Uk Canal Boat Holidays

Uk Canal Boat Holidays
UK Canal Boat Holidays at affordable prices.

Thursday 30 June 2011

Droitwich

Droitwich is reachable from our Alvechurch or Worcester
canal boat holidays marinas.

Starting Marina(s) : Alvechurch Marina | Worcester Marina
River(s) : Severn
Droitwich lies on the banks of the River Salwarpe in the county of Worcestershire. Salt was extracted in Droitwich as early as Roman times and the natural spring brine is ten times stronger the sea water. It is no surprise therefore that during the Roman occupation the town was known as Salinae. During the mid 19th century John Corbett turned Droitwich into a fashionable spa, he was a salt king and a member of parliament and promoted Droitwich as a health resort.

Droitwich became famous as a Spa town but unlike other Spa towns you did not drink the spa water, which is almost saturated brine, the benefits were derived by swimming and floating in the concentrated salt solution at the town's brine bath. The brine is so salty that the Dead Sea is the only other natural source of salt water able to equal its strength and density.


Vines Park - Set between the Droitwich Canal and the River Salwarpe this pretty park is on the site of the former brine works. Look out for the mosaics which where created by local school children to commemorate the salt workings.


Heritage Centre - Discover the unique exhibitions which are devoted to the long and fascinating story of the only salt-water spa-town in Britain. Experience a truly fascinating exhibition which brings alive the history of radio and enjoy the excellent "hands on" display which will fascinate all radio enthusiasts.


Jinney Ring Craft Centre - Set in landscape gardens visit the collection of 200 year old barns which have been converted into a number of craft studios. From glass-blowers to painters to violin makers to a millinery a host of craftsmen and woman work from the centre. Browse in the gift shop for many unusual and interesting gifts or eat in one of the centres restaurants.


Chateau Impney - Built by John Corbett, a local Salt Barron, in 1875, as a present for his French-born wife who was homesick for her native France. Enchanted by Versailles and the French Chateau in the Loire Valley he decided to build ta copy of a palace in the heart of England. If it looks familiar it is because for many years the nightly Soap - Crossroads used the entrance area as a set.


Hanbury Hall - Built in 1701 by Thomas Vernon this beautiful William and Mary style house is now owned by The National Trust. Stroll around the stunning gardens which include a parterre, fruit garden, grove, orangery, orchard and bowling green. Take home a Hanbury-grown plant for your own garden and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of home-made cake in the open-air cafe.


Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings - Opened in 1967 this open air museum has historic buildings spanning  over 700 years. These buildings have been rescued and rebuilt on this picturesque site. Visit the interesting buildings which include a Victorian Mission church, a Windmill and a 1946 Prefab.

Due to subsidence caused by the brine extraction the buildings on the High Street are very wonky adding character to the town.

Droitwich shopping is mainly focused in the town centre around the Square which leads to the shopping centre. Droitwich also plays host to regular farmers markets which are held in Victoria Square.

The Droitwich Canal

The Droitwich Canal - A canal boat holidays information article.

Droitwich Junction Canal

Length: 1.5 miles
Total Locks: 8

Droitwich Barge Canal

Length: 6 miles
Total Locks: 8
The Droitwich Canals are made up of two canals the Droitwich Barge Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal. The barge canal is a broad canal which opened in 1771 linking Droitwich Spa to the River Severn. The Droitwich Junction Canal is a narrow canal opened in 1854 and linked Droitwich to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Both canals were built to carry salt from the salt mines in Droitwich. They have been the subject of a restoration plan since 1973 and have recently been restored and are now fully opened.

THINGS OF INTEREST ON ROUTE

Vine Park - Set between the Droitwich Canal and the River Salwarpe this pretty park is on the site of the former brine works. Look out for the mosaics which where created by local school children to commemorate the salt workings.

Hanbury Hall - Built in 1701 by Thomas Vernon this beautiful William and Mary style house is now owned by The National Trust. Stroll around the stunning gardens which include a parterre, fruit garden, grove, orangery, orchard and bowling green.

River Salwarpe - A tributary of the River Severn and runs paralleled to the Droitwich Barge Canal for much of its length. The river is briefly navigable at Hawford to give access to a marina then again for a few metres in Droitwich Vines Park where it forms the connection between the Barge and Junction canals.

Hawford Dovecote - Owned by the National Trust The Hawford Dovecote has survived virtually unaltered since the late 16th century and retains many of its nesting boxes. The fascinating sixteenth Century has warped and twisted over the years giving it an interesting crooked shape.

PLACES TO VISIT

Friday 25 February 2011

The new canal boat "Wisp of the Water"

Our new canal boat, Wisp of the Water is now underway and should be finished in late September.


The canal boat was named by our competition winner, a Mrs Marshall from Kent.


For those who did not enter the competition or wish to try their hand again, we are running another one.  


Why not try our "Complete the sentence" competition ?




  


A canal boat being built.

The boat is built  from a bare steel shell up to a fully fitted luxury boat and takes many months to construct.


Steel canal boat shell
Starting from the ground up


Finally, we have up to date news articles to keep you in touch with all canal boating related information.



http://www.canalboatholiday.net/canalboat_complete_the_sentence.php

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Canal Boat Holidays complete the sentence competition.

Simply complete the sentence 'Canal boat holidays are ....'
(using a maximum of 150 characters)


for the chance to win the following:-
Win a £300.00 voucher


to be used against one of our 7 night canal boat holidays!


To enter, please click on the following link:-
http://www.canalboatholiday.net/canalboat_complete_the_sentence.php

Good Luck !