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TIME TO GET BACK ON THE WATERWAYS THIS EASTER
If you’re looking for a break after the long winter months then an Easter narrowboat holiday is perfect for providing a good dose of fresh air and activity!
Our cosy narrowboats complete with central heating offer a great outdoor adventure whilst offering a level of comfort needed for an Easter boat cruise in the UK. Enjoy travelling through som lovely countryside and enjoying warm evenings in the comfort of your own boat or at one of the many pubs on the waterways.
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Route ideas for 3 and 4-night short Easter breaks
GREAT HAYWOOD & RETURN
Activity suggestion: paint your own plate at the Potteries
38 miles
36 locks
24 hours cruising total
BOOK AN EASTER CRUISE FROM OUR STOKE ON TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE BASE
WORCESTER & RETURN
Activity suggestion: visit the Commandery Museum for Easter activities
46 Locks
3 or 4-night cruise
14 hours cruising time
BOOK AN EASTER BOAT BREAK FROM OUR STOKE PRIOR, WORCESTERSHIRE BASE
CAMBRIDGE RETURN
Activity idea: wildlife spotting in the Wicken Fens
36 Miles
4 Locks
3 or 4 Night cruise
4 hours per day
BOOK AN EASTER RIVER CRUISE FROM OUR ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE BASE
Route ideas for 7-night Easter breaks
OXFORD, LECHLADE & RETURN
Activity idea: take part in the Easter Egg hunt at Blenheim Palace over Easter weekend
76 Miles
36 Locks
1 Week Cruise
5 hours per day
BOOK FROM OUR LOWER HEYFORD, OXFORDSHIRE BASE
LLANGOLLEN CANAL
Activity suggestion: film yourself crossing the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
4 Locks
1 Week Cruise
4 hours per day
BOOK FROM OUR CHIRK, WALES BASE
CALDON & LEEK RETURN
Activity suggestion: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on the Churnett Valley Railway
42 Miles
32 Locks
4-night short break or 1 week cruse
BOOK FROM OUR STOKE ON TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE BASE
When are the Easter Holidays in 2025?
The date for Easter changes every year, here are the Easter dates for 2024:
Good Friday, Friday 18th April, 2025
Easter Sunday, Sunday 20th April 2025.
School holiday dates differ across the UK, but these are an indication of dates:
Easter school holidays: 7th – 21st April 2025.
Family Easter Holidays
Canal boating at Easter is a great way to rediscover open air and reconnect with the great outdoors after a long winter spent indoors. The whole family can be encouraged to have active fun with an Easter narrowboat cruise, from working the locks to exploring the different villages and towns on your chosen route. It’s a great pet-friendly holiday too, with dogs and other pets welcome on an Easter boat cruise.
Last Minute Easter Holidays
Looking for a last minute Easter canal boat holiday? Call us on +44 (0)1527 575115 for last-minute availability across our nine UK locations. We will look to find a narrow boat hire base to suit you so that we can get you out on short notice. We generally need around twenty-four hours notice but we have been known to be able to arrange same day boating (subject to availability of course!). Please note that we don’t offer day boat hire, but we can offer Easter boat rides for a minimum three-night duration.
START YOUR EASTER BREAK FROM ONE OF THESE HIRE BASES
Stoke Prior Base, Worcestershire
From our Stoke Prior base in central England, there are a variety of routes you can take on your Easter narrowboat cruise. You don’t need to stick the routes that we suggest, bear in mind that you can travel as far as time allows, before turning and heading back to base again. There are regular winding holes (turning points) along every route that allows you to turn and head back to base whenever you choose.
Peak District Base, Staffordshire
There are plenty of options for short breaks and longer holidays over the Easter period from our Peak District base in Stoke-on-Trent, in central England. This popular starting point is perfect for giving you an insight into the original pottery heritage of the area as you can visit famous potteries, including Wedgwood and Royal Doulton, plus there are options to visit Alton Towers if the children are looking for more excitement during their Easter boat cruise!
Acton Bridge Base, Cheshire
Located in the north-west of England, our Cheshire Acton Bridge base offers Easter canal boats that can be enjoyed on a multitude of breaks, both three and four night, or seven nights and longer. From this base you can access the Bridgewater canal, which takes you lock-free all the way to Manchester. This makes for a great route for beginners or those worried about handling the locks!
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Located in the east of England, our Ely narrowboat base offers Easter holiday river cruises on the famous River Cam and River Ouse. You can take an Easter boat break of three and four night, or seven nights and longer. From this base you can visit Cambridge, plus the medieval towns of St Ives and also Bedford.
Couples Easter Getaways
As a couple, our Easter narrowboat cruises make it possible for you to take some time out for yourselves, away from the pressures of everyday life. Enjoy a peaceful weekend break at a time when the waterways are slowly breaking into life, with the emergence of spring flowers and the towpath trees showing the first signs of emerging buds. It’s tranquil and relaxing, a great time to be out and glimpsing the first signs of spring in all its glory.
Dog-friendly Easter Holidays
Of course, what would an Easter narrow cruise holiday be without the family pet? Black Prince welcomes up to two dogs on their dog-friendly boats, so your pooch can be part of the crew!
You just need to remember to bring all your normal doggy gear with you, such as the dog bed, lead, poop bags, toys etc., plus we recommend a special harness which has a handle on the top in case your pet likes the water too much and likes to jump in.
The handle is very useful for hauling pets out of waterways where the embankments may be too steep for them to jump out to.
You can read more about our pet-friendly boating holidays here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be warm enough on a boat at Easter?
Our boats offer central heating with radiators and double glazed front windows to ensure that evenings are cosy and warm. The beds are fully sprung, with duvets for a good night’s sleep and of course there is hot water for showers and washing. Of course, days may get chilly if you are outside, so we always recommend warm clothes with waterproofs for those occasional wet days – Black Prince umbrellas are provided!
Will all the waterways be open at Easter?
Normally, all the waterways across the UK will be fully operational for Easter. However there may be occasions when maintenance and repairs of waterways and locks are necessary, we will keep you updated on our website and by email of any disruptions which may affect your cruising.
Do all your bases offer Easter breaks?
Yes, you can choose to take an Easter boat cruise from any one of our nine canal boat hire bases across England, Scotland and Wales.
Can I just book a short break for Easter?
Yes, all our bases offer three or four-night cruising breaks for Easter and other times of the year. Boats are generally available after 2.30pm on the chosen departure day. Please note that the bases can have different departure days. Read more about our midweek breaks and our weekend breaks here.
