Canal urges

Our waterways offer a chance spring to life as we wave winter farewell

- BY NIGEL THOMPSON

Spring is around the corner and there is no better way to see Britain's countryside bursting into life again than from the nation's canals.

Enjoy blossom on hedges and waterside trees, bluebells in wood-lands, birds busy rearing their young and lambs skipping in fields, with plenty of interesting tourist sights and a few canalside pubs for a pie and a pint.

We've teamed up with rental firm Drifters, which has a choice of more than 500 boats from 40 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, for the pick of the season's narrow(boat) escapes...

Grand Union/Ashby, Northants/Leics

On a week's holiday from Drifters' Braunston base, boaters can explore the beautiful Ashby Canal. With no locks and miles of countryside to enjoy, this 22-mile long waterway passes historic Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field.

A six-mile stretch of the Ashby from Snarestone to Carlton Bridge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its aquatic plants and dragonflies.

The journey to Shakerstone and back travels 95 miles, passes through eight locks (four each way) and takes around 37 hours.

BOOK IT: 40ft 'Malvern' narrowboat (sleeps up to four) is available from Braunston on March 14-21 from £875.

Leeds & Liverpool, West Yorks