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Lock free canal boat holidays

There is a lot to learn when taking out a narrowboat for the first time: how to steer, moorup or operate a lift bridge for example. It's all part of the fun and makes for an exciting adventure.

Locks are not difficult & their operation is a case of following a small list of operating steps. But it is one of the more complex tasks on a narrowboat and they do require some physical effort. You may prefer to have a less strenuous cruise or leave the process of learning to operate them until your second or third canal holiday.

Luckily some sections of canals simply follow the contour of the land, meaning they stay on the same level - this means there are some beautiful stretches of the inland waterway for you to enjoy on your first lock-free canal holiday. We’ve listed our top 4 lock-free canal lengths below to inspire you and you can find lock-free narrowboat holidays here using our search filters.

Lock free routes from our partners:

We currently have two options available for a lock-free holiday from our partner’s hire bases:


Option A: Slow and steady cruising through the beautiful countryside from Devizes wharf you can explore a 15 mile lock-free pound, the route to the village of Wootton Rivers passes though gorgeous countryside and plenty of pubs, no locks to navigate only a few swing bridges.


Boat on the Lock free section of the kennet and avon

Photo By White Horse Boats

Wootton Rivers and back from Devizes

Locks 0, Miles 13, Crusing Time 5 hours* (each way)

No locks, gorgeous countryside and plenty of pubs - the perfect combination for a weekend cruise on the Kennet and Avon. This route takes you from Devizes Wharf out into the Wiltshire Wolds to Horton Bridge. If you fancy a first stop, there is a very convenient canalside pub, The Bridge Inn, to be found here. The canal carries on and soon the church tower of Bishop Canning comes into view. There is a footpath that leads from the swing bridge into the village. The canal now meanders through the delightful countryside - a truly relaxing experience without any locks. Honeystreet is the next highlight on this weekend break. A pub (The Barge Inn), boatyard, cafe (The Honeystreet Mill Cafe) and shop are situated at the canalfront here. After setting off from Honeystreet, it’s once again peaceful cruising among fields on one side and hills on the other until you reach a pretty wooded area and Stowell Park. Look out for the miniature suspension bridge that carries a footpath across the canal. Pewsey Wharf could be the next stop on your cruise. You have two options here - either pay the bar and bistro (The Waterfront) a visit or take a short walk down to the village of Pewsey. There are several pubs that are well worth a visit, including a haunted pub (The Golden Swan). Once you have replenished your energy levels, you can carry on with your canal journey. Soon you’ll reach the winding hole before Wootton.

After searching for your required dates - Select "Refine your search" and then select "Kennet & Avon" and "Has Lock Free Routes" to see available boats on this section of canal.

Option B: A large section of the beautiful Mon & Brec canal can be explored without navigating a single lock. there is a large 24 mile pound to be explored between Pontypool and Llangynidr.

Lock free section of the Mon & Brec

Pontypool and back from Gilwern

Locks 0, Miles 13, Crusing Time 5 hours* (each way)

A cruise down to Pontypool is the perfect beginner’s itinerary. If you rather not do any lock wheeling on your first canal holiday, then this might be the route of choice for you. Instead of lots of locks, the canal boasts many horseshoe bends to wind itself around the hills. At times noisily tumbling streams and rivers underneath make a scenic sight. The more you progress along the canal, the steeper and more impressive the hills get. There are many visible remains of the mining industry from the past, which make for a very interesting excursion on foot. You’ll cross through a wooded area and shortly reach the crossing of the River Usk. A walk under the canal through the tunnel in Govilon makes a nice change to your holiday on the canal. The scenery changes between open pastureland, wooded areas and steep hills and making this cruise down to Pontypool a very exciting and pleasant one. There are many opportunities for walks in the surrounding countryside and although there are sections without any towns and villages, in sight, a traditional pub or restaurant is almost always only a short walk away. Once you have reached the town of Pontypool, it’s time to turn around and retrace your journey back to the hire base in Gilwern.

After searching for your required dates - Select "Refine your search" and then select "§Mon & Brec" and "Has Lock Free Routes" to see available boats on this section of canal.

Other lock free options

Note: we don’t currently have partners on these canals.


Lancaster Canal
41 miles of lock free cruising

The "lanky" follows the contour line of the land, meaning it goes around obstacles such as hills rather than through or over them – using either tunnels or locks. Originally this meant avoiding costly engineering works now it means 41 miles of lock-free, stress-free cruising mostly through the open countryside whilst also skirting past the coast at points. With such diverse surroundings, there are many things to do should you be tempted to venture out from the canal side, you could be enjoying a Hest bank coastal walk one day and on the boat putting your feet up in the middle of open countryside the next.

Upper Peak Forest & Macclesfield canal
@TODO

The peak forest canal is on the same level as the Macclesfield canal, allowing boats to cruise from Whaley bridge or Buxworth Basin all the way to the top of Bosley locks without having to use a lock. Why not follow the path from Bridge 27 up to the white nancy monument and enjoy extensive views across the Cheshire plane or pause at buxworth basin and discover the history of the largest and busiest inland port on Britain’s narrow canal system.

Ashby Canal
@TODO

From the mining town of Moira in Leicestershire to the point at which it connects with the Coventry canal in Warwickshire the Ashby is an undemanding lock-free route with little in the way of engineering features. A Site of Special Scientific Interest the canal winds through the countryside for almost its entire 22 mile length. Perfect for first-timers or people looking for a relaxing cruise through nature and the open countryside.

There you have just a small selection of the lock-free possibilities on the UK canal system, why not search our list of lock-free canal holidays below & find the perfect narrowboat holiday.

A full list of our available holidays from hire bases with atleast 1 lock-free route can be found below:

Lock Free Canal Boat Hire | Lock Free Routes | Relaxed, Easy, Beginner Friendly Holidays

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