Canal Boat Staycations
a slower pace of life

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Unsure of what you're looking for? We're here to help! Just call and talk to one of our Friendly team

0330 333 0590

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Canal boat hire

Cast off and leave your cares behind with a canal boat holiday from ABC Boat Hire.

Canal boat hire like you've never experienced before. With 16 starting locations across the waterway network and canal boat sizes to accommodate 2 to 12 people. You, your family or friends can afford to kick back and relax as you enjoy watching Britain's most stunning countryside drift by. See for yourself just how relaxing and enjoyable a canal boat holiday can be - watch our boating videos if you don't believe us!

SPECIAL OFFERS & DISCOUNTS!
LOOKING FOR CANAL BOAT DAY HIRE?

Let's Chat

Unsure of what you're looking for? We're here to help! Just call and talk to one of our Friendly team

0330 333 0590

(Free UK calls)

WATCH
OUR VIDEO

Find your next canal boat adventure!

VIEW ALL BOATING VIDEOS

Our Canal Boat Holiday Locations

Explore our beautiful canal boat hire locations across the country – from the stunning Welsh countryside to the bustling lifestyle of Scotland’s lively cities.

Berkshire

Aldermaston Wharf

Cambridgeshire

March Marina

Worcestershire

Alvechurch Marina

Cheshire

Anderton Marina

Shropshire

Blackwater Meadow Marina

Staffordshire

Gailey Marina

Forth and Clyde

Falkirk Canal

South Wales

Goytre Wharf
View all locations

Download
A Brochure

Our latest brochure makes choosing your boating holiday as easy as ABC. Inside it you'll discover advice on how to plan your trip, find comprehensive boat layouts and details, plus maps, guides and handy tips to help you make the most of our beautiful waterways on your canal holiday.

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

Choose your canal boat

Whatever your group, we've a range of beautiful hand-built canal boats to hire for your narrowboat holiday.

Two to Five berth

Accommodating up to 5 people, these boats are perfect for couples or small families searching for their next boating holiday

View Two to Five berth boats

Six to eight berth

These boats accommodate between 6 and 8 people, making for a perfect boating holiday for larger families and groups

View Six to eight berth boats

Up to twelve berth

With space for up to 12 people, if you're planning a multi-family boating holiday or big celebration, these are the boats for you.

View Up to twelve berth boats

Over
140 Routes
available

View all Routes

Special Offers

View offers

Maps & Guides

View guides

Canal Boat FAQs

Can I hire a boat just for the day?

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Yes - we have day hire boats at several of our locations - For more information, head to our day boat hire website: www.abcdayboathire.com

How much does it cost to rent a canal boat?

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The price of renting a canal boat varies depending on the location and length of your holiday, as well as the canal boat you choose. We provide a range of special offers, including a 2-week discount, 2nd holiday discount, multi-boat discount, loyalty discount and early bird discount. We also allow you to spread the cost of your holiday with our easy payment plan. Contact a member of our friendly team to find out more about the costs of our canal boat holidays.

Where is the best place for a canal boat holiday?

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It all depends on the type of canal boat holiday you’re looking for! We have locations across England, Scotland and Wales such as Anderton Marina, Falkirk Canal and Goytre Wharf. Not sure where to spend your next canal boat holiday? Check our locations, routes and boats for inspiration. Alternatively, contact a member of our knowledgeable team who will offer invaluable canal boat holiday advice.

Can I still book if I haven't 'driven' a boat before?

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No previous experience is necessary, as our boats are extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every holiday. Comprehensive cruising information is in a manual on the boat and details are sent out with the holiday documents to introduce you to the theory of locks and the 'rules of the road'. We provide our own 24hr emergency helpline. 

Do you need a license to drive a boat?

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You do not need a driving licence for a canal boat or narrowboat and the boat itself is licenced by us for CRT waterways. There are a few waterways outside their jurisdiction for which you will need to purchase an additional licence as you enter them, such as the Scottish Canals, Rivers Avon, Thames and Wey. Our start bases can provide details when you arrive to pick up your boat. Aldermaston boats have a Thames license.

The maximum number of people allowed on board is restricted to the number of berths.

Can we bring pets aboard?

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This really is a holiday the whole family can enjoy together. We do not charge for any of your pets - however there is normally a maximum of 2 allowed. We obviously request that the boat is returned in a clean and tidy condition and reserve the right to refuse pets or charge for any additional cleaning or repairs required as a result of pets being on board during your holiday.  


ABC BOAT HIRE REVIEWS

Feefo - Gold trusted service award 2023 Feefo - Gold trusted service award 2023

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina

Great service throughout from Whitchurch Marina. Got us on the boat straight away - no waiting for an hour as we have at other boat yards. Boat was very well kitted out, clean and comfortable. Had a couple of technical issues with the boat, one our fault and one not. Both dealt with quickly without fuss or having to sit and wait for someone to come out.

06 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina

Service and bat were excelent

06 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swallow - Red Throated Swallow from Goytre Wharf

The staff service was very good and helpful and took account of the fact that we are experienced narrowboaters. However we were sent out with one of the sewage tanks almost full. Following instructions from the office we were able to get a pump out at a hire base at Gilwern.

05 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swallow - Red Throated Swallow from Goytre Wharf

The countryside and the canal itself are very scenic and most enjoyable . The local people are very friendly and helpful. The trip was spoilt however by the awful quality of the old and uncared for boat. Compared to all the other hire craft on the canal your boats are not in the same league but as far as we could ascertain you charge similar weekly hire costs. All the other hire craft were smartly presented whereas your boats had clearly not seen a lick of paint for several years. The boat was not properly ballasted and listed to port making sleeping on the starboard side hazardous. Both myself and my daughter fell out of bed. The front doors did not close tightly together and with a strong head wind this blasted through the gap in the middle. Only corrected by wedging folded newspaper in the gap. The locking system of the boat was crude to say the least, relying for security on a single padlock and a thin rather tatty bracket. There was no way of closing the doors whilst on the boat and being able to re-enter by means of a handle. Extremely inconvenient and resulted in people being stranded outside at both ends of the boat.

05 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Aquatic Warbler from Worcester

We loved our weekend on the Aquatic Warbler

04 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Plover - Wilson's Plover from Whitchurch Marina

The Plover was a great size for the 3 of us. The hand over was great, the ABC guy knew what to talk us through.

04 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Plover - Wilson's Plover from Whitchurch Marina

The handover was great, the boat was ready early and we got boarded really quickly. Cruising on the canals was a dream.

04 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Aquatic Warbler from Worcester

We had an amazing time on the Aquatic Warbler! Everyone at ABC was terrific.

04 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Partridge - Red Legged Partridge from Alvechurch

ABC Boat Hire were fabulous from start to finish. The check in was seamless and the staff so friendly. The boat was immaculate and had everything we could possibly need. The beds were comfy and the shower was hot. We can't fault the boat at all.

03 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Partridge - Red Legged Partridge from Alvechurch

The return trip to Stratford was great fun with a long tunnel and many locks to keep us fit!

03 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Heron - White Faced Heron from Hilperton

Everything was very smooth, the staff were super helpful and friendly... the boat was great and we had no issues

02 Sep 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Shore Lark from Aldermaston Wharf

Good service would definitely recommend again.

02 Sep 2024