Get Crafty Touring UK - Reflect Magazine

18 Crick Boat Show
19
Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away…
Hunter’s Yard
Few things in life can be as relaxing as holidaying on water, as exploring Britain’s 2,200 miles of
canals and rivers allows you to take life at a slower pace. With hundreds of miles of waterways
to explore and some of the most beautiful and peaceful scenery the British countryside has to
offer, it’s no wonder canal holidays are growing in popularity.
In fact, research carried out last year by Towergate Bakers
Insurance found that from the five most popular holidays
enjoyed by Brits, a canal boat holiday came in at a surprising
fifth place. With this type of holiday being described as ‘the
fastest way to slow down’, it’s easy to see why so many Brits
are opting for this kind of holiday.
Far removed from the pace of modern life, a narrowboat
holiday is the perfect way to unwind. Making your way
slowly through the British countryside in your floating
home you have the freedom to go as you please. No rush
(as speeds are limited to 4mph), no pressure, just mile after
mile of beautiful canals (originally created to transport
goods across the country) to explore. There’s always a new
view to experience around the next bend, something new
to discover and something for the kids to explore; it’s a truly
relaxing holiday.
Britain’s canals offer the unique chance to see parts of
villages, towns and cities that cannot be seen by any other
mode of transport. There are also numerous attractions
along the way to stop and enjoy including museums, shops
and pubs.
An abundance of wildlife can be seen along the canal,
including beautiful swans, families of ducks swimming
together, frogs perched on water lilies, and hundreds of fish.
Why not see if you can catch your dinner by fishing as you
chug along, but don’t worry if the fish gets the better of you
– there’s plenty of places to eat along the way.
There are numerous companies providing barge hire, with
accommodation ranging from basic two-man boats to large
family barges with all the creature comforts. If you’ve really
caught the boating bug, then you could invest in your own
barge so you can have a weekend away whenever the mood
takes you.
The UK’s premier waterways event takes place at the
picturesque Crick Marina (just off Junction 18 of the M1)
from 2nd – 5th June. The Crick Boat Show and Waterways
Festival is more than just boats – it offers an action packed,
great value, family day out, and it’s right on your doorstep.
For more information or tickets, visit
www.crickboatshow.co.uk
©VisitBritain/Britain on View
Based on the Shropshire Union
Canal, we are a family-run business,
geared up to provide a canal holiday
on a narrowboat that gives you that
‘private boat’ experience. We are
ideally located for cruising the beautiful
Llangollen Canal, the Four Counties
Ring and Chester.
This central part of the inland
waterways system has something for
everyone, whether you’re new to
boating or an old hand, whether you’re
looking for a quiet and relaxing rural
retreat, or delving into a little known
corner of our British industrial heritage.
We aim to offer a truly personal touch.
Overwater Marina, Coole Lane,
Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AY
Tel: 01782 722743
Email: info@canalboatcruising.co.uk
Web: www.canalboatcruising.co.uk
• 2 Hour Skippered Sails
Only £48 for up to 4 people
• RYA Sailing Tuition
(levels 1,2,3 & Seamanship
courses available)
• Half-Decker (day boat) Hire
• Cabin Yacht Hire
Join us in 2012 as we celebrate
our 80th year of sailing traditional
boats on the Norfolk Broads.
Tel: 01692 678263
www.huntersyard.co.uk
More Than
Just A Holiday
Narrowboat holidays have been
described as the fastest way to slow
down, so it’s not surprising to see how
popular they’ve become in recent years
as we all try to manage the stress of
demanding work, and family, lives.
Established over 40 years ago, Anglo
Welsh Waterway Holidays provide
narrowboat holidays for all the family.
The company was taken over in 2000 by
Robert Lawrence who has spent the last
12 years investing a lot of time, effort
and money into refurbishing the fleet,
of 150 weekly hire boats and 10 day hire
boats, to a higher standard.
Operating from 11 locations around
England and Wales, 10 of which are
on Britain’s canals, one of which is on
the River Thames, Anglo Welsh cover a
section of Britain’s 2,000 miles of inland
waterways, in numerous stunning locals
that beg to be explored. Robert told
Reflect: “Our eleven bases are situated in
delightful areas of England and Wales;
they offer all the rural tranquillity you
could ask for, combined with the hustle
and bustle of quaint market towns, as well
as the history and heritage of the ancient
cities of Oxford and Bath.”
Anglo Welsh’s fleet is constantly being
upgraded as boats are refurbished
and replaced with brand new vessels.
The fleet of 150 offers a diverse mix
to accommodate every type of party,
including a cosy two-berth for a couple,
a four or six-berth for a family and eight,
nine, ten and 12-berth boats – these
all come in a choice of Cruiser and
Semi-Traditional stern arrangements
for a fantastic canal holiday. Robert
added: “Lots of people are surprised to
discover just how modern 21st Century
narrowboats actually are; they come
fully equipped with hot and cold running
water, flushing toilets, central heating,
showers or even small baths, sprung
mattresses and fridges are available on
every boat. We include a full tank of fuel in
all our hires, which would keep you going
for two weeks at a steady pace. We’re one
of the few large boat hire companies to do
this and customers actually save anything
up to £100 by choosing us over one of our
competitors.”
If you’re new to narrowboats and
are worried about a holiday on the
water, don’t worry. Anglo Welsh have
a number of boats to hire for the day
to give you and your family a taste
of life cruising the inland waterways.
Robert added: “We also ensure everyone
completes a nationally accredited
handover procedure by a qualified
member of staff on the fundamentals
of operating a narrowboat and water
etiquette. This is to ensure everyone sets
off on their holiday or day out confident,
comfortable and safe.”
For more information, please visit www.anglowelsh.co.uk or call 0117 3041122
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