Bikes and Canal Boat Holidays
You would be forgiven in assuming that the canals where built for the sole use of cyclist and with thousands of miles of traffic free towpaths it's no wonder you may think this way.
Our waterways provide green corridors through cities, linking our towns and villages together and attract over 21 million visits from cyclists each year. The towpaths are used by a range of cyclists from canal boaters like yourselves exploring or running errands to experienced cyclists on tours and families taking an afternoon bike ride together.
Depending on location, your Canal Boat Holiday can offer some glorious cycling opportunities. The Offals Dyke Path is a Welsh national trail which crosses the beautiful Llangollen Canal at the Polysyllable Aqueduct. There are cycle routes on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to suit everyone if you only want a gentle ride try The Commander to Worcester which is ideal for children as it is only just over 3 km. For the more adventurous try the route from Kings Norton on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal into the heart of Birmingham at Gas Street Basin. The cycle route along the Kennet and Avon Canal is superbly way marked by Sumatrans the cycle charity.
If you are unable to bring your own bikes or you are an overseas guest you can, from some of our canal holiday bases hire bikes. You can hire them just for an hour or two hour, for a whole day or for the duration of your holiday.
So why not hire some bikes and see where the towpath takes you.
Cycle Hire Companies
Coventry Canal – Alvechurch, Gayton, Union Wharf
Cycle One Stop
2 Napier Street, Coventry, CV1 5PR
Tel : 02476 550070 Website : http://www.cycleonestop.co.uk/
Grand Union Canal – Union Wharf, Gayton
Waterloo Farm Leisure
Harborough Road, Great Oxendon, Market Harborough, LE16 8NB
Tel : 01858 434098 Website : http://www.waterloofarmleisure.co.uk
Kennet and Avon Canal – Hilperton, Aldermaston
Bath and Dundas Canal Co.
brass Knocker Basin, Monkton Combe, Bath ,BA2 7DJ
Tel : 01225 722292 Website : http://www.bathcanal.com
Bath by Cycle
3 George's Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath, BA2 4EN
Tel : 01225 807881 Website : http://www.bathbycycle.com
Henley Cycles
69 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AX
Tele: 01491 578984 Website : http://henleycycles.co.uk/
Llangollen Canal – Blackwater Meadow, Wrenbury, Whitchurch
Artisans
The Old Sawmill, Lake Vyrnwy, Oswestry, SY10 0NA
Tel : 01691 870317 Website : http://www.artisans-lakevyrnwy.co.uk/
Llangollen Bike Hire
23 Castle Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NY
Tel : 01978 860605 Website : www.northwalesbikehire.com
SK Cycles
3 Berwyn Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NF
Website : http://www.skcycles.co.uk/
Monmouthshire and brecon Canal – Goytre
Although you cannot store bikes on the canal boats at Goytre Marina, you can still hire bikes for the day and enjoy a cycle ride.
Hopyard Cycles
Hopyard Farm, Govilon, Abergavenny, NP7 9SE
Tel : 01873 830219 Website : www.hopyardcycles.co.uk
Bikes and Hikes
Lion Yard, brecon, LD3 7BA
Tel : 01874 610071 Website : http://bikesandhikes.co.uk/
Oxford Canal– Aldermaston, Gayton
Oxford Cycles
broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS
Tel : 07907 852832 Website : http://www.oxford-cycles.co.uk/
Shropshire Union Canal – Blackwater Meadow, Anderton, Wrenbury, Whitchurch
Chester Cycle Hire
Strathearn Guest House, 38 Hoole Road, Chester, CH2 3NL
Tel : 01244 321522 Website : http://www.chestercyclehire.com/
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal – Gailey
Desire 2 Ride
Earl Street, Staffordshire, ST16 2QR
Tel : 07722 542425 Website : http://d2ride.co.uk/
Trent and Mersey Canal – Anderton
Tracs
Linmere Visitor Centre, Delamere Forest, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2JD
Tel : 07949 088477 Website : http://www.delamerebikes.co.uk/
bromton Dock
Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 2AA
Tel : 0208 2323931 Website : http://www.bromptondock.co.uk/
Union Canal/Forth and Clyde Canal – Falkirk
Bike Trax
11-13 Lochrin Place, Tollcross, Edinburgh, Eh3 9QX
Tel : 0131 2286633 Website : http://www.biketrax.co.uk
Cyclonauts
143 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 2SG
Tel : 0779 9416747
Outdoortrax
Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk
Tel : 07828 008997 Website : http://www.outdoortrax.co.uk
This company will delivery the bikes direct to our hire office or your canal boat
Worcester and Birmingham Canal- Worcester
Wyre Forest Cycle Hire
Red House Lane, Dunley, Worcester, DY13 0TZ
Tel : 01299 825982
River Avon – Alvechurch, Worcester
The Traditional Cycle Shop
The Chandlery, Stratford Marina, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6YY
Tel : 01789 290703 Website : http://www.traditionalcycleshop.co.uk
Towpath etiquette for cyclists
Follow these hints and tips for a trouble-free cycle ride.
Share the space - You do need to be very careful when cycling on the canal bank and give consideration to walkers, fishermen and the wild life such as nesting swans or ducks who also use the canal tow-path.
Warn other towpath users - let people know you are approaching by ringing a bell or politely calling out before waiting to pass slowly.
Pedestrians have priority towpaths are used by pedestrians who have priority over bikes
Be courteous to others – A smile can go a long way.
Follow signs - They are there for a reason and for the safety of everyone.
Give way to oncoming people beneath bridges - whether they are on foot or bikes and be extra careful at bridges.
Never race -. If you need to get somewhere quickly then use the road
Staying safe
You should always take care when cycling by the rivers and canals, particularly near
locks and other areas of deep water. Remember that the access paths can be steep and slipper so join or leave the towpath with care. You must get off and push your cycle beneath low or blind bridges, and where the path is very narrow. We recommend that you do not cycle towpaths after dark, but if you do, please use front and rear lights. Look out for mooring ropes and pegs where boats are tied up.When cycling in rural areas, always carry a puncture repair kit. Try to avoid wearing headphones as this will make you less aware of your surroundings.