Celebrate Christmas on the water

Explore the canals and rivers of the UK this Christmas with a short break or a week-long stay on board a narrowboat – which sleep from two to 12 – courtesy of specialist boating holiday agency, Waterways Holidays.

As an example of the options for a festive short break, the spacious 52ft ‘Lady Theresa’ sleeps four – plus one pet free of charge - and is available for four nights’ hire from 24 December from Bunbury in Cheshire at a cost of £750 inclusive of a full tank of diesel, gas and bed linen.

This is an ideal starting point for a short break with four different routes to explore such as towards the historic walled city of Chester and its Zoo or travelling along the Llangollen Canal or the Shropshire Union Canal.

Alternatively, for those who can enjoy a longer stay on the water, ‘Harry – a 52ft fully equipped narrowboat sleeping six – is available for a week’s hire from 21 December from Stockton Top Marina in Warwickshire at a cost of £993 inclusive of all fuel, bed linen and free parking.

Cruising options include the Warwickshire Ring – taking in the Stratford Canal and the Hatton flight of locks – and Stoke Bruerne with a route along the Grand Union Canal through Blisworth tunnel to the Waterways Museum.

waterwaysholidays.com offers live availability on more than 1500 narrowboats and cruisers operated by the UK’s leading boat operators and with more than 50 different start locations. The website also offers lots of advice on boating holidays as well as featuring listings of the latest special offers.