What to take on a canal boat holiday

Looking forward to your next narrowboat holiday, but unsure what to pack? Canal boats are designed to have enough storage for the whole family – but it’s important not to over-pack, while remembering the essentials. From torches and canal maps to board games and books, find out what to take on a canal boat holiday today using our boating trip packing list.

What to take on a boating holiday?

Practical items

• Soft bags instead of hard suitcases (easier to store)
• Torch (for darkened towpath in the evenings)
• Hard wearing gloves (for working the locks)
• Mobile phone
• Phone charger
• Map book of the canal
• Extra toilet roll
• Camera
• Toiletries
• Extra bin liners (some will already be provided)
• Sun cream (just in case!)
• Mosquito repellent

Don’t panic too much if you forget something – it’s likely you’ll be able to pick stuff up at the local canal-side village if it’s essential!

Clothes/accessories

• Trainers (non-slip)
• Wellies
• Slippers/warm socks for evening
• Sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• Raincoat
• Comfortable clothes
• Fleece/hoody

It’s important to take into consideration the amount of space your narrowboat will have for storage. Take clothes that can fit into drawers as well as cupboards, and perhaps clothes that don’t crumple easily – as irons won’t be provided on board.

Entertainment

• DVDs
• CDs
• Board games
• Books

You may need to check that your narrowboat has the right technology to provide entertainment for your trip. Here at ABC Boat Hire, all our boats have DVD players and CD players provided on board. In the evenings when you’re moored up, playing board games or watching movies with the family is a great way to get accustomed to boating life.

Food and drink

• Coffee
• Tea bags
• Sugar
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking oil
• Condiments
• Milk
• Bread
• Snacks
• Breakfast
• Lunches
• Dinner
• Drinks

As canal boat holidays are self-catering, you’ll need to consider the right things to take on holiday when it comes to food and drink. Tinned or dried food (which is non-perishable) will be easy to transfer and can also be kept on board for the duration of your stay.

Now you’ve got your boat trip packing list to help you decide what to take on a narrowboat holiday, it’s time to book your next trip. Discover our wide selection of canal boats and canal routes today from ABC Boat Hire – perfect for your next holiday on the water.