Holiday help

[bse35]

Hi newbie here!

 

I'm looking for to go on a canal holiday in the summer with my family and another family and am trying to find the cheapest boats/routes. Ideally I'd like a 10 berth narrowboat which is fairly cheap and a good route for first-timers!

 

Thanks

[Titus]

It all depends where in the country you are/want to go, have you kids with you ?

do you want town or country ? do you want an easy week or lots of locks and bridges ?

narrowboat ? widebeam ? cruisers ?

 

You need to have some idea on these before you start looking

 

Dave

[Grace and Favour]

Hi newbie here!

 

I'm looking for to go on a canal holiday in the summer with my family and another family and am trying to find the cheapest boats/routes. Ideally I'd like a 10 berth narrowboat which is fairly cheap and a good route for first-timers!

 

Thanks

 

Will it be during the school holidays?

[tillergirl]

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/SearchResultsPage.aspx?ADCT=4&CHCT=6&DURTN=7&FLEXR=3

 

guesstimate - 4 adults 6 kids??

[Darren72]

Ashby boats have nice 69ft boats to accommodate you all and the area is almost lock free.

[Guest]

Hi newbie here!

 

I'm looking for to go on a canal holiday in the summer with my family and another family and am trying to find the cheapest boats/routes. Ideally I'd like a 10 berth narrowboat which is fairly cheap and a good route for first-timers!

 

Thanks

 

Silsden boats on the Leeds and Liverpool offer 9-10 berth boats at a not outrageous cost. Their boats are basic but clean and comfortable. People often remark on the scuffed paint 'in season' but I suspect they keep their costs down by not buffing out every scrape.

 

Two families will cope admirably with the challenges of the 'double' locks, sometimes cited as an obstacle to the L&L being suitable for a first time canal holiday - lock keeper assistance is available on the major flights (5 and 3 rises).

[Naughty Cal]

If you are not too bothered about locks have you considered hiring a cruiser on the broads?

 

The cruisers are wider and will make better use of space than a larger narrow boat meaning you won't always be under each others feet. Probably better for two families sharing as you can all have your own space.

 

Prices vary from yard to yard. We always hired with Barnes brinkcraft who have a good selection of boats. Richardsons are probably the biggest yard and have done good value older boats which are always well turned out if not the most modern design.

 

Good luck with the holiday hunt and hope you all enjoy your time afloat.

[Skye]

Silsden boats on the Leeds and Liverpool offer 9-10 berth boats at a not outrageous cost. Their boats are basic but clean and comfortable. People often remark on the scuffed paint 'in season' but I suspect they keep their costs down by not buffing out every scrape.

 

Two families will cope admirably with the challenges of the 'double' locks, sometimes cited as an obstacle to the L&L being suitable for a first time canal holiday - lock keeper assistance is available on the major flights (5 and 3 rises).

 

Speaking from experience of this company (about 5 times) and canal, bse35, you would not go far wrong with hiring from here. Yes the canal can be challenging for a beginner, but not over powering. But lets face it, if you are considering this for a holiday, you are not the type of people who are happy to spend a week at the side of a swimming bath!

 

Good luck with it and I'm sure no matter where you go, and to be honest, everywhere as something to offer and is different, you will get the bug!

 

Have fun

 

David

[JudeB]

Check out the ABC Boat Hire website. Lots of choice all over the country and you can use Tesco clubcard points to pay towards the hire.

[twbm]

You may have to redefine what you consider to be 'cheap', although having two families to share the cost will help. Enjoy.

[Woodstock]

Norfolk broads is a great suggestion- we had many holidays on the broads and loved it- and also took a large party one year and the cost really comes down. I personally preferred the Southern broads but there is more choice to hire on the North- we hired in the North and did both- Breydon water is a mini adventure. We have used Richardsons of Stalham and also through Hoseasons and Blakes- Hoseasons are offering discounts at the moment.We found Cruisers are usually a cheaper option to hire. We also hired cruisers through Hoseasons from Bridge Boat yard Ely and loved the rivers around there.

 

I have an Anglo Welsh discount voucher if you want it for narrowboat hire- but needs to booked by end of this month

 

enjoy your holiday!!!!

[Hyperion 53]

Try Norbury Wharf Limited on the Shroppie. www.norburyhire.co.uk

[Pete of Ebor]

I think you may find "10 berth" & "fairly cheap" mutually exclusive !

On a seroius point, over the past few years, we have found suitable bigger (ie 8 +) berth boats more difficult to find. In general, newer boats now seem to have more fixed doubles than older boats. As a group of adults (usually 8 but only 7 this year; 6 male & 1 female) we have paid £1171.20 for a 10 berth boat in mid may, which is off peak. For a group of adults, it does work out fairly cheap, being only about £168 each for a week's "accommodation", though we'll probably spend nearly double that on food & beer.

Much as I like my friends and enjoy boating with them, the idea of having to share a fixed-double would be a bit too far !

Edited January 14, 2013 by Pete of Ebor