Canal Boat Holidays

a slower pace of life

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0330 333 0590

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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!

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AWARD WINNING
BOAT HIRE

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Marsh Sandpiper from Gayton Marina

Just very nice people greeted our family with a warm and pleasant smile

11 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Marsh Sandpiper from Gayton Marina

Very professional and polite pleasant staff greeted with a smolie smile

11 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Wren - Marbled Wren from Worcester Marina

See my previous extensive report

10 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Wren - Marbled Wren from Worcester Marina

Although we have considerable experience of boating, the company employees still gave us all the work up advice and explanations about canals, locks and a tour around the boat. In other words they didn't take our experience at face value, hand over the keys and say "here get on with it"! The boat, Marbled Wren was very well appointed with lots of thought into what people require. We were well advised on where to get water and pump outs after enquiring about our desired route. The housekeeping part was excellent - the only issue having noticed a cracked mug handle, which we reported. WiFi was brilliant. We're not TV dependent people so it didn't matter that we couldn't tune in on 4 days. We listen to radio a lot and that worked fine. The engine and handling worked fine. If anything the tiller was a little stiff and I wonder if a little lubrication is needed. Finally, we have now experienced 3 hires from ABC and we have been very impressed with every one, given that we have had poor experiences with a couple of different companies - one notices what works and what doesn't!

10 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Plain Swift from Alvechurch Marina

Fabulous weekend Alvechurch

08 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Swift - Plain Swift from Alvechurch Marina

Fantastic from start to finish, they talked us through everything prior to setting off, the booking was easy and so was disembarking. We had a fabulous weekend with the dog! The boat was great, everything you need is supplied even down to rain coats which we didn’t need as the weather was glorious! Our first time canal boating and we will definitely be back to do it all over again! Thanks so much - I’ve recommended you to all my friends 😊

08 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Swan - Mute Swan from Hilperton Marina

Boat was well set up to my specifications

08 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Swan - Mute Swan from Hilperton Marina

This is the second time I have used ABC Boat hite and both times the whole experience has been faultless. Highly recommended.

08 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Curlew Sandpiper from Whitchurch Marina

Båten var i førsteklasses stand. At vi var kun to personer i denne båten som var beregnet for fire personer gjorde nok sitt til at dette ble særs behagelig.

07 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Curlew Sandpiper from Whitchurch Marina

Absolutt alt var bra. Dette var femte gangen vi handlet med dere, så vi må jo være topp fornøyd.

07 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Finch - Red Headed Finch from Goytre Wharf

Nice quiet canal and can fill the week without having to use locks

06 Jul 2026

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Your recent holiday on Finch - Red Headed Finch from Goytre Wharf

Like visiting old friends

06 Jul 2026

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OUR VIDEO

Find your next canal boat adventure!

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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?

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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.