Luxury Canal Hotel Boat Holiday
This relaxing 3 night break provides a cruise through some of the finest stretches of the southern Grand Union canal, quiet and relaxing with interesting places along the way.
As we leave Linslade and Leighton Buzzard, crossing the boundary between the counties of Bedford and Buckingham, solitary locks come along at regular intervals, each with its own atmosphere and ambience.
Sand gives way to clay, and clay to chalk, as the canal takes on the serious task of climbing up to the Chilterns.
With excellent views over Dunstable Downs, the chalk lion of Whipsnade and the Ivinghoe Beacon can be seen. At Marsworth, the Aylesbury and Wendover Arms join the Grand Union, the latter being originally built to supply water to the main canal from springs and artesian wells in the Chiltern Hills.
This is an area of abundant wildlife, with the College Lake Wildlife centre at Bulbourne well worth a visit.
The canal continues towards the Tring summit, passing beneath the ancient Upper Icknield Way and enters the Tring Cutting. The cutting stretches for one and a half miles, reaching a maximum depth of thirty feet creating a chasm of narcotic splendour.
As the canal emerges from the Tring cutting, we descend to the lovely historic town of Berkhamsted, which proudly integrates the canal with the town centre. The remains of the Norman Castle can be visited, where William the Conqueror stayed in 1066.
Join us aboard The Billet at 2pm for sparkling wine, canapés and introductory welcome and safety chat. After settling in we will cruise at 3pm. Departure on your final day will be at 10am, after a sumptuous breakfast.
Cruise Dates 2017
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 to Tue, 18 Apr 2017
If travelling by train, we would suggest Leighton Buzzard station for Linslade; and Berkhamsted station for Berkhamsted.