Stag And Hen Weekends
A UK Canal Boating Article
Category : General
Are you the best man or the maid of honour? Has the huge responsibility of booking the stag or hen night been left to you? Don't stress why not book a stag or hen break with UK Canal Boating. With our extensive knowledge of what stags and hens ask for we can advise you of the best starting locations and cruising routes.
From our UK Canal Boating Holiday bases across the country you can access some of the most exciting and vibrant places in the UK including Edinburgh, Manchester, Milton Keynes,Bath and Birmingham.
UK Canal Boating weekends for hen and stag breaks are becoming one our most popular activities as they give you a unique alternative to the usual party weekend.
You can choose a route to suit your requirements whether you are looking for a quiet cruise stopping at canal side pubs and villages or an exciting and vibrant city location.
Our larger canal boats can accommodate up to twelve people where you can have your own single beds. In addition our boats are all built with your comfort in mind and are finished to a very high standard. They are fully insulated and incorporate central heating systems, constant hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets.
The lounge areas are comfortable and all have TV's with DVD players and radios. The Galley, the kitchen, has been carefully planned with a fridge, gas cooker with oven, hob and grill along with a full inventory of cooking utensils, glasses, cutlery and crockery.
No previous experience is necessary for a UK Canal Boating stag or hen weekend as our boats are extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every break. The minimum age of the hirer is 21 and it is essential for your safety that the crew comprises of at least two adults. We do not want to spoil your fun but we must respectively advise you that drinking and 'driving' do not mix.
A stag or hen weekend can be surprisingly economical simple divide the cost of the boat hire between the number of people on board and then the rest of the holiday costs is up to you. You can eat out in gourmet restaurants or cook a simple meal on board. Ladies you can shop till you drop in a cosmopolitan city or walk the tow path exploring quaint country villages. How about relaxing in a Spa for the day or visiting a fashion museum.
The boys can participate in anything from go-carting to white water rafting, from learning a new skill to visiting a brewery. As you cruise along the waterways you are sure to find the perfect activity to make your Hen Party or Stag Weekend a truly unique experience. To help you choose a location and a cruising route here are our top tips for a truly memorable stag or hen weekend.
Bath – Route Bath and return from Hilperton
For the hens- Bath is renowned for its hot springs, baths and spas and is a prefect treat if you want to pamper yourself and lap up the life of luxury. For lovers of clothes visit the Fashion Museum which plays host to a world-class collection of contemporary and historical dress.
Included in the display are 150 dressed figures to illustrate the changing styles in fashionable clothes. Indulge yourselves and take a traditional afternoon tea at Pump House Tea Rooms relax and listen to the Pump Room Trio or the pianist who play each day.
Shop in one of the very exclusive clothes shop or dine at one of the fine restaurants. If you want to visit Bath then choose our marina at Hilperton on the Kennet and Avon Canal for your hen weekend.
For the Stags - Hire a bike and explore the canal towpath, cycle south along the Limpley Stoke Valley or northwards towards Bristol or just pedal around the beautiful City of Bath. Take a Razorcat Tour and explore the city on a chauffeur driven trike ride. Victoria Falls Adventure Golf is great fun and perfect for a group of friends who want a challenge. The 18 hole adventure golf course is situated right in the heart of the city in the award winning Royal Victoria Park. Throw down the gauntlet and play 18 holes of fun golf over rushing waterways and waterfalls.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat during your stay in Bath, you will certainly not be disappointed, the city is renowned for it's hospitality and the streets are peppered with award winning restaurants and friendly pubs. There is a brilliant choice of after dark entertainment as Bath has a mix of pubs, bars and clubs, exciting theatre venues and a vibrant live music and comedy scene. Burdall’s Yard is a venue for music, comedy and performing arts in the centre of Bath.
Housed in the wonderful stone vaults of a former brewery. For a truly original experience take a glassmaking course, learn all the basic skills of glassmaking in order to make your own paperweight with a professional glassblower. Glassmaking Courses take place at the Theatre of Glass, Walcot Street in the centre of Bath
Birmingham - Route Birmingham Cruise from Alvechurch
Our UK Canal Boating base at Alvechurch is only 3-5 cruising hours away from the centre of Birmingham and the city centre is home to some of the most varied nightlife scenes in the country.
Pop into Cadbury World and treat yourself, you can moor outside! Each weekend thousands of revellers descend on the city to enjoy its brilliant bars, canal side pubs,restaurants and diverse clubs.
Visit one of the pubs, restaurants or cafes at Brindley place or head for the famous Balti Triangle, home to some of the best South East Asian cooking in the country. The Broad Street area of the city is home to more than 40 bars and clubs and with something to suit every stag party, from casinos to comedy nights. Why not chance your luck and have a night out at the dogs at the city's Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium. There are also various Go Karting venues in Birmingham and many other popular activities,
For the hens
After London Birmingham is the UK's largest city, so just where to begin. The city offers great shopping, fantastic restaurants and some really sophisticated bars where you will be served the most amazing cocktails. Birmingham is a shoppers paradise and the Bull Ring is a perfect place to start browse around the wealth of shops including a huge Selfridges.
Visit the Jewellery Quarter where you can find the best deals and prices on thousands and thousands of items amongst hundreds of traders. For chocoholics visit Cadbury World take a tour and see the your favourite chocolate being made.
If you want to make Birmingham your destination book a canal boat from our UK Canal Boatingmarina at Alvechurch. This route is ideal for the girls as the cruise is short, lock free and very easy to navigate.
Reading – Route Reading and return from Aldermaston
From our UK Canal Boating bases at Aldermaston cruise to Reading along the Kennet and Avon Canal. When you begin to explore Reading you will realise why we have included it in our hit parade.
Why not visit the Museum of Berkshire Aviation and don't forget there is Premier League football on offer at the Madejski Stadium. Book your weekend to coincide with the world famous Reading Festival where previous acts have included Pulp, The Cure, Kaiser Chiefs and Muse.
Caversham in Berkshire– Route Marlow and Henley on Thames
For the hens-Visit Kubu Spa in Henley on Thames -this is a great venue for Hen Parties and for those of you just wishing to have a day’s pampering.
Also for something different a unique course at a cookery school near Henley on Thames -It takes place at Old Luxters farmhouse set within the vineyard, winery and brewery complex and will give you a fresh insight into how wine, real ale and or liqueurs can transform the taste of the food itself either as part of the recipe or when enjoyed by the glass to accompany the dish.
A selection of Spa rituals and indulgences combine eastern philosophy with 21st century western culture to suit every client
For the Stags- Also near henley on Thames is Chiltern valley Winery and Brewery- Their 2 hour tour ‘behind the scenes’ around the Winery, Brewery and Liqueur production facilities demonstrates a fun and extensive learning experience. The tour is completed with a tutored 30-40 minute tasting of a generous selection of our Wines, Ales & Liqueurs.
Milton Keynes – Route Milton Keynes and return from Gayton
The Grand Union Canal flows through the centre of Milton Keynes making it an ideal UK Canal Boating destination. Start your stag weekend from our base at Gayton and travel thorough the pretty canal side village of Stoke Bruerne, ideal for an over night stay.
Milton Keynes is home to Xscape a truly wonderful complex offering tenpin bowling, a climbing zone and a cinema. For something completely different visit Airkix a wind tunnel where you lean into a airflow and experience skydiving. For lovers of extreme sports book a course at the SnoZone and learn to ski or snowboard on real snow.
In Northampton not far from the Marina is www.teamworkskarting.com
with a huge indoor Karting circuit with formats for all abilities
Llangollen - Route Llangollen and Return from Blackwater Meadow
If you fancy a weekend of outdoor activities then choose Blackwater Meadow as your starting point. From our marina in Ellesmere cruise over the mighty Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to the town of Llangollen.
If you like water sports you will be spoilt for choice have a go at canoeing or white water rafting. If you prefer land based activities try your hand at gorge walking, laser clay and Archery, Hovercfating, Extreme 4 x 4 off road driving, Blind driving, Off road Segway (Hoverdays.co.uk) if you have a head for height scale the limestone scarp of Eglwyseg which towers over the Vale of Llangollen.
Manchester
Book a UK Canal Boating Holiday from Anderton and visit Manchester, one of the top ten stag destinations in the UK. No matter what you are looking for on a stag weekend Manchester will not disappoint. Manchester is brimming with stylish bars, clubs and restaurants and the Northern Quarter, Deansgate and Deansgate Locks, The Triangle and The Printworks there are the places to head to.
Try the new Crystal maze experience -You and your team must test your skills, solve mysteries and overcome challenges both mental and physical. They’re in four adventure zones – Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic. Plus they’re all against the clock. The more challenges your team completes successfully, the more Crystals you win and the more time you’ll get to catch tokens in the iconic Crystal Dome.
If cars are your thing then visit the Museum of Transport where you will find the largest collections of its kind in the country.
No visit to Manchester would be complete without a visit to one of the country's most famous Football clubs, Manchester City. Begin at the museum and learn about the club's 130 year history. Have a go at commentating on some of the glorious goals or relive the greatest moments on the video jukebox.
Take a look behind the scenes when your tour guide will give you an insight into the day to day activities of the club or walk in the footsteps of your football hero's.
Edinburgh – Route Edinburgh and return from Falkirk
Edinburgh is a very popular city to hold a stag weekend and is easily accessible from of UK Canal Boating base at Falkirk.
Your stag can choose activities ranging from cliff jumping or buggy racing from climbing to hill walking. Edinburgh like any major city caters for all tastes whether you want to party until dawn or just soak up the great atmosphere of the pubs.
Most stag parties end up in the Grassmarket area or head for Princes Street which is home to hundreds of amazing pubs and bars. If you need to clear your head take the climb to Arthur’s Seat a former volcano that domineers the skyline.
At the Scotch Whisky Experience an expert will show you how to nose and taste four single malt whiskies from each of Scotland's four main Whisky-producing regions. The tours finishes with a close-up look at the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whisky with a chance to taste Scotch Malt Whisky.
Nantwich in Cheshire – Route Nantwich from Wrenbury
Cruise along the lovely Shropshire Union Canal to the historic Cheshire Market town of Nantwich with its fine Tudor buildings and visit the Secret Bunker- The Bunker is described as a unique and exciting day out, discovering the secret world of Nuclear government, as the bunker would have become home to the select few in the event of a Nuclear strike. It is too sinister for some, but it is the chance to see the underground paraphernalia required to support existence in the face of a nuclear holocaust.
Also close to Nantwich is www.cheshireactivities.co.uk where you can sample Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, and Air Rifling.
Market Harborough in Leicestershire- route Welford and return
Cruise up the famous Foxton locks, a flight of 10 staircase locks, lovely pub by the Locks where you can stop the 1st night, and on the 2nd night at Welford stop right outside the pub!
Avalanche Adventure is near Market Harborough and provides Quad bike safari, Clay Pigeon Shoooting, Off road land rover Driving, Off road racing Buggies , Archery and Blindfold driving, with stag party packages. The Land Rover Experience is situated on 300 acres of picturesque countryside surrounding Rockingham Castle, near Market Harborough. Land Rover Experience East of England isn't just about action and adventure, its about delivering an experience you'll never forget.http://www.eastofengland.landroverexperience.co.uk
Mid Worcstershire Ring from Worcester
Cruise from this ancient city on the banks of the River Severn.
Situated in Lowesmoor Wharf close to the Marina is CyberQ Escape Rooms which is a thrilling and fun interactive live escape game for groups of 2-6 people and it is suitable for all ages. Players have a total of 60 minutes to escape their chosen room by solving a number of sequenced, mind challenging logic problems. https://cyberq.co.uk
Some hints that may help
Don't forget a camera.
Find out if you have to book any of the activities in advance.
Stay safe remember that drink, boats and water can be a dangerous combination.
Consider a 'kitty' so everyone can contribute an equal amount.
Remember, give yourself enough time to plan, don't leave it to late to book your UK Canal Boating Holiday
From our UK Canal Boating Holiday bases across the country you can access some of the most exciting and vibrant places in the UK including Edinburgh, Manchester, Milton Keynes,Bath and Birmingham.
UK Canal Boating weekends for hen and stag breaks are becoming one our most popular activities as they give you a unique alternative to the usual party weekend.
You can choose a route to suit your requirements whether you are looking for a quiet cruise stopping at canal side pubs and villages or an exciting and vibrant city location.
Our larger canal boats can accommodate up to twelve people where you can have your own single beds. In addition our boats are all built with your comfort in mind and are finished to a very high standard. They are fully insulated and incorporate central heating systems, constant hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets.
The lounge areas are comfortable and all have TV's with DVD players and radios. The Galley, the kitchen, has been carefully planned with a fridge, gas cooker with oven, hob and grill along with a full inventory of cooking utensils, glasses, cutlery and crockery.
No previous experience is necessary for a UK Canal Boating stag or hen weekend as our boats are extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every break. The minimum age of the hirer is 21 and it is essential for your safety that the crew comprises of at least two adults. We do not want to spoil your fun but we must respectively advise you that drinking and 'driving' do not mix.
A stag or hen weekend can be surprisingly economical simple divide the cost of the boat hire between the number of people on board and then the rest of the holiday costs is up to you. You can eat out in gourmet restaurants or cook a simple meal on board. Ladies you can shop till you drop in a cosmopolitan city or walk the tow path exploring quaint country villages. How about relaxing in a Spa for the day or visiting a fashion museum.
The boys can participate in anything from go-carting to white water rafting, from learning a new skill to visiting a brewery. As you cruise along the waterways you are sure to find the perfect activity to make your Hen Party or Stag Weekend a truly unique experience. To help you choose a location and a cruising route here are our top tips for a truly memorable stag or hen weekend.
Bath – Route Bath and return from Hilperton
For the hens- Bath is renowned for its hot springs, baths and spas and is a prefect treat if you want to pamper yourself and lap up the life of luxury. For lovers of clothes visit the Fashion Museum which plays host to a world-class collection of contemporary and historical dress.
Included in the display are 150 dressed figures to illustrate the changing styles in fashionable clothes. Indulge yourselves and take a traditional afternoon tea at Pump House Tea Rooms relax and listen to the Pump Room Trio or the pianist who play each day.
Shop in one of the very exclusive clothes shop or dine at one of the fine restaurants. If you want to visit Bath then choose our marina at Hilperton on the Kennet and Avon Canal for your hen weekend.
For the Stags - Hire a bike and explore the canal towpath, cycle south along the Limpley Stoke Valley or northwards towards Bristol or just pedal around the beautiful City of Bath. Take a Razorcat Tour and explore the city on a chauffeur driven trike ride. Victoria Falls Adventure Golf is great fun and perfect for a group of friends who want a challenge. The 18 hole adventure golf course is situated right in the heart of the city in the award winning Royal Victoria Park. Throw down the gauntlet and play 18 holes of fun golf over rushing waterways and waterfalls.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat during your stay in Bath, you will certainly not be disappointed, the city is renowned for it's hospitality and the streets are peppered with award winning restaurants and friendly pubs. There is a brilliant choice of after dark entertainment as Bath has a mix of pubs, bars and clubs, exciting theatre venues and a vibrant live music and comedy scene. Burdall’s Yard is a venue for music, comedy and performing arts in the centre of Bath.
Housed in the wonderful stone vaults of a former brewery. For a truly original experience take a glassmaking course, learn all the basic skills of glassmaking in order to make your own paperweight with a professional glassblower. Glassmaking Courses take place at the Theatre of Glass, Walcot Street in the centre of Bath
Birmingham - Route Birmingham Cruise from Alvechurch
Our UK Canal Boating base at Alvechurch is only 3-5 cruising hours away from the centre of Birmingham and the city centre is home to some of the most varied nightlife scenes in the country.
Pop into Cadbury World and treat yourself, you can moor outside! Each weekend thousands of revellers descend on the city to enjoy its brilliant bars, canal side pubs,restaurants and diverse clubs.
Visit one of the pubs, restaurants or cafes at Brindley place or head for the famous Balti Triangle, home to some of the best South East Asian cooking in the country. The Broad Street area of the city is home to more than 40 bars and clubs and with something to suit every stag party, from casinos to comedy nights. Why not chance your luck and have a night out at the dogs at the city's Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium. There are also various Go Karting venues in Birmingham and many other popular activities,
For the hens
After London Birmingham is the UK's largest city, so just where to begin. The city offers great shopping, fantastic restaurants and some really sophisticated bars where you will be served the most amazing cocktails. Birmingham is a shoppers paradise and the Bull Ring is a perfect place to start browse around the wealth of shops including a huge Selfridges.
Visit the Jewellery Quarter where you can find the best deals and prices on thousands and thousands of items amongst hundreds of traders. For chocoholics visit Cadbury World take a tour and see the your favourite chocolate being made.
If you want to make Birmingham your destination book a canal boat from our UK Canal Boatingmarina at Alvechurch. This route is ideal for the girls as the cruise is short, lock free and very easy to navigate.
Reading – Route Reading and return from Aldermaston
From our UK Canal Boating bases at Aldermaston cruise to Reading along the Kennet and Avon Canal. When you begin to explore Reading you will realise why we have included it in our hit parade.
Why not visit the Museum of Berkshire Aviation and don't forget there is Premier League football on offer at the Madejski Stadium. Book your weekend to coincide with the world famous Reading Festival where previous acts have included Pulp, The Cure, Kaiser Chiefs and Muse.
Caversham in Berkshire– Route Marlow and Henley on Thames
For the hens-Visit Kubu Spa in Henley on Thames -this is a great venue for Hen Parties and for those of you just wishing to have a day’s pampering.
Also for something different a unique course at a cookery school near Henley on Thames -It takes place at Old Luxters farmhouse set within the vineyard, winery and brewery complex and will give you a fresh insight into how wine, real ale and or liqueurs can transform the taste of the food itself either as part of the recipe or when enjoyed by the glass to accompany the dish.
A selection of Spa rituals and indulgences combine eastern philosophy with 21st century western culture to suit every client
For the Stags- Also near henley on Thames is Chiltern valley Winery and Brewery- Their 2 hour tour ‘behind the scenes’ around the Winery, Brewery and Liqueur production facilities demonstrates a fun and extensive learning experience. The tour is completed with a tutored 30-40 minute tasting of a generous selection of our Wines, Ales & Liqueurs.
Milton Keynes – Route Milton Keynes and return from Gayton
The Grand Union Canal flows through the centre of Milton Keynes making it an ideal UK Canal Boating destination. Start your stag weekend from our base at Gayton and travel thorough the pretty canal side village of Stoke Bruerne, ideal for an over night stay.
Milton Keynes is home to Xscape a truly wonderful complex offering tenpin bowling, a climbing zone and a cinema. For something completely different visit Airkix a wind tunnel where you lean into a airflow and experience skydiving. For lovers of extreme sports book a course at the SnoZone and learn to ski or snowboard on real snow.
In Northampton not far from the Marina is www.teamworkskarting.com
with a huge indoor Karting circuit with formats for all abilities
Llangollen - Route Llangollen and Return from Blackwater Meadow
If you fancy a weekend of outdoor activities then choose Blackwater Meadow as your starting point. From our marina in Ellesmere cruise over the mighty Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to the town of Llangollen.
If you like water sports you will be spoilt for choice have a go at canoeing or white water rafting. If you prefer land based activities try your hand at gorge walking, laser clay and Archery, Hovercfating, Extreme 4 x 4 off road driving, Blind driving, Off road Segway (Hoverdays.co.uk) if you have a head for height scale the limestone scarp of Eglwyseg which towers over the Vale of Llangollen.
Manchester
Book a UK Canal Boating Holiday from Anderton and visit Manchester, one of the top ten stag destinations in the UK. No matter what you are looking for on a stag weekend Manchester will not disappoint. Manchester is brimming with stylish bars, clubs and restaurants and the Northern Quarter, Deansgate and Deansgate Locks, The Triangle and The Printworks there are the places to head to.
Try the new Crystal maze experience -You and your team must test your skills, solve mysteries and overcome challenges both mental and physical. They’re in four adventure zones – Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic. Plus they’re all against the clock. The more challenges your team completes successfully, the more Crystals you win and the more time you’ll get to catch tokens in the iconic Crystal Dome.
If cars are your thing then visit the Museum of Transport where you will find the largest collections of its kind in the country.
No visit to Manchester would be complete without a visit to one of the country's most famous Football clubs, Manchester City. Begin at the museum and learn about the club's 130 year history. Have a go at commentating on some of the glorious goals or relive the greatest moments on the video jukebox.
Take a look behind the scenes when your tour guide will give you an insight into the day to day activities of the club or walk in the footsteps of your football hero's.
Edinburgh – Route Edinburgh and return from Falkirk
Edinburgh is a very popular city to hold a stag weekend and is easily accessible from of UK Canal Boating base at Falkirk.
Your stag can choose activities ranging from cliff jumping or buggy racing from climbing to hill walking. Edinburgh like any major city caters for all tastes whether you want to party until dawn or just soak up the great atmosphere of the pubs.
Most stag parties end up in the Grassmarket area or head for Princes Street which is home to hundreds of amazing pubs and bars. If you need to clear your head take the climb to Arthur’s Seat a former volcano that domineers the skyline.
At the Scotch Whisky Experience an expert will show you how to nose and taste four single malt whiskies from each of Scotland's four main Whisky-producing regions. The tours finishes with a close-up look at the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whisky with a chance to taste Scotch Malt Whisky.
Nantwich in Cheshire – Route Nantwich from Wrenbury
Cruise along the lovely Shropshire Union Canal to the historic Cheshire Market town of Nantwich with its fine Tudor buildings and visit the Secret Bunker- The Bunker is described as a unique and exciting day out, discovering the secret world of Nuclear government, as the bunker would have become home to the select few in the event of a Nuclear strike. It is too sinister for some, but it is the chance to see the underground paraphernalia required to support existence in the face of a nuclear holocaust.
Also close to Nantwich is www.cheshireactivities.co.uk where you can sample Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, and Air Rifling.
Market Harborough in Leicestershire- route Welford and return
Cruise up the famous Foxton locks, a flight of 10 staircase locks, lovely pub by the Locks where you can stop the 1st night, and on the 2nd night at Welford stop right outside the pub!
Avalanche Adventure is near Market Harborough and provides Quad bike safari, Clay Pigeon Shoooting, Off road land rover Driving, Off road racing Buggies , Archery and Blindfold driving, with stag party packages. The Land Rover Experience is situated on 300 acres of picturesque countryside surrounding Rockingham Castle, near Market Harborough. Land Rover Experience East of England isn't just about action and adventure, its about delivering an experience you'll never forget.http://www.eastofengland.landroverexperience.co.uk
Mid Worcstershire Ring from Worcester
Cruise from this ancient city on the banks of the River Severn.
Situated in Lowesmoor Wharf close to the Marina is CyberQ Escape Rooms which is a thrilling and fun interactive live escape game for groups of 2-6 people and it is suitable for all ages. Players have a total of 60 minutes to escape their chosen room by solving a number of sequenced, mind challenging logic problems. https://cyberq.co.uk
Some hints that may help
Don't forget a camera.
Find out if you have to book any of the activities in advance.
Stay safe remember that drink, boats and water can be a dangerous combination.
Consider a 'kitty' so everyone can contribute an equal amount.
Remember, give yourself enough time to plan, don't leave it to late to book your UK Canal Boating Holiday
Holiday Bases
AldermastonAlvechurch
Anderton
Blackwater
Bradford-on-Avon
Caversham
Falkirk
Gayton
Hilperton
Market Harborough
Worcester
Wrenbury
Canals
Kennet And AvonLlangollen
Shropshire Union
Trent And Mersey
Union
Worcester And Birmingham
Rivers
Thames
Places to Visit
AndertonBath
Birmingham
Edinburgh
Falkirk
Glasgow
Llangollen
Manchester
Market Harborough
Nantwich
Newbury
Northampton
Reading
Worcester