Kennet and Avon
Kennet and Avon — Devizes flight, Pewsey, Bath. Black Prince's Stoke Hammond base takes a fortnight for the whole thing or a week one-way. Good for first-time skippers; the lock-keepers are still around.
About this trip.
Bradford on Avon and the canal west
The Kennet & Avon runs past the edge of Bradford on Avon, a compact stone-built town in Wiltshire with its railway station a short walk from the wharf. From here the canal heads west through the Avon valley, crossing aqueducts and working through bridges and locks on its way towards Bath.
This is unhurried canal country rather than wilderness: farmland and a wooded valley floor with the River Avon running parallel, broken up by villages and the occasional market town. It suits anyone new to a narrowboat, and more experienced boaters tend to use Bradford Wharf as a base for longer runs down onto the Avon below Bath.
Cruising to Bath and on to Bristol
Bath is a gentle day's cruise west of the wharf, close enough that a three- or four-night break makes sense if you want to moor up, walk into the city and head back at an easy pace. It is the set piece of any week here: a World Heritage City reached by water, with the canal dropping through its final locks to meet the river.
A full week gives you time to carry on through Bath and down the River Avon towards Bristol, passing countryside and market towns along the way. That leg suits boaters with a few hours under their belt, as it involves more locks and a change in character once you are on the river proper. Short of that, the run to Bath and back at a slow pace is the classic version of this holiday.
Booking, handover and getting there
Black Prince operates the hire base at Bradford Wharf. Handovers include a briefing, a boaters' handbook and canal maps, with a helpline available throughout the week. Starts are all 2.30 pm: three-night breaks on Saturdays, four-night breaks on Tuesdays, and seven-night holidays on either Saturday or Tuesday. The fleet runs from compact berth boats to wider, more comfortable widebeams for parties who want the room to spread out.
Bradford on Avon station is about a quarter of a mile from the base, with direct trains from Bath (around 15 minutes), Bristol and London Paddington. From Heathrow, the standard route is the Heathrow Express into Paddington and on to Bath, roughly 90 minutes, with a taxi for the last 20 minutes to the wharf. Approximate airport taxi fares come in around £55 from Bristol, £120 from Heathrow and £150 from Gatwick. Drivers leave the M4 at Junction 18 and follow the A46, A4 and A363 into town.
Provisioning and where to stay the night before
A Sainsbury's sits five minutes' walk from the wharf, or you can book a supermarket delivery timed to arrive on departure day. The on-board freezer is roughly the size of a shoebox and there is nowhere to hold chilled shopping before boarding, so it pays to keep frozen items minimal and plan to top up at shops and pubs along the way.
For a night before, Timbrell's Yard is a boutique option ten minutes' walk from the base, The Barge Inn sits next door to the hire base itself, and the Limpley Stoke Hotel ten minutes by taxi has views over the canal and valley. In Bath, the Travelodge Bath Waterside suits late train arrivals, and The Castle Inn on the edge of Bradford on Avon is a short taxi ride from the wharf.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for canal holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓The boat itself, booked by the night or week
- ✓Fuel for the engine at typical cruising pace
- ✓Handover briefing at the base — no licence needed
- ✓Mooring ropes, fenders, lifejackets and a basic starter pack
- ✓24/7 technical support line for the duration of the hire
Typically not included
- ×Travel to and from the base (train, flights, transfers)
- ×Travel insurance with cruise cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Bedding, towels, or end-of-hire cleaning on some fleets (a modest supplement if required)
- ×Food, drink, and groceries — stock up at towpath-side villages
- ×Lock and mooring fees on some European waterways
- ×Pet supplement (typically £20-30 per dog per week if allowed)
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.
Other canal holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
