Best Waterway Holidays in the UK
What could be nicer than gliding down a peaceful canal, enjoying a tranquil pace of life, maybe drifting past a flotilla of ducks or passing a field of ripe wheat? There are quaint waterside inns to stop at and a host of industrial and architectural history that can only be witnessed from this unique standpoint. Waterways still retain a charm of their own that provides the perfect chance for unwinding.
Boating holidays in the UK have always been popular, but in light of the recent economic dip people are rediscovering the delights that can found on our doorstep. There has been a huge investment in these havens for wildlife and most British waterways are in the best condition they have been in for 200 years.
There are four main types of boat; cruisers, narrow boats, wide beam cruisers (or barges) and sailing yachts. All of these lend themselves perfectly for both short and long breaks. Britain is blessed with a vast variety of routes, from the hilly, lock-speckled canals over the Pennines, to the flat tranquility of the Norfolk Broads, from the wild splendour of the Caledonian Canal to the fascinating industrial heritage of the Potteries over 2000 miles to pick from! All you need to decide is how many berths the boat needs and which base you`d like to start from.
Whilst the pace of life is slow, there`s plenty to do: soaking up the sun, operating the boat, navigating locks and fishing, cycling on the towpath and visiting local points of interest when you moor up. Do remember though that swimming is prohibited on all inland waterways. On larger rivers and waterways such as Scotland`s Great Glen and the Thames, the locks are manned and operated for you during the summer. On simpler canals, the locks can be easily managed by you and any boat hire company will fully brief you on this before you set off on your journey. No previous experience is generally needed although for yachting you will need tuition from registered RYA instructors prior to your holiday.
On inland waterways you can expect to travel approximately 4km a day, not including stops for cream teas! It`s always worth packing a camera, binoculars and bird watching books, a torch for the night times, non-slip footwear, a good waterways guide (such as Nicholson`s) and enough food to last you until your next shop stop, don`t forget to check access to convenient shops on your route.
If you love nature and want the chance to be close to British wildlife such as kingfishers, badgers, dragonflies and heron, perhaps even otters, there is no need to plan which tent you are going to use to get outdoors. The range and scope of well-appointed boats and delightful waterways means that a boating holiday in Britain could be the answer to your dreams. |
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