Short break location in the Surrey /Hampshire /South West London area

[chickenlittle]

 

I'm looking to hire a narrowboat for a short break in May for my husbands birthday and I'd like some recommendations for general locations and waterways please. We live in Surrey and as we'll be a bit tight for time on pickup day (with most hires seeming to start on a Friday afternoon when they kids are still at school) the ideal location would be somewhere like the River Wey or the Basingstoke canal or maybe the Thames region or Oxford at a push. I've been looking at Godalming, Oldiham and Woolhampton for hires, but completely own to suggestions. 

 

I like the sound of the Wey area in that we know you are able to swim there which would definitely appeal. The Baisingstoke canal hire is cheaper but I gather can be a bit weedy and prone to drying up which worries me. Other than that I don't know the rest of the region at all so I'd love some ideas as to where would be good and fun locations that are not too challenging or lonely and that have nice surroundings, and which waterways we should  definitely to avoid please!

 

We're total newbies, though very fit, will be with two teenage boys who are up for anything and we're pretty technically minded people being a couple of engineers so I think we can cope with locks. We have watched a LOT of canal boat diaries, so I think we have a bit of an idea what we're in for, but I know that isn't a substitute for experience.

 

We'd like somewhere pretty, relaxed, nowhere too lonely or remote or mega urban, ideally some pubs to stop at and maybe the odd pretty town or village. Generally stuff to enjoy as well as the canal itself would be a welcome addition. 

Thanks!

 

Edited March 6 by chickenlittle
Added more information for clarity

[Tonka]

Galleon marine on the Basingstoke canal

[GUMPY]

I would go here:

 

https://farncombeboats.co.uk/

 

If they have a availability 

 

[chickenlittle]

24 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Galleon marine on the Basingstoke canal

Thanks. I'm not really looking for specific rental advice, more opinions on the different waterways and what they are like in comparison and which would be the more fun holiday with kids etc. Thank you 

[chickenlittle]

16 minutes ago, GUMPY said:

I would go here:

 

https://farncombeboats.co.uk/

 

If they have a availability 

 

Thanks. I'm not really looking for specific rental advice, more opinions on the different waterways and what they are like in comparison and which would be the more fun holiday with kids etc. Thank you 

[Ken X]

Second vote for Farncombe Boats.  Its our local yard and we have hired from there.  If possible, pop in and have a chat with them.  It is on a river so it would pay to keep an eye on river conditions but it should be OK in May.  Their website has guides and general boating information to download so well worth a look.  One advantage on hiring on a river is that the locks are well spaced.  No flights on the Wey 🙂.  Coming back uphill take care to read the guides as you are advised to rope the boat back due to the lively gate paddles.  Very pleasant boating with pubs and good moorings at regular intervals.  We would definitely prefer the Wey over the Basingstoke for a first time trip.  The river is managed by the National Trust who also have information for boaters available.

[Tony Brooks]

Also look at Caversham boat services in Reading. They have hire cruisers and the last time I looked a couple of narrowboats, but I would have thought the two places mentioned above would be easier to get to.