• ceo@blueotterboats.com

Bespoke English Narrowboat Holidays

  • About Usour story
    • Our Holidays
    • On the Canals
  • Our BoatsYour Journey
    • Skipton
    • Wootton Wawen
    • Pricing & Booking
  • FeaturesWelcome aboard!
    • What’s on Board
    • Happy Packing
  • Journal & EventsCanal news
  • Contact UsBy email
Navigation
  • About Us
    • Our Holidays
    • On the Canals
  • Our Boats
    • Skipton
    • Wootton Wawen
    • Pricing & Booking
  • Features
    • What’s on Board
    • Happy Packing
  • Journal & Events
  • Contact Us

Lifestyle

    Fall in love with the heritage and tradition of English Canals

    By CEO / 1st January, 2019 / Blog, Holiday Ideas, Lifestyle / No Comments

    RELAX AND ENJOY RURAL VIEWS, INDUSTRIAL-ERA HERITAGE, SUNLIGHT SPARKLING ON CALM WATERS AND BIRD LIFE CHORUSING YOUR CRUISE

    With more than 2,000 miles of inland waterways across Great Britain, here are a few highlights that made us curious to explore the beauty of England’s canals. Taking a break from fast-paced office environment, life slows to a walking pace when cruising these beautiful flowing highways that were once packed with cargo vessels. If you’ve ever harboured a dream of a life afloat, a narrowboat is one of the sweetest spots to spend British summertime.

    A Ring of Two Roses

    A three week canal journey from Skipton can take you through the North and South Peninne’s breathtaking scenery. Drift through Yorkshire and Lancashire cities, open meadows, market towns, dramatic hillsides for a taster of this region’s diverse surroundings. On Blue Otter Skipton narrowboat you can take two of three trans-Pennine canals: the Leeds and Liverpool, and the Rochdale, in a journey of 220 locks over 175 miles.

    Traversing the canals are a great way to experience the “backbone of England” and give a unique insight into contrasting urban settlements that reside around Leeds, Huddersfield, Manchester, Blackburn and Burnley. Time your cruising right, and you can take in some premier football league matches along the way.

    A Bard Aboard

    Explore centuries of English history along the Avon Ring, a circuit of 109 miles and 131 locks. Moor opposite the Swan Theatre in Stratford upon Avon, near picturesque mills on the River Avon, visit Tewkesbury, cruise the majestic River Severn to Worcester, then ascend the longest flight of locks in Britain on the Worcester & Birmingham canal. Blue Otter Wootton Wawen is perfectly positioned to take you on all of these canal routes.

    Shakespeare’s presence lures narrowboaters along the waters with a mile-long tunnel leading to the Stratford upon Avon canal. Here a real treat awaits along the longest aqueduct on the English canals, Edstone. If you time it for when the Shakespeare’s Express steam train is passing, a cloak of smoky steam will magically surround you, while passengers wave from cream and brown-liveried carriages.

    Gloucester Docks

    Home to the best-preserved 19th-century docks in Britain, Gloucester is surrounded by listed warehouses. This inland harbour was once busy with ships carrying timber and corn from around the world. Cargo was transhipped on to the Severn and then the canals.

    Cruise on your narrowboat from the historic docks and stop where the mood takes you, but be sure to take in Worcester Cathedral and the Norman abbey at Tewkesbury as you mosey down the water highway.

    Cruise the Canals

    Blue Otter narrowboats are available for week-long or month-long rental, enabling you to journey far and wide along the English canal network. Just contact us with your request with when and how you envisage your time on board relaxing and enjoying rural views, industrial-era heritage, sunlight sparkling on calm waters and bird life chorusing your cruise. Take turns piloting the boat, operating locks and swing bridges – rewarded with a refreshment or brew on board after each busy section! Locks are a great opportunity for sharing tips from fellow boaters and canal banter. Either way, lazy afternoons with a tipple of choice in hand are always a good idea!

    Book your Blue Otter escape on the canals here

     

Instagram

blueotterboats

Blue Otter Boats
Sad news about the Heathrow airport strikes planne Sad news about the Heathrow airport strikes planned for July and August. Meanwhile on the canals it’s getting to that time of day… Around now, if you haven’t already moored up for the night, you have about another hour’s cruising daylight into the sunset. Tough choices when on holiday 
#narrowboatlife #canalholidays #blueotterboats #sunsetcruising #sunsetcruise #nostrikesforus
Blue Otter Wootton Wawen has sleeping arrangements Blue Otter Wootton Wawen has sleeping arrangements for families, two couples or just the two of you. June and july availability to cruise into Stratford-Upon-Avon and beyond.
Lovely to find this note from our guests leaving t Lovely to find this note from our guests leaving today on Blue Otter Skipton. 
New guests have already settled in to their first narrowboat experience, leaving in the morning with a couple of hours training on steering, navigating bridges and locks, and most importantly, how to moor up. 
#blueotterboats #happyguests #narrowboatholidays #canalholiday #skipton #newexperiences
Snacking on the go. Name your favourite cruise ne Snacking on the go.  Name your favourite cruise necessities for the pilot and crew. 
#narrowboatlife #canalcruising #blueotterboats #narrowboatholidays #summervibes #summer #summerholiday #foodiesontour
You could go glamping like it's 2020, or you book You could go glamping like it's 2020, or you book a glamping upgrade to pilot your own narrowboat and stay somewhere different every night. 😀 

Explore more on your holiday this year and book a canal journey. 
Save up to £238 on June and July cruises booked by May 31st for Blue Otter Wootton Wawen.
Ideal for families and couples, check our 2023 availability:
Book here: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/boww

You could also head to Skipton in Yorkshire. Cruise east to Leeds, the home of Opera North, Northern Ballet, award-winning restaurants and traverse past the National Turst East Riddleston Hall, down the Bingley Five Rise Locks and through the UNESCO Heritage Town of Saltaire. 

Cruise west towards Liverpool through breath-taking open countryside and in a week you can expect to get to the other side of Foulridge tunnel, maybe a little further for experienced boaters. Enjoy scenery featured in the most recent series of All Creatures Great and Small.

SUMMER AVAILABILITY - ideal for Couples:
Weekly prices from £1019 to £1365 includes fuel, bedding, hot water showers, welcome pack and boat-handling training.
Sunday July 16 – July 23
Sunday July 23 – July 30
Sunday July 30 – August 6
Sunday August 27 - September 3
Sunday September 3 - September 10
Sunday September 10 - September 17
Book here: 
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blot
#blueotterboats #blueotterwoottonwawen #blueotterskipton #glamping #holiday #boating #narrowboating
Name your co-pilot for a summer cruise on Blue ott Name your co-pilot for a summer cruise on Blue otter Skipton. 
@hoseasons #sunsetcruising #narrowboatlife #narrowboat #canalholiday
To Leeds or Liverpool? Narrowboats travel at a max To Leeds or Liverpool?
Narrowboats travel at a maximum 4mph, so in a week from Skipton you can expect to get to Leeds and back, but not Liverpool. 

Cruise east to Leeds, the home of Opera North, Northern Ballet, award-winning restaurants and traverse past the National Turst East Riddleston Hall, down the Bingley Five Rise Locks and through the UNESCO Heritage Town of Saltaire. 

Cruise west towards Liverpool through breath-taking open countryside and in a week you can expect to get to the other side of Foulridge tunnel, maybe a little further for experienced boaters. Enjoy scenery featured in the most recent series of All Creatures Great and Small.

SUMMER AVAILABILITY - Weekly prices from £1019 to £1365 includes fuel, bedding, hot water showers, welcome pack and boat-handling training.

Sunday July 16 – July 23
Sunday July 23 – July 30

Sunday July 30 – August 6
Sunday August 27 - September 3

Sunday September 3 - September 10
Sunday September 10 - September 17

Book here: 
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blot
#blueotterboats @hoseasons #blueotterskipton #canalboatsuk #canalboathire #narrowboatholidays #yorkshire #leedsliverpoolcanal
Otterly Marvellous May Savings Continues! Save up Otterly Marvellous May Savings Continues!
Save up to £238 on June and July cruises booked by May 31st.

Ideal for families and couples Blue Otter Wootton Wawen is just a day's cruise away from Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Book here: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/boww
#canalholiday #maysale #familyholiday #narrowboat #boating #blueotterwoottonwawen #blueotterboats #awardwinning
Blue Otter Skipton is ready to welcome the next gu Blue Otter Skipton is ready to welcome the next guests, take a walk through with us. This is what you can expect to arrive to when cruising with us. #canalboat #canalholiday #narrowboatliving #blueotterboats #blueotterskipton #bespokenarrowboatholidays
A gorgeous time of year for cruising. Bluebell woo A gorgeous time of year for cruising. Bluebell woodlands, goslings, roe deer, herons, ducklings, lambs and cricket spectating from the boat. 

All aboard Blue Otter Skipton (pets accepted)
NEXT AVAILABILITY

Sunday May 21 – May 28

Sunday July 23 – July 30

BOOK HERE: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blot
#narrowboatholidays #canalboat #canalholiday #yorkshire #leedsliverpoolcanal #blueotterskipton #canallife #blueotterboats @hoseasons @canalrivertrust
Curious to see Blue Otter Wootton Wawen? Take a pe Curious to see Blue Otter Wootton Wawen? Take a peek…
Lovely review about cruising in April from our gue Lovely review about cruising in April from our guests on Blue Otter Skipton. 
Next availability Sunday May 7th for 7 nights with a 10% discount. 
#canalholiday #leedsliverpoolcanal #blueotterboats #blueotterskipton #narrowboatholiday
FIND US IN THE HOSEASONS SALE! Limited time offer FIND US IN THE HOSEASONS SALE!

Limited time offer with up to 15% discount in the @hoseasons Spring Summer Sale. Book early to secure your preferred cruise dates.

Blue Otter Skipton (pets accepted)
SPRING SUMMER AVAILABILITY

Sunday April 30 – May 7
Sunday May 7 – May 14
Sunday May 21 – May 28

Sunday July 23 – July 30
Sunday July 30 – August 6

BOOK HERE: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blot

Blue Otter Warwickshire (children go free)
SPRING SUMMER AVAILABILITY
Sunday April 30 – May 7

Sunday May 14 – May 21
Sunday May 21 – May 28

Sunday June 4 - June 11
Sunday June 11 – June 18
Sunday June 18 - June 25
Sunday June 25 - July 2

Sunday July 9 - July 16
Sunday July 16 - July 23
Sunday July 30 – August 6
Sunday 27 August - Sept 3

BOOK HERE: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/boww

#canalholiday #narrowboating #blueotterboats #summerholiday #holidaysale
FIND US IN THE HOSEASONS SALE! Limited time offer FIND US IN THE HOSEASONS SALE!

Limited time offer with up to 15% discount in the Hoseasons Spring Summer Sale. Book early to secure your preferred cruise dates.

Blue Otter Skipton (pets accepted)
SPRING SUMMER AVAILABILITY

Sunday April 30 – May 7
Sunday May 7 – May 14
Sunday May 21 – May 28

Sunday June 11 – June 18

Sunday July 23 – July 30
Sunday July 30 – August 6

BOOK HERE: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blot

Blue Otter Warwickshire (children go free)
SPRING SUMMER AVAILABILITY
Sunday April 30 – May 7

Sunday May 14 – May 21
Sunday May 21 – May 28

Sunday June 4 - June 11
Sunday June 11 – June 18
Sunday June 18 - June 25
Sunday June 25 - July 2

Sunday July 9 - July 16
Sunday July 16 - July 23
Sunday July 30 – August 6
Sunday 27 August - Sept 3

BOOK HERE: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/boww
#petholiday #familyholiday #canalholiday #narrowboatholidays #blueotterboats
Still no sign of port delays and another early dep Still no sign of port delays and another early departure on Blue Otter Skipton. This time heading for Kildwick for the first night before turning and venturing west to go through Foulridge Tunnel. 

We still have some May bank holiday availability, so if you want to discover life off the grid and on the canals, book a boat! 
#canalholidays #blueotterboats #dogholiday #familytime #yorkshire #warwickshire
No port delays for our guests today… in fact the No port delays for our guests today… in fact they will be casting off an hour early at 3pm from Skipton! 
#easterholidays #canalboathire #blueotterboats #englishcanals #narrowboatholidays #staycationuk #canalboatsofinstagram #leedsliverpoolcanal
Navigation necessities, the open canal, cruising p Navigation necessities, the open canal, cruising past those in traffic jams, locks, and a rewarding break at an idyllic mooring for quality rooftop sunbathing time. 
All in a day’s cruising! 
When are you joining us?
#canalboatsofinstagram #blueotterboats #canalboatliving #narrowboatholidays
@canalrivertrust @hoseasons @visitengland
The herb and flower pots on Blue Otter Skipton hav The herb and flower pots on Blue Otter Skipton have been spruced up for the season. Excellent plants from the nursery at Twin Locks in Gargrave. 
Sage, thyme and chives make for tasty seasoning when our guests cook on board. 
#herbgarden #boatinglife #blueotterskipton
Not a traffic jam in sight - simply the best way t Not a traffic jam in sight - simply the best way to travel over a bank holiday. 

There isn’t even a border control checkpoint cruising from Yorkshire into Lancashire! 😊

Happy Easter, wherever you chose to be.
Lovely trip to Kildwick today as we took a test cr Lovely trip to Kildwick today as we took a test cruise on Blue Ofter Skipton. Joined by some friends and Chris from Sri Lanka clearly revelled in the experience of piloting a narrowboat. He was a natural within the first hour at the tiller
Lovely lunch at the White Lion Pub in Kildwick. Magical to spot a deer in the woods…wild garlic beginning to sprout, soon to be followed by blue bells in May. 
Cruising season begins April 2nd. 
#narrowboatholidays #awardwinningboats #blueotter #blueotterboats #skipton #kildwick #yorkshire #canalsofengland  @hoseasons @canalrivertrust
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Social Media

Newsletter

Sign up for Blue Otter’s news, events & offers

© Copyright 2023

  • Our Boats/
  • Pricing & Booking/
  • Privacy Policy/
  • Contact Us/