Day Trips
Plan Your Day Trip
Enjoy a relaxing day out cruising the beautiful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal as it winds its way through the stunning scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Choose from an easy-to-drive electric day boat, an even more eco-friendly two-person bike boat, or an Indian Canoe. All are available to hire from Beacon Park Boats.
Get up close to wildlife and enjoy spectacular views as one of Britain’s most scenic waterways meanders along the mountainsides lining the Usk Valley.
Our electric boats are very quiet, and you can glide along listening to the birds singing and the water rippling above the steady thrum of the propeller turning.
Even quieter is our bike boat and our canoes. Both are stable, easy to handle and use.
We have different-sized boats to suit all parties, and you can book more than one boat at a time. Dogs and children are very welcome on board.
Your day trip begins at 10 am when you are offered life jackets and given a safety brief aboard your boat. Our electric day boats are easy to drive, with a steering wheel and hand forward/reverse hand throttle. It’s great fun, and you’re sure to learn something new. And don’t worry, there are no locks to navigate on our section of the canal.
Turn left and head north out of Beacon Park Boat’s base in Llangattock and you can cruise along the tree-lined elevated section of the canal with views out to Table Mountain and Crickhowell. Stop for a picnic or, alternatively, a 2.5-hour ride will bring you to Llangynidr Locks. Moor up there, leaving room for the canal boats passing through the locks, and walk a short distance over the bridge to the Coach and Horses pub. Here, you can enjoy a selection of Real Ales and beautifully prepared locally sourced food, served in the canal-side garden or amongst the oak beams of this historic coaching inn. Click on the button below to view the route North.
Turn right and head south along the canal and you will enjoy the more open countryside of the middle reaches of the Usk Valley, with spectacular views across open fields towards Sugarloaf Mountain. Pass a Giant Redwood tree, feed the ducks, spot the wildlife and stop for a picnic. If you fancy a pub lunch, the Towpath Inn at Gilwern is within reach. Here, they serve ales, coffee and tea, ice cream and a range of freshly cooked meals, served indoors or out, right next to the canal towpath. Click on the button below to view the route North.
Top speed on the canal is 2.5 miles an hour and cruising gently in either direction leaves enough time, and battery to get back in time for 5 pm when all boats must be returned. You can turn round moor up anywhere as long as you avoid private moorings and don’t cause an obstruction to the waterway.
All our boats are equipped with mooring pins and ropes in case you want to stop and wander and a pole for pushing off again. Our electric boats all have rain covers in case of inclement weather, but you should also bring waterproofs and warm clothing with you.
It’s a great day out, a new experience, a chance to relax, slow down and enjoy the scenery; electric day boat hire from Beacon Park Boats.
Please book online. We also ask that you leave your car keys with us while cruising. We will keep them locked away safely until you return.
Things to take with you
Some of these things might seem really obvious but we know people who’ve forgotten them!
- Flask of tea/coffee, bottled water, cakes and snacks
- Warm clothing and waterproofs, in case it turns cold or wet
- Sensible footwear
- Sun cream and hats
- Cushions for anyone who wants a softer seat
- Money, if you intend stopping at one of the canalside pubs
- You’ll be given and Canal and River Trust key which gives you access to toilets along the route (look out for the signs).