Canal Boat Hire Northamptonshire England
Northamptonshire's beautiful waterways, including the Grand Union Canal and River Nene, provide some of England's most tranquil and historic narrowboat cruising. These ancient routes once carried iron ore and coal through the heart of England. Now, they’re surrounded by rolling countryside, charming villages like Stoke Bruerne, and cosy canalside pubs.
Canal Holidays Northamptonshire
Our Gayton Marina is based in Northamptonshire. Multiple boats are available across different styles and lengths, capable of sleeping 2 to 12 people.
Why Choose Our Canal Boat Holidays?
No Experience RequiredYou don't need a licence or any previous boating experience. We provide comprehensive training before you set off, covering everything from steering to lock operation. |
Fully Equipped BoatsOur narrowboats come with everything you need for a comfortable stay: Full kitchen with cooker, fridge, and all cooking utensils. Comfortable beds with fresh bedding and towels. Shower and toilet facilities. Central heating for cosy evenings TV and Wi-Fi to keep everyone happy. Safety equipment and first aid kit. |
Day Boat Hire OptionWith our day boat hire option, you can experience the beauty of Northamptonshire canals without needing to stay the night. |
International VisitorsWe make canal boating accessible for international guests with straightforward processes. All of our bases are easily accessible, and we provide free parking for your entire stay. Give us a call on our international number +44 1905 610660. We take calls every day during our opening hours. |
Popular Canal Routes in Northamptonshire
Featured routes from Gayton Marina
Aylesbury & return
A good route for the first timer. Through delightful countryside, taking in the Great Ouse Aqueduct at Cosgrove, Milton Keynes. Then arriving at Aylesbury, with the attractive old town centre just a short walk from the canal basin.
MORE INFORMATIONBanbury & Return
Your route will lead you through glorious disputed territory before meandering lazily along one of engineer James Brindley’s renowned contour-hugging canals. A journey of trade and heritage, accompanied by the rhythms of music and nursery rhymes.
MORE INFORMATIONCoventry or Snarestone & return
With only 17 locks each way between Gayton and Coventry, this is one of the easiest one-week routes. The remote and rural Ashby Canal for Snarestone offers 23 miles of lock free cruising after Marston.
MORE INFORMATIONLeicester or East Midlands Ring
A varied route taking in parts of the Grand Union Main Line & Leicester Line, the Oxford Canal, the River Soar, a short section of the River Trent, part of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and the Coventry Canal. This route includes five tunnels, several aqueducts, and 113 locks - can be done in 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONMarket Harborough & return
Market Harborough and return is a tranquil rural route through rolling Northamptonshire countryside. It is a 7 day cruise and has 48 locks. It is popular with those seeking something different – there are at least 4 moveable bridges, 20 small aqueducts/underbridges and 4 tunnels including Crick Tunnel and Husband’s Bosworth Tunnel.
MORE INFORMATIONOxford & Return
Your route will lead you through the disputed territory of two rival canals, the Grand Union and the Oxford, and will meander lazily along a contour-hugging canal. You’ll hear of rivalries and wars, nursery rhymes, brickwork and heritage boats, ending in a world-famous city of learning.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Grand Ring
Take in the delights of the southern waterways including Oxford, Banbury, Leighton Buzzard, but then follow a similar route to Limehouse and return for another aspect.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Warwickshire Ring
A route mixing rural and urban which takes in parts of the Grand Union Main Line, the Oxford Canal, the Coventry Canal, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and the Stratford Canal. This route from Gayton includes six tunnels, several aqueducts, and 145 locks - can be done in 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured Locations in Northamptonshire
Stoke BruerneThe jewel of the Grand Union, this picture-perfect canal side village feels like stepping back in time. Pop into The Boat Inn for a pub lunch while watching other narrowboats navigate the locks. |
Blisworth TunnelThis tunnel is one of England's longest navigable canal tunnels. Kids love the adventure of chugging steadily along in the darkness, and adults love to marvel at this amazing feat of engineering. |
What Our Guests Say
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Your recent holiday on Thrush - American Thrush from Gayton Marina
As before - a good trip, well managed.
19 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Thrush - American Thrush from Gayton Marina
Starting the holiday a really helpful admin team and yard crew. Everything was explained clearly and felt considered for what we needed. A confident start. Boat was excellent, linen and towels good and starter pack in kitchen. Bed configuration - previously discussed worked well for us. Return was straightforward - again admin easy,rubbish area was clear and available. Bill easily sorted for fuel. Couple of considerations - always happy to vacuum but cleaner inadequate so was not helpful to keep boat clean. We also found two nuts in kitchen area floor. Fine for us but customers with nut allergy would have been compromised. MArina well maintained site setting a professional image of company. Will book again using ABC boat's.
19 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Purple Sandpiper from Gayton Marina
After a pretty traumatic journey from Australia, and some issues with availability of Aldermaston due to high water levels, Charlotte in the booking office worked hard to find us other options that were going to suit us. When we arrived at Gayton, the team were so careful to ensure that everything was right and we were prepared for our trip. The boat was great and we really appreciated the central heating as we were really feeling the cold. We had a wonderful and relaxing canal holiday and enjoyed making new friends along the way.
30 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Purple Sandpiper from Gayton Marina
Purple Sandpiper provided us with so much space as our friends had to cancel at the last minute. So we were spoilt with the two bathrooms and everything we could want in the kitchen to cook up a storm.
30 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
Amazing service and boat hire, can’t wait to return with my family and do it again
05 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
Excellent service and boat hire! Cant wait to do it again thank you!
05 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
everything was ready when we arraived, the explanations were very clear and the boat itslef was immacualetly clean.
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
great people to deal with
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
Generally all was helpful and friendly. There as some confusion over the catering facilities on board - in particular we were assured there would be a frying pan available (for bacon butties) but this was not there on the day.
24 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
Very nice and clean boat. Excellent instructions and guidance given.
15 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Great Day from Gayton Marina
Great service. Friendly and informative.
15 Oct 2025
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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
Featured Boats
Featured boats from Gayton Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
FAQ
Do I need a boat licence or experience?
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No licence required and no previous boating experience needed. We provide comprehensive training before you set off.
What's included in the price?
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Everything listed in our inventory comes as standard, from kitchen equipment to bed linen. The only extras are fuel costs.
