Enjoy a Valentine escape afloat a ‘love boat’ for two

Cosy double berths, quiet moorings and historic canalside pubs with roaring log fires make canals the perfect romantic hideaway.

Drifters Waterways Holidays (drifters.co.uk) offers winter cruising* and cosy boats for two from a number of its bases, giving couples the chance to escape on board their very own ‘love boat’.

Today’s canal boats are fully equipped with all the essential mod cons, including central heating and hot water, and some have multi-fuel stoves on board too. So whatever the weather, it’s always nice and warm on board.

Drifters has published a guide to its Top 4 romantic destinations afloat this Valentine’s Day:

Valentine escape Afloat love boat for 2 - Credit Canal & River Trust

photo credit Canal & River Trust

1. Moor up in the home of the Bard to watch a Shakespeare play - it’s a picturesque six-hour cruise to Stratford-upon-Avon from Drifters’ boat yard on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire. The route crosses over the Edstone Aqueduct, with lovely views of the surrounding Warwickshire countryside and passes through 17 locks. Once in Stratford, couples can moor up in Bancroft Basin to enjoy a performance of The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where there’s a special exhibition commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio containing 36 plays. ***The 48ft ‘Shepperton’ narrowboat for two is available for a midweek break (13-17 February) or weekend break (10-13 or 17-20 February) for £590. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and £70 fuel deposit for a short break are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

2. Cruise to Llangollen and enjoy romantic mountain views – on a short break from Drifters’ base on the Llangollen Canal at Trevor, boaters can cruise to the historic town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains. There’s a choice of restaurants to enjoy a candlelit dinner for two, including the Corn Mill, housed in a 14^th century watermill on the banks of the River Dee. The journey to Llangollen takes just two hours. ***The luxury 57ft ‘Nelson’ narrowboat for two with a solid fuel stove is available for a midweek break (13-17 February) or weekend break (10-13 February) for £665. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and £70 fuel deposit for a short break are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

3. Visit Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter – from Drifters’ canal boat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it takes around five hours to cruise into the centre of Birmingham. Once there, couples can moor up in Gas Street Basin, close to Brindleyplace to enjoy visiting city centre attractions, including the City’s famous Jewellery Quarter home to over 500 jewellery businesses to browse for that special Valentine’s gift. ***The 48ft ‘Rowan’ narrowboat for two is available for a midweek break (13-17 February) or weekend break (10-13 February) for £590. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and £70 fuel deposit for a short break are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.

4. Cruise gently through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley Pool Nature Reserve - from Drifters’ canal boat holiday hire base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire, couples can reach Fradley Junction and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve in around five hours. The journey passes through 12 peaceful miles of countryside and five locks. Canalside pubs to enjoy along the way including the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge, which is offering a special three-course Valentine’s set menu. ***The 48ft ‘Warleigh’ narrowboat for two is available for a midweek break (13-17 February) or weekend break (10-13 February) for £590. Price includes bed linen, towels, cancellation protection, first pet, parking and tuition on arrival. A compulsory £50 non-refundable damage waiver and £70 fuel deposit for a short break are extra. Fuel charge is based on use, circa £15 per day.