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Perhaps not the most obvious place for a holiday, but a weekend break in Staffordshire in the heart of England with its canal and pottery history means that you can have a hugely fascinating couple of days away doing something completely different.
Recommended Routes For Weekend Breaks
STOKE ON TRENT HIRE BASE, STAFFORDSHIRE
From our Staffordshire base in central England, you can cruise routes that take you through the pottery makers heartland through to the beautiful open countryside of the Peak District.
Stoke on Trent to Leek & Frogall
Hours: 24 hours return
Locks: 34 return
Leaving our Stoke on Trent canal hire base, you will head to the very picturesque Caldon Canal. After leaving the pottery heartland in central Stoke, the industrial background slowly turns to the countryside and the beautiful Churnet Valley. The Caldon Canal is a quiet canal with very good canal side pubs in a rural setting, and is arguably the most picturesque canal in England.
Mini Breaks to Remember in Stoke on Trent
A truly memorable weekend short break in Staffordshire starts from our narrowboat hire base in Stoke on Trent and from here you can explore various canals, including the Trent and Mersey and the Caldon Canal.
This type of holiday is so different – being captain of your own narrowboat and deciding your own itinerary every day. Choose from visiting places like Cannock Chase, Burton-Upon-Trent, Drayton Manor theme park, the national forests or even Alton Towers, and enjoy Staffordshire from the water.
For lovers of the outdoors, canal boat holidays in Staffordshire offer not just stunning scenery, but also the opportunity for some lovely walks and cycling, with the miles of pretty towpaths through the rolling countryside.
Family Weekend Breaks in Staffordshire
A narrowboat holiday can make a brilliant family weekend break in Staffordshire. You can hire a narrowboat from either Friday afternoon or Saturday and be on your way, cruising through the Staffordshire countryside after your initial coaching section and induction, which the whole family can take part in.
Canal boat breaks in Staffordshire offer the opportunity for children of all ages to get fully involved in driving the boat and managing all the aspects of this type of self-catering holiday, from casting off in the morning to mooring up for the night.
Many of the weekend break routes offer cruises along the waterways and also managing the locks that you may come across. Opening and closing the lock gates and ensuring smooth passage is just one of the activities that the whole family can be involved in.
Black Prince also offer family activity packs that children can use to get fully immersed into their canal boat break.
Find out more about hiring a boat for family breaks from our narrowboat hire base at Stoke on Trent.
Spring, Summer and Autumn breaks in Staffordshire
You can choose a weekend break throughout most of the year, from mid-March to the end of October. Spring and autumn weekend breaks tend to be popular for quieter waterways and lower prices on Staffordshire holidays, whilst the summer weekend breaks offer more lively canals with the opportunity to be more social on your holiday!
Short breaks can be booked throughout the main summer season, including July and August.
Dog-friendly Weekend Breaks
Dogs and other pets are welcome to! We welcome up to two dogs (and other pets!) on our dog-friendly boats, with the first pet travelling free of charge.
You just need to remember to bring all your normal pet bedding, toys and food etc with you on your short break in Staffordshire.
You can read more about our pet-friendly boating holidays here.
Last-Minute Weekend Breaks in Staffordshire
We sometimes have last-minute availability for weekend breaks at our canal boat hire base in Staffordshire.
If you want to travel last minute then give our team a call 01527 575115 so that we can ensure you are booked in and receive all the relevant information that you’ll need before travelling.
Starting days for weekend breaks in Staffordshire are Fridays and Saturdays, with departure times between 2pm and 5pm. Friday departures are for three nights and you are due back to base on Monday morning by 9.30am, Saturday departures are due back Tuesday morning by 9.30am.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go for a weekend break in Staffordshire?
The Potteries area of Staffordshire at Stoke on Trent is a great place to start, taking in a visit to the most famous factories such as Middleport and Emma Bridgewater. Then take a narrowboat short break to the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Do all your bases offer weekend breaks?
Yes, you can cruise over the weekend from any one of our nine canal boat visitor centre hire bases across England, Scotland and Wales. Please note that we have both Friday and Saturday departure days.
How many nights is a weekend break?
A weekend break is 3 nights, departing either on a Friday or Saturday (please note that this is dependent on the boats we have available).
Can I travel for just two nights on a weekend?
No, I’m afraid our minimum hire duration is 3 nights.
