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From Bridgerton and The Holiday, to Game of Thrones and His Dark Materials, many of your favourite shows have been filmed right here in the UK.  What’s more you can visit their filming locations with ease during your canal boat hire: Ardverikie House - The Crown This stunning house in the Scottish Highlands has provided the backdrop for external shots of Balmoral in every season of Netflix’...

Considering living on a canal boat with family, a loved one or perhaps solo? Read up on our ultimate guide on how to live on a canal boat now – and consider whether living aboard is the right option for you, or whether multiple canal boat holidays instead would satisfy the inner waterway craving inside you! Costs of living on a canal boat Firstly, it’s important to consider the cost implications...

In the UK, the typical fuel consumption of a canal boat is around 1 litre per hour of cruising. Narrowboat fuel tanks can typically hold 200 litres of fuel – however, this varies from boat to boat, depending on size of the narrowboat and more factors. Learn more about the different types of narrowboats you can hire. Narrowboat fuel costs The fuel costs you’re likely to spend on your canal boat d...

We’ve all been on a walk along the canal and watched the canal boats sail peacefully by, envying the passengers as they drift along in their floating homes. But did you know, there are more exciting ways to float along the waterways than just the traditional narrowboat? From rowing boats to paddleboards, this extensive list should help you enjoy canals in a way you never have before. Types of boa...

When asked to picture the life of someone who lives on a canal boat, many would imagine a generally much slower pace of life. Perhaps they imagine being close to nature and the leisurely life of floating down the canals of Birmingham or Cambridge. Or maybe they envision floating to the pub every weekend for Sunday dinner and drinks with friends. Either way, the imagined lifestyle is one of peacefu...

Looking for a family adventure for your next summer holiday? It’s often hard to choose a destination which will suit both babies and toddlers, as well as older children. Whether you’re staying close to home on more of a staycation or looking to venture further afield, find out some of the best ideas for holidays with young children from our detailed guide. Ideas for holidays with young children...

Channel 4 welcome’s back its popular boating programme, Great Canal Journeys, to screens this November. This year, the waterways are explored by brand new boaters – Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth – who embark on spectacular canal journeys across Britain. Episode 1, titled as ‘London’s Waterways’, showed Sheila and Gyles exploring the upper reaches of the River Thames – a paradise of unspoiled...

Living on a canal boat in winter and want some tips? Or perhaps you’re thinking about embarking on a winter canal boat holiday? Our guide to winter boating has you covered – from what to consider when you’re cruising on the waterways, to how to keep warm and safe aboard your mobile home. Cruising considerations Boating in the winter still follows all of the rules you’d abide by any other time of...

Can you drive a canal boat at night? If you own a canal boat, it is not illegal to drive your canal boat in the dark – however, if you are renting from a canal boat supplier, such as ABC Boat Hire, these hire boats are not permitted to be driven at night. Here at ABC Boat Hire, our boating hours are from dawn to dusk – meaning that these times change throughout the year, depending on what time...

The average UK canal depth varies from canal to canal, and lock to lock. However, most of the UK’s canals were initially constructed to take fully-laden freight carrying vessels of six-foot draft – as, originally, canal boats were in fact horse-drawn. Learn more about the history of canal boats in the UK from our detailed guide. Although the depth of canals varies throughout the nation, there are...