Our Top 5 Inland Boat Destinations

If you are craving more than just a view; historic, quaint and beautiful, the Oxford Canal delivers a heady mix of culture and tranquility. On every tourist’s wish list are those pretty crumbling spires of Oxford’s famous university or take in a show in Shakespeare’s home town, the comely Stratford upon Avon. For those who are looking for more than just your riverside pub, beautiful countryside and charming villages, the Oxford Canal delivers the full canal boat holiday package.

Cast aside your canal boat for a river cruiser for your next inland boating adventure. You may not think that the Scottish Highlands were the place to only manage a top speed of 5.2 Knots but Vikings attacks aside, this is an idyllic way to float by seeing some of the most iconic features of Scotland’s rugged lands. The Caledonian Canal is a breath-taking, unhurried ride through the lochs; surrounded by the stillness of the mountains and watched over by ancient castles. You can even ask for passage via Scotland’s most famous monster, Nessie, as you navigate Loch Ness and take in the splendour of Great Glen. It is an intoxicating mix of wild and leisurely travel and is not to be missed off your boating bucket list.

Firstly, let’s start by taking the elephant out in the room or in this case, a sheep might be much more fitting. It rains in Wales A LOT. However, we also like to take a much more positive view of the Welsh proclivities that is why a trip down the Llangollen (FYI. Llan is pronounced Clan) Canal is surrounded by beautiful and green, very, very green Welsh countryside. Not one for those with a fear of heights, the Llangollen is famous for its aqueducts giving you sweeping views over the stunning Welsh valleys. The most famous of all is Pontcysyllte (you’ll have to learn to pronounce that one yourself), the highest canal aqueduct in the world and a world heritage site. If the weather warning and the 126 foot drop haven’t put you off yet, then you won’t regret choosing the magic of the Llangollen Canal for your next canal boat holiday.

If once upon a time if you had the view that Norfolk was well, a little flat, you have not yet experienced it from the aft deck of a river cruiser. Its geographical characteristics are what makes it one of the best destinations for an inland boating holiday. A network of rivers, lakes, and man-made waterways, it is rural England at its finest; charming villages, abundant wildlife and picturesque landscapes float by to bucolic acclaim.