THE UK'S BEST SELF DRIVE CANAL HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OUT ABOARD SUPERB NARROWBOATS
MIDWEEK BREAKS
These are usually our best-value short breaks afloat, often gaining an extra day for the same price as, or less than, a weekend canal break.
Midweek narrowboating is a great-value out-of-season escape for those with either young children, couples, or friends/relatives with a busy social life at weekends. In school holidays a midweek canal short break is an economical alternative to a full week's holiday and a chance for extended familes to come together for a memorable holiday afloat - for which our flexible larger boats are especially suitable. The canals are generally quieter on weekdays too!
Your Midweek Break afloat starts between 13.30 and 16.00 on Monday and finishes at 09.00 on Friday (although many of our hirers hand the boat back on Thursday afternoon to avoid travelling on Friday). That means that if you arrive in good time you will have three whole days of boating and the remainder of Monday afternoon to enjoy your time afloat.
Choose from our perfectly-located bases at Lower Heyford in rural Oxfordshire near to Oxford or historic Bradford on Avon near to Bath. Combine the unmatched rural charm of the Oxford Canal, as it winds its way through the Cotswolds Borders to the River Thames, with a visit to Oxford. Meander north along the idyllic Oxford Canal toward Cropredy; or cruise through the stunning Avon Valley toward world-famous Bath and Bristol – home of the world’s first steamship – SS Great Britain. Or, if you’re really wanting to work lots of locks go to Devizes and go up, and then straight back down the famous Caen Hill Locks the very next day!
MIDWEEK 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 our base at Heyford Wharf you can reach world famous Oxford 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 cafe - Annies - together with a mixture of rural and urban-yet-sylvan cruising. Spend a day in Oxford - your mooring is very close to the city centre - exploring the famous University Colleges, Galleries & Museums. Alternatively discover the Royal River Thames either through Oxford and downstream towards Abingdon (10hrs) or get totally tranquil, avoid Oxford and civilisation altogether as you cruise upstream toward the source of the River above Lechlade in the Cotswolds.
NORTH: The outstanding Cherwell Valley nestles along the Cotswold Borders and it's very pretty as you cruise to bustling Banbury (6hrs), the charming historic village of Cropredy (9hrs) - also the home of the world-famous Fairport Convention each August - and on to the summit of the canal at Fenny Compton (12hrs). The narrow locks are not too close together for the most part: the canal winds its way seemingly avoiding as much contact as possible with the increasingly busy corridor through which it travels! There is an excellent pub to dine at at nearby Aynho (3hrs) for your first evening aboard, Cropredy offers a choice of two, the pub at Fenny Compton is alongside your turning point at which you turn to head back... and The Bell Inn at Lower Heyford for your last evening is a friendly traditional local with outstanding food and a lovely big garden.
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 MAP FROM LOWER HEYFORD, OXFORDSHIRE
MIDWEEK BREAKS FROM BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE
Bradford Wharf is 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...
WEST: From Bradford on Avon it's an easy 6hr cruise to Bath - World Heritage City and so much more. The canal meanders along the beautiful Avon Valley crossing the river at two impressive stone aqueducts at Avoncliffe and Dundas. There's an excellent pub at Avoncliffe (1hr) and also the waterside George Inn at Bathampton (5hrs) as well as the lovely Angelfish Cafe at Dundas Aqueduct (4hrs). Once at Bath you don't need to do anything other than moor up and spend a day or two sightseeing - boat hire is a surprisingly cost-effective alternative to hotel rooms - but if you'd like to make the most of your cruising you can descend the Bath Locks and cruise down the Avon towards Bristol and its floating harbour - home of Brunel's famous steamship the SS Great Britain. But please bear in mind that to reach Bristol you need to allow 14hrs boating each way and also take into consideration the river conditions – note that passage may not be possible during strong river flow.
EAST: If you'd prefer doing a bit more boating and several locks head east towards Devizes and the famous Caen Hill Locks. If you’re super-keen you can reach, and navigate, the 29 Caen Hill Locks, but you’ll almost immediately have to turn round and return down the flight the next day (it’s better to hire for a week if you want to do this). Alternatively 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 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… and of course this could give you time to return and pass Bradford Wharf, cruising as far west as Dundas before returning home.
CLICK BELOW FOR CRUISING MAPS FROM BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTSHIRE:
