Notice: please note that our canal boat holidays and trips are unaffected by the breach at Whitchurch, click here to learn more.

NOTICE:   Please note that our canal boat holidays and trips are unaffected by the breach at Whitchurch, click here to learn more.➤

About Lyneal Trust

Learn more about the Lyneal Trust, what we do and why it matters.

Disabled man in wheelchair enjoying life and nature in a park

Putting people first through accessible breaks since 1985

Founded in 1985, the Lyneal Trust is a registered charity dedicated to creating inclusive breaks for people who face disability, illness, injury or other vulnerabilities. The Trust’s mission is simple but vital: to make time away accessible and enjoyable.

Based at Lyneal Wharf in Shropshire, the charity owns and cares for two accessible canal boats and canalside accommodation, all thoughtfully designed to support different needs. Everything the Trust offers can be booked individually or together, allowing guests, families and carers to shape a stay that works for them.

Run by a committed team of volunteers, the Lyneal Trust continues to focus on people first, just as it has done for four decades.

Learn more about Lyneal Trust

HRH Princess Alexandra unveiling plaque for the Shropshire Lady boat

Our Story

Discover how the Lyneal Trust began, our history and about our story over the years.

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Rotary Club members supporting Lyneal Trust as donors

Support Us

Explore the many ways you can support us, from volunteering to making a donation.

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Lyneal Trust volunteers posing on the Shropshire Lady canal boat

The Trustees

Learn more about the trustees who lead the Lyneal Trust and the roles they carry out.

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A message from our Chairman

Lyneal Trust is a small charity, managed and operated by a group of dedicated trustees and volunteers with a common purpose – to provide canal based recreation and holidays for people with disabilities, illnesses or vulnerabilities, and their families and carers.

We are based at Lyneal in North Shropshire, at the side of the Llangollen canal. Our facilities are all shown on this web site, along with our bookings availability and prices. You will see that our prices are approximately 50% of what you will pay commercially, and this is achieved because we are a charity operated by volunteers.

Our size enables the trustees and volunteers to have a very “hands on” approach and it is important for us to meet the needs of the people the Trust provides its facilities for, and so we thrive on guest feedback.

It is difficult to provide for all disabilities, illnesses or vulnerabilities but within the limitations of a canal or cottage holiday, we will do our best.

We look forward to welcoming you at Lyneal Wharf.

Paul Newton
Chairman, Lyneal Trust

Accessible canal holidays in Shropshire

The Lyneal Trust offers accessible canal holidays, day trips, and canalside cottage stays for people with disabilities, illness, or other vulnerabilities, along with their families or carers.

Guests can enjoy time on our purpose-built canal boats, the Shropshire Maid for multi-day holidays and the Shropshire Lady for guided day trips, or stay in our comfortable Wharf Cottages.

Everything is designed to be practical, welcoming, and easy to use, giving visitors a relaxed and accessible way to enjoy Shropshire’s canals and countryside.

Canal Holidays
Wheelchair user enjoying an accessible canal boat trip
RYA training session on a canal boat passing under a bridge

RYA Training at Lyneal Trust

The Lyneal Trust is a registered RYA Training Centre, offering two-day Inland Waterways Helmsman courses for beginners and experienced boaters. Training is primarily for our volunteers, but we occasionally open courses to the public.

Successful students receive the RYA Helmsman’s Certificate, and courses run when a minimum of two bookings is met. Click the button below to learn more about RYA Training.

RYA Training Centre