Bloomsbury Canal Boat holidays
WHERE
Bath
What it’s like
Hire a canal boat for the week and learn to steer it yourself, exploring Bath and the Somerset waterways at walking pace.
You don't need any experience to take one of these out. They give you 2 to 3 hours of tuition before you set off, covering steering, locks and mooring up, then you're on your own for the week. It's a proper skill to pick up in an afternoon, and there's something satisfying about a family working out how to swing a 60-foot boat round a bend without panicking.
The whole point is the pace. You're not driving anywhere, you're chugging along at a few miles an hour, watching the banks go by, and the kids get to help with ropes and locks rather than just sitting there. A week gives you time to actually get somewhere and back without rushing every day, which matters when half your crew is under ten and needs regular stops.
Because it's a full week aboard, this suits families who fancy a proper change of pace rather than a day trip. There's food on site, so you're not stuck cooking every meal in a tiny galley kitchen if you don't fancy it.
It won't suit everyone. A week on a narrowboat with young children is brilliant for some families and a long way from relaxing for others.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Families up for a full week aboard, not a quick day out
- How long to allow
- Week-long holidays
- The tuition happens before you set off, so budget half a day before the holiday properly starts.
- It's a week-long commitment rather than a day trip, so it suits a proper holiday slot in the calendar.
- Kids get hands-on with ropes and locks rather than just riding along.
Plan your visit
Do we need any boating experience?
No, they give beginners 2 to 3 hours of tuition before you head off, covering the basics of steering and locks.
How long is the holiday?
It's a week-long trip, not a day out, so you'll want to plan around that.
What is there to do on the water?
You steer the boat yourselves and explore Bath and the Somerset canals at your own pace, with kids getting involved in ropes and locks along the way.
Is there food on site?
There's food available on site if you don't want to cook aboard every night.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Bristol · Things to do in Bristol
MAKE A DAY OF IT
