Canal Boat Staycations
a slower pace of life

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)

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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 - Flappet Lark from Kings Orchard Marina

The boat was lovely, biggest boat we have hired. An excellent base to leave from as you have so many routes you could take.

26 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Flappet Lark from Kings Orchard Marina

We have used ABC numerous times over the years and always find them friendly, professional and eager to help.

26 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Kestrel - Common Kestrel from Gailey Wharf

Great team at Gailey Wharf. Very relaxed and friendly lot. Plenty of time to load the boat and listen to the briefing before Dave our engineer showed us around the boat and how things worked. After being shown daily engine checks Dave took us through the first lock and we were on our way.

25 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Kestrel - Common Kestrel from Gailey Wharf

Online booking was a breeze. The website had a massive amount of information available both before and after booking. Once booked you can download their app which has additional information such as maps of your intended cruise which actually shows you where you are on the canal system. Communication after booking was great. We picked our boat up from Gailey Wharf and the team there were very helpful, everything was at a relaxed pace and the handover was seamless. Everything onboard worked as it should and the boat was spotless. You are given a detailed but simple manual with all the information needed to operate the boat.

25 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dartford Warbler from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Fabulous thank you to the team

24 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dartford Warbler from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Thank you to the team at ABC .We had an absolutely lovely week on the ‘Dartford Warbler’. The boat was very clean and everything was in perfect working order. The location was ideal for exploring the Llangollen canal over a week for our family of 6. It would have been helpful if a shuttle service was available from Ellesmere to the marina as we had travelled by public transport and there is a very limited taxi service.

24 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Rufous Wren from

Nothing wrong either boat but the Llangollen Canal heavily overgrown in places

24 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Rufous Wren from

The boat was well prepared and ready to go, clean and in full working order.

24 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Day Boat Hire from Goytre Wharf - Robin

Very good service. Had a great day out and good instruction on how to use the boat.

21 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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

We have used ABC many, many, times, they are our preferred canal holiday company. However, this was the first time we had used the Whitchurch Base and we were very surprised by how helpful and friendly ALL the staff were. We felt that they all went out of their way to be as friendly and helpful as possible. Whilst on previous occasions staff had been 'friendly and helpful' we felt that they were 'just doing their job', whereas at Whitchurch we felt that the staff really enjoyed their job and took pride in being as friendly and as helpful as possible.

18 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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

Wonderful canal and good base to start from, made all the more special by the exceptionally helpful staff at the base, who were so helpful and friendly and couldn't do enough for us.

18 Jul 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swift - American Black Swift from Blackwater Meadow Marina

We were taken care of at Black Water Marina. David, Sarah, Pauline and Chloe were lovely to us and made our trip smooth for the 2 weeks that we had the American Black Swift. The narrow boat was perfect, and we had everything we needed for the 2 week rental. We had an amazing holiday!

17 Jul 2024