come.

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Luxury narrow boats for hire – year round waterway holidays and breaks in the Yorkshire Dales…

Pennine Cruisers have five luxury boats in our fleet for this season. All of which are available for short break,weekly and fortnightly hire.

A holiday on board one of Pennine Cruisers’ narrowboats includes a top class specially built boat with full headroom throughout. Complete with a fully equipped galley with full size cooker, hob, fridge, stainless steel sink and drainer, storage cupboards, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. Flushing fresh water toilets, showers or baths (or both), full central heating, and three of our boats also have traditional solid fuel stoves on board as well.

Licensed to cruise over 2000 miles of canals, the fee also includes all fuel, television/DVD player, radio/CD player, buoyancy aids, full instruction including detailed lock instruction at the lock side so that even a beginner is competent. Lock side lock instruction is an essential part of our customer service. This process helps you to understand the safe and easy way to operate our locks, therefore you will feel confident in the operation of them and this will help you to relax and enjoy your holiday! Our main competitors do not offer this service and in our eyes their hirers are being sold short as this service should be offered to everyone.

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21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

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Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

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2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

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9 fun things to do in Ischia (plus 5 amazing day trips)

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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