You can try canal boating for free this Sunday thanks to the Canal and River Trust teaming up with Drifters Waterway Holidays.

The event is taking place on Sunday (April 17) at Anglo Welsh, Bunbury Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley. It’s one of 19 venues across England and Wales offering the free taster sessions.

The open day will include free trips on skippered narrowboats, as well as boat tours and holiday discounts.

No booking is required, with people of all ages encouraged to just turn up. Events open at 11am and close at 4pm.

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For more information about the event at call Anglo Welsh on 01829 260957.

For details about all Drifters’ National Open Day events, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/drifters-open-days-2016.

Mike Grimes, head of boating at the Canal and River Trust, said: “For many people, a boating holiday is the start of a lifelong passion. These free taster sessions are a great way to test out whether this sort of holiday could be for you, before committing to a full weekend or week’s break.”

Tim Parker, chairman of Drifters Waterway Holidays, addeds: “Travelling at just 4mph through peaceful countryside, sleepy villages and exciting waterside cities, canal boat holidays are often described as ‘the fastest way to slow down’. Close to 400,000 people go canal boating each year and according to research, the numbers have increased by 23% since 2009.

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“Last year, over 1,000 people got afloat at our open day events held all over the country. We hope this year’s taster sessions will introduce many more people to the joys of a holiday afloat on Britain’s wonderful inland waterways.”

For more information about visiting the canals, go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk