Boat Trips & Holidays

What could be more relaxing than drifting along a tranquil canal on a narrow boat through Nottinghamshire? Take in the scenery and wildlife along the way, stopping off at a quaint pub by the side of the water.

Nottingham to Beeston Canal

With pubs such as The Canalhouse and The Trent Navigation dotted along its banks, the canal is a prominent feature in the city centre and a unique way for you to explore Nottingham. The canal navigates from the River Trent, via Attenborough Nature Reserve at Beeston then on to the city centre and back onto the River Trent. 

Make sure you stop by Beeston Marina, which caters for over 100 moorers! Here you can enjoy a beautiful walk and even stop by the cafe for a delicious cup of tea and a scone while taking in your beautiful surroundings.

Chesterfield Canal 

Known locally as the Cuckoo Dyke, the canal runs through the heart of The Dukeries and Sherwood Forest in the north of the county, from the River Trent at West Stockwith through the market towns of Worksop and Retford before taking you on towards the borders of Yorkshire. This 46 mile canal will keep you on your toes, with 46 narrow locks, six wide locks and two tunnels.

Erewash Canal

The Erewash Canal is a broad canal which runs just under 12 miles, starting from the River Trent at Trent Lock and ends up at Langley Mill. Part of the canal crosses the Erewash near Eastwood, the heart of DH Lawrence country.

Gunthorpe Lock

This lock is a popular part of the River Trent and a great place to stop off and explore the Nottinghamshire countryside. Gunthorpe has been an important river crossing for many years and for boaters on the River Trent, Gunthorpe Lock is a fine destination to stop off for lunch or an evening meal. Make sure to dine at Tom Brown’s Brasserie.

Newark Canal

The boating experience into Newark is second to none as you coast though the attractive villages of Fiskerton and Farndon, which are both popular fishing spots.
The river continues directly into the heart of Newark, a popular market town which is highly recognised for Newark Castle, Newark Air Museum and its offering of antiques. Just past the town lock is a distinctive barge, which has been converted into a floating pub serving drinks and bar meals – you can even moor up behind it!

Cycle Routes

You can enjoy a few different cycle routes which pass through some of Nottinghamshire's canals and rivers, such as the Nottingham to Worksop Cycle Route or the Cotgrave Canal & Country Park Cycle Route.

To discover more routes, visit our dedicated pages for Canal cycling routes for the family, Canal road cycling routes and Canal off-road cycling routes. You can also stop off at the canals on the Nottingham Cycle Tours.