Short Break Canal Boat Holidays
Choose the journey as well as the destination
Every boat holiday starts and finishes at Linslade, near Leighton Buzzard. Compare the return-trip effort and locks before choosing a destination. You can choose your route after reserving your boat.
Stoke Bruerne and back
Planning guide: 3 nights
A northern short break via Milton Keynes and Cosgrove, turning below the Stoke Bruerne lock flight.
- Approximate cruising
- 10 hours each way · 20 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 7 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Gayton Junction and back
Planning guide: 4 nights
Continue through the Stoke Bruerne locks and Blisworth Tunnel.
- Approximate cruising
- 13 hours each way · 26 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 14 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Aylesbury and back
Planning guide: 3 nights
Head south to Marsworth and the Aylesbury Arm.
- Approximate cruising
- 10 hours each way · 20 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 11 wide and 16 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Cowroast and back
Planning guide: 3 nights
Continue from Marsworth and Bulbourne towards the Tring cutting.
- Approximate cruising
- 10 hours each way · 20 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 18 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Berkhamsted and back
Planning guide: 4 nights
Travel south beyond Cowroast to Berkhamsted Station.
- Approximate cruising
- 14 hours each way · 28 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 26 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Little Tring and back
Planning guide: 3 nights
Head south to Marsworth and the Wendover Arm. Fewer cruising hours do not necessarily mean fewer locks.
- Approximate cruising
- 8 hours each way · 16 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 18 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Leave room for the holiday
Hours each way mean you need time to come back as well. Whole-circuit hours already include the journey back to base. Neither figure includes delays or time spent sightseeing. The detailed guide below retains the landmarks, maps and route restrictions.
New to boating? Start with the first-time guide · Ask us about your planned route · Find your boat holiday
Weekend and Midweek Breaks on a Narrowboat from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
How about a few days away on a Wyvern Shipping Canal Boat?
If you have less than a week to spare, then one of our short breaks is just the thing.
Weekend & Midweek Breaks
On all the Friday-start boats we are able to offer weekend cruises from 4.00pm Friday afternoon, finishing at 9.30am Monday morning and mid-week cruises from 4.00pm on Monday afternoon to 9.30am Friday morning.
The narrowboats are available to board anytime between 1.30pm and 3.00pm (after 3pm by prior arrangement with the boatyard). Boats may be returned on the Sunday evening if preferred.
Saturday-start boats may also be booked for short breaks until Tuesday morning and midweek from Tuesday to Saturday - same times apply as above.
We have some lovely short break, weekend and midweek cruise options. Read more about the 3-4 Day Cruises available on a Wyvern Shipping Canal Boat.
Out of Season Breaks
We offer winter breaks until the middle of November and Spring breaks from the middle of March. We are closed for boat hire from mid-November through to mid-March.
Please note all holidays start and finish from our boatyard at Linslade near Leighton Buzzard.
3-4 Day Short Break Cruise Map
| Key | |
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- Aqueduct |
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- Marina |
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- Pubs serving meals. Most with moorings and children's play area |
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- Places of Interest (Click for more information) |