Escape to the country

No, you don’t usually need any previous boating experience to enjoy a narrowboat holiday. Most hire companies provide a full safety and boating briefing before you set off, including how to steer the boat, operate locks and moor safely. Some routes are easier for beginners than others, so it’s worth choosing a suitable route for your first trip.

The cost of a narrowboat holiday varies depending on the boat, time of year, length of your stay and the hire company you choose. Short breaks are often available for a few nights, while week-long holidays are popular during the main holiday season. Prices can also be lower outside the school holidays.

A long weekend is a great introduction to narrowboat holidays, while a week gives you more time to explore and travel further along the canals. If it’s your first trip, don’t feel that you need to cover huge distances. The relaxed pace is one of the best things about a canal boat holiday.

There are hundreds of miles of navigable canals and rivers to explore across England and Wales, with popular holiday routes including the Llangollen Canal, Oxford Canal, Grand Union Canal, Kennet & Avon Canal and the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Each route offers something different, from countryside and villages to historic towns, pubs and attractions.

This depends on the hire company, but your narrowboat will normally be equipped with everything you need for your stay, including sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities, bathrooms and basic boating equipment. Some companies also provide extras such as bedding, towels and fuel, so always check what is included before booking.

Yes. Many narrowboats are designed for families and some hire companies offer boats that are suitable for dogs. With plenty of space to explore along the canals and towpaths, a narrowboat holiday can be a great way to enjoy a slower-paced break together. Always check the individual boat’s pet and passenger policies before booking.

Pack comfortable, practical clothing and footwear, as you will spend time both on the boat and walking along towpaths. It’s also worth taking waterproof clothing, food and drinks, personal toiletries and any medication you need. Bedding and towels may or may not be provided, depending on the hire company, so check what’s included before you travel. Some companies provide bedding as standard, while others ask you to bring your own or offer it as an optional extra. Your hire company should provide a list of what you need to bring before your holiday.

Narrowboats are designed for relaxed cruising rather than speed. On open stretches of canal, a narrowboat will typically travel at around 3–4 miles per hour, although locks, bridges, other boats and busy sections of canal can make the journey considerably slower. Allow plenty of time for your route and enjoy the journey rather than trying to cover too many miles.

Yes, stopping to explore is one of the best parts of a narrowboat holiday. There are plenty of places to moor along the UK’s canal network, although some moorings have restrictions on how long you can stay. You can stop to visit villages, towns, pubs, attractions and countryside walks along the route. Your hire company can also recommend suitable places to visit and moor on your route.

There isn’t one perfect route for everyone, but some canals are particularly popular with beginners because they offer interesting scenery, attractions and relatively straightforward cruising. The Llangollen Canal, Oxford Canal, Shropshire Union Canal and parts of the Grand Union Canal are popular choices. When choosing a route, consider how far you want to travel, how many locks you’re comfortable with and what you’d like to see along the way.