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 Oxfordshire!

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.

Choose from our perfectly-located holiday boat hire bases at Lower Heyford in rural Oxfordshire on the Oxford Canal or historic Bradford on Avon close to Bath on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Combine the unmatched rural charm of the Cotswolds and River Thames with a visit to Oxford; meander along the idyllic Oxford Canal toward Cropredy; or cruise 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.

STAG AND HEN BREAKS

We are the UK's largest provider of big boats for stag and hen parties. Our 8-12 and 10-12 berth boats are ideal for a weekend stag or hen bash afloat! We make special efforts to ensure that your party can enjoy a fantastic cruise through great scenery toward the cities of Oxford or Bath with their many attractions such as karting, ice skating, premium shopping or simply enjoying the culture and nightlife these iconic cities have to offer. Thorough training is provided: but do please note that for each boat booked two of your party must remain sober whilst boating. 

WEEKEND CANAL BREAKS FROM LOWER HEYFORD, OXFORDSHIRE

Heyford Wharf is a 225 year old working village boatyard located on the idyllic Oxford Canal midway between Banbury and Oxford, close to the M40 about one hour north of London. Its rural setting is complemented by its own rail station (Heyford) located directly alongside the boatyard with trains from Reading, Oxford and Banbury.

SOUTH: From Lower Heyford you can reach world-famous Oxford along the Oxford Canal in around 7hrs if it’s culture, history and nightlife you’re after - on the way there is the pretty canalside hamlet of Thrupp (4hrs) with its two pubs and thriving waterside café - Annies - together with a mixture of rural and urban-yet-sylvan cruising and lots of peaceful moorings. You could avoid Oxford altogether and choose to take a rural cruise upstream onto the River Thames as far as Eynsham (7hrs) or Bablock Hythe (8hrs) - total tranquility! Or you can even cruise the smallest canal 'Ring' by turning onto the Dukes Cut and the River Thames as it flows across Port Meadow, giving you the iconic view of the Dreaming Spires, cruise downstream as far Christchurch Meadow and the famous College Boat Houses before returning through the secretive Sheepwash Channel to re-join the Oxford Canal and moor at 'Jericho' close to the heart of the city before your homeward journey the next day.

NORTH: Cruise north on the Oxford Canal along the outstanding rural Cherwell Valley nestling along the Cotswold Borders perhaps as far as bustling Banbury (6hrs) or the charming historic village of Cropredy (9hrs) - home of the world-famous Fairport Convention each August - or just simply cruise to a remote rural mooring away from all of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are pubs in most of the villages close to the canal, as well as the unique, totally quirky, ‘Pig Place’ canalside at Nell Bridge which sells its own meat products and even has a café and barn bar.

JOURNEY’S END: Don’t forget to complete your cruise mooring near our boatyard on your last evening to enjoy and outstanding meal at The Bell Inn, Lower Heyford!

CLICK BELOW FOR CRUISING MAPS FROM LOWER HEYFORD, OXFORDSHIRE

SEE MAP

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 BELOW FOR CRUISING MAPS FROM BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE:

SEE MAP

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