Experience the fastest way to slow down
7 May 2009
British Waterways is inviting people to discover the fastest way to slow down at free waterside experience days in Oxfordshire, the West Midlands and Wales on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2009.
With more people planning cost-conscious summer holidays and two thirds of us saying we feel relaxed by water, the free events on the Oxford, Birmingham Main Line and Llangollen canals will give people a unique chance to consider a UK ‘staycation’ like no other.
Sally Ash, head of boating for British Waterways comments: “More than half the UK population lives within five miles of a British Waterways canal or river, and millions of people regularly visit these free and accessible linear parks every year.
“With one third saying that waterways appeal because they’re family friendly and two thirds saying they like them because they’re tranquil, holidays afloat are becoming a popular choice with people who want to get away from it all.
“However, almost ten per cent of people mistakenly believe that you need a licence to drive a narrowboat, so local holiday boat operators will be on hand to answer any questions!
“Join us over this experience weekend to step aboard, try your hand at the helm and explore inside typical hire boat accommodation to find out what a boating holiday is like.”
For a wealth of holiday ideas and useful information, visit www.waterscape.com/canalholidays.
Ends
For further media information, please contact Felicity McClintock, British Waterways, mobile 07 500 226 139. felicity.mcclintock@britishwaterways.co.uk
Notes to editors:
• Canal Holiday Experience Days
Saturday 16, 10.30am - 5pm and Sunday 17 May 2009, 11am - 5pm.
• Banbury
Oxford Canal, Castle Quay shopping centre, Banbury, OX16 2PQ
Boat companies involved: Tooley’s Boatyard, Kate Boats and Oxfordshire Narrowboats
• Birmingham
Brindley Place, Near Handmade Burger Company, Birmingham Main Line Canal, Birmingham, B1 2JB
Boat companies involved: Anglo Welsh
• Trevor, Nr Llangollen (Sunday only)
Anglo Welsh Trevor Yard, The Canal Wharf, Station Road, Trevor, LL20 7TX
Boat companies involved: Anglo Welsh
• Waterscape.com provides information on all of Britain’s waterways, and guides visitors through the complete waterside experience in an easy to use, fully comprehensive online resource. The site includes a full range of services including:
- How to hire a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage.
- Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water.
- Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants.
- Waterway guides with information on attractions, local history and wildlife.
- News and events listings.
• British Waterways cares for 2,200 miles of the nation's canals and rivers. Rich in heritage, abundant in wildlife and teeming with activity, inland waterways are as popular today as they've ever been. Half the population lives within five miles of one of our waterways and an incredible 11 million people use them every year as part of their everyday life – as a short-cut to work, for walking the dog or simply for taking time-out and watching the boats. British Waterways' job is to ensure the waterways attract enough investment to be well maintained and remain appealing to society and the local communities through which they pass. www.britishwaterways.co.uk
• Opinium Research carried out an online poll of 1,991 British adults from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 January 2009. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.