Canal Boat Hire Cheshire England
Cheshire's stunning historic canals, including the famous Trent and Mersey Canal, offer some of England's most scenic and peaceful narrowboat cruising. Originally built to carry the county's renowned salt trade, these picturesque waterways now wind through beautiful countryside, charming market towns, and past traditional pubs, making them perfect for unforgettable canal boat holidays and relaxing escapes from modern life.
Canal Holidays Cheshire
We have multiple marinas based in Cheshire including our Anderton Marina which has 12 boats available across 10 different styles and lengths capable of sleeping from 2 to 12 people.
Why Choose Our Canal Boat Holidays?
No experience requiredYou don’t need any experience to operate a canal boat in and around Cheshire. We’ll provide you with first hand training and you’ll receive a manual on how to operate your narrow boat. |
Fully equipped narrow boatYou’ll have access to all the luxuries you would at home. Wi-Fi, power outlet, heating, open windows, fully equipped kitchen, TV, bedding and towels. |
Eco friendly optionYou can go for an electric canal boat for your holiday in Cheshire. Better for the environment, not to mention you won’t hear any of the engine’s light humming. |
International touristsComing from overseas? Welcome! You can easily reach any of our Marinas from the airport. Plus you’ll have free parking for the entirety of your stay. Give us a call on our international number +44 1905 610660. We take calls everyday. |
Popular Canal Routes in Cheshire
Featured routes from Anderton Marina
Chester or Ellesmere Port and return
This is a boating holiday for anyone who wants to escape to Cheshire's best countryside in the company of wildlife and nature. But it's also the story of salt, Romans, lost treasure, civil war, the amazing National Waterways Museum and the boat lift hailed as a masterpiece of engineering!
MORE INFORMATIONThe Cheshire Ring
This Ring takes in parts of the Trent & Mersey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Ashton Canal, Peak Forest Canal and all of the Macclesfield Canal. The route from Anderton encounters several tunnels and aqueducts, countless lift bridges, swing bridges and snake bridges, and 92 locks - can be done in 7 to 14 days depending on experience.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Four Counties Ring
From Anderton you will need to travel down to Middlewich to join the ring. This is one of the more rural cruising rings taking you through the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire andthe West Midlands.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Pennine Ring
The recently restored Huddersfield Narrow Canal crosses the Pennines to complete the fantastic Pennine Ring.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured routes from Nantwich Canal Centre
Brewood & Return
Take a leisurely cruise down the scenic Shropshire Union Canal, dotted with pretty towns and villages, to the home of Gingerbread at Market Drayton, and onwards to Brewood in Staffordshire.
MORE INFORMATIONFour Counties Ring
A cruise with something for everyone through the counties of Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands. This route can be done by experienced and energetic crews in just 7 nights or take 10 to 14 nights if you’d like more time for sightseeing and relaxing.
MORE INFORMATIONLlangollen and Return
A spectacular route taking in the entire length of the Llangollen Canal, with a wonderful variety of countryside views, friendly canalside towns, some relaxing lock-free sections, a few tunnels and 2 incredible aqueducts including the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.
MORE INFORMATIONLymm & return
Perfect for beginners, this route through the Cheshire countryside passes through pretty towns and villages, a couple of aqueducts, a few tunnels, and the opportunity to visit the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre where boats are lifted down to the River Weaver below.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured Locations in Cheshire
Discover Chester cityChester cathedral, zoo and museums. Walk round the majority of the city from the top of its almost complete city walls and distinctive medieval shopping walkways. Shops spanning two levels. |
Tour The National Waterways MuseumThe National Waterways Museum is housed in the old wharf, a maze of waterside buildings and historic boats. |
Anderton Boat LiftA masterpiece of engineering and the world's oldest operational boat lift. |
Lion Salt WorksUK’s last open‑pan salt works; industrial heritage around Northwich/Middlewich. |
Beeston CastleRuins from the 14th-century, now cared for by English Heritage, overlook the canal from the top of its steep rocky crag. |
Rowton Moor battlefieldCivil War site (1645 battle). |
National Waterways MuseumHouses an unprecedented collection of historic boats that are lovingly restored and protected. |
What Our Guests Say
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Communication and advice before the trip was timely and helpful. Information they sent was also helpful in planning the trip. They let us know about water level problems in advance and were always available for calls or would ring back.
05 Sep 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Great boat - all new with good improvements. Problem was water levels in canals that restricted destinations and timings. They did what they could.
05 Sep 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Used ABC several times and are always consistently good. Boats clean, well prepared and staff friendly.
12 Aug 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Consistently good, used several times and staff helpful.
12 Aug 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Problems with food delivery which lost a star.
30 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
ABC resolved a pump problem very quickly and efficienty. Unfortunately they did not update us on the problem at Tilstone lock so we did not get to Chester as planned.
30 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Pleasant, engaging staff. Efficient handover and return. Excellent boat cleanliness
12 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
Liked the separate shower (rather than in a bath). Magnetic door hooks very good idea if a bit on the fierce side! Could do with them to keep the cabin entrance doors closed when the sliding roof is open. Never got the hang of the TV tuning - instructions in the handbook would help
12 Jun 2025
★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Partridge - Hill Partridge from Anderton Marina
ABC's service is good.
28 May 2025
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Your recent holiday on Daydream from Anderton Marina
Excellent service, clean, tidy boat, instructions given. Everyone, from nine months of age to sixty, had a fabulous day. We took a picnic lunch and bought beer at a canalside pub. An excellent family day out.
17 Sep 2018
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Your recent holiday on Daydream from Anderton Marina
Excellent service and experience, thank you, we will definitely be back
17 Sep 2018
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Your recent holiday on Duck - Tufted Duck 2 from Nantwich Canal Centre
Everything about ABC is first class. Ranging from the helpful, thorough training given, to the cleanliness and well equipped boat. They even organised the weather!
03 Oct 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Duck - Tufted Duck 2 from Nantwich Canal Centre
As said previously, great short break
03 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Rock Partridge from Nantwich Canal Centre
Great experience and would use ABC again
30 Aug 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Rock Partridge from Nantwich Canal Centre
Excellent, boat was available earlier than planned and I was informed my phone that we could arrive at midday. The boat was clean and well equipped and exactly as described. Although we had been on previous canal boat holidays, not with ABC, the briefing and demo was still relevant and a great reminder. I would definitely use ABC again
30 Aug 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Rock Partridge from Nantwich Canal Centre
Have just spent the last 2 weeks going from Nantwich to Llangollen, back down to the Shropshire Union Canal and upto Chester. The Narrowboat was superbly equipped including great WiFi. The Handover team at the start and end were great, making us feel extremely pleased to have booked with ABC. We are out again at Easter from Aldermaston. Can’t wait
19 Aug 2025
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Rock Partridge from Nantwich Canal Centre
Have already wrote the review
19 Aug 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Warbler - Reed Warbler from Nantwich Canal Centre
We had a wonderful week away with family. Previously mentioned my thoughts on the boat.
01 Jul 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Warbler - Reed Warbler from Nantwich Canal Centre
Boat was immaculate and everything we needed was on board. Fantastically comfortable mattresses. Off to buy similar for my bed at home! We have taken this type of holiday many times before but this had to be the best boat yet.
01 Jul 2024
Featured Boats
Featured boats from Anderton Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
Featured boats from Nantwich Canal Centre
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a canal boat in Cheshire?
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Prices vary depending on the size of the boat, the time of year, and the length of your trip. Get in touch with us to receive a quote, or enter your ideal route and holiday length at the top of the page.
Do I need a licence or experience to hire a canal boat?
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No licence or prior boating experience is needed. You’ll receive full training on arrival, including how to steer, operate locks, and moor the boat safely.
Can I bring pets on board?
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Yes! You can bring your pets on board free of charge.
