About this trip.
Kennet & Avon closure in Bath: Closed at Bath No. 1 tunnel, where the canal enters Sydney Gardens, since 9 October 2026, after roadworks above damaged the tunnel arch. The Canal & River Trust says the navigation and towpath stay closed until further notice. Until it reopens, boats can't pass between Sydney Wharf and the Bath locks on one side and Bathampton, Bradford on Avon and Caen Hill on the other. Source
Planning the route? Read our Kennet & Avon Canal guide. Weighing up hire firms? UK narrowboat hire, compared lists 32 firms by canal, dog fees and fuel.
Before you book: Canal du Midi vs UK narrowboating — same week, different country, very different holiday · How we vet operators — and the questions you should ask any small-group operator yourself
Aldermaston Wharf, Berkshire
Aldermaston Wharf sits on the Kennet and Avon Canal, and from here you can cruise the canal itself or head out onto the River Thames. Your Thames licence is included in the boat hire. Newbury, Thatcham and Reading are the nearby towns, and Aldermaston railway station is about 300 metres from the wharf.
The fleet ranges from 47ft boats for two to four people up to 70ft boats for as many as 12. Smaller boats include the Bunting, Swift and Weaver. In the middle of the range are six- to eight-berth boats such as the Dove, Eagle and Warbler. The Tern sleeps ten and the Swan sleeps twelve. Along the canal, the Crofton Beam Engines at the Crofton Locks summit use two steam pumps to lift water 40 feet up to the canal. They were built in 1812 and 1845 and are among the oldest working steam beam engines in the world.
Short breaks along the canal and Thames
Three routes are suggested for a short break. Hungerford and return takes you to the town's antique shops and waterfront. Newbury and return is a gentle cruise past Civil War battlefields and a peace camp, with time to look out for wildlife and wading birds. Henley and return goes onto the Thames, with birdwatching, the cells of a Victorian prison, the story of the suffragettes and a royal pastime along the way.
Longer cruises towards London
Windsor and return starts with a short cruise to Reading, where you join the Thames. From there you head downstream through Henley, known for its rowing, then Marlow, where Shelley and T.S. Eliot once lived, and Cookham, home of the Stanley Spencer art gallery. If you have more time, Limehouse and return continues down the Thames past Henley, Marlow, Hampton Court Bridge and Teddington. It then joins the Grand Union Canal up to Little Venice, London Zoo and Camden Market. Experienced crews on a longer holiday can try the Grand Ring. It covers the southern waterways, including Banbury and Leighton Buzzard, and then follows a route similar to Limehouse and return.
Getting to the wharf
By road, leave the M4 at junction 12 and follow the A4 towards Theale and Newbury. Then take the A340 Basingstoke Road and turn left onto Wharfside, where the marina office is straight ahead. Heathrow is 40 miles away, about 45 minutes by car. Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted are all linked to Reading by motorway and bus, and an hourly train runs from Reading to Aldermaston. The address is Aldermaston Wharf, Berkshire, RG7 4JS. The route guides listed for the area are Nicholson N7, Lockmaster L18, L20 and L23, Pearsons P7 and P8, and Geo Projects G29.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest canal holidays on Mooch, both in England. Prices are the operators' own, per boat.
