Day Boat Hire - North West

[GRLMK38]

Can anybody recommend a reputable day boat hire provider in the North West on either the Lancaster Canal or Leeds & Liverpool Canal? Ellerbeck Narrowboats are in the right area but restrict hirers to 5 miles of canal due to their "you shall not pass through a lock" policy so they have been ruled out.

[cotswoldsman]

Burscough but don't know the name of the company no locks for 27 miles

[David Mack]

Not quite where you asked for, but a forum member hires a day boat from Whaley Bridge.

 

http://www.phoenixdayboat.co.uk/

 

[Ricco1]

I run one on the Peak Forest, it would be for others to say whether it's reputable or not! It's probably a bit far south for you though.

 

The reason why distance is limited by locks is that an operator is obliged to train you in their use. So unless the operation is very close to a lock this won't be practical.

 

Mine is on a 22 mile lock free pound, not that you can go that far in a day!

[RichardH]

and because they often have a 'lock free licence'

 

Lower Park Marina have one and you can go between the top of Barrowford and Greenberfield

 

Failing that, try Nick at Pennine Boat Trips or Zoe at Pennine Cruisers in Skipton.

[Ricco1]

and because they often have a 'lock free licence'

 

Lower Park Marina have one and you can go between the top of Barrowford and Greenberfield

 

Failing that, try Nick at Pennine Boat Trips or Zoe at Pennine Cruisers in Skipton.

 

The lock free licence has been abolished.

[cotswoldsman]

Sorry Ricco did forgot you were in North West

[GRLMK38]

Thanks All, a number of options to consider but sadly the Peak Forest will be too far for relatives travelling from Fleetwood. Fortunately we were lucky enough to see the that part of the world in 2013 as part of our Cheshire Ring tour.

[Timleech]

 

Mine is on a 22 mile lock free pound, not that you can go that far in a day!

 

Aren't all pounds 'lock free' ?

 

 

Tim

[rgreg]

Bridgehouse Marina at Garstang do day cabin cruiser hire. No locks unless you want to go down the Glasson branch, but then I don't know if they permit that anyway or whether you'd have time.

[Ricco1]

 

Aren't all pounds 'lock free' ?

 

 

Tim

 

You're right OK then, a long pound.

[gaggle]

Burscough but don't know the name of the company no locks for 27 miles

don't know if the day boat is still there , the two trip boats are around one leaves ring obells and the other still being a pain in the arse at the services burscough , the day hire boat was I think the first to be set on fire and me mate ended up buying it to tidy up before doing a deal with another boater who now owns it.

[jonathanA]

Hapton valley boats based at Reedley marina, burnley have reasonable day boat. Good options for cruising from there

[Pluto]

 

Aren't all pounds 'lock free' ?

 

 

Tim

Tut tut, Tim. Don't you remember that on the L&LC we have 'pools' not 'pounds'.

[kevinl]

Bridgewater Marina (AKA Boothtown marina) near Worsley do day hire and as suggested Bridgehouse marina near Garstang is good too but they only do cruisers (from their website) £80 weekdays £90 weekends, I've hire from them in the past, nice bit of the world.

K

[SamKingfisher]

Skipton is on a pound (pool!) stretching from Gargrave to Bingley, which is a long way. Pennine Cruisers have very cute boats.

[Dreadnaught]

Can anybody recommend a reputable day boat hire provider in the North West on either the Lancaster Canal or Leeds & Liverpool Canal? Ellerbeck Narrowboats are in the right area but restrict hirers to 5 miles of canal due to their "you shall not pass through a lock" policy so they have been ruled out.

Arlen Boat Hire at the Preston end of the Lancaster or Waterbabies just north of Garstang may be worth a poke.