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River Cruises in the UK and Europe

There are many benefits to a river cruise and the options for your cruise holiday are varied in the UK and Europe.

Unlike a world-wide cruise, where the cruise ships can accommodate up to 2,000 guests, a river cruise can provide a much more intimate and informal holiday experience.

Across Europe, there are many different cruising holidays available to you within fairly close reach. The Telegraph Cruise channel offers a variety of first-hand accounts of river cruise holidays that may inspire you for your next cruise.

"Orange Tip" butterfly next to the canal If you choose to stay on UK waters, there are many beautiful sights you can expect to see, without having to stray too far from home. A calm cruise on a narrowboat along the River Severn, Britain’s longest river, takes you through beautiful countryside and stunning scenery. The UK canals are a haven for wildlife. A popular fishing spot, you may pass people enjoying a days fishing while sitting on the banks.

If you prefer a longer break, you can find many cruises that go through England and Ireland, departing from Dover and stopping off at Dublin, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and many other locations along the way. Longer cruises provide a variety of interesting excursions where you can explore the local attractions, such as the famous Blarney Stone.

Those of you that prefer a holiday further afield have plenty to choose from with a wide variety of European Cruises. Some may prefer a more upmarket French barge holiday, where you can savour the fine local wines as you tour through Burgundy and Rhone. You can enjoy a cruise down the Danube with the magnificent Budapest Houses of Parliament and castle ruins providing a stunning backdrop. Be sure to look out for the 14m high Liberation monument, visible from every point in the city; this commanding statue is a sight not to be missed.

Typical Motor and Butty combination hotel narrowboat Whether you choose to stay on the UK’s rivers or venture further afield, a river cruise will ensure you’ll have a holiday that you won’t forget. A river cruise is the perfect way to meet new acquaintances as there are fewer people and the intimacy affords plenty of opportunities to get to know your fellow passengers.

A UK river cruise also offers you privacy. You may feel more comfortable on home soil to go on excursions by yourself and retire to your cabin for an afternoon’s relaxation, with the calming sound of the gentle river’s ebb and flow in the background. The Telegraph Cruise Channel offers a wide variety of river cruises to book, or you may get inspiration from the variety of reviews on European destinations.