Drifters Waterway Holidays (www.drifters.co.uk) offers winter cruising on the canals from a number of its bases, with boats ranging from snug narrowboats for two, to family vessels for twelve.

It's free to moor almost anywhere on the network, so a narrowboat could provide the perfect base for a rural retreat with stops at historic waterside pubs with roaring log fires or to visit exciting waterside destinations like Birmingham, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon.

All Drifters' boats have central heating, hot water, televisions and DVD players.  Some also have multi-fuel stoves and Wifi.  So, whatever the weather, it's always nice and cosy on board.

Some Drifters' boat yards also offer boats for hire over Christmas and New Year, offering the chance for peaceful break afloat in the countryside.

Cheryl Howes, owner of Kate Boats, explains:

“Cruising is different in the winter.  People cover much less distance and it's more about just enjoying being aboard, making the most of being away from home and being completely isolated in the little bubble that is the boat.  It's more about reading books, than going through lots of locks.

“The winter months are when the Canal & River Trust does most of its maintenance work, which means some routes aren't available, but there are always alternatives to choose from.

“Because boat hire is cheaper off season, people will often take a slightly larger boat to give themselves a bit more space.  All our boats are centrally heated, so it's always nice and cosy on board.  But you do need to wrap up warm when you are underway, and the person at the tiller needs a supply of hot drinks to keep them going! 

“Our boats have plenty of storage on board so you can bring lots of warm clothes. You just need to accept that with limited day length you aren't going to get as far, and some towpaths do get muddy.”

Drifters' winter cruising prices start at £535 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four, £740 for a week.  Here are Drifters Top 5 winter cruising destinations for 2020-21:

1. Take a winter cruise through the Warwickshire countryside – from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Stockton on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise to Warwick and back to explore its stunning medieval castle on the banks of the River Avon. Along the way, boaters pass through the village of Long Itchington with a choice of pubs and Leamington Spa.  The journey to Warwick travels 12 miles of waterway, passes through 22 locks and takes around eight hours. Alternatively, winter cruisers can head to the pretty canal village of Braunston, where there's a choice of pubs.  Along the way, boaters pass through the Braunston Tunnel and through six locks, as well as miles of peaceful countryside. ***The 38ft boat for up to four people 'Thomas David' is currently available for a 10-day break over Christmas (18-28 December) for 1,363.  Or the 58ft 'Esma Frances' for up to six people is available 18-28 December for £1,994. Price includes diesel, gas, damage waiver, bed linen, car parking, buoyancy aids and tuition on arrival.  Pets are extra, charged at £25 each.
2. Travel along the Oxford Canal to Napton – on a short break from Drifter's narrowboat hire centre on the North Oxford Canal at Rugby, canal boat holiday-makers can travel through the countryside along the Oxford Canal to the pretty canal village of Napton. The journey passes through just six locks (three each way) and the canal village of Braunston, with a choice of pubs. ***The 47ft 'Hooded Grebe' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a weekend break (6-9 November) for £669.  Price includes bedding, towels, collision damage waiver, first pet, car parking & tuition.  Fuel is extra – a £50 deposit is taken for short breaks, £90 for a week.  Charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
3. Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District – from Drifters' narrowboat hire base at Blackwater Meadow on the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, on a short break canal boat holiday-makers can cruise to Whitchurch and back, passing Blake Mere and Whixall Moss along the way. The journey travels through 12 miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside.  There are no locks but there are four moveable bridges and one tunnel to negotiate.  Once at Whitchurch, boaters can moor up and take time to explore this historic town with a choice of independent shops and restaurants, way-marked circular walks, Brown Moss nature reserve and the award-winning Black Bear pub. ***The 47ft 'Clarks Grebe' narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a week 18-25 December for £1,099.  Price includes bedding, towels, collision damage waiver, first pet, car parking & tuition.  Fuel is extra – a £50 deposit is taken for short breaks, £90 for a week.  Charge based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
4. Glide gently through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley - from Drifters' canal boat holiday hire base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, narrowboat holiday-makers can head south, reaching Fradley Junction in five hours. The journey passes through 12 peaceful miles of countryside, with just five locks to negotiate along the way.  Highlights along the way include The Wolseley Centre run by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the Wolseley Arms and the village of Rugeley with its canalside Mossley Tavern.  At Fradley, boaters can enjoy refreshments at the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn and explore the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. ***The 48ft narrowboat for up to four people 'Warleigh 4' is currently available or for a mid-week break 9-11 November for £575 or for a week 6-13 November for £795.  Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival.  A £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£50 for a short break, £90 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £10-15 per day.
5. Visit historic Chester afloat – from Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury near Tarporley in Cheshire, it's a seven-hour cruise through the Cheshire countryside to reach the ancient city of Chester. Along the way, boaters will cruise through 12 miles of countryside and pass through nine locks.  Once moored up at Northgate visitor moorings, narrowboat holiday-makers explore the city and its Roman Walls, Cathedral, Chester Rows and choice of places to eat.***The 62ft narrowboat for up to four people 'Merlin' is currently available for a mid-week break 20-23 November for £605, or £835 for a week (20-27 November. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival.  A £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£50 for a short break, £90 for a week) are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £10-15 per day.

For more information about Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk. 

For more information about visiting the canal network go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

ENDS

For Drifters press enquiries contact Debbie Walker on 01628 635831/077486 40577 walker.debbie@sky.com 

Notes to editors

Drifters Waterway Holidays is made up of nine hire boat companies: ABC Boat Hire, Anglo Welsh, Black Prince, Countrywide Cruisers, Kate Boats, Foxhangers, Napton Narrowboats, Shire Cruisers and Union Canal Carriers.  Between them they offer over 550 boats for hire, operating from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales.  2020 hire prices start at £535 for a short break, £740 for a week.  Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people.  www.drifters.co.uk Tel 0344 984 0322.