Bath canal boat hire – the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon.
Something I have wanted to do for the longest time was to experience canal boat holidays.
They’ve always looked like the most relaxing way to travel. And I just adore rivers and canals and Bath boat trips have to be the best way to enjoy the city.
As the August Bank Holiday approached we were keen to enjoy a last summer adventure. We decided to rent a long-boat and take to the Bath canal on one of the Bath narrowboats.
Summer days drifting along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon. Spending nights cosy on board and days gently making our way through the waterways.
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Setting off from Bath – Bath canal boat hire – the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon
We set off from Bath. Jumping on board we had a quick lesson in how to steer the boat and take care of it and a wander along the canal to see how the locks worked.
We loaded up our belongings and as late afternoon set in we headed off. Tentatively moving along the canal, watching the beautiful Georgian architecture of Bath fade in the shimmering sun.
We were off on the first of our canal boat holidays.
The children immediately loved it. Bounding through the boat to ask if they could have another snack before racing back up to the front to watch the ducks and swans nudge out of our way.
Steering
We found the steering tricky.
Canal boats work in a counter-intuitive way. You steer right to go left and vice versa and with an eight berth boat stretching out in front of us it wasn’t always easy to navigate the narrow canals with boats moored and others coming towards us.
The swing bridges concerned me too but actually were easy to operate. I quite enjoyed my jumps off the boat to run up and push the bridge open.
I would wave to the children on our boat below as it sailed through before closing it up and jumping back on board again.
Mooring up
By the time the late summer sun was starting to fade we were exhausted. And ready to moor up for a night on the canal.
We hadn’t travelled very far, we thought we would have been much further along in our journey but we soon learnt that canal boats cannot, should not, be rushed.
It felt lovely mooring up on the side of the bank. Hammering in pegs to tie up our boat, sitting alongside long term boat residents on this quiet bit of the Kennet and Avon canal.
We cooked up pasta in our lovely little kitchen and listened to the gentle sounds of the river as we played card games afterwards and headed off to bed.
The canal is at its most beautiful in the quiet of the morning.
Cyclists whirring amiably past, joggers smiling greetings and the sounds of the wildlife waking up accompanied us.
This is what boating holidays should be all about.
Full day on the canal – Bath canal boat hire – the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon
We set off on another beautifully sunny morning. Atill unused to quite how slow canal boats travel and with tense arms steering as accurately as we could.
We travelled over Dundas aqueduct with its wonderful countryside views. And further up the waterways past more swing bridges.
We loved the boating community who like us had hired boats and were trying to learn the ropes. And we would smile and nod in understanding at each other as we passed.
Some of the local residents seemed a little put out with the daytrippers and holiday makers travelling too fast and swerving too recklessly. We did offer up a number of apologies.
Stopping in Bradford-upon-Avon
People were helpful though. Once we got to Bradford on Avon, swerving awkwardly to one side and then the other, finding ourselves suddenly, accidentally mooring, our two boating neighbours helped pull us in and rope us up and share their boating tips.
As it turned out it was the perfect place to stop. The children raced around in the playground next to us before we all wandered out for ice creams and a stroll through beautiful Bradford on Avon.
We walked up the canal and found The Boat House. A sweet pub overlooking more canal boats where we stopped for Sunday lunch and to catch our breath.
We enjoyed it here, relaxing while the children played in their grounds, eating well and watching the sun set.
Another night on board
As the light was fading we weaved our way back along the waterways to our boat.
This was my favourite time out by the canals. Watching others set up barbecues on the banks, lights coming on, greetings shared, wine bottles popped, kettles boiled.
I also loved this stretch of canal the best. It felt like a real community here, friendly and welcoming.
Bradford on Avon Lock – Bath canal boat hire – the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon
In the morning we tackled the Bradford On Avon lock. Which we had been dreading.
We shouldn’t have worried though. So many hands came to help us steer in, to turn the lock to allow the water to fill and for our boat to rise up.
The children thought this was a wonderful experience and wanted to do more.
We were relieved we made it through without any trauma.
Last day on the water
It was our final day on the water though and it was our finest.
The sun shone on the brightest, warmest Bank Holiday Monday and we, finally having cracked the steering, confidently sailed the boat on.
The children sat inside, icing and decorating cup cakes for us all to enjoy. And we sat in the sunshine really appreciating how beautiful these criss-crossing routes of the UK are.
Canals are largely hidden from the hustle and bustle of day to day life. They are a beautiful, peaceful escape.
Forced to travel slowly and carefully you just want to look around and appreciate how amazing this enigmatic part of the UK is.
The children loved it too, spending lazy days reading and playing games. It was clear that boating holidays are the perfect way to unplug.
From the two youngest reading together to the oldest who was suddenly loving the book he’d brought. We all found time to slow down.
What we thought – Bath canal boat hire – the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon
On our final stop at a beautiful canalside pub, cold drinks all round, we reminisced on our few summer days drifting along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon.
It certainly wasn’t as easy as we thought it would be and in hindsight I think it would be a wonderful activity to team up with another family to appreciate. But I’m so pleased we did it and got the hang of it in the end.
There’s something very special about time on the waterways.
Find out more about Drifters who hire out narrowboats here. Don’t forget to check out our top things to do in Bath with kids (but which adults will love too) for lots more inspiration.
The best things to do in Bath with kids
The best hotels in Bath for families to stay
My fella has always wanted to do this! Every time we walk down Castlefield and see the boats we winds me up about it. I think we’d struggle to handle the boat though, especially since I have no co-ordination and would probably steer the wrong way since it’s back-to-front!
Looks lovely. We hired a day boat on the Basingstoke Canal a couple of weeks ago and it was so relaxing. I’d love to do a longer trip like this. The bedrooms looks so cozy, I’m sure my kids would love it.
I’ve always fancied going out a barge, it always looks like such a nice way to travel. It sounds like you had a lovely time on your trip as well.
Once the toddler is slightly older, this is something I really look forward to doing with my children. Mind you, Mr R can do all the “driving”. I organised a hen do on a barge once, 15 of us on the longest barge I have ever seen. We spent four hours stuck in a lock, but luckily there was a pub nearby so once we got out, we could go there to recover our nerves! 😀 Looks like you had a really lovely time!
I visited Bath recently and loved everything about it so can only the view from the Avon canal. I am super jealous that you guys ended summer in style and what an incredible adventure
Oh my goodness, that just looks like the loveliest experience. I’ve never been on a barge boat before!
Ooh! This was super interesting, thank you so much for sharing! <3 I've always wondered what life would be like on a canal boat – I never imagined there'd be such a wonderful community spirit though! I really want to do this now, although I'd be terrified of crashing and coping with the locks! Hehe! I'm so glad you had a great time! 🙂 xx
Going on a canal boat holiday at 13 (23 years ago!) was one of my most memorable and favourite holidays. I would definitely do it again but it’s so expensive these days 🙁 x
A trip down the canal on a riverboat looks so good and fun. I think we have river cruises in Nottingham. Would be a lovely way to explore the city more.
What a lovely and relaxing way to see the canal. The Boat House looks amazing. It sounds very relaxing and love your photos x
Looks like so much fun! I love how much there is to do along various stretches of canals, such a fantastic way of exploring the country and meeting some wonderful people 🙂
What a lovely trip! We have some great canals in brum and I’ve always fancied it! X
I have always wanted to take a canal boat trip! It looks like you had such a lovely, relaxing time…lovely QT with the family 🙂
I used to do this a lot with my family as a kid, and I really want to try it again now I am an adult.
oh wow it looks as if you had an amazing time it looks so peaceful and relaxing something I sure could do with myself at the moment
I would love to live on a canal boat too! I always see them on the canals in London and wonder what it would be like. Looks like you all had an amazing time too. x
What a fabulous adventure you seem to have had! I have a friend who lives on a canal boat and i have visited but never travelled on one. I would love to give it a go as I can imagine it being so relaxing. I am always my happiest when near water
This is slow living done properly! I live very near to this stretch of canal and we used to hire bikes there regularly – always one of my favourite days out!
Wow! So amazing! I love how peaceful it looks. I would love to visit there!
I live near a lot of canals and always see people enjoying themselves on the boats but I don’t think I’ve ever gone for a ride myself! Would love to as it always looks so lovely!
I’ve always wanted a trip on a canal boat, ever since I was little and loves Rosie and Jim! Looks so relaxing and peaceful.
Ohhh my gosh, this looks like so much fun. One of the best holidays I ever had was on a narrowboat!
I’d love to do this again with my daughter – we had a great little narrowboat break with friends for my 30th birthday doing your trip in reverse and had the best time. Admittedly last time as it was my birthday I insisted I should get to sit back and everyone else handle the tricky locks 🙂
I’ve always wanted to rent one of these just to see what the interior is really like! It seems to be a lot bigger than I thought actually!
I would absolutely love to rent one of these, they look like so much fun! Plus, the interior is so quirky and cool! Glad you had a great time 🙂
Thank you Emma-Leigh, it was a lovely way to experience slow travel! Hope you have the opportunity to soon 🙂