2024 has been a fantastic year filled with joy, laughter, and the pitter-patter of paws. We’ve had guests of all ages creating unforgettable memories and a parade of furry friends adding an extra dose of delight to our days.
Last year we welcomed a total of 2,480 guests, which included 81 teenagers, 299 children, and 7 infants. Our guests ranged from couples seeking a romantic getaway to families (including many multi-generational ones) and groups of friends. Our youngest guest was just a few months old, whilst our oldest was in their late 80s.



We also welcomed 250 gorgeous dogs!



Special Guests
We were thrilled to welcome back the lovely Josie Gibson from This Morning in April. Josie enjoyed her passage over the historic Avoncliff Aqueduct and admired the stunning and tranquil countryside.


We had the pleasure of hosting Canadian YouTuber, Michael Downie, who tackled the famous Caen Hill Flight with his crew. In the heart of summer 2024, they embarked on an unforgettable journey, embracing the spirit of adventure with each lock and turn, capturing the essence of this historic engineering marvel.



Join Michael as he navigates the waters, unraveling stories of old and showcasing the breathtaking scenery that frames the Kennet & Avon Canal. Witness the magic of their passage, from the tranquil stretches to the mighty ascent, all documented in a captivating video.
Foxhound’s Debut Year in Our Fleet
Our brand new boat, Foxhound, was a tremendous success, fully booked for most of the season. With features like underfloor heating, flexible bedding, a bow thruster, two fridges and freezers, and much more, she was a hit with various groups. You can find out more about Foxhound here.
Click the image below to take the 3d Virtual tour

Looking Ahead to 2025
Our maintenance team are working hard over the winter to ensure our fleet is shipshape for the new season starting mid-March. All vessels will receive attention, including repainting, refurbishment, and upgrades. Cunning Fox, one of our 6-9 berth silver fleet boats, will have significant work, including a new galley, flooring, and internal doors.

New Boat Build – Are you ready to have your own?

Our talented and experienced boat-building team, who construct all our hireboats, will embark on their next big project later in 2025: a widebeam boat. This boat is currently available for sale, and the buyer will have the opportunity to choose the interior finish from a wide selection of options.

The hull and cabin sides have already been formed by our friends at Colecraft Engineering. Our team will begin constructing the widebeam boat after completing the repairs and maintenance on our hire fleet this winter. Now safely nestled in the Foxhangers workshop, she is a beauty and ready for work to start in the spring.

This spacious 60ft x 12ft6 Euro Cruiser Widebeam Canal Boat is now available for sale. The buyer can choose the interior finish from a wide selection of options.
If this interests you, we’d love to share our vision and hear about yours—there are countless possibilities
Goals and an Achievement
Our goal at Foxhangers Canal Holidays is always to achieve the best guest experiences on the Kennet & Avon Canal. We believe our exceptional customer service and fantastically well-maintained modern Canal Boats give us the edge. Our dedication has been recognized once again by winning the prestigious 2024 Travellers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor.. Here are some words from our guests:
“The best holiday experience we’ve ever had! The staff were incredibly helpful and the boat was top-notch.” – Happy Guest
“A perfect getaway. The scenery was stunning and the service was excellent.” – Satisfied Customer

Employee Spotlight: Sharon
At Foxhangers Canal Holidays, our success is built on the dedication and exceptional service of our team. We are proud to highlight Sharon, our Customer Service & Bookings Supervisor, who has been with us for an impressive 11 years. Sharon has an innate understanding of our customers and their unique needs. She takes personal ownership in helping plan each holiday, ensuring that even the most complex requests are met with care and precision.
Sharon is a driving force within our business. Her unwavering commitment to placing our customers at the heart of everything we do, regardless of the challenges, is a testament to her dedication. Her exceptional service has been integral to our continued success and the high levels of customer satisfaction we are known for.

Kennet & Avon News
The Kennet & Avon Canal had a particularly good summer in 2024, with hardly any emergency stoppages. All the lock gates and swing bridges held up remarkably well, which is a testament to the maintenance work carried out by the Canal & River Trust. This is even more impressive considering they have been working with ever-reducing budgets following government reductions in funding to the Trust. The dedication and passion of the Canal & River Trust employees have truly made a difference in maintaining this important waterway.
Kennet & Avon Canal Restoration and National Lottery Funding
On 19 November 2024, the National Lottery celebrated its 30th anniversary. In that time, canals have benefitted enormously through projects of all sizes that have been boosted by National Lottery funding. The Kennet & Avon Canal benefited from one of the biggest grants – £25 million – to restore and protect the 200-year-old waterway.
Fun Facts and Trivia
Did you know? The Kennet & Avon Canal stretches 87 miles and includes 107 locks!
Sydney Gardens in Bath: Sydney Gardens, originally known as Bath Vauxhall Gardens, was a popular spot for fashionable society in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jane Austen, who lived at No. 4 Sydney Place from 1801 to 1804, often visited the gardens. She even mentioned Sydney Gardens in her novels “Persuasion” and “Northanger Abbey”. The gardens are unique as they are the only remaining Georgian pleasure gardens in the UK. The Kennet & Avon Canal runs through the center of Sydney Gardens, adding to its picturesque charm.
Caen Hill Locks: This iconic flight of 29 locks is one of the most impressive engineering feats on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Completed in 1810, the locks were the last part of the canal to be opened, playing a crucial role in connecting Bristol to London via a navigable waterway.
Grumpy Lock-keeper: There are many stories about the lock-keepers who managed these locks over the years. One famous tale involves a lock-keeper named Gilbert Crouch, who lived at the lock-keeper’s cottage in the early 1900s. Known for his grumpy demeanour, he was very strict about the rules and regulations of the canal. He would stop unauthorized access, ensuring only authorized personnel and boat owners could use the locks. He enforced strict timings for boats, expressing displeasure if they took too long or arrived outside designated times. Additionally, Crouch was known for stopping people from using rowing boats and other pleasure craft on the canal on Sundays. Despite his grumpiness, he was highly respected for his dedication to maintaining the locks and ensuring the smooth passage of boats.
Swan Guardians: Lock-keeper Alan Giddings, who retired recently worked on the canal for 40 years, had a special bond with the swans at Caen Hill Locks. He was deeply upset when swans’ eggs were stolen from nests near the locks. Alan believed that humans were responsible for the thefts and took extra measures to protect the swans and their eggs.
2024 Photo Competition
The 2024 photo competition was a huge success, with stunning entries capturing the beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal. You can see all the amazing photos inlcuding the winners and all the finalists here.

