Canals and rivers return to the show floor
The Discovering Britain’s Inland Waterways feature is intended to show the range of boating available away from the coast, from privately owned craft and marina berths to hire fleets and first-time cruising experiences. Organisers say the zone is designed for existing inland boaters as well as visitors considering their first trip on the waterways.
Supporting organisations span marinas, boatbuilders, holiday operators, brokers, waterways bodies and marine-service companies. Canal & River Trust is among the participants, alongside businesses such as Aqueduct Marina, ABC Leisure, Norfolk Broads Direct, Black Prince Holidays and The Electric Boat Company.
A wider definition of leisure boating
For LBG, the inland focus is useful because leisure boating is often presented primarily through coastal motorboats, sailing yachts and RIBs. Britain’s canal and river network supports a different ownership and cruising pattern, including narrowboats, day boats, electric boats and holiday craft operating at much lower speeds.
The feature also gives prospective boaters a chance to compare ownership with hire and shared-use options. That matters for people who want to enter boating without immediately taking on the cost and responsibility of buying, mooring and maintaining a vessel.
Where to find the inland zone
The inland-waterways area is scheduled around stands L66, L68, L69 and L70, close to the Rockley Watersports Lake. Visitors will be able to speak directly with operators and service providers about routes, boats, marina options and the practicalities of getting started.
The 2026 Southampton International Boat Show runs from 18 to 27 September. With a dedicated inland zone alongside the show marina and watersports areas, the event is presenting a broader cross-section of leisure boating than a purely coastal boat display would provide.