Boats

Thought boats were just for day trips, or a sedate means of pootling from a to b? Well, along the Great West Way you can sleep on them too. You’ll never forget waking up on the water, peering through portholes at passing ducks as you prepare to rise and shine. 

Canal boat hire in England is easy to organise and incredibly rewarding, enabling you to fully experience the pleasures of the wildlife-rich waterways, including such delights as Caen Hill Locks and Bathampton. The Canal and River Trust can give you all the information you need about how to take to the waters. Along the River Thames and the Kennet & Avon Canal you can hire your own boldly painted boat and take the journey at your own pace.

You might be surprised at how liveable the living quarters on canal boats are too - indeed, as you float gently along you’ll likely meet many folks who live on them full time. In the evenings - before you head to the nearest village, town or city for dinner - you can do as they do and sit on the deck to enjoy a nice glass of fizz and some people watching. Fun fact: People who like observing England’s canal life from the sidelines are affectionately called ‘gongoozlers’. 

If you’re not in a position to captain your own ship on this particular trip, you can go on a multi-day guided river cruise, where all the heave ho-ing at the locks is taken care of for you. And you could even visit the region as part of an ocean-bound cruise if you’d like to incorporate your visit into a worldwide trip. Glamorous ships from across the globe dock at Bristol Avonmouth port, just a short cab ride from the city’s many attractions. 

Alternatively, you can stay the night on a moored boat hostel or hotel. Don’t worry, you won’t be dismissed below deck and forgotten about - these are luxurious affairs, with soft carpets in the bedrooms to sink tired feet into and tasty cooked breakfasts served each morning. A wonderfully relaxing way to experience the charms of England’s waterways. So what are you waiting for? Ships ahoy!