SOMEWHAT EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS but here's a rundown of Christmas days out and events on the canals.
Canal & River Trust offers free regional online Places to Visit Guides, inspiring great days out by the water this Christmas. Containing maps, information about visitor facilities, museums and free activities, the guides help people get the most out of visiting over 100 different sites across the charity’s historic canal network.
From hidden gems and rural retreats to UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic lock flights and museums, there are hundreds of places to visit in England and Wales for great days out by the water.
Nicky Lister, of Canal & River Trust, explains:
“Our historic network of navigable canals and rivers provides free to visit outdoor open spaces, over 2,000 miles of towpaths to walk along and dozens of low-cost family-friendly Christmas events, including Santa cruises, guided walks and craft activities.
“We want to encourage more people to visit our canals, rivers, reservoirs, docks and museums so they can experience the physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by water, and find out more about the work of our charity to care for the nation’s world-famous historic network.”
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
1. Take a Santa boat trip across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at 39 metres high above the Dee Valley, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the highest aqueduct that you can still take boats across in the world, and is the longest aqueduct in Britain. Departing close to Canal & River Trust’s Trevor Basin Visitor Centre, near Wrexham in North Wales (LL14 3SG), special boat trips with Santa will be running on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December. The 45-minute trips across the aqueduct will depart at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Adult tickets are £10, children’s tickets (aged 16 and under) are £6. Family tickets (for two adults and two children) are £25 each. Call 0117 304 1122 or visit anglowelsh.co.uk to book tickets in advance.
National Waterways Museum
2. Meet Father Christmas at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
Occupying the old dock buildings of Ellesmere Port, the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port in Cheshire (CH65 4FW) tells the story of the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked on them. The Museum is hosting festive boat trips, a Santa’s grotto experience and treasure trail on 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19-24 December, from 10am to 4pm. Step back in time at the Museum’s Porters Row cottages, decorated for the festive season, as they would have been over a century ago. Festive Boat Trip & Santa’s Grotto tickets are £12.50 each for adults and children. Includes museum admission on the day. Santa’s Grotto only tickets are £8.50 per child and includes museum access on the day. Museum admission is £13.25 for adults, £9.95 for children aged 6 to 15, under 6’s go free. Family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £32.50 Concession (65+) £9.95.
Call 0151 3555017 or visit Buy Events - National Waterways Museum Tickets online - Canal & River Trust to book tickets in advance.
Cruise the Weaver
3. Experience a Santa cruise along the river at the Anderton Boat Lift
The Anderton Boat Lift scheduled ancient monument near Northwich was built 150 years ago to raise (and lower) boats 15 metres from the Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal. The Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre near Northwich in Cheshire (CW9 6FW) will be hosting Santa cruises with elves and Christmas songs 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December, departing at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm (Adult tickets £10, children £15 - includes a gift). Breakfast Santa Cruises will run at 9.30am 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December (tickets £20 each). There will also be Wreath Making Sessions on Saturday 5 December (tickets £50 each).
Call 01606 786777 or book online via canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events.
Standedge Tunnel
4. Meet Santa at Standedge Tunnel, Marsden, West Yorkshire
At over three miles long, Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. This incredible feat of 18th and 19th century engineering takes canal boats and canoes beneath the Pennines between Marsden in Kirklees and Diggle in Oldham.
This year marks 25 years since the restoration and reopening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Standedge Tunnel. On Saturday 12 December and Sunday 13 December (11am to 4pm), Friends of Standedge and Huddersfield Canal Society are joining Canal & River Trust to host a special ‘Christmas at Standedge’ event with meet Santa aboard a boat, enchanted tunnel voyages, Christmas canal rides, Santa's grotto, face painting, live music and festive treats at the Watersedge Coffee House.
On Thursday 3 December, starting at 10am at the Marsden Mechanics Institute (HD7 6BW), Canal & River Trust volunteers will also lead a festive themed walk to Tunnel End at Marsden.
Boat trip times are 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm and tickets are available either in advance or on the day from Canal & River Trust’s Tunnel Office, next to the Watersedge Coffee House, Waters Road, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6NQ or book online at canalrivertrust.org.uk.
Adult tickets are £12, Children £10, Concessions £10 and Family tickets are £36.
National Waterways Museum Gloucester
5. Enjoy Stories with Santa at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester
Housed in a Grade II listed grain warehouse in the heart of what once was the bustling Gloucester Docks, the National Waterways Museum Gloucester charts the 200-year-old history of the docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. On 5, 12, 19, 22 and 23 December at 11am and 1pm families can hear festive stories with Santa at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester Docks (GL1 2EH). Tickets cost £15 for one child and one adult. Tickets include a gift for each child and entry to the museum where there will be a special Elf Trail to follow in the galleries. Visitors to Gloucester Docks can also go ice skating at the Gloucester Quays Open Air Ice Rink.
For more information and to book in advance, go to canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events
To book tickets for the ice rink, go to gloucesterquays.co.uk
Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
6. See Santa’s Grotto at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne
The pretty village of Stoke Bruerne near Towcester (NN12 7SE) is home to Canal & River Trust’s free-to-visit Canal Museum. Full of interactive displays and collections that bring to life what it was like to live and work on Britain’s canals. In December, a decorative Santa’s Grotto will appear at the Museum and the Trust will host a ‘Wire and Resin Sculpted Christmas Wreath Workshop’ on Saturday 5 December (10am to 4pm, £35 per person). Visitors to the Canal Museum can also walk along the Grand Union Canal, explore the woodland sculpture trail next to the Blisworth Tunnel and nature reserve at the bottom of Stoke Bruerne Locks.
Call 01604 346096 or visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events to find out more.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Shipley
7. Go on a free guided walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Shipley
Canal & River Trust is hosting a series of guided ‘Art of Wintering’ walks starting on 11 November. The one-hour walks take place on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in the Shipley area and in Huddersfield along the Huddersfield Broad Canal, offering the opportunity to get out in nature and learn how get outdoors in the winter months.
See canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events for more details and to sign up for the walks.
Sheffield & Tinsley Canal guided walk
8. Enjoy a free guided walk along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal
Canal & River Trust volunteers will lead a series of free guided walks along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal in December. History Canal Walks will depart from Victoria Junction Café at Victoria Quays (S4 7YB) on 17 and 20 December (11am to 1pm). Wellness Walks (11am to 1pm) will depart from Meadowhall South Tram Stop (S9 1EA) on 6 and 10 December.
Sign-up online at canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events.
London’s Docklands guided history walk
9. Take a guided history walk in London’s Docklands
On 18 December (2-4pm), Canal & River Trust is hosting a short circular walk around London’s Docklands, once the busiest port in the world. The walk will be led by a local historian, explaining the fascinating history of the area. The walk starts and finishes at the entrance to the free-to-enter London Museum Docklands, West India Docks (E14 9YQ). The walk costs £7.50 per person.
Sign-up online at canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events
Water taxi from Little Venice to Camden
10. Board a water taxi from Little Venice to Camden
Just behind the busy A40 and Paddington Station lies Little Venice, one of London’s most picturesque spots, where the Grand Union Canal meets the Regent’s Canal. A canal boat taxi service runs between Little Venice and Camden, passing Regent’s Park and London Zoo. This relaxing journey along the Regent’s Canal explores a hidden and surprisingly green and quiet artery of the Capital.
Standard online tickets for 2 adults and 2 children (aged 4-16) are £72.73. Children under 4 go free. Trips operate daily in December, except 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December. More info at londonwaterbus.com.
Information about events on Canal & River Trust canals can be found at Events | Canal & River Trust. The Canal & River Trust’s eight free Places to Visit Guides are available to download at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/free-guide or to pick up at Canal & River Trust visitor centres.