Cody

I didn't know that not replying to specific posts means I'm 'ignoring them'. I'm just taking in all the info and filtering, compiling and considering all possibilities. I think I have enough data to make a decision. Might just give this a miss as it seems too much hassle. Over and out. Might as well shut down all forums then since we can just Google anything we want... Did anyone force you to post in this thread?

Looking at all possibilities. I still need a place to stay on days I am not cruising. So a static boat AirBNB may be convenient if it's docked in the same area the boat taking me around returns to. Like I mentioned my plans are not set in stone so any and all information will help make me plan better. I'm just responding to what I find useful. No need to feed the trolls and the angsty forumers who only see things in black-and-white. I've been in enough forums to know to just get what I need and ignore the rest.

Would really appreciate it if you could post some that's specifically in the Birmingham area...

Yes exactly...I have no knowledge on how to operate a boat or how to navigate the canals or get around the many locks. I'd probably crash the boat and sink it very very fast 😅 I'd have to pick up a whole new skill of boating and maybe even have to get certified? Not something I wanna do just for a holiday hahaha

Only wanna cruise around Brum and then down to London. I will travel to the rest of the UK by car or train. So from the suggestions thus far, what I might do is 2 weeks on a boat in Brum, then go do my own thing around the UK, then back to Brum for my cruise down to London(in the same boat or a different boat, depending on negotiations)

Oh there will not be lengthy stops during the 'leisurely cruise' from Brum to London...when I said leisurely I mean not doing it like a race and get there in the fastest possible way by moving 12 to 16 hours a day...I read that the normal time taken is 10 days at 8 hours of sailing per day. So that's the leisurely pace I'm referring to. I'd go with whatever the boatman decide is the number of hours he wants to sail per day...I will remain on board unless the boatman decide to dock and tell me I can go ashore for x number of hours... Thank you. This is the kind of info I am looking for! More suggestions please if anyone else have any.

I thought that's what I'm dong here, by asking people who actually knows 😅 Sorry if I am a total noob and asking noob questions, because well I'm a total noob 😆 Maybe someone would be so kind as to lay down what I need to do to make my plans a reality...or point me to somewhere where there's someone(maybe a company which can provide the service that I am looking for) who can take in all the info I provide and questions I have and give me options and possibilities...

My apologies for using the wrong terminology...I am referring to a narrowboat or a canal boat. I have no solid plans so the duration is flexible. I know I definitely have the budget for a month's stay, but is willing to stay longer if it is required. I traveled rather extensively throughout the UK during summer holiday by car while in Birmingham. 3 days in London(back and forth), day trip to Nottingham, weekend trip to Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester...and the trip via canal to London takes about 10 days with stops at a leisurely pace, so I think one month may be about enough...although I can extend to 1.5 months if need be. Like I said I don't have solid plans, it's all 'play-by-ear' after I get there. Edit: Just saw the last reply about hiring from private individuals... So, what are my options? The whole idea is to live on a boat that's a house that is cozy and not cramped and uncomfortable like a normal boat would be. Is that impossible since all such boats are presumably privately owned and they would not want to host strangers due to lack of insurance for such purpose?

Edit: Seems quite a few people assume I can handle a boat and advice me to rent/buy a boat. I don't. I just want to be driven around and maybe have my meals cooked for me. I can cook my own meals or just make sandwiches or buy my meals if the boat pass some shops or markets. So yeah I'm looking for a skippered charter and not a boat I operate myself. Hi all, I studied in Birmingham, Midlands looong ago and because of that I know about the canals, and often took walks along them as there were access points near my college(if memory serves my college was on Bond street). I am now thinking of taking a vacation on a narrow boat/canal boat to explore the canals of Birmingham, see the sites, and maybe even take a leisurely cruise down to London, before returning home from there. Any such service? Or is anyone interested to host me(and maybe a partner) for two weeks to a month?