Holiday in Yorkshire - looking for recs / location to hire a narrowboat for ~7 days for a newbie? July.

[shoelessone]

Sorry in advance for what is a somewhat lazy question I know - there are lots of posts on this forum with very similar questions as mine. I will read through the forums as well though of course to learn more there.

 

Hello! I'll be in Yorkshire on holiday with my wife for the summer and have always wanted to try living on a narrowboat for a week or so but have been too nervous to do so... this year perhaps is the time!

 

I am not absolutely set on Yorkshire so if somebody tells me there is a much better place to cut my teeth that's great, but my wife went to uni in York so we'll be there visiting friends so figured it might be a reasonable jumping off point.

 

We are flexible on dates, but sometime early July is most likely the best opening for us. Our goal would be to do as much exploring as possible, ideally do some motoring but also exploring of towns / hiking / green space, etc.

 

If somebody knows of a particular marina / company I should look at, that's amazing. A route that might be enjoyable for a newbie we should target for our search, great, really I'll happy take any info anybody is willing to give!

 

Thank you so much for your time!

[LadyG]

Im at Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge just now, and can thoroughly. recommend them. They deal with people from all backgrounds,  the boats are very well maintained, clean and smart. They have a website.

Edited February 22 by LadyG

[shoelessone]

18 hours ago, LadyG said:

Im at Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge just now, and can thoroughly. recommend them. They deal with people from all backgrounds,  the boats are very well maintained, clean and smart. They have a website.

Thanks a ton @LadyG, really appreciate the info.

 

I have actually looked at Shire Cruisers, but (this might be a bit shallow) the layout of the smaller boats didn't seem super "cozy" - I suppose we might not need it, but I had sort of dreamed about having a wood burning stove at night for a bit of cozy / warm reading on the boat. I imagine this might be something the larger rental companies shy away from for safety / liability / preventing damage to the boat, so perhaps I'm out of luck.

 

Anyway, again, thanks for the recommendation! 

 

[Rob-M]

I don't think you would want a wood burning stove lit in July.  It's too warm on the boat now with the stove lit, I've had to open the doors.

[mrsmelly]

20 hours ago, shoelessone said:

Sorry in advance for what is a somewhat lazy question I know - there are lots of posts on this forum with very similar questions as mine. I will read through the forums as well though of course to learn more there.

 

Hello! I'll be in Yorkshire on holiday with my wife for the summer and have always wanted to try living on a narrowboat for a week or so but have been too nervous to do so... this year perhaps is the time!

 

I am not absolutely set on Yorkshire so if somebody tells me there is a much better place to cut my teeth that's great, but my wife went to uni in York so we'll be there visiting friends so figured it might be a reasonable jumping off point.

 

We are flexible on dates, but sometime early July is most likely the best opening for us. Our goal would be to do as much exploring as possible, ideally do some motoring but also exploring of towns / hiking / green space, etc.

 

If somebody knows of a particular marina / company I should look at, that's amazing. A route that might be enjoyable for a newbie we should target for our search, great, really I'll happy take any info anybody is willing to give!

 

Thank you so much for your time!

Speaking as a Yorkshireman, its grim oop north, Book on the Oxford canal.

[IanD]

1 hour ago, shoelessone said:

Thanks a ton @LadyG, really appreciate the info.

 

I have actually looked at Shire Cruisers, but (this might be a bit shallow) the layout of the smaller boats didn't seem super "cozy" - I suppose we might not need it, but I had sort of dreamed about having a wood burning stove at night for a bit of cozy / warm reading on the boat. I imagine this might be something the larger rental companies shy away from for safety / liability / preventing damage to the boat, so perhaps I'm out of luck.

 

Anyway, again, thanks for the recommendation! 

 

Some of the larger rental companies have "luxury" boats with stoves on -- usually with little fuel though, they're really for cozy image not use. From experience you're not going to bother lighting up the stove when you moor up and having to clean it afterwards just to sit in front of it for a couple of hours, And in July you won't need to anyway... 😉 

 

I would also recommend Shire, I've used them several times, nice boats and well maintained. Though of course the canals around there are lovely you don't have many options about where to go, and it helps if you like lots of locks, so maybe not so good for a newbie... 😉 

Edited February 23 by IanD

[Hudds Lad]

My vote would be from somewhere on the Leeds & Liverpool (if it has water), Anglo Welsh now run Silsden boats, or Snaygill Boats, or book a day boat from Skipton.

 

Speaking as a Yorkshireman, who keeps his boat on the Oxford canal  

[mrsmelly]

5 minutes ago, Hudds Lad said:

My vote would be from somewhere on the Leeds & Liverpool (if it has water), Anglo Welsh now run Silsden boats, or Snaygill Boats, or book a day boat from Skipton.

 

Speaking as a Yorkshireman, who keeps his boat on the Oxford canal  

Speaking as a Yorkshireman its a no brainer keeping your boat on The Oxford canal especially south 

[Mac of Cygnet]

I moored with Shire Cruisers for 15 years and hired from them several times before that, from soon after Nigel and Susan took over the business, so got to know the setup well. We even took one of their boats up to York (not allowed now) I can very highly recommend them.

 

HOWEVER, the main thing I take away from this thread is the OP's horrible avatar.  PLEASE.............

Edited February 23 by Mac of Cygnet

[IanD]

22 hours ago, shoelessone said:

Sorry in advance for what is a somewhat lazy question I know - there are lots of posts on this forum with very similar questions as mine. I will read through the forums as well though of course to learn more there.

 

Hello! I'll be in Yorkshire on holiday with my wife for the summer and have always wanted to try living on a narrowboat for a week or so but have been too nervous to do so... this year perhaps is the time!

 

I am not absolutely set on Yorkshire so if somebody tells me there is a much better place to cut my teeth that's great, but my wife went to uni in York so we'll be there visiting friends so figured it might be a reasonable jumping off point.

 

We are flexible on dates, but sometime early July is most likely the best opening for us. Our goal would be to do as much exploring as possible, ideally do some motoring but also exploring of towns / hiking / green space, etc.

 

If somebody knows of a particular marina / company I should look at, that's amazing. A route that might be enjoyable for a newbie we should target for our search, great, really I'll happy take any info anybody is willing to give!

 

Thank you so much for your time!

This boat from Anglo-Welsh at Silsden is a "luxury" boat for 2 people and has a solid fuel stove -- nice trips from there up to and through Skipton, or down to Bingley, or both...

 

https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/golden-dale-narrow-boat/

[Ken X]

We have regularly cruised in winter using Anglo-Welsh boats with a solid fuel stove.  They are available from all their various bases around the country.  Not all boats have them fitted, so checking the boat layout is required. 

 

Having said that, we have never used a stove in summer due to the heat.  If you intend lighting the stove in July let whichever yard you hire from know as they don't tend to give instruction in summer and the removable chimney/s (occasionally long and short are supplied) are often hidden in a locker.  The stove irons may be tucked away as well.  They might chuck a couple of firelogs on for you and supply coal and matches if they are primed of your interest.

[haggis]

16 hours ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

HOWEVER, the main thing I take away from this thread is the OP's horrible avatar.  PLEASE.............

I agree! I thought we were not allowed "moving" avatars or has this rule been changed? 

[phantom_iv]

Just take a portable bbq with you and light that on the towpath and sit round that in the evening. That’ll be much more pleasant than roasting indoors in July in front of a fire 🥵

[Jon57]

8 hours ago, phantom_iv said:

Just take a portable bbq with you and light that on the towpath and sit round that in the evening. That’ll be much more pleasant than roasting indoors in July in front of a fire 🥵

You mean like this🔥😁

Edited February 24 by Jon57
Addition

[Stroudwater1]

As others have mentioned really it’s not the ideal place to cruise as a first timer. I’m not sure you can get to York on a hire boat nowadays and unlikely as a new boater as the river is tidal from Selby/ (or if you are brave) Hull to Narburn lock. 
 

You may be best to go more South, Plenty of hire firms. The big two ABC and AngloWelch have a number of bases Napton a couple and several smaller firms mostly with one base. The Warwickshire ring is a popular route but so is the Shropshire Union Staffs and Worcs Stratford and Trent and Mersey. The Llangollen not fully navigable this year  but for a shorter 4 day may be good the year the Llangollen side, likely to be quiet. 

[agg221]

I think I might be inclined to go for hiring from Great Haywood.

 

There are some one week rings, but you have to be pretty set on wanting to complete them - it needs to be something of a mission. We were heading back down the Staffs & Worcs last year when we met a Dutch couple who were nearing the end of the Four Counties ring as their first trip; they had enjoyed themselves but it had clearly been fairly hard work. That's great if you enjoy boating for long hours (we do, and have gone round the Four Counties, plus the whole of the Caldon in a week's hire but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone who doesn't know what they are getting in to!) but less so if you find that isn't your style, and you're rather committed once you get going.

 

Therefore, on the assumption that an out and back trip is a good way to find out what you enjoy, Great Haywood has some advantages. Firstly, it is at a junction so there are three directions you can go. That means if there are issues with one direction you can always pick a different one, and all three have something to offer. Secondly, it is a bit less busy than the Oxford and thirdly, there is pretty much always water on two of the three available directions, courtesy of the good folk of Wolverhampton flushing their toilets (it's the outlet from the sewage works so the water is clean!) It's also not too inconvenient from Yorkshire - A1,M1,A50 and you're pretty much there.

 

In terms of the three routes:

 

One direction you head up to Stoke on Trent, which isn't great of itself, but it's a pleasant, rural run up there with some nice pubs on the way. You can then head up the Caldon which I think is one of the prettiest stretches of canal, particularly the upper stretches where it runs along the side of a valley. There are some interesting features - a staircase lock, the Leek branch where it crosses over the top of the main line of the canal (you can go up both), the short stretch of river and the Black Lion at Consall Forge where you get steam trains passing. There are other good pubs too, including the Holly Bush at the junction between the Leek branch and the main line and quite a few features of old industry.

 

The second direction is south, down the Staffs & Worcs. If you want to, you can get to the end and back (we have done it in under 3 days each way), although that does mean travelling 10hr days. This canal is surprisingly rural considering how close to Wolverhampton it runs and apart from a somewhat dull stretch between Gailey Wharf and Autherley Junction it's pretty, with a few small places to stop at and several nice pubs. It's worth getting far enough down to experience The Bratch and ideally (in my opinion) as far as Caunsall for a cob at The Anchor, although a trip to The Mermaid at Wightwick is a good consolation prize.

 

The third direction is down the Trent and Mersey towards Shardlow. We easily manage Great Haywood (actually an hour further down the Staffs & Worcs) to Trent Lock in two days of good travelling so it's a good route. Again, a pleasant stretch of canal, albeit being on a floodplain the scenery is somewhat flatter and more pastoral. There are a few things along the route of interest - the aqueduct over the Trent at Rugeley; the locks and junction with the Coventry canal; Alrewas, the short stretch on the Trent where it makes a level crossing of the canal; Shardlow and then a short stretch of the Trent proper, including a lock, and in at Trent Lock to the bottom of the Erewash.

 

Another advantage of this approach is that if you go out and back and get back early, you can always take a short trip in one of the other directions. Whichever direction, for me, mooring on Tixall Wide on the last night is pretty much a must.

 

Anyway, just a thought on an alternative option.

 

Alec

 

 

Edited February 24 by agg221

[IanD]

13 hours ago, agg221 said:

I think I might be inclined to go for hiring from Great Haywood.

 

There are some one week rings, but you have to be pretty set on wanting to complete them - it needs to be something of a mission. We were heading back down the Staffs & Worcs last year when we met a Dutch couple who were nearing the end of the Four Counties ring as their first trip; they had enjoyed themselves but it had clearly been fairly hard work. That's great if you enjoy boating for long hours (we do, and have gone round the Four Counties, plus the whole of the Caldon in a week's hire but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone who doesn't know what they are getting in to!) but less so if you find that isn't your style, and you're rather committed once you get going.

 

Therefore, on the assumption that an out and back trip is a good way to find out what you enjoy, Great Haywood has some advantages. Firstly, it is at a junction so there are three directions you can go. That means if there are issues with one direction you can always pick a different one, and all three have something to offer. Secondly, it is a bit less busy than the Oxford and thirdly, there is pretty much always water on two of the three available directions, courtesy of the good folk of Wolverhampton flushing their toilets (it's the outlet from the sewage works so the water is clean!) It's also not too inconvenient from Yorkshire - A1,M1,A50 and you're pretty much there.

 

In terms of the three routes:

 

One direction you head up to Stoke on Trent, which isn't great of itself, but it's a pleasant, rural run up there with some nice pubs on the way. You can then head up the Caldon which I think is one of the prettiest stretches of canal, particularly the upper stretches where it runs along the side of a valley. There are some interesting features - a staircase lock, the Leek branch where it crosses over the top of the main line of the canal (you can go up both), the short stretch of river and the Black Lion at Consall Forge where you get steam trains passing. There are other good pubs too, including the Holly Bush at the junction between the Leek branch and the main line and quite a few features of old industry.

 

The second direction is south, down the Staffs & Worcs. If you want to, you can get to the end and back (we have done it in under 3 days each way), although that does mean travelling 10hr days. This canal is surprisingly rural considering how close to Wolverhampton it runs and apart from a somewhat dull stretch between Gailey Wharf and Autherley Junction it's pretty, with a few small places to stop at and several nice pubs. It's worth getting far enough down to experience The Bratch and ideally (in my opinion) as far as Caunsall for a cob at The Anchor, although a trip to The Mermaid at Wightwick is a good consolation prize.

 

The third direction is down the Trent and Mersey towards Shardlow. We easily manage Great Haywood (actually an hour further down the Staffs & Worcs) to Trent Lock in two days of good travelling so it's a good route. Again, a pleasant stretch of canal, albeit being on a floodplain the scenery is somewhat flatter and more pastoral. There are a few things along the route of interest - the aqueduct over the Trent at Rugeley; the locks and junction with the Coventry canal; Alrewas, the short stretch on the Trent where it makes a level crossing of the canal; Shardlow and then a short stretch of the Trent proper, including a lock, and in at Trent Lock to the bottom of the Erewash.

 

Another advantage of this approach is that if you go out and back and get back early, you can always take a short trip in one of the other directions. Whichever direction, for me, mooring on Tixall Wide on the last night is pretty much a must.

 

Anyway, just a thought on an alternative option.

 

Alec

 

I can only agree with what Alex said -- my boat is moored in the marina at Great Haywood for exactly those reasons, and there are lots of choices about where to go in a week, including rings (e.g. four Counties) as well as out and back. Having the choice can be a huge advantage if there are any stoppages... 😉 

[Adam]

Have a look for "bramblewick canal boats" they have a small reasonably priced boat based on the Aire & Calder. It has a wood burning stove.

[IanD]

13 minutes ago, Adam said:

Have a look for "bramblewick canal boats" they have a small reasonably priced boat based on the Aire & Calder. It has a wood burning stove.

However Castleford*** is not exactly a great location for a newbie to start their first boating holiday from -- assuming that's where the boat is based, they're very coy about this, Stanley Ferry and King's Lock Altofts (again, neither great...) are mentioned elsewhere...

 

I'd have said there are hire boats with wood-burning stoves on (if the OP is really set on this, though I don't see why in July...) in plenty of much nicer places to start/finish a week's holiday.

Edited February 25 by IanD

[mrsmelly]

6 hours ago, IanD said:

However Castleford*** is not exactly a great location for a newbie to start their first boating holiday from -- assuming that's where the boat is based, they're very coy about this, Stanley Ferry and King's Lock Altofts (again, neither great...) are mentioned elsewhere...

 

I'd have said there are hire boats with wood-burning stoves on (if the OP is really set on this, though I don't see why in July...) in plenty of much nicer places to start/finish a week's holiday.

Castleford 😱

[LadyG]

Its only 7 days, though Im not sure how this works as the first day will be familiarisation, and a bit of  travel,  ive met hirers who have to rush back on their last full day to clock in on time, but there will be long days, midsummer.

It depends on motivations, i travel very slowly, and particularly enjoy the Rochdale in summer. The Leeds and Liverpool has swing bridges which can be fun.

[IanD]

1 minute ago, LadyG said:

Its only 7 days, though Im not sure how this works as the first day will be familiarisation, and a bit of  travel,  ive met hirers who have to rush back on their last full day to clock in on time, but there will be long days, midsummer.

It depends on motivations, i travel very slowly, and particularly enjoy the Rochdale in summer. The Leeds and Liverpool has swing bridges which can be fun. a complete PITA.

FTFY... 🙂 

[shoelessone]

On 23/02/2026 at 12:24, Mac of Cygnet said:

I moored with Shire Cruisers for 15 years and hired from them several times before that, from soon after Nigel and Susan took over the business, so got to know the setup well. We even took one of their boats up to York (not allowed now) I can very highly recommend them.

 

HOWEVER, the main thing I take away from this thread is the OP's horrible avatar.  PLEASE.............

You're right! I'm sorry about the Avatar, it was a thing Google let you do a while back (animated avatar) and it was a novelty at the time, and when I signed up with this forum it was just brought over. I'll fix it now (I'm, sadly, quite a bit older now!)

 

I spoke too soon - despite being somewhat handy with computers, I'm not sure how to update my avatar. Maybe it's locked as a new user?

Edited February 28 by shoelessone

[shoelessone]

On 24/02/2026 at 04:42, haggis said:

I agree! I thought we were not allowed "moving" avatars or has this rule been changed? 

Sorry - FWIW, I am making an attempt to fix - I posted a support thread here to ask about how to change it!: 

 

On 24/02/2026 at 16:26, agg221 said:

I think I might be inclined to go for hiring from Great Haywood.
 

... snip snip snip...

 

Anyway, just a thought on an alternative option.

 

Alec

 

 

 

Hey Alec, wanted to say I read your post (twice), as did my wife, and I really appreciate the time / effort info. I think at this point we're likely leaning towards following the general advice here and maybe skip Yorkshire this time around and focus on other areas - Great Haywood for example from your post. I lived in the UK for a bit (and hope to find a path to move back!) but am not super familiar with most of the cities / towns / areas being mentioned.

 

our early searching turns up more boats for hire near Rugby, Napton, etc - basically South of Birmingham on what is, I think, the Oxford canal. In the area you're recommending is there a particular marina / city / town you think we'd have most luck renting from? For example I looked at Great Haywood Marina's website and they don't seem to rent narrowboats, but Norbury has a number of boats for hire that fit the bill - is that "OK" based on your advice?

 

Norbury, Stoke, etc, if we found a boat there would that seem like a reasonable place to start?

 

 

 

On 25/02/2026 at 05:55, IanD said:

I can only agree with what Alex said -- my boat is moored in the marina at Great Haywood for exactly those reasons, and there are lots of choices about where to go in a week, including rings (e.g. four Counties) as well as out and back. Having the choice can be a huge advantage if there are any stoppages... 😉 

 

Thanks for your time! I responded to Alec above, but one question I have is in this region you're recommending, are there particular marinas we should be focusing on to look for a nice rental? I looked at the Great Haywood Marina website and didn't see any rentals (just sales?).

 

On 24/02/2026 at 15:32, Stroudwater1 said:

As others have mentioned really it’s not the ideal place to cruise as a first timer. I’m not sure you can get to York on a hire boat nowadays and unlikely as a new boater as the river is tidal from Selby/ (or if you are brave) Hull to Narburn lock. 
 

You may be best to go more South, Plenty of hire firms. The big two ABC and AngloWelch have a number of bases Napton a couple and several smaller firms mostly with one base. The Warwickshire ring is a popular route but so is the Shropshire Union Staffs and Worcs Stratford and Trent and Mersey. The Llangollen not fully navigable this year  but for a shorter 4 day may be good the year the Llangollen side, likely to be quiet. 

 

Thanks for the thoughts! Based on your advice (and others), I think I'm leaning away from Yorkshire and looking in the area you and others are suggesting. 

I like what Alec above said about Great Haywood and options from there. Is it fair to say the areas you're mentioning (e.g. Napton) on the Oxford canal are quite a bit different from North of Birmingham? 

 

We're very easy going people and I'm guessing will be very excited and happy with anything, but because we're so unfamiliar with narrowboats and these areas we're not sure exactly what to focus on more re: a decision. For example, if we found a nice boat available when we need it out of Norbury for example, vs Napton and the Oxford canal, are we going to have vastly different experiences?

 

Oh, also I'm deprioritizing a stove - I believe you all that it'll be warm enough we wont need or want it and it won't be worth the hassle. 

 

 

Thank you all!

 

[Ken X]

The boat yard at Great Haywood is Anglo Welsh. Their website shows several bases including this one.

 

Rose Narrowboats are near Rugby on the North Oxford.

 

Napton Narrowboats have a range of boats. Black Prince Narrowboats similar and the ABC group.

 

Others include Anderson Boat Hire, Chas Harndern, Branston Narrowboats and many more. Google is your friend. 🙂 

Edited Saturday at 20:46 by Ken X
Typo