𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝟯 𝙤𝙛 𝟲 : 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. ⏳

AD/𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 thanks to @driftersboating 🚤💙

✅ One of the joys of slow travel is having time to appreciate the people, engineering and history that came before us.

📍Our route from Stockton to Cropredy and back covered around 35 miles, taking us through 36 narrow and 6 broad locks. It took us 5 days but as you can imagine, it wasn’t all lazing around admiring the view! 😂 More on the locks later…

The Oxford Canal was started in 1770 and played an important role in Britain’s Industrial Revolution.

We discovered the fascinating story of James Brindley, the canal’s original engineer, whose famous contour canals followed the natural landscape rather than cutting straight through it.

The result? Those wonderfully winding bends on the Oxford Canal. They are beautiful to cruise, but certainly require plenty of concentration at the helm! 🚤

Then, at Napton, we spotted two WWII pillboxes beside Lock 10, reminders that these tranquil waterways were designated defence lines.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was rounding a peaceful bend to suddenly find ourselves alongside the enormous HS2 engineering works, complete with heavy plant and machinery. 🏗️

I couldn’t help thinking our reaction might have been similar to those who watched the first railways transform the landscape. It’s a glimpse of the future arriving in the countryside.🚆

From Calcutt Locks and the Grand Union/Oxford junction to the seven-lock Napton Flight and historic Cropredy, there really is a story around every corner.

Slow travel gives you time to look beyond the view and discover the stories beneath it. 💙

🙋‍♀️ 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟰 𝗸𝗺 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵. ✨

Onboard Harry Hudson from @kate.boats

#LittleWanderingWren #CanalBoatDiaries #CanalCommunity #CanalBoatH …

❤️ 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗼𝗳 𝟲 : Meet the Canal Community

𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 thanks to @driftersboating 💙

When you take a 70 ft canal boat out for a mid week break, it’s a bit like being the new kid at school, it’s very reassuring when you meet some friendly faces to give you a helping hand and tell you what’s ahead!

After our initial excellent briefing we set off on the Grand Union Canal for Calcutt Locks, 3 broad locks which take two canal boats.

The team at Kate Boats arrived to assist two of their boats through these first locks. Such a wonderful start for our third canal holiday, only our second time with locks 😍

From then onwards we were on our own!

We met some of the loveliest, most helpful people aboard Harry Hudson — fellow boaters, liveaboards, walkers, kayakers, lock keepers and the fabulous Canal & River Trust (CRT) volunteers. ✨

With the UK experiencing an exceptionally hot, dry summer, there was plenty to talk about along the way. The Canal & River Trust look after 2000 miles of Rivers and Canals in England and Wales and have introduced water-saving measures. Locks were open at specific times and some temporary canal closures have now been introduced to preserve precious water supplies. Kate Boats still have routes open and will give you the best routes.

You get fleeting conversations as you pass other boats, or with the CRT volunteers who help with the locks. Here’s a massive shout out to all involved preserving our beautiful waterways. 👏👏

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗶𝗽? Talk to people. If you’re unsure, need help or simply want to know what’s around the next bend, ask. Canal folk are always generous with their advice.

You will also find that being on a narrowboat it’s a bit like taking your friendly dog to the park — you’ve joined a whole new community and people talk to you! 🐶❤️

We came for the canals… but the people were one of the biggest surprises. 💙

AD/Hosted trip with thanks to @driftersboating on board with @kate.boats

#LittleWanderingWren #CanalBoatDiaries #Cana …

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝟲 : 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 🇬🇧

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘶𝘹𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘵?

Here’s 60 seconds aboard, come take a wander with me!

AD/hosted by Drifters Waterway Holidays

Welcome aboard 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗻 – a beautiful 70ft canal boat from 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲, sleeping up to 6 guests.

Thanks to @driftersboating, we swapped busy roads for peaceful waterways and spent a magical midweek escape cruising the Grand Union and Oxford Canals. 🇬🇧

Our floating home had:
🛏️ Two cosy double bedrooms
🚿 Two en-suite bathrooms
🛋️ A lounge that converts into extra sleeping space for two
🍽️ A fully equipped galley with everything needed to cook on board – from breakfast to our own little MasterChef dinners.

After a day on board, steering the boat, working the locks and soaking up Britain’s beautiful canal scenery, we slept so well. There’s something incredibly calming about life on the water. 💙

Would you swap a hotel for a canal boat and spend a few days slowing down on Britain’s historic canals?

#DriftersWaterwayHolidays #HostedStay #KateBoats #CanalBoatHoliday #BritishCanals …

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸-𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 📚🥾🇬🇧
The Tolkien Trail | Lancashire

“𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵.” ✨

Now this is a hike for all those who love a good book inspired wander!

The Tolkien Trail is one of Lancashire’s most popular walks, winding through the beautiful Ribble Valley countryside around Hurst Green.

These landscapes said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien as he created the fantastical adventures of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien’s words have always resonated with me, especially the quote above.

🥾 The Tolkien Trail
📍 Start: Hurst Green, Lancashire, UK 🇬🇧
⏰ Allow: 2.5–3 hours
📏 Distance: approximately 7km

We finished our wander with lunch at the Shireburn Arms Hotel, a brilliant finish after our walk. Thoroughly recommended!

I was walking with some of my oldest and dearest Uni friends. It’s been more than 40 years since we first met! Oh my giddy Aunt where did those years go to? But happy days we chat & the conversations flow as easily when it did when we shared our Nottingham digs all those years ago.

Time changes a lot. Friendships with deep roots? Not so much. ❤️

Or in Tolkiens words:

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳,
𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘵.

So, any Lord of the Rings or Hobbit lovers out there? 🧙‍♂️🧝‍♀️

Would you add the Tolkien Trail to your UK walking list?

🌎 The TravelTribeUnite is a group of travellers that love photographing destinations both near and far. 🌍Each Tuesday we share travel images that reflect a specific theme. 🌎 Check out this week’s theme “Book Inspired Travel“ at #traveltribeunite and feel free to join us by tagging your themed travel shots.🌍

#TravelTribeUnite #TolkienTrail #bookinspiredtravel …

𝗧𝗩 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 | 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ✨

Have you ever watched 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 or 𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 and thought, I’d love to do that?

We did… This year has been our third summer exploring British Canals.

From mastering locks and mooring up in idyllic villages to spotting wildlife and enjoying delicious dinners at waterside pubs, cruising Britain’s canals is one of the most relaxing ways to explore the countryside.

We are just back from our time away, and guess what the first thing we did on our return? We turned the telly on to watch Canal Boat Diaries for inspiration for future routes!

If’s definitely true when they say “𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧… 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣”.

Have these TV favourites inspired you to swap the fast lane for the towpath? 🚤🌿

🌎 The TravelTribeUnite is a group of travellers that love photographing destinations both near and far. 🌍Each week we share travel images that reflect a specific theme. 🌎 Check out this week’s theme “Movies/TV inspired travel” at #traveltribeunite and feel free to join us by tagging your themed travel shots.🌍

📍Oxford Canal, England

#CanalBoatDiaries #NarrowEscapes #OxfordCanal #canalboatholiday …

Question: have you ever come across a cobblestone street that you didn’t like?

Me neither!

I always wonder at the history as we wander and think about who has trodden the same path!

Where are your favourite cobblestone streets? Mine are definitely in France!

🌎 The TravelTribeUnite is a group of travellers that love photographing destinations both near and far. 🌍Each week we share travel images that reflect a specific theme. 🌎 Check out this week’s theme “Cobblestones“ at #traveltribeunite and feel free to join us by tagging your themed travel shots.🌍 …

Well that was a fun few days afterall!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗸𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲⛳️🇬🇧☀️

From the roar of the crowd to the challenge of true links golf,I have a new appreciation of the talents of the golfers!

Watching the players battle the windy course, the bunkers, and the ever increasing pressure on such an iconic & historic course was actually fun!

It’s one of those sporting events that you think about long after the final putt drops.🏆🏆🏆

𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘣𝘪𝘦 – 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳! 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬? 🤔 🤣⛳️

Have you ever been to The Open?

📍 Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England

GolfTravel/ VisitBritain/ SportingEvents BucketListTravel

#TheOpen #BritishOpen #RoyalBirkdale #Southport #Golf LinksGolf GolfLife …

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘁…
𝘞𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦? 🌸🐎

The pink geraniums are in full bloom, the racing is thrilling, and without the Royal Ascot crowds, it’s a brill & relaxed way to soak up one of Britain’s most iconic sporting traditions.

This year was extra special as we cheered on Blackwaterfoot – our very own racehorse! 🖤

We own a tiny £25 share, thanks to @racingclubvip making every Ascot race feel that little bit more exciting, knowing we are there for BWF. 🐎

Even better, he was running in a charity race! Congratulations Robin Taylor, our jockey who raised over £12k for @landaidcharity working to end youth homelessness. ❤️🐎🫶

Quintessentially British, it was nice to frock up on a British summers day and enjoy a fun day supporting great causes.

Give Blackwaterfoot a round of applause and a well deserved 🥕

It’s proof you don’t need Royal Ascot to enjoy a fabulous day at the races.

#Ascot #AscotRacecourse #HorseRacing #BritishSummer #quintessentiallybritish …

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲🇬🇧
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙞𝙧𝘽𝙣𝘽 𝙞𝙣 𝙀𝙩𝙤𝙣 ?

𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴. ❤️

There’s something so special about gathering the fam together (well as many as we can muster!) under one roof, celebrating birthdays & enjoying hanging out together.

This beautiful townhouse in the heart of historic Eton was the perfect place to do just that. Just a stroll across the bridge to Windsor Castle, yet tucked away amongst the charming streets, historic pubs, restaurants, cafés and the iconic buildings of Eton College.

This was the perfect base for a multigenerational family celebration. I loved the huge kitchen for all our family meals, yes of course we had an English Cream tea. The 2 car garage parking was a real bonus.

Do note – as it’s a four-storey townhouse, the stairs are quite steep, so it may not be suitable for anyone with mobility concerns.

If you’re planning a visit to Windsor Castle, don’t overlook Eton. We loved every minute of staying here.

See more at @houslet_ @Airbnb

📍Eton, Berkshire

#etonhighstreet #accommodationwindsor #visitwindsor #windsorcastle #luxurystays familytravel multigenerationaltravel staycationuk …