As featured on  ITV's
‘Waterworld’,  January 2008.
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BYWATER HOLIDAY CRUISES...
offers guests a totally unique and relaxing way to cruise the quiet waters of the beautiful Montgomery Canal as it threads its way through the unspoilt countryside of the Welsh Marches.

Throughout the day Bywater passengers travel on a comfortable horse-drawn boat. At night passengers are accommodated ashore in selected small hotels or cosy farm guest houses.

In this day and age there can be few better ways to relax and unwind than to travel on a horse boat and watch the world, wildlife and countryside pass slowly by. The outlook changes with every twist and turn of the waterway as it winds its way through the countryside and who knows what flora and fauna will present itself.

CHOICE OF HORSE DRAWN HOLIDAY CRUISES
Our horse drawn boat Sian can be found cruising the beautiful Montgomery Canal from April to October.

Passengers have a choice of holidays.
Book a special Bywater Break and come for four or five days.
Book a Bygone Times Break and come for six days to enjoy travel on steam trains and a horse drawn boat.
Book a unique Water Wheels Holiday. Come for seven days and combine horse boat cruising with the opportunity to get well off the beaten track in a mini coach driven by an expert guide.
Walking Bywater Holidays and Painting Bywater Holidays are also available.

Click to see details and dates.
YOUR BYWATER HOLIDAY BEGINS…
the moment you check into the hotel on the afternoon of your arrival. An enjoyable dinner is followed by a restful evening and a good nights sleep.

After a full breakfast the next morning you are driven a short distance to board our horse drawn boat Siân. By the time you arrive the crew will have prepared Siân for the days cruising and the horse will have been groomed and harnessed up so that we can get underway as soon as possible. With Siân underway you can be as active or inactive as you wish. Sit and watch the world and wildlife roll gently by or take a gentle stroll along the towpath to explore the passing countryside. Help at the locks is always appreciated and if you are au fait with a windlass you may like to walk ahead of the boat to set the next lock in readiness for Siân to go straight in.

Whatever you do, make sure that you are within earshot when morning coffee and biscuits are served.

With Siân moored at a convenient spot you are served lunch in the lounge, or on sunny days either in the observation deck or perhaps al fresco on the towpath.

Your cruise continues after lunch when you have further opportunity to cruise through quiet countryside and admire the skills and imagination of the canal builders as they dug their infant navigations through a virgin landscape. Tea and homemade cakes or scones are served mid afternoon. Once the days cruising is over you are returned to your hotel in time to freshen up before enjoying a three course dinner and a relaxing evening in friendly company. Click to see a typical day afloat.
SPECIAL OFFERS ON BYWATER HORSE DRAWN CRUISES
Gather a group! Book for a group of more than 10 people (including yourself) and your own holiday will be free!
THE MONTGOMERY CANAL
Throughout the season our horsedrawn narrow boat Siân can be found cruising quietly along the middle section of the Montgomery Canal. Officially abandoned in 1944, the middle section is not connected to the canal system but has recently been re-opened for navigation by volunteers. Throughout its length it flows through an ever changing pastoral landscape overlooking the River Severn and countryside of the Welsh Marches. This length of the canal has been designated a Special Area of Conservation and is a national site of Special Scientific Interest.

Derelict lime kilns and quiet village wharfs indicate a once busy past and the many bridges, locks and aqueducts add interest to our journey and mark its course through the countryside.

Few boats disturb the surface of this lovely waterway. Its clear waters support rare water plantain and grasswrack pondweed. Colourful damsel and dragon flies skim the surface and shoals of carp, roach and bream swim amongst the reeds.

The historic woodlands and ancient hedgerows bordering the canal provide food and shelter for many species of songbirds. Buzzards patrol the skies overhead and kingfishers add a flash of colour as they dart from branch to branch. Wild flowers and plants grow in profusion along the towpath and provide an everchanging kaleidoscope of colour throughout the spring and summer.
Bywater Holiday Cruises • Stable Cottage • C/O Greenfields • Coed Lane • Church Stoke • Montgomery SY15 6AB
Enquiries 07971 303416 • Booking Office 079 414 29980 • From Overseas +44 7971 303416 • Email info@bywaterholidays.co.uk