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
Brassknocker Basin
Brassknocker Basin sits beside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Monkton Combe, a village just outside Bath in Somerset. The base is directly on the canal, so you can set off straight away into the waterways of Somerset, Wiltshire and Berkshire. The routes take in countryside, heritage towns and the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes. Monkton Combe suits both first-time boaters and people who have hired a canal boat before.
On the water, a lock is a chamber with gates at either end. With the gates closed, you open the sluices (paddles) to let water in or out. When the level under your boat matches the level you're heading to, you can move the boat in or out.
Short breaks and four-night cruises
A short break gives you two options. You can cruise through the Bath Valley to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back. Or you can head the other way, through the Bath Valley and the historic market town of Bradford on Avon to Hilperton and back. Along this stretch you pass the Dundas and Avoncliff aqueducts. Bradford on Avon has a 14th-century Tithe Barn, river walks and independent shops.
A four-night mid-week break takes you through the Bath Valley and the Wiltshire countryside to the foot of the Caen Hill flight at Devizes and back. Another four-night route heads west through Bath and onto the Bristol Avon to Bristol Floating Harbour and back. This one is for experienced boaters only.
A week or longer
With a week, you can cruise through the Bath Valley, climb the Caen Hill flight at Devizes and carry on through the Vale of Pewsey before turning back. A 10-day or two-week break takes you further. Each of these routes climbs the Caen Hill flight and passes through the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest. You can turn round at Great Bedwyn, Hungerford or Newbury. The longest route continues past Newbury to Reading and the River Thames.
Boats on offer
The fleet sleeps anywhere from two to 12 people. Boats at this base include the Premium 56ft Orchard Class, which sleeps up to five, and the Premium 60ft Explorer and Gem Class boats, which sleep up to six each. The Standard 62ft Trent II Class sleeps up to eight. Every narrowboat has gas central heating with radiators throughout, so the boats can be used all year, and some also have a multi-fuel stove. There's plenty of storage on board, and Anglo Welsh can advise on what to pack. Their brochure covers boats, routes and destinations, with tips for beginners.
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.
