WEEKEND BREAKS

A canal boat break is one of life’s great experiences. A short canal break is the ideal introduction to a narrowboat holiday. Our Weekend Canal Breaks offer everything from history, culture or adventure to total escapism and relaxation. They’re also a perfect introduction to canal boating for the novice: we are determined to help you enjoy an unforgettable first experience afloat. 

You may not know but a narrowboat is almost totally unique to the English and Welsh canal network. They're not called long boats or barges. Narrowboats are just under 7ft wide to fit the canal locks and tunnels that were built around 200 years ago. You'll be amazed how comfortable a canal narrowboat can be - so why not try a weekend afloat on one of our specially designed narrowboats built and operated here in Wiltshire!

Your weekend narrowboat break starts between 13.30 and 16.00 on Friday and finishes at 09.00 on Monday (although many hirers hand the narrowboat back on Sunday afternoon to get back for work on Monday). If you arrive in good time you will have two whole days of boating and the remainder of Friday afternoon to enjoy your canal weekend afloat.

Our perfectly-located holiday boat hire base is at historic Bradford on Avon close to Bath on the Kennet and Avon Canal and is the perfect starting point for cruising to Bath on the K&A Canal through the stunning Avon Valley toward world-famous Bath and Bristol – home of the world’s first steamship – SS Great Britain.

EXTENDED FAMILIES, FAMILY REUNIONS, FRIENDSHIP GROUP CELEBRATIONS

A weekend afloat is the prefect chance to get your friends and family together for a truly magical away-from-it-all experience. Our boats offer options for multiple boats hired together (if you prefer privacy in your own family units) or our large boats can offer accommodation for up to twelve in a flexible mixture of double, twin, single, or bunk beds.

WEEKEND CANAL BREAKS FROM BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE

Bradford Wharf the original 225yr old working wharf on the Kennet and Avon Canal located conveniently close to the town centre and railway station. The wharf is also home to a thriving drydock and boat repair business so when you arrive you'll immediately be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the waterways...

Bradford on Avon is a real gem of a town worth exploring in its own right with beautiful Bath Stone buildings, tastefully converted riverside mills, an unspoiled Saxon church, medieval stone arched bridges, and lots of artisan shops and pubs. It has two Michelin-starred restaurants and plenty of cafes hidden amongst its many twisting hillside streets and alleyways.

WEST: From Bradford Wharf it's an easy 6hr cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Bath - World Heritage City and so much more. You need not negotiate any locks other than Bradford Lock (which we help you through at the beginning of your weekend break) and there are good moorings above Bath city centre. Along the way the K&A Canal is a thriving community. The towpath is also an excellent cycleway so bring your bike if you want some more active adventure! The K&A canal meanders along the beautiful Avon Valley crossing the river at two impressive stone aqueducts: Avoncliffe and Dundas. There's an excellent pub at Avoncliffe (1hr) - large parties should pre-book this - and also the waterside George Inn at Bathampton (5hrs) as well as the lovely Angelfish Cafe at Dundas Aqueduct (4hrs). If possible a visit to the amazing Claverton Pump alongside the K&A canal between Dundas and Bathampton is well worthwhile, and there's the American Museum high up on Claverton Down nearby.

EAST: If you'd prefer to go boating in more rural surroundings and include some locks head east towards Devizes and the famous Caen Hill Locks. In a weekend you'll not have time to climb them but you could cruise as far as Foxhangers to walk and admire this Wonder of the Waterways from below - by now you'll have already climbed 8 locks and negotiated a few swing bridges. There's an excellent waterside pub, The Barge Inn, at Seend and another one close by at Sells Green - both serving good food and local Wadworth Ales - and the journey is almost entirely rural...

CLICK HERE FOR CRUISING MAPS FROM BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE

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