Canal holiday?

[Theas18]

Anyone done this?
Am feeling bloody sorry for self as my " dream holiday silver wedding break " ain't going to happen - left it too late really as mum is very ill and I can't now be insured it seems...

Dh bless him suggested " maybe Norfolk" but somehow an ordinary week in an ordinary cottage just strikes me as v expensive and dull ( we didn't even do it when the kids were little as it was cheaper and nicer to go yo France!).

Then I thought hmm... Always fancied a canal holiday.

Experiences please!

[Theas18]

Bump!

[LIZS]

In good weather great, in bad not so. Pick a stretch of canal where there are plenty of pubs and interesting places to stop and pick up supplies with not too many locks. Alternatively how about a cruiser on the Broads ?

[spex11]

The Brecon Canal is very pretty - and has the advantage if you were going in peak season of not being connected to the canal network, so it can't suddenly get an upsurge in boats. The Llangollen canal also has some lovely scenery and a spectacular aquaduct nearby. Or if it's just a holiday on the water which you fancy, how about a boat on the Thames maybe taking in Oxford?

[BlueChampagne]

I did a couple as a kid and loved them (Wey and Thames). Agree about the weather - but France also has canals ...
Lovely way to slow down the pace of life, a few sights/sites, locks and pubs to get you out and about - I'm sure you could just do a long weekend to try it out.

[NigellasDealer]

ooh thanks for the idea!!
went a few times as a child and simply loved it -

[Theas18]

Well... we've booked it!

llangollen canal with the aqueduct and everything, last week in august at a 40% discount too apparently. quite looking forward to it now.

[LIZS]

Excellent, hope you have fun. Are you doing the flight onto the Shropshire Union or just Llangollen ?

[schlooby]

Llangollen canal is good. pontycyllte sp! aqueduct is amazing
make sure you moor at Ellesmere for a night there's an amazing bakery/deli there

we have our own narrowboat

[spex11]

Hope you have a brilliant time. If you moor the boat at Llangollen you can walk to the Horseshoe Falls -- the point on the River Dee which is the source of the canal.

[spababe]

Great with another family as having at least 3 adults for the locks makes life easier.
Pick where you go carefully - do you want to spend a day cruising through a city centre. Canals were built to link cities so this is often what happens. Kennet and Avon is peaceful with no big cities. Llangollen is lovely too NB may be busy around aqueduct. You may also have to queue for locks which looses time.
Plan how many miles a day you want to spend on and off the boat. You do 4 'lock miles an hour and this is the number of miles plus the number of locks. Buy a Nicholson guide for your area this shows all locks etc but also pubs and shops close to the canal. Really invaluable. Study the key of the map!
Take quick easy to cook food as a back up even if you plan to eat in pubs as you may get delayed or find there is no-where left to moor.
It's a great holiday my DS have loved it and we have been 3 times now.

[BlueChampagne]

Chirk Castle would be a great place to visit from Llangollen, if you're into that sort of thing. Hope you have a super time!

PS maybe your DH had a Broads boating holiday in mind?