Canal Boats through England

I once travelled through the English countryside with four friends by rental car, and it was a wonderful trip. We stayed at lovely country hotels, ate in pubs and good restaurants, and enjoyed the beauties of nature and some amazing architecture, including Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. Best of all, the trip was relatively affordable.

Today Britain has become expensive, but one way to enjoy the countryside without spending a fortune is to travel by canal boat. The industrial canals that once formed a major part of the transportation system are now mainly used for recreation, and by renting a narrowboat you can visit small towns and villages at moderate cost.

The boats are equipped with bathrooms and kitchens, so you can prepare some of your own meals for further savings. The boats are especially popular with families and groups, The lowest price I found with a quick Website search was about $1250 for a week on a boat that sleeps up to four people.
Other boats can accommodate as many as eight passengers, generally at higher prices.

Two companies that offer narrowboats for rent on the canals of southern and central England are www.canalholidays.co.uk, and www.canalholidays.com. These boats have no crew, so you need to be in relatively decent shape to help steer the boats through various locks. It sounds like a great way to get out into nature, without the hassle and expense of driving.