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Away4awhile - UK - 2008 Rates and Itineraries
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Please select your preferred currency

2008 Prices are in Australian Dollars per person
Holiday Start Date
All Inclusive Rates
Weekend Break - 3 Days, 2 Nights ( friday, saturday, sunday ) $802 per person
Mid Week Break - 3 Days, 2 Nights (tuesday, wednesday, thursday ) $615 per person
Autumn / Spring Weekends - 2 Days, 3 Nights $615 per person
Long Break (Tues. until following Mon.) or Frid. until t following Thurs.) 7 days / 6 nights based on staying on the boat for 2 cruises in any combination for 7 days $1,240 per person
Full Boat Charter from $1,031
Bed and Breakfast (early joining / Late leaving a cruise ) Includes 2 course dinner
Double / Twin $104
Single $83
Bed and Breakfast Birmingham city centre only
Double / Twin $125
Single $104
Extras
Transfers to / from Heathrow / Manchester $333
Birmingham International $83
Parking in Birmingham (per day)
$35
 

Please Note: Single occupancy of any cabin carries no premium

Rates Includes:

  • Transfer from/to start point
  • Free secure parking*
  • VAT at the current rate at the start of your holiday.
    * except where stated or shown below.


    The prices do not include entrance to Attractions or Steam Railways situated in the holiday.

    Please Note: Pets are not allowed onboard unless by special arrangement or in the case of guide dogs

    Rates, additional charges and conditions are subject to change, and to
    currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted 291107cm

  • 2008 Cruises and Dates



    1. GREAT HAYWOOD –WORCESTER - Weekend Break
    A journey down the entire length of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, linking the River Trent and the Severn. Opened early in 1772 it was the vision of James Brindley to make this canal part of the “The Grand Cross” linking his Trent & Mersey with the River Severn. The canal skirts the Birmingham and Black Country conurbation without ever becoming truly urban, making a delightful route through scarce West Midlands countryside.

    Dep: 20 June, 15 August

    2. BIRMINGHAM – WORCESTER - Mid Week Break
    A unique opportunity to travel the full length of the Worcester - Birmingham Canal with memorable views over the Malvern Hills and the unforgettable Tardebigge flight of locks, the longest in England.
    Dep: 13 May, 8 July.

    2. (R) WORCESTER - BIRMINGHAM - Mid Week Break
    A reverse direction of Cruise 2.
    Dep: 24 June, 19 August, 7 October.

    3. BIRMINGHAM – STRATFORD UPON AVON Luddington (River Avon) - Weekend Break
    Traveling the full length of the Stratford Canal which maintains an individual charm and personality. A town dedicated to William Shakespeare linked to a modern bustling city.

    Dep: 21 March, 2 May, 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, and 22 August.


    4. STRATFORD UPON AVON – WARWICK - Mid Week Break.
    Combining the delights of Shakespeare’s birth place and the heritage of an historic town by traversing the two different styles of canal.

    Dep: 25 March, 6 May, 20 May, 3 June, 1 July, 15 July, 29 July and 26 August.


    5. WARWICK – STOKE BRUERNE - Weekend Break
    Travel down the Grand Union through Braunston the home of English canals from the modernised section of canal in the 1930’s to the original double locks finishing at another famous canal village.
    Dep: 28 March, 6 June and 1 August.

    6 STOKE BRUERNE - MARKET HARBOROUGH - Mid Week Break
    Take a leisurely cruise from another village famous for canal memories,
    through history with the Grand Union (Leicester section) canal and up the Foxton flight.
    Dep: 1 April, 10 June and 5 August.

    6 (R) MARKET HARBOROUGH – STOKE BRUERNE - Mid Week Break
    A reverse direction of Cruise 6

    Dep: 23 September

    7. STOKE BRUERNE – HINCKLEY - Weekend Break
    A complete contrast with the Grand Union and the Oxford canals finishing on the lockless Ashby canal, providing a unique view of different styles of canal operation.

    Dep: 26 September.

    8. HINCKLEY – BIRMINGHAM - Mid Week Break
    Travelling the back waters of the Heart of England canals from the lockless Ashby canal through industrial mining heritage to a regenerated bustling city

    Dep: 27 May, 22 July and 30 September.


    9. WARWICK – BIRMINGHAM - Black Country Museum. Weekend Break
    From an historic town with a famous castle through an 19th Century wide motorway-style waterway that linked London and Birmingham contrasting later with narrow canal arteries leading to a bustling city.

    Dep: 9 May and 4 July

     

    10. BIRMINGHAM – STOURPORT – WORCESTER. - Weekend Break
    A contrast in Industrial Heritage balanced with one of the prettiest canals in the country. Concluding with a short journey down a river which was once a bustling trading artery.
    Dep: 3 October.

    11. WORCESTER – BIDFORD UPON AVON – STRATFORD UPON AVON. Weekend Break.
    A tranquil cruise over two rivers. The Severn to Tewkesbury and then meandering up the Warwickshire Avon to Shakespeare Country alighting at Bidford upon Avon or finishing at Stratford upon Avon.
    Dep: 16 May and 11 July

    12. "New" MARKET HARBOROUGH - SHARDLOW. Weekend Break.
    The canal meanders its way through unspoilt rural surroundings, constantly changing direction as it lazily motions you northwards, to the River Soar, once the most profitable waterway in England. The Soar is also a tranquil, meandering river navigation extending through Leicestershire to the junction with the River Trent which leads off to Shardlow the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal
    .
    Dep: 4 April, 13 June and 8 August

    13. "New" SHARDLOW – GREAT HAYWOOD. - Mid Week Break.
    The Trent & Mersey Canal was the most ambitious plan to connect the principal rivers of England. Its importance was recognised by its early name of the 'Grand Trunk' Canal. It offers rural cruising through Derbyshire leading to Staffordshire passing through the brewery town of Burton on Trent and an historical junction at Fradley with a truly boaters pub.
    Dep: 8 April, 17 June and 12 August

    14. WARWICK - HINCKLEY - Weekend Break.
    Another complete contrast with the Grand Union and the Oxford canals finishing on the lockless Ashby canal, providing a unique view of different styles of canal operation.
    Dep: 23 May and 18 July

    2008 Bed & Breakfast
    Winter (October to March & Summer subject to availability).

    Overnight or Weekend Breaks in a new 21st century Birmingham with the latest shopping opportunities, sightseeing and canal side amenities.


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    2008 Exploratory Cruises

    (A)GREAT HAYWOOD – ANDERTON LIFT - Weekend Break.
    A journey on a canal through the North Midlands which offers excellent views over the Cheshire Plain and impressive engineering feats. This includes Harecastle Tunnel, the first of its kind and finally the Anderton Boat Lift. An incredible edifice, perched on the banks of the River Weaver like some giant three-storey high iron spider designed to lift cargo boats the 50 feet onto the Trent & Mersey Canal. The lift worked until 1983 when serious deterioration of the structure was discovered. Some £7m was raised to fund the restoration, which was completed in 2002.
    Dep: 11 April

    (B) ANDERTON LIFT - CHESTER Mid Week Break.
    A combination of three canals in the North West, starting on the Trent & Mersey pioneered by the need to convey Pottery safely. Joining the Middlewich branch which is part of the Shropshire Union Canal leads across unspoilt countryside to the original Chester Canal. A wide beam waterway leading to a city which has a fine cathedral, town-crier and street theatre, but it still manages to feel friendly and on a small scale
    Dep: 13 April

    (C) CHESTER - LLANGOLLEN - Weekend Break.
    Travel across the Cheshire Plain on a wide beam waterway to Britains favourite canal. The Llangollen Canal has understated rural countryside, including the market towns of Whitchurch and Ellesmere, gives way to the majesty of the Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts - two of Britain's greatest waterway landmarks.

    Dep: 18 April

    (D)
    LLANGOLLEN - ELLESMERE - Mid Week Break.
    A Llangollen experience with an opportunity to venture down part of the contoversially restored Montgomery Canal. A whole day is spent exploring the restoration which is open and navigable as far as Gronwen Wharf. Leaving the Montgomery Canal a short journey to Ellesmere completes the cruise.

    Dep: 22 April

    (E) ELLESMERE – NORBURY JUNCTION - Weekend Break.
    A mixture of a meandering Welsh canal descending through deserted Shropshire farmlands to one built in the twilight of canal building utilising railway techniques in rural Cheshire to form an arrow straight functional waterway to serve a purpose.

    Dep: 25 April

    (F) NORBURY JUNCTION - BIRMINGHAM - Mid Week Break.
    Starting from a Historic Junction on the “Shroppie” and experience the changing scenery from rolling farmland to an urbanised area mixed with a wealth of industrial heritage. The Wolverhampton 21 flight of locks initiates the changing scene.

    Dep: 29 April

    (G) WARWICK BANBURY - Weekend Break
    The trunk route of Britain's canal network, the picturesque Grand Union is the longest single canal in Britain. The Grand Union Canal was once one of the busiest in the country as the main line from London to the Midlands. This section passes through the innovative modifications completed in the 1930’s before turning onto the picturesque Oxford Canal which meanders slowly through classic scenery,.

    Dep: 29 April
     

    (H) BANBURY - OXFORD - Mid Week Break.
    The picturesque Oxford Canal meanders slowly through classic scenery, much of which has barely changed in centuries. The southern section is particularly charming and remains largely unaltered, consequently, the Oxford Canal has escaped large-scale development and few towns have sprung up on its banks until the famous City of Oxford is reached.

    Dep: 2 September

     (I) OXFORD - LECHLADE - Weekend Break.
    One of the most famous rivers in the world, the Thames is steeped in history, rights of navigation were laid down in Magna Carta. The river’s history extends much further in a character found nowhere but Old Father Thames. A unique cruise designed to tour the river around Oxford starting downstream to Clifton Hampden through Abingdon first. Retracing the Thames to Oxford and venturing up to the head of navigation just beyond Lechlade.

    Dep: 5 September

    J. LECHLADE - OXFORD - Mid Week Break.
    If you want peace and quiet more than anything, then cruising the Upper Thames is place to explore. Apart from Old Father Thames at St John's lock, you'll find the main source of life will be the occasional welcoming lockkeeper with their unique manual lock gates. Entering Oxfordshire at Radcot the cruise passes through the oldest bridge in the country, which was constructed of Cotswold stone in the 12th century for the nuns of Farringdon Priory. Finally arrive at Oxford by the Oxford Canal from Dukes Cut put in to link the Oxford Canal to The Thames above the city.

    Dep: 5 September

    K. OXFORD - BANBURY - Weekend Break.
    Another opportunity for a unique cruise designed to tour the river around Oxford starting downstream to Clifton Hampden through Abingdon first. Retracing the Thames to Oxford and where we change course up the picturesque Oxford Canal. It meanders slowly through classic scenery, much of which has barely changed in centuries.

    Dep: 12 September

    L. BANBURY - BRAUNSTON Mid Week Break.
    The Oxford Canal is one of England's most peaceful waterways, running lazily through the countryside from Oxford to Braunston and beyond. It was briefly the principal waterway from London to the Midlands, but was superseded soon after construction by the more direct Grand Junction Canal featured in the last part of the cruise at Napton . This trunk route of Britain's canal network now called The Grand Union is the longest single canal in Britain and was once one of the busiest in the country

    Dep: 16 September

    M. BRAUNSTON – MARKET HARBOROUGH - Weekend Break.
    Take a leisurely cruise from a famous village for canal memories, through history turning up the Grand Union (Leicester section) canal and up the famous Foxton flight.

    Dep: 19 September

    N. LAPWORTH LOOP - Spring/Autumn Weekend Break.
    A contrast in canals between the rural Stratford Canal and the Grand Union with a fascinating flight of locks through a regenerated city centre.

    Dep: 13 March, 9 October, 16 October.

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    Information

    Daily Menu Onboard the canalboat

    DAILY MENU
    BREAKFAST
     
    LUNCH
  • Fruit juice
  • Selection of Cereals and Fruit
  • Platter of Eggs, Bacon, Sausages, Grilled Tomatoes, Mushrooms
    and Hash Browns.
  • Toast, Muffins or Croissants with Preserves
  • Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate.
  • Freshly Brewed Coffee and Homemade Biscuits
    served during the morning cruise

    • Vegetable Frittata and Salad
      Brioche with Greek Yoghurt
    • Afternoon Tea
      and Homemade Cake served during the afternoon cruise
    DINNER
    • Crab Cakes with Tomato Salsa
    • Escalope of Turkey with Lemon & Sage, Sauté Potatoes, Cauliflower
      and Savoy Cabbage with Blue Cheese and Cream
      or
      Spinach & Lentil Roulade (v) nesting on a White Wine Sauce

    • Raspberry Soufflé
      Selection of English & Continental Cheeses with Grapes
      Freshly Brewed Coffee with Mint Crisps
      (v) Vegetarian option

    ITINERARY

    FIRST DAY
    Join the boat at 10:00am introduction to your cabin and the facilities.
    Meet fellow guests over coffee, discuss and agree “walk thru” during the day.
    Skipper gives Health & Safety briefing and outlines the cruise ahead.
    Cruising starts at 10:30am.

    SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT DAYS
    8:00am -
    Early Morning Drink of your choice served in your cabin.
    8:30am - Breakfast is served in the saloon. Cabins and Shower/Toilet compartments are serviced during Breakfast
    9:30am - Morning Cruise starts after daily briefing from skipper.
    There are options to walk or ride on the boat and if you feeling energetic,
    the crew welcome a helping hand operating the locks.
    The effect of slowing down begins. Mid Morning Coffee and Homemade Biscuits are served during the morning cruise.
    12:00pm – 1:30pm Moor for Light Lunch, for approximately an hour.
    2:00pm - Depart for more cruising in the afternoon. The same options apply in the afternoon.
    Afternoon Tea and Homemade Cake served during the afternoon cruise.
    5:30pm – 6:30pm Moor for the night at a designated point which could be a heritage wharf or a country mooring, somewhere where peace and tranquillity prevail..This gives the opportunity to relax and reflect on the day and enjoy a pre-dinner drink.
    7:30pm
    Four Course Evening Dinner is provided by your personal chef and served by your skipper. Complimentary wine is offered in a relaxed atmosphere where topical conversation flows amongst the guests with the sunset as a backdrop.
    9:30pm Guests are free to pursue the local hostelry or relax with their fellow guests before retiring.Bar available until late.

    FINAL DAY
    Arrive at destination during mid afternoon providing opportunity to explore before holiday concludes at 5:00pm with transfer back to start point.Variable pre/post holiday Bed & Breakfast options on the boat vary the first and last days.

    Times onboard the canalboat

    Times for Arrival at the boat on day cruise starts 1000
    Times for Arrival at boat for Dinner, Bed & Breakfast 1700
    Departure on the day the cruises finishes 1700
    Times for Departure from the boat following Dinner, Bed & Breakfast 0930


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