Lakes and Canals in England?

[DutchDan]

Next week we'll go to England, (duinkerken, Ramsgate London).
I've heard there are so many beatiful canals in England? Do you have to have a 'narrow boat' for that? Are there also lakes that are nice in the inland, where the children could swim? I assume it's not advicable to swim in the Thames?

Dan

 

[rr_123]

Hi Dan,

The lakes are up in the North of England, and not easily accessible by boat, the canal network runs all over, you only "need" a narrowboat for the Oxford Canal (the locks are only 2cm wider than the narrow boats at about 2.15m), but first time there will be plenty for you to see/do on your own boat.

You would have a lovely time exploring the Thames as far as Oxford, and if that isn't enough you could take the river Wey from Shepperton down to Guilford. I would recommend that you get a guide book, Nicholsons is a good one, and there is plenty of info on the internet

http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/

and

http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text/13/boating.html

are both very good sites. If I remember a previous post you wanted to explore the coast a bit as well, not sure how long you are visiting for, but Oxford and back from the centre of London would take at least a week if you pushed it, and there is no point in doing that. There is beauty in one form or another around every bend. Savour it.

As for swimming - your call. I swim in the Thames, have done for years, my son swims in the Thames. No probs. Woudln't do it below Teddington Lock, as the tides can be fierce, further up it is a bit fast at the moment because we have had a lot of rain, but that will calm in a few days.

Might not be your scene, but there are also good facilities at some of the towns that you would want to stop at, Windsor and Reading have excellent pools within a spit of the river.

Let us know how you get on, and have a super holiday

R

 

[boatone]

With a Targa 33 the canals, including the Wey Navigations are out of the question as your air draught will be too high for the bridges.

I would say Henley would make a good target for an upriver destination and easily doable in a few days cruising.

As well as WIndsor (Castle fascinating and nice leisure centre) theres also a nice indoor swimpool amd leisure centre at Marlow and the River and Rowing Museum at Henley is quite interesting.

 

[chrisalcock]

...bring your umbrella!