ShrimpBurrito

Just wanted to follow-up on this thread. We took Suigeneris' lead and hired from North Kilworth Wharf, and had a fabulous experience. Friendly folks, and nice boats. Thanks so much for the lead! Dave

Howdy folks, I'm looking to do a ~2-week holiday mid-February 2023. I was hoping to do something like the Four Counties ring, but there are some winter closures along the way during that time that make a ring impassable. We could possibly do an out and back, perhaps hiring from Norbury Wharf, whom I'm not familiar with but they are accessible from the south and apparently open that time of year. Alternatively, I have no real preference as to the specific canal -- I'd go anywhere in the UK. We just want to have a relaxing holiday, akin to our last trip, which was a December 1-week out and back a few years ago on the Llangollen canal between Llangollen and Whitchurch. Sure, stopping by the occasional pub is nice, as are local landmarks like a castle, but boring countryside is also great. Locks and bridges are fine -- I'm traveling with another adult and a very excited 10-year old. I was also looking at the Leeds and Liverpool, but haven't yet found a company to hire from that time of year. Does anyone have any suggestions I should look into? Many thanks, and Happy Holidays! Dave

Thanks all for all the input! Very much appreciated. How important is the need for a solid fuel stove? I’ve narrowed it down to 2 boats on the Llangollen, one with a stove and one without, and the one without a stove looks to be more comfortable / better appointed. I directly asked the hire company of the boat without the stove if their central heat is designed to warm a boat from 0 C to 21 C, instead of simply “taking the chill off” in spring or autumn, and they tell me it would keep the boat “warm and toasty”. The person I talked with said they were just out on one and it was “lovely and warm” inside. Looking for some feedback from those with first-hand experience, though I realize central heating systems can and probably do vary from boat to boat. Many thanks, Dave

The Llangollen is closed all winter? I see that several of the Hurleston locks are closed throughout the winter, but other than that short section, at least during the Dec 16-23 timeframe, I don't see any other closures on the Canal River Trust closure report for those times. Dave

Hi all, Thanks so much for this great feedback. Super helpful. Taking heed that the Llangollen, Macclesfield and Rufford Branch are all closed, is there a website or something where network closures are posted? The ridiculously short days and the corresponding short sailing times are noted; thanks for pointing that out. I should have clarified that we're not solely focused on cities or small towns --- we just want there to be something of interest periodically along the way instead of just open country. Basically, something that would just provide a reason to get off the boat for a few hours maybe every other day or so to explore. I like the boats at Kate Boats and Boutiquenarrowboats, but the more we look at narrowboats, the more we think we want to at least first focus on trying to get a widebeam, at least for this trip given that we may end up spending so much time inside with inclement and dark weather. So far, I've identified some potential wide beam options on the: Kennet & Avon canal (presuming it a good idea to avoid the Caen Hill locks) River Thames starting from around Reading Leeds & Liverpool canal (aside from the Rufford branch); I have read about the Staircase locks. We did lots of locks in Canada, but they were operated by staff. Not sure if that happens there. Any thoughts on these? Dave

What are these? Wood or coal stoves? Thanks for the tip on ABCboathire. I will check it out. Dave

Thanks! We don't have any specific desire to stay in Birmingham, but we're not adverse to starting or ending there either. Good to know narrowboats are the only option around Birmingham. Really, anywhere in the country is fine with us; priority is on the destination and cruise experience (relaxing, with a few "cultural" points of interest). Any tips on how to hone in on those bases and routes that might be open in December? Stick to the south? Randomly Google (my strategy thusfar)? Dave

Hi all. Newbie to the forum, and to canal cruising, through have cruised Canadian canals and locks before on a 45-foot cruiser. Our family (2 adults, one 7-year old) is coming from abroad and looking to do a holiday about 1-week long the third week in December (starting around Dec 15/16) where we'd go through some towns (the likes of a place like Bath) and/or cities that might be scenic and/or be worthwhile to moor and walk around to see some sights. Countryside is great, but for this trip, we want to hit at least a few of these places during the course of the week that would be worth touring for a day or so. We'll be in Birmingham, but we're open going anywhere in the country to cruise. I think we'd probably prefer hiring a widebeam, but a very nicely appointed narrowboat might also be suitable if the route was particularly worthy and widebeams weren't an option. Could anyone direct us to some places we should look at? We've been told that, at least in some canals, the ability to cruise at that time of year can't be confirmed till 7-10 days before due to weather (i.e. flow volume making currents too fast), so if that is indeed the case, I recognize we'll have to make a plan B in case weather doesn't cooperate. Many thanks! Dave