22Aug
August Steaming Weekend and Science & Technology Show at Kempton Steam Museum
Kempton Steam Museum, Kempton Park Waterworks, Snakey Lane, Hanworth · Greater London
Canals Sat 22 – Sun 23 Aug 2026
Photo: steve_w · CC BY 2.0
Canal & Waterway Events · 10 dated · verified weekly
Heritage Boats: Horse-Drawn Trips, Steam & Festive Cruises
Next up: August Steaming Weekend and Science & Technology Show at Kempton Steam Museum — Sat 22 – Sun 23 Aug 2026, Greater London.
This is where the traction story started: a horse on a towpath. You can still travel behind one at Tiverton on the Grand Western Canal, Kintbury on the Kennet & Avon and Llangollen Wharf in North Wales. It is quiet, surprisingly brisk, and the best explanation of why canals were built that you will ever get.
Steam took over from the horse, and it survives too. President, a steam narrowboat built in 1909, is based at the Black Country Living Museum and steams for gatherings like the Historic Narrow Boat Club weekend there on 3 and 4 October 2026. The engines that kept the canals full of water belong here as well: Crofton Beam Engines near Marlborough, home to an 1812 Boulton & Watt, steams over the August bank holiday and again for its Grand Finale on 26 and 27 September 2026 (adults £14.50, valid as a 12-month pass, under 16s free), while the waterwheel-driven Claverton Pumping Station near Bath runs its final 2026 pumping days from 12 September to 10 October, adults £10.
Winter is cruise season. Chesterfield Canal Trust Santa specials run from 28 November to 23 December 2026, the Anderton Boat Lift and the Wey & Arun Canal Trust both run December Santa cruises, and Chichester Canal's Father Christmas cruises were £15 a head in 2025 with advance booking essential. Llangollen Wharf runs festive cruises at £34.95 and a Halloween boat on 31 October. Book early; the weekend dates nearest Christmas go first.
August 2026
30Aug
August Bank Holiday Steaming Weekend at Crofton Beam Engines
Crofton Beam Engines (Crofton Pumping Station), Marlborough · Wiltshire
Canals Sun 30 – Mon 31 Aug 202630Aug
Classic Motorcycles Steam Event at Papplewick Pumping Station
Papplewick Pumping Station, Rigg Lane, Ravenshead · Nottinghamshire
Canals Sun 30 – Mon 31 Aug 2026September 2026
12Sep
Final Pumping Days of 2026 at Claverton Pumping Station
Claverton Pumping Station, Ferry Lane, Claverton · Somerset
Canals Selected dates, 12 Sep – 10 Oct 202619Sep
Carnival & Steam Event at Papplewick Pumping Station
Papplewick Pumping Station, Rigg Lane, Ravenshead · Nottinghamshire
Canals Sat 19 – Sun 20 Sep 202626Sep
Grand Finale Steaming Weekend at Crofton Beam Engines
Crofton Beam Engines (Crofton Pumping Station), Marlborough · Wiltshire
Canals Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sep 2026October 2026
17Oct
The 1940s Steam Event at Papplewick Pumping Station
Papplewick Pumping Station, Rigg Lane, Ravenshead · Nottinghamshire
Canals Sat 17 – Sun 18 Oct 202631Oct
November 2026
28Nov
Festive Cruises at Llangollen Wharf
Llangollen Wharf, Wharf Hill, Llangollen · Denbighshire
Canals Selected dates, 28 Nov – 20 Dec 2026January 2027
1Jan
Chesterfield Canal Trust New Year's Day Cruises
Tapton Lock, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield · Derbyshire
CanalsAwaiting dates
TBCNov
Chesterfield Canal Trust Santa Specials
Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road (also Tapton Lock), Chesterfield · Derbyshire
CanalsTBCDec
Wey & Arun Canal Trust Santa Cruises
Loxwood Canal Centre, behind the Onslow Arms, Loxwood · West Sussex
CanalsTBCDec
Chichester Canal Father Christmas Cruises
Chichester Canal Basin, Canal Wharf, Chichester · West Sussex
CanalsTBCDec
Anderton Boat Lift Santa Cruises
Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich · Cheshire
CanalsTBCMar
Easter Historic Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum
National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port · Cheshire
CanalsThese run most years but the next date is not announced yet. We check weekly and date them the moment organisers confirm. Get the weekly email and you will not miss it.
More canal & waterway events: Boat Rallies & Festivals · Lock Open Days · all canal & waterway events
Horse-Drawn & Steam Boats: your questions answered
Where can you ride a horse-drawn canal boat?
Three places run regular public trips: Tiverton on the Grand Western Canal in Devon, Kintbury on the Kennet & Avon in Berkshire, and Llangollen Wharf on the Llangollen Canal. Trips run spring to autumn and last around 45 minutes to two hours depending on the operator.
Is the steam narrowboat President still running?
Yes. President was built in 1909 for Fellows, Morton & Clayton and is based at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Your best chance to see her in steam is a gathering like the Historic Narrow Boat Club weekend at the museum on 3 and 4 October 2026, where normal museum admission applies.
How much do heritage boat trips cost?
Anywhere from £10 to about £35. Claverton Pumping Station running days are £10 for adults, Chichester's Father Christmas cruises were £15 a head in 2025, Chesterfield Canal Trust's New Year's Day cruise is £25 for the full day, and Llangollen's festive cruises are £34.95 per person.
When should I book a canal Santa cruise?
By October, realistically. Wey & Arun Canal Trust opens booking in autumn and Chichester Canal says advance booking is essential; the sailings closest to Christmas go first. Chesterfield Canal Trust Santa specials run 28 November to 23 December 2026 and also book via the Trust.
Why are beam engines and pumping stations listed with boats?
Because without them the boats sit in mud. Locks lose a lock-full of water with every boat through, so canal companies built steam pumping stations to lift water back to the summit. Crofton still does its original job on the Kennet & Avon in steam, and Claverton does the same with a waterwheel.
Are heritage boat trips good for young children?
Yes, especially the horse-drawn ones, which are calm, slow and have a large horse to admire at the end. Festive cruises are built for families, and several operators price accordingly: under 16s go free at Crofton, and Chesterfield's shorter New Year trips are £10 for children.
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