A 3-Night Canal Boat Adventure with Drifters

Looking for a UK escape that lets you truly switch off, try something new, and reconnect with the outdoors? A canal boat trip along the Monmonthshire and Brecon Canal might be just what you’re searching for. It’s the perfect balance of adventure and calm: you’ll learn the ropes of canal boating, glide through landscapes alive with birdsong, and spend uninterrupted time with friends or a partner—without the constant ping of work emails.

On our recent three-night trip with Drifters from Goytre Wharf, we traded deadlines for duck sightings, conference calls for meadow walks, and late-night scrolling for evenings stargazing from the deck. Mornings began with mist rising over the water, afternoons were filled with exploring market towns like Abergavenny, and every turn of the canal revealed another stretch of Welsh countryside to fall in love with.

The best part? You don’t need any boating experience. Our pet-friendly trip was run through Drifters' member ABC Boat Hire, and before we set off the friendly team gave us a full handover—teaching us how to steer, navigate bridges, and handle mooring ropes with confidence. Within half an hour we felt like seasoned skippers, ready to take on the adventure at our own pace.

Drifters makes it easy to plan a trip that suits your group: whether you’re after a weekend with friends, a romantic getaway, or a family adventure. The Monmonthshire and Brecon Canal runs high above the Usk Valley through the Brecon Beacons National Park, offering both gentle cruising and stunning scenery that feels worlds away from everyday life.

We headed out at that golden edge of summer and autumn. For us, it was a romantic escape with our pup, but it works just as well as a group adventure and a family trip too. What we found was more than a getaway: it was an experience that slowed us down, taught us something new, and left us with memories we’ll be talking about for years.

How to Prepare

Before you set sail (or slowly glide away), a little planning makes a big difference. You’ll need to bring your own supplies, plan your mooring spots, and think about your route.

Where to Shop

Stocking up on fresh, local food is one of the joys of a slow travel holiday — and Ty Poeth Farm Shop is a gem. Located just 2 miles from the local ALDI in Pontypool, it’s ideal for picking up quality meat, eggs, and produce before doing a larger supermarket run.

Ty Poeth Farm Shop – Great for local produce and BBQ essentials
ALDI Pontypool – A reliable stop for everything else (12 minutes from Goytre Wharf)
Tesco Pontypool – Slightly further but with more choice

Directions from the M4: Exit at Junction 25A and take the A4042 towards Abergavenny. After around 10 minutes, you’ll see ALDI at a roundabout in Pontymoile. Tesco is another mile further into town.

Get Recommendations

One of our favourite ways to plan a trip? Ask your local friends for their must-visits. Our Cardiff Girls recommended Madame Fromage in Abergavenny – a dreamy deli-meets-bistro with strong cheese game and beautiful local produce. You won’t regret it.

What is Drifters?

Drifters is the name for a collective of professional canal boat hire operators across England, Scotland, and Wales. With over 500 narrowboats available at around 40 different locations, Drifters offers a wide variety of boating holidays—from gentle weekend cruises to adventurous longer routes through the UK's canal network.

Standards & Support

All Drifters operators are carefully selected to maintain high standards across their fleets. Most offer newly built or regularly refurbished boats, and every booking includes full training. You don’t need a licence or any previous experience—just a willingness to learn. Before you set off, you'll receive a thorough handover covering how to steer, operate locks (if any), and stay safe on the water.

Heritage & Reach

Drifters also plays a role in supporting the UK’s canal heritage, working closely with waterway charities to promote boating as a way to explore Britain's countryside and history. Whether you're after a slow-paced nature break or an active trip with daily stops and town visits, there's a route and boat for every kind of traveller.

Goytre Wharf Base by ABC Boat Hire

We started our trip from Goytre Wharf, operated by ABC Boat Hire South Wales bases. Surrounded by woodland and the Brecon Beacons, it’s a peaceful place to begin your journey and ideal for first-timers thanks to the gentle, lock-free stretch towards Abergavenny. With handy parking, an on-site café, and friendly staff to get you set up, it couldn’t be easier to begin your boating holiday here.

What to Pack

Our Canal Boat was well packed with an oven, hob and sink, but if you want to BBQ by the water or sit under the stars, you’ll want to bring a few extras:

Outdoor Kit

Portable BBQ (ours was £17 from Argos)
Sustainable charcoal (buy before your trip)
BBQ tools + cleaner
Camping chairs
Picnic blanket
Warm blankets for evenings on deck

Clothing

The canal can feel cool even in summer, especially after sunset. Layers are your best friend.

Waterproof jacket
Comfy shoes or boots (you’ll be hopping on/off at locks)
Layers for warmth
Sunglasses and suncream – if you’re lucky with the weather
Swimsuit (for wild dips if you're brave!)

The Goytre Wharf to Abergavenny Route

Our adventure began at Goytre Wharf, a peaceful marina nestled in a wooded valley just south of Abergavenny. It’s part of the wider Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, which stretches 35 miles through the rolling hills of South Wales, with no large towns or cities directly along its route — making it one of the most tranquil and scenic canal journeys in the UK.

The canal itself dates back to the late 18th century. Originally built to carry coal, iron and limestone from the South Wales Valleys to Newport, it was an essential part of the industrial revolution in Wales. Today, it’s a protected heritage route and part of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, known for being one of the quietest and most picturesque waterways in the UK.

From Goytre Wharf, the route towards Abergavenny meanders through ancient woodland, lush farmland, and past occasional stone cottages and arched bridges. Highlights include…

Bridge 62 to Bridge 68: A beautifully rural stretch with a couple of great mooring spots for a picnic or BBQ.
Llanfoist Wharf: The nearest mooring point to Abergavenny. It;s about 1.5 miles walk from the town centre, or a short taxi ride. There’s a lovely woodland trail leading up to town from here.
Keep an eye out for old lime kilns and remnants of the canal’s industrial past, particularly near Goytre Wharf and Llanfoist, where you'll find preserved examples with plaques.

The stretch between Goytre and Llanfoist is around 5–6 miles by boat, taking 2.5 to 3 hours depending on your pace and how often you stop. There are no locks between these two points, so it’s a gentle and easy cruise, ideal for first-timers or those wanting a low-effort introduction to canal life.

Exploring Abergavenny

Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to Wales’, Abergavenny is a must-visit stop on the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal. Tucked between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, this charming market town is steeped in history, buzzing with local life, and surrounded by breathtaking countryside.

If you're mooring at Llanfoist Wharf, it's just a short walk across Llanfoist Bridge and through the peaceful Castle Meadows to reach the town centre. The meadows themselves are worth a moment: wide open fields flanked by the River Usk, often dotted with dog walkers, cyclists, and picnic-goers. It’s an idyllic start to your exploration, and well worth a detour down to the river shore a little further down from the bridge.

Once you reach Abergavenny, you’ll find a rich blend of independent shops, foodie delights, and heritage landmarks to enjoy at your own pace.

What to Do

Abergavenny Market

The heartbeat of the town, open several days a week:

General Market: Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays
Flea Market: Wednesdays
Craft Fair: 2nd Saturday each month

Abergavenny Food Festival (Late September)

If your trip falls in late summer, time your route to coincide with one of the UK's most beloved culinary events. The Abergavenny Food Festival transforms the town into a foodie paradise, with over 190 exhibitors, chef demos, cookery workshops, masterclasses, and even debates on the future of food and farming.

It’s lively, vibrant and full of flavour—whether you’re there to sample street food, stock up your canal boat fridge, or discover the best in Welsh produce.

Note: It’s a ticketed event, and dogs aren’t permitted unless they’re assistance dogs

Need-to-Know Tips

Getting There from the Canal: Moor at Llanfoist Wharf, walk over the A4143 bridge and follow the meadows path into town (approx. 25 minutes on foot).
Taxis: If walking isn’t ideal, you can call a local taxi from the wharf for a 5-minute ride into town.
Dog Friendly: Abergavenny is generally dog-friendly, but check individual cafes/shops and be aware of festival restrictions.

Life on the Canal

Where Can You Moor?

One of the joys of canal travel is the freedom to stop almost anywhere. The general rule is:

Yes: Anywhere with a towpath
No: Don’t moor near locks, on bends, or too close to bridges
Make sure there’s enough space for another boat to pass easily, and you’re good to go.

Top tip: The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is quite shallow at the edges in some places, meaning you can get stuck in the mud (i.e. “run aground”). Use the poles to see how shallow it is!

Boat Tips

Clear the propeller of weeds if you notice a loss of power or steering
Use your horn at blind bridges and go slow
Stick to the middle of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal as it’s quite shallow and you run the risk of “running aground” if you’re too close to the sides
Plan your turning points in advance! It can be a little way to a turning point and the bigger boats can’t turn in all the turning points either.

Scenic Stop: Bridge 116

One of the prettiest parts of the canal, this bridge offers stunning countryside views and is a peaceful mooring spot for a night under the stars.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to disconnect from busy schedules, endless scrolling and noisy cities, this trip is for you. You don’t need to be an experienced boater to enjoy it (Drifters gives a thorough intro), and the gentle pace gives you time to soak up the beauty of the Brecon Beacons. Whether you're mooring under the stars, grilling by the water, or popping into charming market towns, it’s a slice of slow living you'll want to repeat.

UK Adventure Holiday Guide: Monmonthshire and Brecon Canal