yacht trip uk

Luxury Yacht Charter Holidays in the UK

Itineraries.

• Poole to Poole
• Southampton to Southampton

Yacht charter in The UK

A Yacht Charter in the UK is probably not the first destination that springs to mind when considering a yachting holiday , but, these northern European sailing grounds provide a wealth of splendid scenery that lends itself perfectly to exploration by boat.

Given that the UK is well known for its dreary weather, it’s easy to understand why it might be overlooked for a sailing trip, but don’t forget that this is a nation built on maritime heritage. With some of the most coastlines and iconic skylines in Europe, so many small islands to explore, and a wealth of rivers and canals to navigate, you can experience some of the very best sailing when you charter a luxury yacht in the UK. And it’s even better when the weather is good.

Chartering a yacht in The United Kingdom gives you the chance to see many different sides of the UK, from small fishing villages to vibrant cities, all from the comfort of your own luxury yacht.

What to see on a trip to The United Kingdom?

A myriad of buzzing cosmopolitan cities and quaint villages, all packed full of endless charm and intriguing history, the UK has a vast range of sights and attractions for all visitors.

England’s south coast is renowned for its impressive coastal towns and resorts – Portsmouth and Southampton, for instance, have a unique sailing heritage, while Beer, in Devon, and Mousehole, in Cornwall, are picture-perfect fishing villages. In fact, the whole south coast of England is peppered with picturesque fishing villages that have remained beautifully intact whilst time has ticked by.

With so many places to visit, and some of the most challenging sailing conditions to contend with, a UK yacht charter will truly be an adventure to remember.

Southampton, a city associated with naval exploration and history and still considered one of the most important ports of the United Kingdom, is a great base for so many wonderful locations nearby, such as the New Forest as well coastal drives to Bournemouth and their maritime competitors, Portsmouth.

Boasting a historic harbour, Weymouth is more than sand, lollipop liners and the beach. It is an epicurean centre for those that want to try something new, and the coastal scenery sets it apart as a must-see destination.

Torquay, the so called “heart of the English riviera” is a seafront town with palm trees and red cliffs, alongside fantastic restaurants and boutique hotels.

A trip to the Isle of Scilly feels like a world away from the mainland. This archipelago that surrounds 140 tiny islands appears to have hardly ever changed in decades. No supermarkets, no traffic jams, no multinational hotels, this is a land that understands what it means to be of a time before what we have today. It is something to behold on a personal level as this is a location that always takes your breath away.

Away from the south coast, you can sail into the Thames to marvel at a iconic buildings like the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge, or sail further along the east coast for a lazy cruise along the Norfolk Broads or to sample more picturesque fishing villages, including the iconic Whitby, the scene of the vampire’s landing in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

On to Scotland – sailing the turquoise waters and walking the white sands of the highlands and islands will leave you breathless, as will navigating the seas of the inner and outer hebrides.

Along to England’s west coast and you can sail to the picturesque Isle of Man, or sail the Mersey to take in the iconic Liverpool skyline and sample everything this vibrant city has to offer.

There are also some wonderful waters to sail, and brilliant sites to see along the coast of Wales and England’s south west coast.

A luxury yacht charter of The United Kingdom really does offer something for everyone. For the adventurer that wants to learn more about the UK to the historian that wants to sail the seas of the famous leaders and explorers. From families through to groups of friends, it’s a friendly atmosphere that captures each of these towns and locations. Why charter a yacht in The United Kingdom?

Chartering a yacht in The United Kingdom is possibly the only way to really discover the true maritime history of the nation. You see things and experience things that need more than just a moment’s attention. It’s about taking in what makes the coast of the United Kingdom truly different to some of the more exotic locations we offer.

Essential travel information for the United Kingdom

Want to charter a yacht in the United Kingdom but don’t know much about the location. Here is some essential information.

Not known for having particularly good weather, the UK’s high season is between May and early September, but the seasons can get so interchangeable that March and October sometimes have great weather. The colder winter months appear earlier due to geography and the weather significantly changes in winter with lows of 10°C.

The Pound is the UK currency, and English is the main language, although some regions speak Welsh and Gaelic.

How to charter a yacht in the UK

You can access most of the United Kingdom and the destinations by airport, car and train. Princess Charter offer a variety of luxury yachts for hire along the UK and its islands, ranging from 20 metres to 100 metres in length.

To book your perfect getaway, give our team a call 0207 499 5050, or email [email protected] . Alternatively, leave a few details here, and we’ll call you back.

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Bareboat charter

For the experienced sailor wanting the freedom to cruise at their own pace, our UK bareboat yacht charter is for you.

Every Friday we release our much reduced ‘late offers’ for the following week. View our latest offers here or follow us to see them on facebook.

Yacht Care Services / Managed Yacht Charter

We offer one-off yacht care services and annual packages for yacht owners, as well as a choice of Managed Yacht Charter packages to suit you.  

We offer RYA practical sailing courses, theory courses, and other sailing tuition, sailing on one of the comfortable boats from our fleet or private tuition on your own yacht.

Hamble Point Yacht Charters offers an unrivalled selection of superb sailing yachts and motor boats for bareboat or skippered charter in the Solent.  Click here to view our yachts.

Corporate Sailing Days

Chartering one or more yachts for a corporate sailing day is a unique and effective way to thank your best clients or suppliers and to strengthen relationships for future business development.

Skippered charter

Hire a yacht with a professional skipper and relax for your trip or request an instructor and enjoy some tailored tuition or support.

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Book today and set sail Hamble Point Yacht Charters offers a fleet of beautiful sailing and motor yachts available for charter in the Solent.

Whether you are looking to hire a yacht for a day, weekend, week or longer, for a bareboat charter, skippered charter or a corporate sailing event, we have a sailing or motor yacht to suit you.

Outstanding Yachts Hamble Point Yacht Charters are the leading independent charter fleet operator in the Solent offering a fleet of 20+ yachts between 32 – 52ft, from a variety of manufacturers including Hallberg-Rassy, Dufour, Beneteau, Dehler, Jeanneau and more.

All of our yachts are superbly equipped, expertly maintained and freshly cleaned before your charter. They are unbranded, so you can feel like a true sailor during your charter.

Unbeatable Location We are ideally located in the picturesque Hamble village, with a wide choice of restaurants and pubs to make the most of your sailing trip.

Hamble Point Marina, just outside of Southampton is easy to access by car, offers free on-site parking and is the nearest marina to the centre of the Solent, the main sailing area on the UK’s South Coast, so you can spend more time sailing and less time motoring.

Unique Service Our friendly on-shore support team will ensure your charter experience runs smoothly and you can take advantage of the unique level of service from Hamble Point Yacht Charters

Late-check in available on a Friday, so you can set off early on Saturday without waiting for a handover. (Arrive before 7pm for guaranteed evening handover)

All of our yachts are coded and insured for sailing beyond the Solent – so for longer charters you can explore the UK South West, the Northern coast of France or take a trip to the Channel Islands.

Unlike other companies, we allow night sailing.

Our yachts are unbranded so no-one will know you are on charter and you can fully immerse yourself in the sailing experience.

You can even bring your dog! (additional cleaning charges apply)

We are passionate about delivering an enjoyable and straight-forward charter experience, and we are delighted to hold several Customer Service Award , one being from the British Marine Leisure Boating as well as a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor and the latest Certificate of Excellence.

If you are not yet one of our regular customers, come and see for yourself or sign up for our e-newsletters for special offers and updates on new yachts joining our fleet.

Our services include: Bareboat Yacht Charter, Skippered Yacht Charter, Skippered Motor Yacht Hire, Corporate Sailing, Yacht Management and an RYA Sailing School… Everything you require to make your UK South Coast Solent yachting or boating both enjoyable and exhilarating!

Select Yacht ABRAXAS ACCOMMODATION AMANDLA KULU APPALOOSA BLUE MOON BLUE OTTER BLUETOOTH EVENT FRANTIC GAELFORCE GRAND CRU GULL HENDRICKS JAZZ JUKEBOX KASARA KINGFISHER OF HAMBLE LOXLEY B MAVERICK MISCHIEF OF HAMBLE NOTA BENE PETRUCHIO RED KITE REUNION SEAFIN SHORT STOP SILENTIA SOUTHPOINT II SPIRIT SPLASHPROOF TANGO TIME TO BOND TUITION TUITION1 TUITION2 WATERPROOF WEATHER BIRD

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WHAT CLIENTS SAY

This is truly a 5 * service. The team really looked after us both ashore on arrival and also while at sea. We were a relatively inexperienced crew but always felt the team ashore had our backs. Thoroughly recommended.

I just wanted to say Thank-you very much for the weekend charter. It was exactly what we were after (albeit cold!) plus Andy was an awesome teacher and great company. We’ll definitely be keen to book again soon!

We had a fabulous four days. Marina is ideally placed for the Solent, boat was in great condition, well equipped and a joy to sail. We were well briefed and the shore side team including the dog very friendly.

We charted one of the sailing yachts for a fantastic weekend cruise in the Solent. The boat was in superb condition and well equipped, the staff was very helpful explaining how things work on the yacht and there was also a video available with all the important information. 10/10 would recommend!

Had a fantastic week chartering Blue Otter, Alex was incredibly helpful and sent loads of information and date checking prior to booking. There was a handover video and both the handover and return were really smooth. The boat was lovely and well maintained and Lee was really helpful in recommending places to visit (and helping identify the steering issue as an autopilot takeover - doh!). Definitely will be back and would fully recommend!

Just back from a lovely week in the Solent. Great service from HPYC from first inquiry through to return handover. Very straightforward to deal with, and the yacht was in excellent condition. We've chartered from many companies in the UK and abroad and the attention to detail (and flawless inventory!) was second to none. Everything about the yacht and equipment had clearly been well looked after and was in immaculate condition. Great service, will use again.

Always very friendly service, and well-maintained yachts. Easy check-in and checkout. Will be back...  

We had a great time and were very happy with everything. Your team were genuinely friendly and were very helpful when we needed it. Is a big contrast to many charter companies I have dealt with in the past.

Watching the sun go down with a glass of bubbly on the deck of a sparkling yacht was unbelievable. What a treat, and a much needed change of scenery in these troubled times. We will be back for sure

Fab service, nothing too much trouble, including my daft questions. I'll be a repeat customer for sure!

We had a great time sailing with Lee for a few days at the beginning of September. Hamble Point Yacht Charters supplied us an impeccable 45 ft Hanse yacht, which was handled with complete mastery by Captain Lee. It was a privilege to sail with Lee, who is clearly a highly skilled professional taking great pride in his work ... but who is also a fantastic character with a great sense of humour and plenty of fun stories to keep the whole family entertained. He balances the serious side of safety and learning about sailing with a whopping dose of amusement and good cheer. We sailed the Solent in some decent seas, visited Bucklers Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River and learned lots about British nautical history. Our boys started somewhat of a fishing trend catching bass off the back of the boat in Portsmouth and we would love to sail with Lee again in the future. The man truly knows his stuff, maintained the boat impeccably and went to every effort to ensure that we had a great time. Many thanks to “Shippers” and Hamble Point Charters. We’ll be back.

Chartered bareboats with HPYC on numerous occasions most recently in Sept 2020. Always helpful and accommodating. Highly recommend.

We had a fantastic weekend sailing on Loxley B. Boat in super condition and spotlessly clean, Alex. and the team very thorough and always on hand to answer any questions. A great experience. We will be back. Thank you!

Lots of information from office with a friendly service. We selected a one of the cheaper yachts and was please with find everything work and was cleaned and tidy. We will definitely be back

This was the first time we had tried chartering and as experienced racing sailors we didn't know what to expect. Covid has closed down all our events this year so this was a chance to get afloat at least once in 2020. What a great experience and Alex and all the Hamble staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. We had a great three days and we will be back !! We would have no hesitation is recommending Hamble Point Yacht Charters.

Experience Seafin

• access_time Mar 19, 2024

    If you’re looking to celebrate in style look no further than Seafin for a memorable venue with the wow factor. A one-of-a-kind experience on a 75ft private motor yacht with a choice of beautiful sailing destinations on the south coast. Be thoroughly spoilt with the ‘Instagrammable’ scenic backdrops of the HUT Colwell Bay, … Continue reading Experience Seafin

Make the most of the four-day Easter weekend and explore the beautiful Solent coastline with family and friends.

We’re offering 4 days of sailing for the price of 3 over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Browse our yacht charter fleet.

Give our friendly team a call on  02380 457110 or e mail 

*Our Easter offer runs from 5 pm Thursday 28 March to 5 pm Monday 1 April 2024. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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United Kingdom (UK) Yacht Charter & Sailing Holiday

Proud nautical heritage.

The UK is a region with a long, proud maritime history, with England’s south coast home to dozens of port towns with rich nautical heritage. In the English Channel, strong winds and a large tidal range provide an exciting challenge for even the most experienced sailors.

The windswept waters of the Solent allow access to the Isle of Wight, where you’ll find fine beaches, the famous Needles rock formation, the Cowes Week regatta, and a pace of life that recalls the golden age of British seaside towns. Busy towns, quiet villages, popular race meets, and the ever-changing nature of the sea mean that a sailing vacation on England’s South Coast always has something new to offer.

• Strong winds, excellent sailing conditions
• Isle of Wight and France's northern coast
• Experience Portsmouth's long naval history

Our charter types

Choose from bareboat yacht charters or skippered charter holidays in Portsmouth and you’ll enjoy windswept waters perfect for adventurous, experienced sailors.

Portsmouth bareboat charter holidays

Charter a Match First 40 monohull and tackle the choppy waters of the Solent. On a  bareboat charter  holiday, you can enjoy executing tricky tacks and gybes in the strong winds of the Solent or point your bow to the horizon and sail on to adventure. With France, the Isle of Wight, and England’s sleepy south coast all within reach from our base in Port Solent, a bareboat charter holiday is your opportunity to create a bespoke sailing getaway in one of the world’s most celebrated nautical regions.

Portsmouth sailing school

Visit the  Portsmouth sailing schoo l  and learn to sail in the company of expert, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accredited instructors, earning the qualifications you need to sail on your own along the way. From complete beginners to more advanced sailors, we offer a range of courses out on the Solent to suit all experience levels and abilities.

Portsmouth skippered yacht charter

Charter a  skippered yacht  from our base in Port Solent and set sail for the English Channel. A skippered charter holiday is your opportunity to improve your sailing skills and get to know England’s south coast thanks to expert recommendations from your local skipper. Let your skipper take the helm and kick back on deck, or go hands-on and build your confidence in this renowned sailing area. On a skippered charter holiday, it’s entirely up to you.

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Plan Your Dream Vacation

21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

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Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

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2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

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About Helen

9 fun things to do in Ischia (plus 5 amazing day trips)

7 of the best holidays in italy in september.

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Where it comes to chartering or renting boats in United Kingdom below is a list of the typical types of boats that you can hire on Borrow A Boat with a description of the boat type. If you can't find the individual boat charter you are looking for when you do a search in [location name] it's worthwhile searching nearby locations as your chosen boat type might be available nearby.

When searching a geographical area on Borrow A Boat you can filter by the below boat types. There is also the option to further filter your searches by price, the number of guests, cabins or bathrooms, what year the boat or sailing yacht was launched, the boat length and the boat manufacturer.

Sailing Yacht (Sailboat): From €120/£100/$135 a day up to whatever you can afford, monohull sailing yachts are fun to sail at all points of the wind and an affordable way to get around if your island hopping or finding your own secluded coves or sandy beaches along with longer cruises. Sizes range from those for a couple or small family to a full sized luxury charter yacht.

Catamaran: Luxury catamarans are stable and spacious, with quick sailing performance, and and have been gaining in popularity in recent years. Better for larger groups, they have lots of room for water toys, and are big enough for a little privacy. A catamaran charter is easy and comfortable for novices not used to heeling and are loved by families due to their extra space when compared to a monohull. Typically far more luxurious than a sailboat the larger catamarans have en suite toilets and showers in the staterooms as well as ample entertaining space in the saloon and on deck.

Power Catamaran: These types of boats are relatively new but have also been gaining in popularity as the two hulls keep the boat more stable when compared to a monohull. The wider beam also means more deck space and as they don't have sails or a mast, they have a lot more space on deck than a sailing catamaran rental or monohull. For a luxury catamaran charter, consider taking a crewed catamaran charter sailing vacation with an experienced skipper.

Luxury Yacht: Luxury yacht charters are available for either a sailing yacht (sailboat), catamaran or motorboat and will have a crew and host/hostess on hand to cater for whatever your needs are along with a skipper who will have a detailed knowledge of your cruising area. On a crewed yacht charter of this kind you get to create your own personal itinerary and will have far greater range than on other boats which allows for lots of variety in how you travel and what you do.

Superyacht: A superyacht or sometimes called mega yacht are boats which are least 24 metres (79 feet) in length up to 180 metres (590 feet) and can either be sailing yachts (sailboats) or motorboats. These types of boats are most frequently found in the Med of Caribbean and due to their size they will have a large chartering area and can typically pick you up from whatever location you require rather than you being required to get to a set marina to start your charter. They are fully crewed with professional staff who will cater for your every need along with a skipper who will have extensive knowledge of your chosen cruising areas.

Motorboat: This covers a wide variety of boats from a motor yacht with cabins to a private boat trip for a fishing trip but all of the these are comfortable seagoing boats with a kick of speed should you want to cover a bigger distance on the day.​

RIB: Very much day boats for fishing and day cruising, RIBs are a lot of fun for a day afloat. They can be very quick and are great should you be in a town on holiday and fancy seeing the coast or finding secluded sandy beaches to get away from it all.

Skippered Yacht Charter or Bareboat

When it comes to boat hire or yacht charter in United Kingdom you typically have two choices - bareboat yacht hire or skippered yacht charter.

When using Borrow A Boat you can filter all boat searches to be with or without skipper depending on what you are looking for and below we cover some of the main points to consider for your boat hire.

Skippered Charter: A skippered yacht charter gives you the advantage of being able to get afloat without having to invest in getting sailing qualifications before hand. For a monohull sailing yacht you will pay €120/£100/$135 plus a day extra for the skipper, as well as their food and a tip at the end.

When you get to a luxury yacht or superyacht charter with crew these prices will increase and costs also depend on where you plan to sail to along with the size and type of boat rental on your sailing holiday.

In some cases skippers will also be the yacht or boat owners (typically day trips) which means they will know all the best secluded beaches to show you the best that the area has to offer with their local knowledge.

For day trips you will often be able to use a skipper as well and prices will vary depending on the type of boat.

Bareboat Yacht Charter: For skilled sailors, a bareboat charter is cheaper and gives more privacy for you and your charter guests. Many sailors prefer to be helming the boat while choosing their own course, and provided you have the knowledge and relevant qualifications you can skipper these boats (typically up to 54 feet/16.5 metres in length) yourself.

Do You Need A Licence To Charter A Yacht In United Kingdom

If you are on a gulet or skippered yacht charter you do not need a license to sail a yacht out of United Kingdom. This is also the case where you are renting a small motorboat without a cabin for a day trip around the local islands or beaches.

You do need a license if you are on a bareboat yacht charter, here are some examples of sailing qualifications:

International Certificate of Competence: This is issued on request by your European sailing authority and you should automatically qualify with certain national sailing qualifications.

RYA Qualifications: If you have the following qualifications you will be able to take a bareboat charter out of United Kingdom, these include Day Skipper (sail or motor endorsement), Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster.

American Sailing Association (ASA): The ASA 104 Bareboat certificate is commonly accepted.

US Sailing: The International Proficiency Certificate is widely accepted and The Bareboat Cruising Certificate is also accepted in many cases.

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

​You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Bring warm weather and cool weather clothing if it looks like the weather can be cool as well as warm and remember at sea it can be cool on most evenings.

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skippered on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.

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7 Best Sailing Adventures in the UK

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Here’s our pick of the best small boat sailing trips to get you inspired – with no sailing experience required! Words Caroline Wheater

For… Dreamy Devon views

The trip: ‘One-Day South Devon Sailing on Escape’ with Venturesail Holidays

Relax as you suck in the sea air on a day’s sail with the classic yacht Escape, embarking from her home harbour of Dartmouth. No sailing experience is needed on the 43ft wooden gaff yawl because owner-skipper Andy and his partner Tash take the strain. After sailing along the River Dart, Escape’s onward journey into open water is dictated by the winds, but an anchorage somewhere glorious on the Devon coast for lunch is guaranteed. Children under four go free and infants are also provided for.

Price: £120 per adult, £60 per child, including lunch, and tea and coffee.

How to book: Go to venturesailholidays.com .

For… Ocean exhilaration

The trip: ‘Tall Ship Taster Around Mull’ with Bessie Ellen

Be at one with the high seas on the west coast of Scotland when you step aboard former West Country trading ketch, Bessie Ellen. Embarking from Oban, the wooden vessel (only one of two trading ketches left from an original fleet of 600) tacks through the Sound of Mull to visit Fingal’s Cave and Iona to the south, or the Small Isles, Rhum and Eigg, to the north – depending on the weather and wind direction. The tall ship can accommodate 12 guests who are invited to get hands-on with sailing, from pulling up the sails to helping navigate. During the four-day experience, delicious meals are cooked by the skipper Nikki and served in the cosy galley that’s situated in the large converted cargo hold. As the lights dim, sailors curl up in a comfy curtained bunk for sleep and sweet dreams.

Price: £550 per person, including all meals.

How to book: Call 01872 487288, or go to bessie-ellen.com .

For… A world-class treat

The trip: ‘On The Trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie’ with Hebridean Island Cruises

Embarking from Oban aboard the luxurious Hebridean Princess you’ll explore the Inner and Outer Hebrides and remote west coast of Scotland on a seven-night trip, visiting Skye, Lewis and South Uist where Bonnie Prince Charlie once raised his standard. One of the smallest cruise ships afloat, the Hebridean Princess has a country house party vibe and welcomes a maximum of 50 guests. Delicious food is served in the Columba Restaurant, while the Tiree Lounge has a cosy inglenook fireplace to snooze beside. Once on board, budget worries are over – this cruise is all-inclusive, including shore excursions and Taittinger Champagne.

Price: From £3,995 per person, all-inclusive.

How to book: Call 01756 704704, or go to hebridean.co.uk .

Looking for the perfect holiday right at the water’s edge? Try out our selection of exclusive cruise trips around the British Isles here .

For… Stunning sailing

The trip: ‘Cape Clear Island Cruise on Inishbeg’ with Baltimore Yacht Charters

The buzzy harbour town of Baltimore in West Cork is renowned for the quality of its sailing, filling up with visiting yachts in the summer. Resident sailors Con and Mary Minihane know the coast and its archipelago of islands inside-out and they skipper half-day outings on Inishbeg, their 50ft yacht. If you are novices, they will show you the ropes, if you are experienced then they will let you take the helm. The trip to Cape Clear (next stop America), sails past the islands of Sherkin, Sandy, Heir and the three Calf isles. After exploring the pubs and shops of North Harbour on Cape Clear, Inishbeg returns to Baltimore and the Minihanes ply guests with warming tea and coffee.

Price: €50 per person, for a four-hour cruise.

How to book: Call Mary on +353 86 273 8368 or go to baltimoreyachtcharters.com .

For… Spotting dolphins

The trip: ‘All-day Marine Megafauna Survey in Cardigan Bay’ with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips

Cardigan Bay on the west coast of Wales is home to the UK’s largest pod of bottlenose dolphins. Numbering 250, the pod often splits up to forage for food into small groups of 10 to 15 or even as individuals. One of the hotspots is New Quay Bay, also the base of the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre. From here, join experienced researchers on a Marine Megafauna Survey through Dolphin Survey Boat Trips to record the activities of dolphins, porpoises and Atlantic grey seals. Both Anna Lloyd and Sulaire take just nine passengers, so you’ll be at the heart of the action.

Price: £65 per person.

How to book: Call 01545 560032, go to welshwildlife.org and dolphinsurveyboattrips.co.uk/our-boat-trips.html for more information.

For… Ozone and thrills

The trip: ‘Volvo 70 – One-Day Experience’ with Kraken Travel

Built for speed, not comfort, the Volvo 70 yacht was raced as team Telefonica Black in the 2008/9 Volvo Ocean race. Famously, the team won the final stage of the gruelling round-the-world race. Now, the 70ft vessel offers adrenaline-lovers the chance to blast around the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Crewed by a skipper and four pros, sit back and enjoy the thrill of the ride or get some world-class coaching on how to handle an elite yacht. The Volvo 70 embarks from Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and the day includes a typical freeze-dried sailor’s lunch and lots of snacks.

Price: £195 per person.

How to book: Call 0208 0128209, or go to kraken.travel.

For… Immersion into nature

THE TRIP: ‘Around Mull Wildlife Explorer’ with the Majestic Line

The cold, plankton-rich waters surrounding the Isle of Mull create the perfect environment for cetaceans, and Majestic Line’s fleet of four small cruise ships, which take up to 12 guests each, allow you to get close to resident harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and visiting basking sharks, orcas and minke whales. The six-night trip begins with a half-day tour of Mull’s wild side to discover the haunts of sea eagles, golden eagles, otters, red deer and seals. Gourmet food and good wines are included in the price, plus afternoon tea, all served in idyllic anchoring locations. On-boat fishing is a popular pastime, and guests help lay down creels for lobster, crab and crayfish.

Price: From £2,260 per person, including all meals.

How to book: Call 01369 707951, or go to themajesticline.co.uk .

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The best canal routes in the UK

By Jasper Winn

For 200 years, more than 2,000 miles of British waterways and towpaths made up the busy ‘water machine’ that serviced the Industrial Revolution. Since then they’ve been brought back from abandonment and repurposed as an incredible countrywide network, offering the fastest way to slow down, whether on or off the water. For when we can holiday in the UK , here are six of the best canal routes in the UK, with some tips to make the most of a canal boat holiday.

• Kennet and Avon Canal

**Route:**87 miles from Bristol to Reading **Number of locks:**105 Best for: family dawdling

Built as a link between Bristol and London , The Kennet and Avon was always a slow rural canal. With tranquil waters and quiet towpaths, it’s perfect for family cruising, especially if you add bicycles for side trips to Avebury or to find the eight White Horses cut into Wiltshire’s surrounding chalk downs. A favourite stretch is the landscape of woods, meadows and market towns between Caen Hill’s flight of 29 locks and Hungerford. The massive boilers and steam engines of Crofton Pumping Station, once used to keep the canal’s summit in water, are still regularly fired up. Pubs with waterside beer gardens are a Kennet and Avon highlight, with the historic Barge Inn at Honeystreet particularly renowned for its food and live music.

• Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

**Route:**36 miles between Brecon and Pontymoile Number of locks: 6 Best for: peace and quiet

Running through the Brecon Beacons National Park and unconnected to the rest of the British waterways network, the ‘Mon and Brec’ is one of the quietest canals. Dog-friendly hire fleets, including electric narrowboats and static houseboats, make it ideal for relaxed short breaks and long weekends. Small villages and ancient trees are scattered alongside traditional infrastructure including an aqueduct, a long and eerie tunnel, lifting bridges and the relief of a 25-mile lock-free pound. The energetic can take to the surrounding hills to walk, while the River Usk, which runs parallel to the canal, has provided me with happy days of wild swimming. Source hampers of locally produced provisions and Brecon Brewing’s beers from the Georgian town of Crickhowell.

• Leeds and Liverpool Canal

**Route:**127 miles between Leeds and Liverpool **Number of locks:**91 **Best for:**epic northern landscapes

The Leeds and Liverpool is Britain’s longest canal built as a single waterway – continue for another 34 miles on the Aire and Calder Navigation and you’ve crossed England from coast to coast. Its route is dictated by the contours of the landscape and the historic transport needs of manufacturing towns such as Wigan, home of Orwell’s Pier, where a flight of 21 locks carries boats up into the Pennines to cruise across the moors. The curlews, blustery air, farms and wide views of the high ground remain unchanged, but gritty factory towns including Burnley, Blackburn and Saltaire have been transformed with restaurants, art galleries and cafés – a favourite is Skipton’s ‘record shop in a café’, the Sound Bar.

• Forth and Clyde Canal

**Route:**35 miles between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth **Number of locks:**39 Best for: Scotland’s greatest hits

Built with dimensions roomy enough for seafaring boats and the Scottish fishing fleet to transit between the east and west coasts, in modern times the Forth and Clyde provides for leisurely voyages. To the west the canal is within easy reach of Glasgow’s streets, restaurants and galleries, before running through tree-shaded valleys between bleak hills until it meets the Firth of Forth, marked by the surreal bulk of the 100ft-high Kelpies horse-head sculptures. There’s more oversize art, as well as 21st-century mechanics, in the Falkirk Wheel, which lifts boats 79 feet up to join the Union Canal and its 30 lock-free miles to Edinburgh .

• Trent and Mersey Canal

Route: 93 miles between Preston Brook, Cheshire and Derwent Mouth, Derbyshire Number of locks: 76 **Best for:**a sense of history and a pub crawl

Engineered in the 1770s by ‘the father of English canals’, James Brindley, the Trent and Mersey was the first long-distance industrial canal, moving not just coal to power factories but distributing finished products, such as Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery. Boating on this route gives a feel for the days of working canals, whether you’re going up the 21 locks squeezed into the two miles of Heartbreak Hill, chugging through a mile-and-a-half of haunted tunnel at Harecastle or rising via the massive Meccano-style Victorian Anderton lift. And although the many rural waterside pubs no longer provide stabling for canal horses, they still offer food and drink to boaters as in the past.

• Warwickshire Ring

Route: 104 miles on the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham canals Number of locks: 121 (or more) **Best for:**the sheer variety

Many of the best cruising routes link several canals together into long loops and the Warwickshire Ring is one of the most rewarding. Though some aim to do this circuit in a week of hard boating, allow twice that to really take in its variety. Enjoy the pastoral peace of the Oxford narrow canal, take a side trip from Hawkesbury Junction and its early industrial heritage into Coventry or escape into pre-canal times through the pageants and jousting held at Warwick’s medieval castle. Perhaps best of all, explore Birmingham’s ‘wet streets’ by boat to discover a fantasy metropolis that mixes Venice with Gotham City. Connecting Britain’s urban and rural landscapes is the canal system’s great living legacy, so moor up in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham to soak up the bright lights and buzz of a city after starlit countryside nights soundtracked by the hoots of owls.

The Dos and Don’ts of canal holidays in the UK

**1.**There are almost no barges on Britain’s waterways, but there’s a confusing number of traditional craft types including narrowboats – what most people mean when they talk of ‘barges’ – butties, scows, short boats, widebeams, wherries, keels, trows and flats. Just call anything that’s afloat a boat and you’ll sound as if you know what you’re talking about.

2. Remember that towpaths are as much a part of the British waterways network as the canals themselves, and walking and cycling – with or without a boat – are great for traffic-free outings.

**3.**Go slow. The dimensions of the canals were based on the weight of a boat that a horse could pull, which was 40 times more on water than in a cart. The historic shallowness of the waterways keeps even modern engined boats to a 4mph horse-plod maximum speed. Which is wonderful.

4. Go slower still. The formula of three miles an hour, and 15 minutes a lock, is often used to calculate speed over a route, but canal travel is far more enjoyable if you plan less rather than more mileage in a day.

5. Many canal boats are dog-friendly, and towpaths can mean miles of walks at boat speed. However, counter-intuitively, breeds that like water can cause mayhem: beware swims followed by drenching shakes or gallops through cabins and across beds.

**6.**Enjoy retro pastimes and slow fun – card games, birdwatching, jigsaws, charades, reading, music and grumbling about the weather. Bring woolly jumpers, rain gear, sun hats, walking shoes, binoculars, thick books and musical instruments.

Olivia Morelli

Sarah James

Connor Sturges

7. On-board kitchen space is limited, so self-catering can go either way. Some favour the joys of Seventies classics of beans on toast, full-fry breakfasts, tinned basics and Angel Delight. Others produce foodie miracles on two burners with ingredients sourced from local cheese shops, traditional butchers, farmers’ markets, waterside honesty-box stalls and hedgerow foraging.

8. Don’t be afraid of locks, the engineering miracles that lift heavy boats uphill. They might seem baffling at first, but take it slowly and accept help and advice from more experienced boaters and volunteers, and soon you’ll be ‘lock wheeling’ like a pro. Bear in mind, too, that the physicality of operating locks is an ideal way of tiring out younger members of the crew.

9. Nicholson’s and Pearson’s guidebooks both cover Britain’s waterways. Boaters tend to have their own favourite series – they’re the ‘Bible’ vs ‘Shakespeare’ in some people’s view – but both contain the information and maps needed for route planning, navigation and sightseeing, as well as pinpointing moorings, services and waterside pubs.

The best canal-boat hire companies in the UK

Anglo Welsh covers various waterways across England and Wales anglowelsh.co.uk .

Black Prince Holidays covers several locations across England, Wales and Scotland. black-prince.com

Pennine Cruisers covers the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. penninecruisers.com

Beacon Park Boats covers the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. beaconparkboats.com

Drifters Waterways Holidays has about 45 bases around the country. drifters.co.uk

Pictured: Drifters Waterways Holiday

For more useful information, visit Canal and River Trust for information on English and Welsh waterways, and Scottish Canals for information on canals in Scotland.

‘Water Ways: a thousand miles along Britain’s canals’ by Jasper Winn is out now (£10.99; Profile Books)

Pictured: Liverpool

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10 of the best walks in the UK

The best weekend breaks in the UK and Ireland

20 Best London Boat Trips and Cruises

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2023

Are you considering booking a cruise down the River Thames? Not sure what is available or which one is best for you? We have you covered in our complete guide to the best London boat trips.

One of the most popular ways to experience London is to take a boat trip along the River Thames. With so many different Thames river cruises and boat trips to choose from it can be overwhelming picking the right fit for your needs. In this article, we compare the best London boat trips and provide a detailed breakdown to help you choose the right one for you.

We have divided the city cruises by theme including 8 different cruises (dinner cruises, lunch cruises and more) which offer food, drink and entertainment. There are also a number of speedboat tours available if you want the thrill of experiencing the Thames a la James Bond.

If you are planning to travel along the Thames to some of London’s popular landmarks and sights such as Greenwich, the Tower of London and the London Eye we recommend considering the hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise which includes unlimited travel on the river for 24 hours.

Overview of the best London boat trips and cruises

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Best London boat tours and cruises

• Duration – 24 hours

Wheelchair Accessible – YES

• Leaves from – Westminster, north Greenwich Pier, London Eye, and the Tower Pier.

On this boat ride on the River Thames, you’ll get a chance to see London’s most famous attractions . The 24-hour river ticket allows you to hop on and hop off at any of London’s major piers for 24 hours, including Westminster, Greenwich, London Eye, and Tower Pier.

Click here to purchase your ticket on the River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

• Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour (choose one way or round trip)
• Includes on-board commentary
• Wheelchair accessible – Yes

Leaves from – Westminster Pier

• Not included – Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)

See the sights of London along the banks of the River Thames on a sightseeing river cruise from Westminster Pier to Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, and Tower Bridge Quay.

Click here to purchase your Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

You have the option of purchasing a 1-way trip to Tower Bridge Quay or you can opt for a round-trip city cruise and return to Westminster. Listen to the live audio commentary from your captain and make use of the state-of-the-art facilities on board the boat.  

Regular departures from Westminster Pier every hour. The boats offer ideal viewing opportunities from the open top deck of the modern “Sapele” and “Mercuria” vessels or the open deck of the traditional “Sarah Kathleen.” Each vessel features a bar serving light refreshments available to purchase.

Click here to purchase your Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

Duration – 3 hours

• Includes tour guide
• Leave from – Meet your guide by the London Eye Waterloo Pier.

With a 3-hour cruise down the River Thames, enjoy seeing landmarks like the Tower of London and historic Greenwich while being guided by your private guide.

Click here to purchase

Best London Canal Waterbus Tours

Duration – 45 minutes

Guided commentary

Wheelchair Accessible – NO

Leaves from – The cruise will depart from Little Venice and end at Camden Lock

Travel the Regent’s Canal to Little Venice and enjoy a picturesque journey through London. This leisurely waterway is lined with quirky houseboats, while boats pass by on their way to Camden Town – an area bustling with culture!

Duration – 45 mins

Leaves from – West Yard, Camden Lock Place, Camden Market, NW1 8AF

Take a journey through London’s Regent’s Canal and experience the city like never before on this 1-way waterbus trip. Sit back as you cruise along with your window seat facing out into beautiful natural scenery, enjoying views that are impossible to find anywhere else!

London boat cruises with food (& entertainment)

Duration – 105 mins

Live commentary

Leaves from – Tower Pier, Lower Thames Street. London EC3N 4DT.

Discover a new way to enjoy London on this fantastic 105-minute cruise along the River Thames! You’ll be treated to 2 courses from an expert chef, including tea or coffee.

Get spectacular views of some of England’s most famous landmarks while sipping your beverage and listening out for fun facts about each site’s history during our journey down the river

Duration – 2.5 hours

Leaves from – Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 6NU

Included – A three-course set menu (starter, main course, and dessert) Live band

Relax on board of a luxury pleasure boat and enjoy live music as you cruise down river. Including a 3 course dinner and live entertainment performed by a jazz band this is the perfect cruise to celebrate that special occasion.

Duration – 2 hours

Live music performance

Leaves from – Tower Pier

Start your evening with a Taste of Britain Cruise that will take you on a relaxing journey along the River Thames. As you take in the sights, enjoy traditional British-themed bowl food, and musical hits created by British artists.

Duration – 1.5 hours

Sightseeing commentary

Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, savouries and cakes as you cruise down the Thames past some of London’s most iconic sights and landmarks.

Step aboard for a wonderful 3-hour dinner cruise on the River Thames and a 4-course meal. Enjoy a live cabaret performance and dance into the night as you cruise past London’s illuminated monuments as far as the Thames Barrier and back.

Leaves from – Tower Millennium Pier

Set sail after sunset and enjoy London on a river tour down the Thames. Start your evening with a glass of bubbly and delicious canapés. Enjoy a selection of jazz and chill-out pop songs from live performers.

Duration – 2 hours 45 minutes

3 or 5-course meal

Leaves from – Embankment Pier

See the sights of London illuminated for the night on a dinner cruise down the River Thames. Enjoy a 3 or 5-course menu of delicious food, with live music and professional service, as you pass iconic views of the city.

3-course meal with tea and coffee

Leaves from – Westminster pier

If you’re looking for a sophisticated night out in London with fine food, great live music, a friendly atmosphere, and some of the most stunning sights in London, this 3-hour Thames jazz dinner cruise is the ideal solution for you!

Best London speetboat tours

Duration – 50 minutes

Not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems or children under 33 lbs

Leaves from – Embankment Pier 

Get the ultimate adrenaline rush aboard a high-speed RIB boat and see the sights of London as you speed along the River Thames on a 50-minute round-trip from Embankment Pier to Tower Bridge.

Leaves from – London Eye Pier 

Experience a wild and fantastic River Thames boat cruise that is fun for all ages. Informative banter is provided by an award-winning comedian guide, whose cheery anecdotes include narration about the history of London.

Leaves from – Tower Bridge Quay

See the sights of London aboard a high-speed powerboat and ride past the Tower of London, HMS Belfast and other sights on the River Thames. Blast through Wapping and Canary Wharf to the O2 Arena at Greenwich and back.

Enjoy a fun-filled, adrenaline-packed experience as you cruise down the River Thames on the fastest boats in London. You’ll enjoy sightseeing, speed and awesome aquabatics.

Duration – 75 minutes

Board a speedboat from Embankment Pier and enjoy a round trip experience right up to the Thames Barrier, including guided commentary and high-speed action.

Duration – 40/45 minutes

Wheelchair Accessible – Contact for more information

Prepare to experience a Horrible Histories tour of the Thames. Terrible Thames is the new hit Thames river cruise for those interested in the history of the city and the river that runs through it.

I am sure this post will have helped you choose the right boat tour from the many London river cruises the city has to offer! You can find out more to help plan your trip to London in these articles:

• London Travel Guide – links to everything you need to know to plan your trip
• Visiting Greenwich? Best things to see and do in Greenwich & one day itinerary
• Looking for accommodation? Read our guide to where to stay in London
• First time visitors? Read our top tips for visiting London for the first time
• Best bus tours? Read our guide to th e best sightseeing London bus tours
• How to get around London? Read our guide to using public transport in London and our guide to London’s main trains stations.
• What to see and do – Complete London bucket list with guide to all the top sights and attractions
• How to purchase tickets for London attractions – Guide to purchasing tickets for the lost popular London attractions & Best London bus tours reviewed
• London Eye – Top tips plus ticket options
• Visiting on a budget? Read out budget guide to London with tips to save money when visiting
• Free things to do in London – Discover 32 free things to see and do in London
• Best day trips? Read our guide to the best day trips by train and ou r guide to the best tours from London
• Love castles? Our guide to the most popular castles to visit from London
• Visiting in winter? 21 Festive things to do in London in December

UK Canal Boating

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Find out what makes our canals and rivers such special places.

We have a good choice of recommended routes, or you can do your own.

See inside the boats, and view the locations with our virtual tours.

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These boats have two cabins with a dinette double.

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Canal Boat hire is ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and stags and hens. Our boats are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. Want to learn more?

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Five British canal and waterway trips with a wow factor

What better way to ease out of lockdown than ever-so-gently, on a canal holiday on one of these fascinating routes

I moved on to my boat five years ago and am lucky to have a permanent mooring, but there’s nothing like casting off and setting yourself free. I love waking up to the splash of ducks pecking at algae on the hull, and spending all day outdoors, a mug of tea on the roof, moving from one spot to the next or mooring up for a couple of nights and exploring an area. It’s also incredibly sociable. Canal folk stop and chat, you work locks together and whiling away time with strangers like this can feel really enriching, especially after a long period of self-isolation.

Monmouthshire and Brecon canal

35 miles, six locks and two tunnels, from Brecon to the Pontymoile basin

This is a dream trip if you want to immerse yourself in nature. The canal is almost entirely in the Brecon Beacons national park with views of the mountains. This is also a designated dark sky reserve . As the canal drops into the Usk valley, there are wild swimming spots to enjoy . To make this trip even more peaceful it’s possible to hire an electric boat.

Thames ring

245 miles, 176 locks and two tunnels, anti-clockwise

Done in one go, this is an epic journey but each section makes a holiday in its own right. The Grand Union canal has urban areas, rolling Chiltern hills, two long tunnels and the bustling village of Braunston . The Oxford canal winds its way around picturesque villages. If you’re a folk music fan, aim to go for the Cropredy festival in August. This tiny canal joins the Thames at Oxford – you’re propelled faster than the 3mph canal limit. You get the best view of Hampton Court and Windsor from the water.

Middle Level Navigation

More than 90 miles of navigable waterways link the River Nene to the Great Ouse in the Fens

This is a remote, otherworldly place to go boating. The channels were created for drainage in the 17th century and you can visit a working steam-powered pumping station in Stretham . The waterways crisscross fields, pass giant wind farms and just a handful of villages. It’s a place for peace, quiet and to immerse yourself in nature. The Fens are home to a huge variety of wildlife and conservation efforts mean that otters, water voles and barn owls are just some of the creatures you might spot.

Kennet and Avon canal

87 miles, 104 locks, one tunnel and two aqueducts, from Reading to Bristol

This canal reopened in 1990 after an epic feat of restoration driven by volunteers. This canal-cum-river boasts a winning combination of scenic countryside, canalside pubs, feats of engineering and elegant architecture. Moor at The Barge Inn in Honeystreet and cycle to Avebury stone circle. Bath is an obvious highlight, but don’t miss Bradford-on-Avon, a gem of a town home to Tithe barn , one of the oldest medieval barns in Britain, and the tiny Saxon church of St Laurence.

Lancaster canal

41 miles, no locks, from Preston to Tewitfield

This is a lock-free cruise with views of the Silverdale coast, the Forest of Bowland and overlooked by the foothills of the Pennines. At Hest Bank it’s a few hundred yards to the beach where you’ll be looking across to Morecambe Bay. Take a tour of the nearly 1,000-year-old castle in Lancaster where, in 1612, 10 people were convicted of witchcraft; in the 19th century it held England’s largest debtors prison. Just north, you’ll travel over the canal’s most impressive feature – the Lune aqueduct . If you fancy working some locks, there’s a short run branching off to Glasson where the canal meets the Lune estuary.

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Planning your sailing route is an important part of preparing for a sailing trip. There are various reasons why it is recommended to plan your route in advance. To begin with, choosing your sailing itinerary ensures your safety while out at sea. By researching and planning your route in advance, you may discover hazards such as rocks or shallow waters and avoid them, thereby keeping yourself and your passengers safe. Furthermore, choosing your route before your sailing trip permits you to visit all places you want and to make the most of your time aboard . This is particularly important if you are on a tight schedule or on a short trip.

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With our interactive boat route planner, you can plan your sailing trip down to the smallest detail. Our route planner tool allows you to choose your starting point and draw your desired sailing route. Once you're finished, the distance will be automatically calculated, and you can choose to have the sailing route sent to your email. Additionally, the boat route planner displays the coordinates of your starting and finishing points, so you can always know your exact location using your onboard instruments. Our boat route planner is the perfect tool to ensure the safety of your sailing trip. 

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

RNLI volunteer charged over death of granddad whose boat capsized during rescue

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An RNLI volunteer has been charged over the death of a grandfather whose fishing boat capsized during a rescue operation.

William Murray McCubbin, 60, died after the vessel sank near Port William, Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway at around 4.30pm on Saturday November 19, 2022.

Mr McCubbin, better known by his middle name Murray, was taken to Galloway Community Hospital, but died shortly after.

Police have now arrested and charged a 48-year-old volunteer lifeboat crew member following an investigation which lasted 16 months.

An RNLI spokesman said: ‘An RNLI volunteer crew member has been arrested and charged following the death of a man in November 2022.

‘The RNLI is continuing to make support available to the individual, as well as to others at the lifeboat station. As this is subject to a police investigation, we cannot release any further details.’

In a statement released through law firm Digby Brown Solicitors, Mr McCubbin’s family said: ‘We welcome the update in the criminal investigation as it brings us closer to learning the truth about what happened at sea that day.

‘The loss of Murray is something that shattered our family – he was a loving partner, father and papa and there is not a day that goes by where we don’t think of him.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘A 48-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a man died when a boat capsized during a recovery operation in 2022.

‘The incident took place near to Port William, Newton Stewart around 4.30pm on Saturday 19 November 2022.

‘The 60-year-old man was taken to Galloway Community Hospital where he died a short time later.

‘A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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Politics latest: Mordaunt downplays talk of plot to replace Sunak as PM

A former minister has warned Tory plotters against ousting Rishi Sunak in an election year, as his mooted replacement - Penny Mordaunt - gives short shrift to suggestions she could become prime minister.

Tuesday 19 March 2024 13:14, UK

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• 'Act of folly': Plotters warned not to topple Sunak
• Mooted PM replacement responds to leadership rumours
• Gurpreet Narwan: Talk of plot a sign of real Tory despondency
• Labour vow to 'bring a new chapter in British economic history'
• Sky News Daily:  Why isn't housing a bigger election issue?
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There has been talk in recent days that Penny Mordaunt could be a possible replacement for Rishi Sunak if unhappy Tory MPs kick him out before the election.

But the Commons leader has insisted her focus is on the job in hand.

Reporters shouted questions to Ms Mordaunt as she left this morning's cabinet meeting.

As you would expect, they were about the suggestions she could step in if Mr Sunak is ousted.

"I'm getting on with my job and I recommend it," she replied.

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about different political parties.

Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 21-point lead, averaging at 44.1% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.1%.

In third is Reform UK on 11.3%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.8%.

The Green Party stands at 5.8%, and the SNP on 2.9%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

Former Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt may have poured cold water over talk of her gunning for the PM's job ( see 11.02 post) , but speculation about Rishi Sunak's future is unlikely to go away.

Our political correspondent  Gurpreet Narwan   says rumours that Tory MPs are plotting to overthrow Mr Sunak before the election are a sign of "real despondency within the party".

"We're hearing from MPs all the time that they fear the public's stopped listening to them altogether," she says.

"They're not getting a positive response on the doorstep and with the party languishing 20 points behind in the polls, there's real frustration among MPs who fear they're going to lose their jobs.

"While there's clearly no firm plot yet, all this is a sign of the real despondency within the party.

"Especially as it looks as though it's going to have to limp on to autumn, with the prime minister shooting down suggestions of an election in May."

After a bad few weeks - from the spring budget failing to provide any bounce in the polls, to the defection of Lee Anderson to Reform - it's an "uphill battle" for the prime minister to lift the mood.

Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office minister, is now responding to an Urgent Question in the Commons on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

He said he is "deeply concerned" about the situation in Gaza, as Labour's shadow foreign secretary warned of "catastrophic levels of hunger".

David Lammy said that famine in the region is "imminent".

'It's unbearable - and must not go on'

Mr Lammy added: "Half the population is expected to face catastrophic levels of hunger, the highest number of people ever recorded under this system.

"Only twice in 20 years have famine conditions been reached, but what distinguishes the horror in Gaza from what has come before is this is not driven by drought or disaster - it is man made.

"It is the consequences of war, it is the consequence of aid that is available not reaching those who need it.

"Food is piled up in trucks just a few kilometres away while children in Gaza are starving. It's unbearable - and it must not go on."

Mr Lammy says the restrictions on aid flows in the region are "completely unacceptable".

He asks if the government will join Labour's call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Aid truck provision 'woefully short'

In response, Mr Mitchell says the UK is doing "everything we can" to try to head off the threat of famine in Gaza.

He also confirms 192 aid trucks did reach the region on Sunday.

"But that is woefully short of what is required," the minister adds. 

"Before the crisis, more than 500 trucks a day were getting in."

A proposed takeover of The Telegraph newspaper by a UAE-led consortium will be referred to the competition watchdog.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she was "minded" to send the deal to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following advice from regulator Ofcom, which will kick off a long review.

The consortium looking to buy the newspaper is RedBird IMI - a joint venture an Abi Dhabi investment group and a US fund manager.

The CMA review could effectively kill the proposed takeover because while it's taking place, a law is due to come into force that would ban foreign governments owning British newspapers.

Ms Frazer said Ofcom had found Abi Dhabi's IMI may wish to influence "the accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion in the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph newspapers".

She expects the new law banning governments from owning papers to come into force within the next month or two.

"If the Telegraph case is still live, it will affect it," she told LBC radio.

Our business correspondent Paul Kelso explained there are specific concerns around the role of Sheikh Mansour, a member of the Abi Dhabi royal family and vice president of the UAE.

He's funding 75% of the proposed £600m takeover deal.

"With a poor record of freedom of media expression in Abu Dhabi, there would be a reduction potentially in freedom of expression in the Telegraph," says Paul.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, asks Jeremy Hunt whether the Conservatives have costed a reported plan to abolish national insurance tax.

She says: "After the budget, the chancellor wrote to Conservative Party members, telling them that the government planned to abolish national insurance.

"The economic secretary said that national insurance will vanish, and the prime minister said it was his ambition to abolish it.

"So can the chancellor confirm whether he asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to cost the government's unfunded plan to abolish national insurance contributions?"

In response, Mr Hunt largely dodges the question.

He says he is "glad" Ms Reeves asked about national insurance cuts.

"First, she supported them, then she abstained in the lobbies, now she appears to be against them," he adds. "Like the bankers bonus tax which she was strongly in favour of and then strongly against.

"Isn't the actual truth here that where Labour should have an economic policy, there is just a black hole filled with platitudes?"

Mr Reeves pushes again on her question.

Mr Hunt says: "We specifically said we wouldn't fund national insurance cuts from increasing borrowing or cutting spending on public services."

In the Commons, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was asked if he believes his spring budget landed well with the public - and his party colleagues.

He said: "Well, what I would say to the honourable gentleman very simply is that budget will mean the UK economy will grow faster than France, Germany, Italy or Japan in the next five years.

"That is doing the right thing for the country."

Mr Hunt also claimed that the government's latest 2p cut in national insurance "will increase living standards by 1%" in the UK.

The prime minister's spokesman has called on the House of Lords to help pass the government's Rwanda plan, so Rishi Sunak can hit his target of having deportation flights off the ground by Easter.

Peers have been seeking to water down the controversial legislation, but their proposed amendments were rejected the government in the Commons last night.

The bill now goes back to the Lords on Wednesday as part of a game of ping pong between the two houses of parliament.

"The prime minister would like to see it pass this hurdle," No 10 said.

"The Lords have an opportunity to work with the government to pass a bill to stop people taking perilous journeys across the Channel. 

"The PM is keen to act quickly. We need to act and save lives. 

"Sitting back and doing nothing is not a compassionate option."

No 10 reiterated the PM's goal of passing the bill in the spring, saying the timeline "remains unchanged".

For more on where we're at with the Rwanda scheme, read analysis from political correspondent Tamara Cohen :

Darren Jones, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, asks the department's ministers to explain why British people feel "worse off" after 14 years of Conservative government.

"Why can't the Treasury minister admit that for every 10p in the pound taken from people since 2010, you're only now giving back 5p?"

In response, Nigel Huddleston, the financial secretary to the Treasury, says: "If I'm hearing correctly, the opposition frontbench are announcing fundamental changes to policy which they have not yet costed.

"They did not object as far as I'm aware to any of the measures that were required to support households and businesses during the pandemic, which necessitated increases in taxation.

"We are now lowering the level of taxation because we have turned a corner."

He says: "They didn't support that."

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is up in the House of Commons, answering questions from MPs in the wake of his spring budget.

James Murray, the Labour MP for Ealing North, puts it to Mr Hunt that recent figures from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) put the UK as the only G7 advanced economy now in recession.

He notes that, according to the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the UK is expected to have the "second-slowest growth in the G7 this year".

Mr Murray asks why the UK is so far behind other major economies.

"Well, it isn't," Mr Hunt says. "Because it's actually growing faster than France, Germany, and a whole bunch of other countries."

"But I'm very glad [Mr Murray] mentioned 14 years," Mr Hunt adds. 

"Let's look at what happened under 14 years of Labour in Wales.

"Unemployment higher, NHS waiting lists longer, school standards worse and growth lower."

And what's their response to this, Mr Hunt asks.

"They just promoted the economy minister to first minister."

Mr Hunt was referring to Vaughan Gething, who is replacing Mark Drakeford as first minister.

Labour MP for Rhondda Chris Bryant could then be heard shouting "you're not going to be prime minister" from the backbenches.

Rishi Sunak cannot be held "personally responsible" for the Tories' dire poll ratings, and the party must now stick with him as leader until the election, ex-minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said.

The prime minister has faced speculation about a possible Tory revolt against his leadership, with plotters lining up Penny Mordaunt as a potential replacement.

But Sir Jacob said it was "inconceivable" for Commons leader Ms Mordaunt to take the job, and the Tories "need to just get on with it" with Mr Sunak in post.

Labour has an average poll lead of around 20 points, fuelling Tory unease in a general election year.

But Sir Jacob said: "In defence of Rishi Sunak, it is quite hard for a leader at this stage... to be significantly more popular than his party.

"The Conservative Party's popularity fell before Rishi Sunak's did, so I don't think we can hold him personally responsible."

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