Canal Boating - Bringing Your Bike.

For those who love the great outdoors a canal boat holiday is a perfect choice.

Canal boat holidays provide you with the chance to get out and about and lead you into the heart of the countryside. For those looking for an active holiday why not bring your bikes and take advantage of the many cycle routes. Bikes can be easily secured onto your canal boat then just moor up and explore the surrounding countryside.

You will find a trail that is perfect for you- a gentle ride along the side of the towpath or an adrenalin fuelled race over track and hills. A huge advantage of a canal boat holiday is that you will be getting away from it all and may find yourself in a rural location and some distance from any shops. It is a good idea to take a puncture repair kit and maybe be a bike spanner just in case of any problems.

Depending on the location you chose your canal boat holiday can offer you some glorious cycling opportunities

The Offa's Dyke Path - This Welsh national trail crosses the beautiful Llangollen Canal at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct close to our marina at Blackwater Meadow. At 177 miles long you won't see the whole trail on your narrowboat holiday but you could make it as fas as the stunning Eglwyseg Crags or Llandegla Forest.

The Ridgeway meets The Grand Union Canal close to Tring and our Marina at Union Wharf provides the starting place for this adventure.

Dozens of cycle paths exist in this area and the Grand Union Canal's towpath itself is a popular cycle route.

There are cycle routes on the Worcesterand Birmingham Canal to suit everyone if you only want a gentle ride try The Commandery to Worcester which is ideal for children as it is only just over 3 km or for the more adventurous try the route from Kings Norton to Birmingham.

The cycle route along the Kennet and Avon Canal is superbly waymarked by “sustrans”,the cycle charity. The route combines towpath cycling with diversions via country lanes for an opportunity to visit some out of the way places. Look to start at Hilperton Marina which is located on this stunning canal.

Our location at Anderton on The Trent and Mersey Canal towpath opens up a whole new world nearly the whole stretch is suitable for cyclists and you choose how far you go. Leave your narrowboat behind for a while and explore some of the wonderful cycling opportunities.

There are places were you cannot cycle so here is a quick guide to the signs and what they mean.

Yellow Arrows - These indicate a 'footpath' and is suitable for walkers only.

Blue Arrows - These show a 'bridleway'. Bridleways are fine for cyclists and horse riders as well as walkers.

Red Arrows - This is a 'byway'- legal for cyclists, walkers, horse riders and motorists. You do need to be very careful when cycling on the canal bank and give consideration to walkers, fishermen and the wild life such as nesting swans or ducks who use the canal towpath to.

Please remember you must display a Cycle permit at all times and these can be downloaded free of charge from www.waterscape.com