Canal Boat Holidays

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)

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?

Feefo

AWARD WINNING
BOAT HIRE

Feefo - Platinum trusted service award 2026 Feefo - Platinum trusted service award 2025 Feefo - Gold trusted service award 2024

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - River Warbler from Anderton Marina

Easy website to find what you’re looking for, easy booking. The marina handover was with very friendly and helpful staff. Unfortunately we found that our fridge wasn’t working on the first day so the very next morning they found us en route and replaced it for us - great service!

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina

A very smooth process. A great set off point.

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina

From start to finish everything was smooth. Anderton Marina was an ideal location to meet friends we hadn’t seen in a while (We are in Bristol and they are County Durham) Our adventures together continued. We had a brilliant time and created lots of new memories! So relaxing and I would definitely recommend this experience for getting off the wheel of life. Mind you prepare for the locks, easy once you get momentum though. Our second time with ABC and would defo recommend ***** Until our next adventure. Thankyou One fault but not ABC’s fault I believe, restaurant on site wasn’t open when we arrived, would have gone for lunch and on the morning when we got back. Would have gone for breakfast!! I also think lots of people had the same idea! Quite a few Norwegians on a similar trip (The moorings restaurant) Strange as they could have made some money!

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Rudd's Lark from Wrenbury Mill Marina

Good preparation provided by staff who appreciated we were first timers. The boat had everything you could possibly need and was very clean

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Rudd's Lark from Wrenbury Mill Marina

Every bit of equipment needed was provided

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - River Warbler from Anderton Marina

Love this old style boat! Unfortunately the newer ones don’t have the raised platform for the table and this means that when you’re sitting there you can’t see out of the windows properly without standing up! Although the newer ones have a large shower, they’ve lost a lot of storage space throughout the boat!

14 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina

Vi är väldigt nöjda med bemötandet och genomgången som vi fick av ABC Boat Hire. Kanalbåten var i fint skick och välutrustad, och vi hade en mycket trevlig och mysig vecka. Vi kommer definitivt att använda ABC även nästa gång.

13 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Lark - Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina

Vi är väldigt nöjda med bemötandet och genomgången som vi fick av ABC Boat Hire. Kanalbåten var i fint skick och välutrustad, och vi hade en mycket trevlig och mysig vecka. Vi kommer definitivt att använda ABC även nästa gång.

13 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Dove - Turtle Dove from Aldermaston Wharf

Turtle Dove was ready and waiting Cleaned polished Fully equiped with everything we needed for our holiday

13 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina

Well presented and clean boat

13 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Tern - Sandwich Tern from Alvechurch Marina

Pleasant staff. Our trip was a surprise for my husbands 60th birthday. Daughter and 3 grandchildren got there early. They were allowed to check in and onto the boat where they hid and surprised grandad which was lovely. Thank you for that. Lovely relaxing trip enjoyed by us all. Pre trip I had a few queries which were promptly answered which was helpful.

13 Jul 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Tern - Sandwich Tern from Alvechurch Marina

Great relaxing trip. Boat beautiful inside. Plenty of room and all amenities provided for cooking. Husband did cut his foot on corner of shower door so had to buy dressings for it. Need to make others aware.

13 Jul 2026

Feefo

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

Monmouthshire

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
ABC Boat Hire Brochure 2026

Choose your canal boat

Whatever your group size, we have 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

Dog-Friendly
Trips

Your furry friends can join your UK canal cruise for free. Simply add them to your booking - up to three pets per boat at no extra cost.

Pet-Friendly Holidays

What's
on Board?

All of the key essentials have been included. There's central heating, an oven, fridge, charging points, TV and even free-wifi. Bedding and towels are provided, and the boat is fully serviced before handover.

See What's on Board

International Visitor Information

View our locations and within our location pages, you’ll be able to see routes to the airport.

Our Locations

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 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.