Other UK Canal boating holiday destinations
Boating holidays in England are fun-packed adventures, through pretty countryside and historic sites.
Our boat hire in England allows you to explore fascinating, out-of-the-way places and tailor your experience to be as relaxing or as ‘full-on’ as you want it to be. You can steer your boat and stop over wherever and whenever you please on the charming English waterways, which are strewn with historic cities like Oxford and Windsor.
Cruise along England’s most famous river on a Thames boating holiday. Our boat hire bases on the Thames, Benson and Chertsey, are bustling with nearby attractions, fishing spots and quintessential English villages complete with riverside pubs and immaculate village greens.
Choose river and canal boat holidays in England for the perfect staycation! The Thames River boasts quaint towns, historical castles, theme parks, and gastronomy, and many of England’s iconic cities and attractions are just a short trip away from this scenic waterway.
Regions in England
The River Thames highlights
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City
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Fishing
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Golf
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History & Heritage
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Horse Back Riding
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Water sports
Rent a boat in England and explore beyond the waters…
As well as enjoying a fabulous boating vacation in England, why not make the most of your time in this amazing country and visit a nearby area or city? Book a hotel, hire a car, and explore further afield, either before your English houseboat vacation begins, or when you get back to base.
Below are a number of suggestions that we think would make your stay in this part of England even more special – if you have extra time:
Oxford
Most people head towards Henley and Windsor during their boat holiday in England, but you can also go in the other direction into Oxford. So why not spend a few pre- or post-cruise nights there instead? Most famous for its prestigious university, Oxford’s rich English history and beautiful architecture have earned it the nickname ‘the city of dreaming spires’. View the city from the stunning Radcliffe Camera library, explore the history of Oxford Castle, and relax in Oxford’s warm botanical garden. The activities on offer are endless! With markets, an abundance of museums, and even an Alice in Wonderland inspired shop, it’s no surprise that people spend more than a few days in the home of the oldest English-speaking university in the world.
London
Our cruising area in England runs through the gorgeous English countryside and takes in many towns on the outskirts of the capital, but it doesn’t extend right into central London. However, you can hop on a train and find yourself at the top of the Shard in no time. From the iconic sights of Westminster, the bright lights of the West End theatres and the trendy markets of Shoreditch; the royal palaces and parks, world-class museums and countless attractions, London’s rich diversity is enough to keep you occupied for days, and will leave you wanting to return again and again.
South Downs National Park
Our boating region is but an hour or so away from a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the perfect accompaniment to a canal boat holiday in England. Mainline trains take an hour from London into Winchester (at the western end) or into Eastbourne (to its East) and many other towns and villages in between.
Other UK boating holiday destinations
Scotland
If you’d like to explore more of the UK beyond The Thames, then a boating holiday in Scotland will leave you with lasting memories. The Caledonian Canal is home to incredible beauty with so much to see, from rugged cliffs, crumbling castles and Loch Ness.
Review of a boating holiday in England…
“Brilliant weekend! Loved it! Great fun on the boat navigating the waterways and enjoying the pace of life on the river. Wonderful way to see this area of England. We had a wonderful time on the Tango. It was a comfortable boat and we really enjoyed going along the waterways and through locks, having BBQ’s on the side of the river and jumping in for a dip to cool off. Got the hang of boating really quickly and loved it.”
Vicky Boughton, Tango