Visit a Christmas Market by Canal Boat

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 larger vessels for twelve.

Narrowboats can provide the perfect base for a self-catering holiday afloat, with the chance to visit a Christmas markets at a waterside town or city along the way.

All Drifters’ boats have central heating and hot water, and some also have multi-fuel stoves.  So, whatever the weather, it’s always nice and cosy on board.

Here are Drifters Top 5 Christmas markets to visit afloat:

1.      Visit Stratford on Avon’s Victorian Christmas Market – this award-winning event is scheduled to be held 8-11 December 2022.  There are hundreds of stalls selling a whole host of seasonal products, with traders decked out in their finest Victorian costumes. There’s also a range of entertainment planned throughout the town, including a stage in Henley Street hosting a programme of performances. From Drifters’ canal boat hire base on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, it’s a six-hour cruise to moorings in Bancroft Basin in the centre of Stratford upon Avon.  The journey takes boaters through the Warwickshire countryside, passing through 17 locks along the way.  ***The 66ft ‘Poppy’ narrowboat for up to four people is available for a weekend break from Wootton Wawen 9-12 December for £875.  Price includes bed linen, towels, 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 £15 per day.

2.      Moor up for a festive break in Bath – Bath’s Christmas Market is on from 24 November to 11 December 2022, with traditional artisan makers lining the picturesque streets of Bath, transforming it into a magical, festive experience.  From Drifters’ canal boat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, it takes around 10 hours to reach moorings alongside Sydney Gardens, a 15 minute walk from Bath City Centre.  The route travels nearly 20 miles and passes through 10 locks along the way.  ***The 50ft ‘Foxtail’ narrowboat for up to five people is currently available 25 November to 2 December for £926, saving £184.  Price includes fuel, gas, bed linen, towels, damage waiver, life jackets, parking and tuition on arrival.  Pets are extra, charged at £30 each.

3.      Cruise to the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham – from 3 November to 23 December 2022, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will fill New Street and Victoria Square, with stalls offering a variety of tempting food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts.  From Drifters’ narrowboat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, it takes around five hours to reach moorings in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham.  There are no locks to pass through along the way.  ***The 65ft luxury ‘Hydra’ narrow boat for up to four people is available 4-7 November for £805.  Price includes bed linen, towels, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival.  There’s a compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£50 for a short break, £90 for a week). Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

4.      Experience the magical Chester Christmas Market – from 18 November to 21 December, Chester's Town Hall Square will be filled with over 70 stalls, selling everything from handmade gifts and stocking fillers, to fudge, vodka and mulled wine.  From Drifters’ base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley in Cheshire, it takes seven hours to cruise to Chester, passing through nine locks along the way.***The 58t ‘Killington’ canal boat for up to four people is currently available for a mid-week break (21-25 November) for £665. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival.  There’s a compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and fuel deposit (£50 for a short break, £90 for a week). Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

5.      Navigate to the Whitchurch Silk Mill Christmas Fair – on 3 and 4 December, the Whitchurch Silk Mill will host a weekend Christmas Fair with a variety of stalls in the Mill grounds.  From Drifters’ narrowboat hire centre on the Llangollen Canal at Blackwater Meadow, it takes around five hours to reach the historic market town of Whitchurch.  The journey travels 12 miles through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District.  ***The 47ft ‘Alpine Swift’ narrowboat for up to four people is available for a weekend break (2-5 December) for £999.  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 £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