How to Take a Water Vacation in Wales

Over the last 30 years, an increase in popularity of leisure boating holidays has meant the canal network in Wales has become a favourite holiday destination. Although there are about eight working canals in Wales, the most prominent and picturesque is the Llangollen canal which starts in Llangollen and ends up in Chesire, via Shropshire.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Travel to Llangollen in the north east corner of the country. This small Welsh town is located approximately 8 miles from Wrexham and 18 miles from Chester. There isn’t a train station there but you can take a train to nearby Chirk or Ruabon (check with National Rail for details) from where it is a short bus ride to Llangollen. If you’re driving, either invest in a good Satellite Navigation system or check your route with AA Route Planner.

2. Get in touch with a hire company to hire out a narrowboat for your trip. There are a number of boatyards with boats for hire in the area, and you can search through these by visiting the Hoseasons website (see Resources below).

3. Decide how big your party is going to be. Narrowboats can accommodate anything from 2 to 8 people, and you should expect to pay between £500 to over £1000 per week in Wales, dependent on the size and quality of the boat (with prices predictably rising in high season during the summer). Prices are generally inclusive of fuel and one night’s mooring at Llangollen.

4. Check beforehand with the hire company if you are allowed to bring dogs with you onto the boat. Although they may feel like part of the family to you, some companies won’t allow them onto their boats.

5. Pay close attention when staff from the hire company give you a demonstration of how to operate your boat. Canal boats are generally very basic, and don’t go very fast, but a member of staff will show you how to steer and control it, and if it’s your first time on a canal boat, probably accompany you for a little way to show you how to operate the locks.

6. Ask staff from the hire company for a map of the route they recommend you take. They should also be able to recommend decent restaurants and pubs along the way where you can stop for dinner, and will tell you where the local mooring points are and where you can stop your boat at night.

7. Don’t miss the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Built in 1805, this impressive 126 foot high aqueduct is now navigable by foot or narrowboat, and takes the Llangollen canal over the valley of the River Dee.

Tips & Warnings

• Try taking a trip in a traditional heavy-horse drawn boat along the feeder section of the canal for a day. The trip starts from Llangollen bridge and lasts for 45 minutes.
• Arrange car parking with the hire company before you leave. Most boat yards will have their own car parks where you can leave your car for the duration of your holiday for a charge.
• Don’t forget to leave enough time to return your boat to the hire company by the agreed date. If you don’t you’ll face a hefty fine.

Resources

• Hoseasons
• Llangollen tourist information