Canal Holidays.

[K-Rod]

Hi everyone.

 

I may have joined the wrong forum so apologies if so, and if anyone can point me in a better direction I'd appreciate it.

 

I'm trying to find details/advice on a canal boat holiday for a beginner.  My only experience is a week's holiday 30 years ago in Llangollen and I'd live to do something similar with my family.  Can anyone suggest reputable companies to hire from, suitable routes for beginners that are not too difficult to navigate, the type/spec of boat that would be suitable for a family of 4 with 2 under 11s?  Any other hints/tips most welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Kevin.

[Graham Davis]

I would say that any hire boat company fits the description, as they get complete novices regularly.
The Llangollen is more than suitable which is probably why it is so popular.
From my experience Black Prince always have nice boats with several different layouts.

[Tony Brooks]

Have a look at the Hoseasons Canal brochure or online. They book for lots of different hire companies and it will show boat layouts, locations and probably recommended trips.

[Tumshie]

I'm sure there are loads more but these are a few that I found. Welcome to the forum and hope you find a holiday you all enjoy. 

 

https://www.black-prince.com

 

https://www.shirecruisers.co.uk/index.php

 

https://www.kateboats.co.uk

 

https://www.abcboathire.com

 

https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk

 

http://castlenarrowboats.co.uk

 

https://www.floating-holidays.co.uk

 

 

[Flyboy]

1 hour ago, K-Rod said:

Hi everyone.

 

I may have joined the wrong forum so apologies if so, and if anyone can point me in a better direction I'd appreciate it.

 

I'm trying to find details/advice on a canal boat holiday for a beginner.  My only experience is a week's holiday 30 years ago in Llangollen and I'd live to do something similar with my family.  Can anyone suggest reputable companies to hire from, suitable routes for beginners that are not too difficult to navigate, the type/spec of boat that would be suitable for a family of 4 with 2 under 11s?  Any other hints/tips most welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Kevin.

Hi, welcome to the forum.  A lot will depend on whether you want a relaxed or enrgetic holiday.  For example you could do the Four counties or Stourport ring in an energetic week or a relaxed 2 weeks. What duration are you planning & what area do you want ?

There are lots of hire companies, here are few to start with.

https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk

https://abcboathire.com

https://www.heritagenarrowboats.co.uk

https://www.chashardern.co.uk

https://www.countrywide-cruisers.co.uk

https://www.black-prince.com

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by Flyboy

[David Mack]

1 hour ago, K-Rod said:

Hi everyone.

 

I may have joined the wrong forum so apologies if so, and if anyone can point me in a better direction I'd appreciate it.

 

I'm trying to find details/advice on a canal boat holiday for a beginner.  My only experience is a week's holiday 30 years ago in Llangollen and I'd live to do something similar with my family.  Can anyone suggest reputable companies to hire from, suitable routes for beginners that are not too difficult to navigate, the type/spec of boat that would be suitable for a family of 4 with 2 under 11s?  Any other hints/tips most welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Kevin.

No problem asking on here.

Plenty of choice as others have said.

Do you have any preferences for which part of the country? Do you want to spend the entire holiday boating, or do you want to visit towns/villages/attractions along the route? Do you want long lock free stretches, long flights of locks (to tire out the children), or a canal where there is a lock every mile or two? Urban, rural or a mix? Are you happy with an out and back trip or do you want to do a ring?

[K-Rod]

1 hour ago, Graham Davis said:

I would say that any hire boat company fits the description, as they get complete novices regularly.
The Llangollen is more than suitable which is probably why it is so popular.
From my experience Black Prince always have nice boats with several different layouts.

Thanks for the reply, I'd like to do Llangollen again but open to other routes.  I'll check Black Prince out, thanks. 

1 hour ago, Tony Brooks said:

Have a look at the Hoseasons Canal brochure or online. They book for lots of different hire companies and it will show boat layouts, locations and probably recommended trips.

Brilliant thanks, layout is important as we'd like 2 cabins if possible.  I'll check out Hoseasons.

1 hour ago, Tumshie said:

I'm sure there are loads more but these are a few that I found. Welcome to the forum and hope you find a holiday you all enjoy. 

 

https://www.black-prince.com

 

https://www.shirecruisers.co.uk/index.php

 

https://www.kateboats.co.uk

 

https://www.abcboathire.com

 

https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk

 

http://castlenarrowboats.co.uk

 

https://www.floating-holidays.co.uk

 

 

Thanks very much for the info!

1 hour ago, Flyboy said:

Hi, welcome to the forum.  A lot will depend on whether you want a relaxed or enrgetic holiday.  For example you could do the Four counties or Stourport ring in an energetic week or a relaxed 2 weeks. What duration are you planning & what area do you want ?

There are lots of hire companies, here are few to start with.

https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk

https://abcboathire.com

https://www.heritagenarrowboats.co.uk

https://www.chashardern.co.uk

https://www.countrywide-cruisers.co.uk

https://www.black-prince.com

 

Not sure I can afford 2 weeks ?

 

A semi-energetic week would be ideal.  I'm based in Yorkshire but willing to travel for the right boat/route/price.  Thanks for these websites, I'll get looking.

[K-Rod]

47 minutes ago, David Mack said:

No problem asking on here.

Plenty of choice as others have said.

Do you have any preferences for which part of the country? Do you want to spend the entire holiday boating, or do you want to visit towns/villages/attractions along the route? Do you want long lock free stretches, long flights of locks (to tire out the children), or a canal where there is a lock every mile or two? Urban, rural or a mix? Are you happy with an out and back trip or do you want to do a ring?

Thanks for the response.  We'd like to mix it up a bit with some attractions along the way, not just boating.  Locks would be great to get the kids involved but not every couple of miles if that's at all possible.  Apart from that, not really fussed about where as long as the boat/price is right.  I'm assuming a ring means a loop so you end up where you start?

[Flyboy]

1 hour ago, K-Rod said:

Thanks for the response.  We'd like to mix it up a bit with some attractions along the way, not just boating.  Locks would be great to get the kids involved but not every couple of miles if that's at all possible.  Apart from that, not really fussed about where as long as the boat/price is right.  I'm assuming a ring means a loop so you end up where you start?

Here's a few more for up north.

 

https://www.athenacanalholidays.co.uk

https://www.bearboating.co.uk

https://www.canalboatcruises.co.uk

https://www.penninecruisers.com

https://www.silsdenboats.co.uk

https://www.snaygillboats.co.uk

If want to be really relaxed you could do the Lancaster with no locks.

https://www.arlen-hireboats.co.uk

https://www.crabtreenarrowboathire.com

https://pintailboats.co.uk

 

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by Flyboy

[Machpoint005]

1 hour ago, K-Rod said:

I'm assuming a ring means a loop so you end up where you start?

 

Yes, it does, but before rejecting a there-and-back route it's worth bearing in mind that a given canal will still look different from the opposite direction!

Heritage Narrowboats are a good bet (I have no commercial connection).

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by Machpoint005

[Rob-M]

Have a look on http://www.hireboats2go.co.uk/phppc/index.php as there can be some good discounts.

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, Machpoint005 said:

 

Yes, it does, but before rejecting a there-and-back route it's worth bearing in mind that a given canal will still look different from the opposite direction!

Heritage Narrowboats are a good bet (I have no commercial connection).

 

 

 

I think the above point is important as with small children, if they get bored you may want to stop for half a day to go to some non canal entertainment , if you are doing a ring then you have to keep going where as a one way trip you can turn back to visit places. For instance you could easily spend a couple of half days in Birmingham.

[FredW]

Hi K-Rod

If you’re keen on doing the Llangollen can I suggest ?http://www.bettisfieldboats.com/

A really friendly & helpful hire company who go the extra mile to make your holiday special. I’ve used them & they stand out from many others. 

Good luck. 

 

[johnmoly]

How about 42 miles of lock-free canal, try the Lancaster Canal. its nice and wide through varying countryside.  Plenty of small family hire firms on there.

[kawaton]

Ive hired from lots of different companies over the last 25 years, and taking into account price, quality of boat, service and a boat suitable for kids there is no better than

 

https://www.aquanarrowboats.co.uk/narrowboat-hire/

[cuthound]

The Llangollen Canal can get very busy during the school holidays. Also Llangollen itself, mainly mid week because that's when the most hire boats are there.

 

I would choose a base near to Llangollen and try to get there at the weekend or Monday because the town and its moorings are much quieter then. Perhaps hire from the base at Trevor?

 

Also, unusually for the canals, you pay for moorings at Llangollen. £6 per night when i was last there (2015) but you do get free water and electricity (need a shore line for the electricity).

 

[john6767]

3 minutes ago, cuthound said:

The Llangollen Canal can get very busy during the school holidays. Also Llangollen itself, mainly mid week because that's when the most hire boats are there.

 

I would choose a base near to Llangollen and try to get there at the weekend or Monday because the town and its moorings are much quieter then. Perhaps hire from the base at Trevor?

 

Also, unusually for the canals, you pay for moorings at Llangollen. £6 per night when i was last there (2015) but you do get free water and electricity (need a shore line for the electricity).

 

That is exactly what I was about to say.  If the Llangollen has some memories for you then why not do it again, it is very nice, but can be a bit busy in summer holidays due to the “tidal flow” of hire boat that are aiming for Llangollen for Tues/Wed nights.  If you can time to be in Llangollen outside those times it will be much quieter there, and less queues at locks as everyone will be going the other way!

[IanD]

16 hours ago, kawaton said:

Ive hired from lots of different companies over the last 25 years, and taking into account price, quality of boat, service and a boat suitable for kids there is no better than

 

https://www.aquanarrowboats.co.uk/narrowboat-hire/

Very attractive boats, but not so attractive choice of routes from their base for a beginner with 1 week...

[ditchcrawler]

4 hours ago, cuthound said:

The Llangollen Canal can get very busy during the school holidays. Also Llangollen itself, mainly mid week because that's when the most hire boats are there.

 

I would choose a base near to Llangollen and try to get there at the weekend or Monday because the town and its moorings are much quieter then. Perhaps hire from the base at Trevor?

 

Also, unusually for the canals, you pay for moorings at Llangollen. £6 per night when i was last there (2015) but you do get free water and electricity (need a shore line for the electricity).

 

Which if your on a hire boat you probably dont want. I have not overnighted in Llangollen since the charge was brought in. I think it could be the thin end of the wedge charging for tow path visitor moorings.

45 minutes ago, IanD said:

Very attractive boats, but not so attractive choice of routes from their base for a beginner with 1 week...

With kids you have the Secret Bunker, Nantwich, Chester. so I would say not bad at all, couple of locks out  of the branch and then lock free until you get to Hack Green to get settled in, some big ones down to Chester.

[magictime]

Just to say: we love the Yorkshire waterways, but some of the obvious routes in the area (e.g. the 'South Pennine Ring' consisting of the Rochdale and Huddersfield Narrow) are very lock-heavy and probably not what you're looking for. The Leeds-Liverpool might offer a bit more of a 'balanced' holiday while still letting you enjoy some proper Yorkshire/Pennine scenery - e.g. an out-and-back cruise between Apperley Bridge and Skipton/Gargrave would include (in each direction) 8 unmanned locks and 8 manned locks (the Bingley 3 and 5 Rise), plus a long lock-free stretch with swing bridges dotted along it. Snaygill, Silsden, Pennine Cruisers and Bear Boating are the names that spring to mind (links are all in one of the above posts). 

 

Or as someone has suggested, the Lancaster. We've not done it but are keen to, and ideal if something northern but lock-free suits.

[cuthound]

42 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Which if your on a hire boat you probably dont want. I have not overnighted in Llangollen since the charge was brought in. I think it could be the thin end of the wedge charging for tow path visitor moorings.

 

 

Well, given that BW started the overnight charges to pay towards the basin they developed way back at the end of the 80's, they seem to be tsking their time rolling out overnight charges for the rest of the system. ?

[8 Hairy Feet]

Second vote for The Leeds and Liverpool up around Skipton, its very scenic not too busy, The Bingley Rises are good fun and the children are welcomed to help under the supervision of The Lockies. Silsden Boats, Shire and others do hire round there. 

Have a lovely holiday. 

[Flyboy]

2 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

 

With kids you have the Secret Bunker, Nantwich, Chester. so I would say not bad at all, couple of locks out  of the branch and then lock free until you get to Hack Green to get settled in, some big ones down to Chester.

I think you are confusing Aquanarrowboats with Napton Narrowboats at Autherly Junction.

[captain birdseye]

try the Caldon hiring from black prince. Pretty canal once the first half day is over not too many locks and has the advantages of a steam train to ride on checkhttps://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/events/calendar that has lots of activities over the holidays and also waterworld at Stoke https://www.waterworld.co.uk/ for the children to play in. 

We have children that are now 11 and 14 and it is one of their favourite trips. We are doing it again at Spring half term

[ditchcrawler]

35 minutes ago, Flyboy said:

I think you are confusing Aquanarrowboats with Napton Narrowboats at Autherly Junction.

I thought Aquanarrowboats were at Venetian Marina on the Middlewich Branch, sorry if I got it wrong. https://www.venetianhireboats.co.uk/

Edited April 30, 2019 by ditchcrawler