Exploring Wales: Choosing The Right Narrow Boat

Wales is a country full of rich history, warm-hearted people, and exciting opportunities for exploration. One of the best ways to explore the country is by taking a canal boat holiday. With a variety of routes to choose from, you can meander through the breathtaking Welsh countryside, taking in the spectacular views and enjoying the tranquil pace of life on the water. Whether you're an experienced boater or a novice, a canal boat holiday in Wales offers something for everyone. You can explore the historic Llangollen Canal, which winds alongside the Berwyn Mountains, or cruise through the picturesque forests of the Brecon Beacons on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. With no licence or prior experience required, you'll receive all the training you need to operate your boat, navigate the canals, and work the locks and bridges. So, get ready to cast off on your narrowboat adventure and discover the beauty of Wales from a whole new perspective!

The best canals in Wales for narrowboat holidays

Wales is a great place for a narrowboat holiday, with its tranquil canals, breathtaking views, and rich history. Here are some of the best canals in Wales for a narrowboat holiday:

Llangollen Canal

The Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular canals in Wales for narrowboat holidays. It meanders alongside the Berwyn Mountains and takes you over the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal offers stunning views of the Welsh countryside and passes through historic towns like Llangollen and Chirk. Llangollen, an ancient town nestled in the Welsh hills, offers attractions such as the Dee Bridge, Crow Castle, and the Valle Crucis Abbey. Chirk, on the other hand, boasts a rich history with its Norman fortress and Chirk Castle.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, designed by Thomas Telford, is a navigable aqueduct that carries boats 125 feet high over the River Dee. It is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in Wales and is a must-see for visitors. The Llangollen Canal is also unique in that it has no locks to travel through, making it an easy option for narrowboat holidays.

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, also known as the Mon & Brec, is a 36-mile-long waterway that flows between Brecon and Pontypool. This canal is known for its picturesque scenery, winding its way through the Brecon Beacons National Park. It offers a quieter and more relaxed narrowboat experience, with fewer locks and boats. Along the way, you'll pass through sleepy villages, historic industrial sites, and enjoy the rich wildlife of the area, including kingfishers and herons.

Montgomery Canal

The Montgomery Canal, a spur of the Llangollen Canal, offers a tranquil and secluded narrowboat experience. Currently, only a small section of the canal is easily navigable by narrowboat, but it provides an opportunity to explore an area of outstanding natural beauty. You'll likely have this stretch of water mostly to yourself, making it a peaceful and serene holiday option.

Shropshire Union Canal

The Shropshire Union Canal connects to the Llangollen Canal and provides additional hire bases for longer holidays. It offers a different perspective on the Welsh countryside and historic towns, allowing you to explore the Shropshire Countryside and Cheshire Ring.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The aqueduct was designed by civil engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop and built between 1795 and 1805. It took around ten years from design to construction and cost around £47,000. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct officially opened to traffic on 26 November 1805.

The aqueduct is part of the Llangollen Canal, which offers breathtaking views and great photo opportunities. The canal meanders alongside the Berwyn Mountains, taking you over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct towards the ancient town of Llangollen. The Llangollen Canal is a popular choice for narrowboat holidays in Wales, offering beautiful scenery, historical places to visit, and attractions for the whole family.

The best companies for narrowboat hire in Wales

There are several companies that offer narrowboat hire in Wales, with boats available for both experienced and novice boaters. Here are some of the best companies to consider:

Black Prince Narrowboat Holidays

Black Prince Narrowboat Holidays offers a range of routes from its base in Chirk Marina, Wrexham, North Wales. From there, you can travel west to Llangollen, or east into England, visiting towns such as Ellesmere, Whitchurch, Chester, and Northwich. The Llangollen Canal, which is accessible from this base, is known for its breathtaking views and photo opportunities, including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chirk itself also has plenty to offer, including the magnificent Chirk Castle. Black Prince offers a variety of boats, including narrowboats and barges, to suit different group sizes and preferences.

Anglo Welsh

Anglo Welsh is another experienced company, with over 55 years in the business, offering narrowboat hire across England and Wales. They have a fleet of 150 narrowboats at 9 canal boat hire bases. They provide routes along the Llangollen Canal, as well as other scenic routes across the UK, such as the Kennet & Avon Canal and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Anglo Welsh caters to beginners, providing tuition and beginner-friendly routes. They also offer pet-friendly canal boats, so you can bring your furry friends along.

Beacon Park Boats

Beacon Park Boats operates a fleet of luxury narrowboats at Llangattock on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. This canal takes you through the picturesque Brecon Beacons National Park, offering rich heritage, breathtaking scenery, and canalside eateries. This route is perfect for those seeking a tranquil escape surrounded by nature.

Road House Narrowboats

Road House Narrowboats is a small, family-run business and the oldest company offering canal boat hire on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon & Brec Canal). They have five narrowboats specially designed for hassle-free cruising on this canal. The company provides a comprehensive induction and support throughout your journey. The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal takes you through the Brecon Beacons National Park, making it an ideal choice for those interested in wildlife and natural surroundings.

Waterways Holidays Ltd

Waterways Holidays offers narrowboat hire on both the Llangollen Canal and the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Their bases are conveniently located to access iconic attractions such as the Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts. They also offer electric-powered canal boats on the Mon & Brec Canal for a quieter and more environmentally friendly boating experience.

The best pubs and restaurants to visit during a narrowboat holiday in Wales

Wales is a great place for a narrowboat holiday. You can explore the Llangollen, Montgomery and Monmouthshire & Brecon Canals at your own pace, taking in the tranquil scenery and wildlife.

The Coach & Horses Inn, Llangynidr

This old coaching inn is hidden away in the village of Llangynidr, surrounded by the Brecon Beacons National Park. It offers stunning views over the local countryside and is the perfect location for accessing the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, and the historic market towns of Crickhowell and Brecon. Chef Shaun Ellis is known for his warm welcome and excellent cooking, making this a highlight of your trip.

The Goose & Cuckoo, Upper Llanover

This pub was visited by Prunella Scales and Timothy West during their cruise on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Enjoy a hearty homemade meal by the fire or a beer in the garden with views of the Blorenge mountain. It is famed for its selection of real ales, lagers, ciders, and wine, and you can play darts or cards with the locals.

Tafarn y Bont, Govilon

Just a few minutes' walk from the canal, this pub offers a welcoming atmosphere, live music, and a varied menu ranging from Thai cuisine to fish and chips.

Royal Oak, Pencelli

This cosy pub is right on the canal at Cross Keys Bridge in the village of Pencelli. It has a beer garden adjacent to the towpath, thick stone walls, flagstones, open fireplaces, and low beamed ceilings, giving it a traditional feel. It offers real ale from local brewers Brecon Brewing and Tomos Watkin, and a selection of pub lunches.

The Star Inn, Talybont on Usk

With a pub garden next to the canal, the Star Inn uses locally sourced ingredients to create delicious meals, including a seasonal menu with bistro-style dishes, burgers, and pies. Ales include Wye Valley Brewery's Butty Bach and Titanic Plum Porter, and they also have beers from Welsh breweries such as the Celt Experience and Otley Brewing Company.

Chirk

The town of Chirk, with its fascinating history, has plenty of shops, pubs, and restaurants to explore. Wander into town and enjoy the sights, including the famous Thomas Telford bridge constructed around 1798.

Llangollen

The ancient town of Llangollen, nestled in the Welsh hills, has a rich history dating back to the 7th century. There are plenty of sights to see, including the famous Dee Bridge, Crow Castle, and Valle Crucis Abbey. The steam-hauled railway is a must-see, and you can take a historic steam train along the River Dee.

Abergavenny

Abergavenny is a foodie hotspot, famous for its food festival held in September. It is also known for its historic market days and is surrounded by the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Brecon

Brecon is a cathedral town and a friendly base for walks in the national park. It is an historic town with the River Usk running through it and is situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons.

Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress dating back to 1310, with a medieval tower and dungeon, 17th-century Long Gallery, grand 18th-century state apartments, servants' hall, and historic laundry. The award-winning gardens offer stunning views of the Cheshire and Salop plains.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Wales's most iconic landmarks. Designed by Thomas Telford, it stands 126 feet high with 18 arches and offers breathtaking views of the Welsh Valleys.

Horseshoe Falls

The Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen is a distinctively shaped weir created by Thomas Telford, providing water to the Llangollen Canal. It is part of a World Heritage Site that covers 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

If you visit in July, don't miss the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, a world-famous event with international music and a great party atmosphere.

The history of narrowboats in Wales

The original narrowboats were horse-drawn, and the canals they travelled along had towpaths running their entire length. Boatmen would often bring their families along, who would work as unpaid crew in the cramped conditions. As canal companies faced increasing competition from railways, real wages fell, and boatmen had to travel without their families once more.

The latter part of the 19th century saw the introduction of steam-powered narrowboats, mainly used for longer-distance journeys. However, these vessels required larger crews and had less cargo capacity due to the space taken up by the engine and coal.

During the early 1900s, Fellows Morton & Clayton Ltd (FMC) began experimenting with gas engines, and in 1912, they successfully fitted a Bolinder engine onto a narrowboat. This marked a turning point, as all future narrowboats were fitted with Bolinder engines, some of which are still in use today.

After World War II, the canals fell into disrepair, and many became impassable. However, since the 1960s, there has been a dedicated effort to restore and reopen stretches of the canals, and today, the inland waterways are used by more boats than ever before, with many enjoying narrowboat holidays and day trips in Wales.

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