Narrowboating with children on the Llangollen

For a unique holiday experience, try a Black Prince family narrowboat cruise along the Llangollen Canal. This family-friendly canal boat break on this famous canal in Wales offers both tranquility and adventure and a chance for parents and kids to enjoy something a little different.

Why choose a family canal boat adventure on the Llangollen?

Unlike traditional holidays, where you’re confined to one location, a canal boat holiday with Black Prince cruise allows you to explore the Llangollen Canal at your own pace. Each morning you wake up to a new view at your chosen mooring spot and each day you have the opportunity to discover historic landmarks, famous towns and family-friendly attractions.

The route along the Llangollen canal will suit families with children who enjoy being out with nature, perhaps enjoying dog walking or cycling alongside the boat or even taking an active role in driving the boat. It’s a fairly quiet route, Llangollen town itself is a great stop off point as is Chirk Castle, but on the whole it’s a destination that is perfect for families relaxing together in the countryside.

Family attractions along the Llangollen

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: this feat of engineering is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It carries the the Llangollen canal over the River Dee and kids will be in awe as they glide across this impressive aqueduct, which offers breathtaking views of the valley below. Be warned – you need a head for heights if you’re driving the boat!
Chirk Castle: Close to your starting point at Chirk on your narrowboat holiday in Wales is Chirk Castle, a medieval fortress run by the National Trust. There’s a large garden and grounds to explore which are dog friendly, and the castle itself has a good reputation for being entertaining for families with children – the dungeons are very popular!
Horseshoe Falls: This tranquil spot close to Llangollen is reached by a short walk from the Llangollen Canal. It’s a beautiful parkland area where you can enjoy a picnic by the water’s edge, and on a sunny day the kids will love a splash about in the water.
Llangollen: This pretty little town is a treasure trove of family-friendly activities, from the scenic Llangollen Railway to the various tourist shops and cafes in the main town. Take a walk by the side of the river that runs through the town, which is perfect for a paddle or a swim during the summer.

Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained on the Boat

As mentioned previously, a narrowboat journey along the Llangollen with children is a mixture of excitement (as you cross over the aqueduct!) and peaceful cruising. If you feel like your children would need some extra activities whilst cruising through the countryside then here are some tips to ensure a smooth sailing experience:

Bring along games and activities: Pack a selection of board games, puzzles, and books to keep boredom at bay during quiet moments onboard. Encourage the kids to disconnect from screens and engage in interactive play together as a family.

Get creative with nature: Take binoculars if you have them and encourage a bit of birdwatching and noting down how many different species of birds and animals you can spot along your cruise.

Black Prince Family Activity Guides: Check out our Activity Guides for more inspiration on fun things to do during your Llangollen family canal holiday. You can download these and print them out to take with you on your trip. There’s discovery days, arts and craft, nature guides and some activities for teens such as movie making.

Junior crew responsibilities: Involve the kids in the daily tasks of boat life by assigning them age-appropriate responsibilities, such as helping with navigation, operating locks, or preparing meals. They will learn great teamwork skills and will love the experience of a hand on the tiller!

Planning a family canal boat trip along the Llangollen

Route planning: We recommend having a route plan mapped out as you need to be back at your canal boat hire base in Chirk at a designated time at the end of your cruise, especially if you are taking a short break cruise. However, on longer holidays of seven nights or more you can enjoy a more relaxed cruise as you’ll have time for impromptu stops, leisurely walks, and, of course, the necessary pub stops!

Safety first: You will have a full safety briefing on your arrival at the narrowboat hire base on the Llangollen Canal so make sure that you and your children listen carefully to this introduction to life on the waterways. Life jackets are available to borrow from our base, ensure that they are worn by children when near the water and take some time to establish clear rules to prevent accidents.

Capture the moments: It’s easy to get some great photos and video now with smart phones and the whole family can be involved in capturing the holiday this way. Perhaps you could go further and encourage the children to document your narrowboat adventure through photos, videos, creating a holiday journal or scrapbook.

So we think that a family narrowboat holiday on the Llangollen Canal can be a lot of fun, and we’ve certainly received some great reviews and feedback from families in the past who have enjoyed this particular route.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today over the phone or by email and we’ll do our best to answer them! We look forward to welcoming you and your family aboard very soon.