Canal Boat Holidays

a slower pace of life

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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!

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

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Your recent holiday on Duck - Tufted Duck from Nantwich Marina

Excellent introduction and safety brief, easy and quick check-in, well equipped and prepared boat.

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Cactus Wren from Falkirk Marina

Plenty options at the café

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Cactus Wren from Falkirk Marina

Explained everything clearly before departure.

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Duck - Tufted Duck from Nantwich Marina

Great, except for this bit requiring an entry and a minimum number of characters, 1 star down because of this

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Duck - Musk Duck from Gailey Wharf

Exceptional customer service and care for our well being

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Heron - White Faced Heron from Hilperton Marina

ABC are the best hire company for a barge. Their boats are just like being home from home. It’s my happy place, I love walking down into the cosy space they provide.

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Heron - White Faced Heron from Hilperton Marina

ABC are just the best company to hire a barge from. We had our challenges this trip, but that was due to the canal not ABC. We did a there and back holiday and called into our marina for a pump out and water top up. They couldn’t have been more helpful. We just love their boats and their staff are amazing.

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Duck - Musk Duck from Gailey Wharf

We tried every option and was restricted by water in various canals however everywhere we went we met new people and throughly enjoyed the community on the canals. Had some excellent fun at the stops along the way

07 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Thrush - Whites Thrush from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Lovely canal, with good pubs - especially recommend the Sun Trevor

06 Aug 2026

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Your recent holiday on Thrush - Whites Thrush from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Very friendly and excellent advice. Nice clean, well-equpped boat.

06 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Aquatic Warbler from Worcester Marina

The welcome from Cat was excellent. Dave the engineer was extremely thorough and personable. The boat was extremely clean. The only drawback is the TVs don’t seem to work! And their is only a small ice tray meaning small G@Ts😂

04 Aug 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Kestrel - Common Kestrel from Gailey Wharf

Preparation very good no issues with handover

04 Aug 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?

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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.