Our Routes

Our peaceful canals and rivers offer a great way to relax and discover Britain from a unique perspective.  There are hundreds of routes and destinations to discover – from easy trips with few locks, perfect for newcomers – to epic journeys, passing through steep flights of locks, long tunnels and a huge variety of landscapes.

Choose from holidays which travel mainly through peaceful countryside, farmland and villages, or make some of Britain’s most exciting waterside towns and cities your holiday destination.  Many of our routes combine the two, passing from rural retreats to vibrant metropolitan centres.

You can visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways or focus on wildlife havens and world famous historic sites.

Each of our three regions – Southern, Central and Northern – offers a wide variety of journeys, whether you plan a short break, a week away or a longer holiday.

circular cruising rings for canal boat holidays

Northern Region

From the quiet remoteness of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal where it crosses the Pennines, to the regenerated waterfronts of exciting cities like Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, Britain’s northern waterways offer canal boat holiday makers a fantastic choice of routes with many iconic canal structures.
Focus on Northern Waterways
Visit the canals and inland waterways of England

Central Region

From peaceful country villages with historic local pubs, to some of Britain’s best-loved towns and cities with world famous attractions like Shakespeare’s Stratford and Warwick Castle, our central waterways offer the chance to see the Heart of England from a unique perspective..
Focus on Central waterways

Southern Region

From the majesty of the Royal River Thames to the peaceful countryside of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the waterways of southern England offer narrowboat holiday-makers the chance to enjoy some of Britain’s best loved countryside, as well visit iconic cities like World Heritage status Bath and Oxford.
Focus on Southern waterways

        Start Points- Click on any start location to view all of the local routes available

Please use the Key to the left of the map to view recommended Attractions and Places of Interest

Want to get started? 

Start planning your trip.

Find your perfect holiday with Great British Boating. Simply select your preferred start location and date and click on “check availability”. 

You can further refine your search by selecting holiday length and berths.

Or you can book directly now by calling us on:

 +44 (0) 1252 796 402

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