Boating holidays
Slap on the sunblock and grab a lifejacket because taking to the high seas – or lake, canal, river or broad – on a narrowboat holiday provides an exciting way to view our amazing coastline and explore our peerless countryside. Most of our major towns and cities were built on rivers as trading ports and their history comes to life before our eyes from a watery vantage point on a boating holiday. Row along the River Thames, take a canal boat through The Fens, kayak through white-water rapids in the Lake District and sail the Solent amidst the gentle waves of a perfect summer’s day.
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Float along London's Regent's Canal
Take a boat from Little Venice to Camden Town along the Regent's Canal
Location: London, Greater London
Go punting on the River Cam
Find your inner rhythm in Cambridge as you mess about on the River Cam.
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgshire
Take a cruise along the River Ouse
The city of York owes its existence to the rivers. Escape the city rush and admire the scenery from the comfort of a City Cruises boat.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Take a boat trip in Little Venice
Cruise along the canal connecting London's picturesque Little Venice to the colourful hub of Camden Lock.
Location: Warwick Avenue, Greater London
Romantic punting on the River Cherwell
Ever watched people punting and felt you’d like to have a go? Pick up a few tips at Cherwell Boathouse, grab the pole and off you go.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Stand astride the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Stand with one foot in the east and one in the west and feel on top of the world at this historic observatory.
Location: Greenwich, London
Strap on your sea legs on a Harbour tour
Get closer than ever to the Royal Navy's ships on a 45 minute guided boat tour of Portsmouth Harbour.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Boat through the history of a worldwide treasure
Enjoy a trip through the heart of Birmingham via its watery wonders.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Recreate the real Alice in Wonderland’s river trip
Take an Oxford River Cruise trip along the Thames just like the real Alice in Wonderland many years ago.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Enjoy a river tour of Durham City
Set off in your very own rowboat on the beautiful River Wear or enjoy a guided river cruise aboard the Prince Bishops River Cruiser.
Location: Durham City
Enjoy elegant riverside dining at The Folly
Enjoy alfresco dining whilst taking in views of the river at The Folly in Oxford, followed by a cruise aboard one of the river boats moored outside.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Take an iconic ferry trip across the Mersey
No trip to Liverpool would be complete without venturing on to the water – especially on a newly ‘dazzled’ ferry.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Set sail on a canal boat trip in the heart of Manchester
Whether you are looking for a short break or week-long trip, enjoy historic hands-on canal tours in Manchester.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Explore Manchester’s canals on a city cruise
Choose from one of the city’s sightseeing cruises and get ready to discover Greater Manchester and its industrial history by boat.
Location: Manchester, Salford, Trafford and beyond
Paddle through living history on the Heritage Canoe Trail
This brand new route leads to the edge of the Peak District, and features special markers to guide canoeists along the 20-mile canal-based route.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire