If you’re looking for a unique and relaxing holiday experience, a luxury narrowboat break could be right up your street.
With all the creature comforts you’d expect from a quirky boutique hotel, a narrowboat is a great way to explore the waterways and countryside in the heart of the UK, reconnect with nature, relax and spend time with your friends or loved ones.
However, spending time on deck isn’t the only thing to look forward to when it comes to taking a narrowboat holiday. There are plenty of other things you can do to pass the time.
Here are our top five ideas to get the most from your luxury narrowboat break…
Relax
Perhaps the best thing about a luxury narrowboat holiday is the opportunity it gives to relax, unwind and watch the world go by.
Narrowboating is a holiday activity like no other. You can travel at your own pace, moor up pretty much anywhere you like and take the time to reconnect with your family and with nature.
With everything you need on deck, from a fully equipped kitchen to a state-of-the-art entertainment system, it’s pretty much like having your own self-contained home on the water.
So, when the sun is shining, you can catch some rays on the deck and enjoy some al fresco dining. When it starts to get dark and chilly, you can retreat to the cabin for a snuggle on your settee in your beautifully heated boat.
The pace of life on the canals is much slower, and once you get used to it, it really does make for a totally relaxing break away from all the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Learn to handle a narrowboat
If you’re new to narrowboating or have never taken a boat on the water before, then learning how to handle and operate our narrowboats and navigate your way along the canals is an experience like no other.
While there are many things to consider to ensure you have a safe and comfortable trip, you’ll be able to pick up the basics quickly and enjoy the experience of taking the narrowboat on your maiden voyage.
By the end of your luxury break, you’ll be a dab hand, having learned all the skills you need to enjoy this unique and relaxing type of holiday.
Even if you’re a complete novice, you’ll be given all the training you need to get you on your way, and it won’t be long before you get bitten by the narrowboat bug and be booking your next break.
Enjoy nature
One of the best things about a luxury narrowboat break is the chance it gives you to enjoy the great outdoors.
The West Midlands boasts some of the most beautiful, idyllic and picturesque canals and countryside in the UK, along with historic towns and villages along the route where you can learn about the country’s industrial heritage.
So, you can take your time ambling along the water and soaking up the gorgeous, rolling landscapes, stopping off for picnics or pub lunches and going for long, relaxing strolls in the sunshine.
If you’re looking for a way to escape the rat race and reconnect with nature, a luxury narrowboat break is the way to go.
Sample local delicacies
Worcestershire is renowned for its thriving food and drink scene, and many local delicacies originate in this part of the UK.
We’re world-famous for Worcestershire Sauce, but that is only a tiny part of the local food story.
Oatcakes, asparagus and faggots all have roots in this region, while we also boast exceptional cheeses, including Malvern and Double Worcester.
And love it or hate it, Marmite has its origins along the canal in nearby Burton-upon-Trent.
If real ale is your thing, this part of the UK is famed for its brewing heritage.
Commercial breweries like Bank’s and Davenport’s continue to produce beers consumed across the UK, while a host of micro-breweries such as Craddock’s and Burning Soul make up a thriving craft beer and micro-pub scene.
You can enjoy all these local delicacies and more at the pubs and eateries dotted along the canal, where you can stop off for a cosy dinner, a relaxed lunch or just a cheeky pint in the sun.
Experience history
There are plenty of points of interest along the Worcestershire Canal that make excellent places to stop off and explore.
Great Malvern is a Victorian town surrounded by the stunning Malvern Hills. It is home to the Priory Church, which was founded in 1085 when Benedictine monks settled there.
The old riverside market town of Evesham is situated in the heart of the Vale of Evesham, known as England’s fruit and vegetable basket.
Meanwhile, the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is famed as the 16th Century birthplace of William Shakespeare and boasts plenty of fantastic places to explore.
And if shopping is your thing, why not moor up in Brindley Place in Birmingham, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of England’s second city? It boasts global high street brands, independent boutique stores and a wide array of bars and restaurants for the ultimate day out.
You can check out all the local places of interest and things to see and do in our handy online guide.
Enquire about your luxury narrowboat holiday now
If you’re planning a luxury break with a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Our luxury narrowboats are available to hire for a unique getaway with all the home comforts you need, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday in style.
Just don’t leave things too late to book, or you