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Canal Boat Staycations
a slower pace of life

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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 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 2024 Feefo - Platinum trusted service award 2025

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

Please see earlier feedback

07 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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

Everything was ready,clean and all the people there were very helpfull and friendly. The pre departure demonstration was also excellent. Yes, we would certainly book with ABC again and recommend them to our friends

07 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swan - Tundra Swan from Gayton Marina

The service at the marina was excellent, the narrowboat was well-appointed and everything worked on it, and we had a great few days!

05 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Bay Wren from Falkirk

Boat condition was good. Staff were very helpful. Specific information was required as we were to use the Falkirk Wheel immediately on setting off - this was handled well. On returning home, we realised we had left our waterproofs on board. We phoned to tell the ABC team, and they were kind enough to check the boat on its return at the end of the next week. They found them, posted them back to us, and declined to accept any payment. Really good service.

05 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Wren - Bay Wren from Falkirk

Almost everything was really good. It would have been even better if the moorings on the Union Canal had been better placed. The canal is beautiful, but the towpath is almost always obstructed by reeds, meaning that the normal (on the English and Welsh canals) opportunity to moor wherever you like isn't available. Since the prepared moorings tend not to be in attractive places the canal misses a trick. Another comment on the Union Canal .... We moored in Edinburgh just short of the lift bridge, as most people do. Boaters need easy access to the towpath, both for activities on the boat and for walking into town. At this point, however, the towpath is extremely busy with pedestrians and with cyclists. It would be very helpful if the towpath could be segregated into lanes for pedestrians (that lane should be next to the canal) and cyclists - different colours of tarmac work well. My experience is that cyclists obey such lane instruction, but, without it, their current behaviour is often feral and dangerous. (I was hit by a cyclist on a footpath a few years ago, and I have no wish to repeat the experience.)

05 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swan - Tundra Swan from Gayton Marina

Very good....................................

05 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Nene - Bragi from Gailey Wharf

Everything first class is can thoroughly recommend this company

04 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Garden Warbler from Gayton

Excellent boat rental support

04 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Garden Warbler from Gayton

We had a 68ft boat. It is very long and a challenge to navigate. Difficult to find turn around locations. Also the Grand Union Canal has many locks which we found quite tiring. ADVICE: Choose your canal and routes carefully keeping in mind the number of locks you are comfortable with.

04 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Owl - Scops Owl from Blackwater Meadow Marina

Great service and superb experience.

04 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Owl - Scops Owl from Blackwater Meadow Marina

The customer experience from Handover to handback along with the recommended stopover points was exceptional. Will definitely hire again.

04 Jul 2025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Nene - Bragi from Gailey Wharf

A very warm welcome when we arrived to pick up the boat. Thorough explanation of the boat. Good facilities onboard. No comp[laints at all

04 Jul 2025