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 3 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 2024 Feefo - Platinum trusted service award 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Lovely clean boat with a traditional style cabin layout but meeting modern needs. The tuition and handover was just the right amount to boost confidence on the waterway without too much information overload.

06 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Wren - Happy Wren from Blackwater Meadow Marina

The route from Ellesmere to Llangollen although busy in places is a beautiful route taking in the best of the English waterways with the incredible engineering taking the canal through the rugged Welsh mountain landscape.

06 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Leaf Warbler from Alvechurch

We just loved everything about it!

06 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Leaf Warbler from Alvechurch

We chose to do our second canal boat trip with ABC Boat Hire again, because we were so satisfied the first time. We had a bigger boat and a new route this time. Just as satisfied as last time! The boat was clean and nice, with everything we needed for the week that we spent on the boat. I would recommend the company to change two of the four big pillows in each double bed for smaller ones though. The big pillows are not the best. But this is my only complaint. We went from Alvechurch to Stratford and back, a really beautiful route. I give ABC Boat Hire my full recommendations to other travellers!

06 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Mottled Swift from Gailey Wharf

Lovely boat, clean and tidy throughout. We collected the boat from Gailey and had our tuition before setting sail on our own. It was our second time of hiring a boat from ABC and definitely recommend them. The staff at Gailey are very friendly and knowledgeable and put you at ease.

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Sooty Swift from Whitchurch Marina

Fabulous experience from start to finish. Richard was great showing us around our narrow boat and explaining how to operate it safely. Our narrow boat Sooty Swift was well appointed and lovely and clean. Thanks to the lady in the office (sorry I didn’t catch her name) for her recommendations for breakfast on the bay we returned the boat. We had a fabulous week

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Blackcap Warbler from Anderton

Efficient reception and briefing on the boat. Very happy to use ABC again though probably not Anderton next time as we go from different places each year.

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Blackcap Warbler from Anderton

Not ABC's fault but choice of trip limited by canal faults and water shortages

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Mottled Swift from Gailey Wharf

The weather was perfect and so was the boat

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Sooty Swift from Whitchurch Marina

We had a fantastic week. With our dog and two teenage kids

05 Aug 2025

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Grasshopper Warbler from Gayton

Excellent service from point of booking onwards. There is a free app but I didn't find it particularly helpful except for the countdown to the holiday. Simple check-in followed by some basic training,a walk through the boat and a short supervised motoring to ensure we were safe to take the boat on the canal. The boat was clean and had everything we needed. We were given information about changes to the canal due to water levels but this didn't impact our holiday. Check out was also simple. I would highly recommend ABC

05 Aug 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Grasshopper Warbler from Gayton

Well equipped. The engine started first time every time. The boat is quite long so needs a little more concentration. Heating, lighting, cooking and water were all good. There is no WiFi included which makes looking things up easier.

05 Aug 2025