Canal Boat Hire Worcestershire England
Worcestershire's stunning waterways, including the River Severn, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, and Droitwich Canals, provide some of England's most tranquil and historic narrowboat experiences.
Canal Holidays Worcestershire
Our Alvechurch and Worcester Marina bases are both conveniently located in Worcestershire. There are more than 12 boats available in a range of styles and lengths, each capable of sleeping between 2 and 12 people.
Why Choose Our Canal Boat Holidays?
No Experience RequiredOur team provides hands-on training before you set off, covering everything from steering and operating locks, to mooring and answering any questions you have. |
Fully Equipped BoatsYou just need to bring yourself, food and your sense of adventure. Everything else you'll find onboard. This includes cooking equipment, Wi-Fi, charging port, heating etc. |
International VisitorsWe welcome many international visitors every year, so we've got everything covered. You'll have free parking for the entire length of your stay, and all our bases are easily accessible via public transport. Give us a call on our international number +44 1905 610660. We take calls every day during our opening hours. |
Popular Canal Routes in Worcestershire
Featured routes from Alvechurch Marina
Droitwich Canal
The Droitwich Canals can be cruised as part of The Stourport Ring, or as a leisurely return routeby travelling down through the Tardebiugge flight to Hanbury and then turning right onto the Droitwich Canal.
MORE INFORMATIONStourport Ring
A route which takes in the whole of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and parts of the River Severn, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
MORE INFORMATIONStratford-Upon-Avon and return
This route travels from sleepy Alvechurch along tranquil canal-miles right into the heart of England's proudest Shakespearian territory. With the bard snatching the eye of any tourist crowds, your cruise along the canal is a secret chance to also spot wildlife, linger in canalside beer gardens, and soak up the best of both worlds.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Avon Ring
This is an energetic route that takes in Worcester, Tewkesbury, Evesham and Stratford-upon-Avon, and is a great route to explore the history of the Heart of England.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Black Country Ring
A route with a mix of rural and urban, it takes in parts of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal and Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. The Ring from Alvechurch includes five tunnels (two of them twice!), several aqueducts, and 79 locks - can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Warwickshire Ring
A 100 mile contrasting route of scenery and canal architecture. It includes the northern Grand Union, north Oxford, Birmingham and Fazeley and Coventry.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured routes from Worcester Marina
Birmingham and return
This route travels from historic Worcester to cosmopolitan Birmingham, with the contrast of country miles that amble between the two cities.
MORE INFORMATIONGloucester & return
This route meanders lazy miles of countryside, with far-reaching views whispering secrets of battles, boat wrecks and choirs, and cargoes of porcelain, coal and chocolate that travelled from factories to warehouses and made this region prosperous.
MORE INFORMATIONSharpness & Return
An unforgettable journey that flings feisty heritage together with euphoric Severn views and skies full of birds, treating the traveller to a rare sense of wind-swept freedom. The Gloucester & Sharpness may lack the narrow, winding, quaint charms of some canals, but it makes up for it by the straightforward charisma of a waterscape riddled with history.
MORE INFORMATIONStourport Ring
A route which takes in the whole of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and parts of the River Severn, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
MORE INFORMATIONStratford & Return (Via Canal)
From historic Worcester, this route travels scenic canal-miles right into England's proudest Shakespearian territory. With the bard snatching the tourist crowds, your cruise along the canal is a chance to soak up the best of both worlds, spot wildlife and enjoy the challenge of two of the country’s longest lock flights.
MORE INFORMATIONStratford Upon Avon & return
This route takes the water traveller through wide open landscapes that expand with nature's free will yet steer along waterways that have been managed by the tenacity of man too. You’ll travel on a journey bursting at its banks with heritage and wildlife, ending in the literary home of England’s most famous son.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Avon Ring
This route will take you on both the River Severn and Avon, and to fully enjoy it you will need at least 10 or 11 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured Locations in Worcestershire
Worcester CityMoor near Worcester Cathedral and visit this beautiful cathedral, which is the final resting place of King John, the king famous for signing the Magna Carta. The city centre offers shopping opportunities, riverside restaurants, and the fascinating Museum of Royal Worcester. If you visit during the Three Choirs Festival, you'll experience world-class music echoing through the ancient streets. |
Stourport-on-SevernVisit the historic Canal Basins, the nearby Riverside Meadows and explore the town, which features Georgian architecture, waterside pubs, and the excellent Angel Inn. |
Droitwich SpaFamous for salt production since Roman times, this charming town offers unique brine baths and peaceful canalside walks. |
EveshamThe beautiful market town of Evesham sits alongside the River Avon, surrounded by fruit orchards and market gardens. Visit during blossom season (mid-March to mid-May) for spectacular pink and white displays. |
What Our Guests Say
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Your recent holiday on Lark - Dusky Lark from Alvechurch Marina
Great holiday, relaxing. We saw a different side to Birmingham.
29 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Lark - Dusky Lark from Alvechurch Marina
The boat was lovely and clean. The instruction to us first timers was excellent. The staff were very friendly. All in all a good experience. I would definitely use them again.
29 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Snow Partridge from Alvechurch Marina
Excellent all round service and best holiday experience
27 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Partridge - Snow Partridge from Alvechurch Marina
Fifth time we have used ABC for a weeks holiday and they just get better and better each time. For the second year running we have left from Alvechurch Marina. All the staff are so welcoming, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Barge in immaculate condition with every thing you could possibly need supplied. Great week had by all of us made even better by the glorious weather we had. Definitely can’t wait to explore of the UK canal network.
27 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
The staff were very helpful and friendly.
02 Sep 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
The boat was very well equipped, nicely prepared and very clean.
02 Sep 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
Our narrowboat was in perfect condition, clean and very comfortable for the 6 of us. It's the biggest narrowboat we've ever hired but we quickly got used to manouevering it and we sure appreciated the 2 full bathrooms on board. We didn't need a pump-out during the week and in fact only filled with water a couple of times. We did the mini-ring through Birmingham, and really enjoyed it. We were a bit nervous about Birmingham, but took the marina's advice about where to moor up, and all went well. We were surprised that the canals were really quiet, we expected a lot of action being mid-summer and with so many other canals experiencing closures. We rarely had to wait at locks, and never for very long, and no problems finding morring spots within walking distance from the excellent recommended pubs.
27 Jul 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
Cannot fault our recent experience hiring a narrowboat from ABC at Alvechurch. The team kept us notified of canal closures and were ready with alternate route suggestions if we needed them. The handover was thorough, the boat in perfect condition and contained all required amenities. They gave us some great recommendations for spots to eat and a fantastic bakery. We'll be looking to hire with them next year!
27 Jul 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
Staff where very helpfull informative and polite. our boat Dusky Warbler was modern and clean it was very well equipped and the wifi was excellent and unlimited and included in the rental. Great holliday will definitely book again.
23 May 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Dusky Warbler from Alvechurch Marina
Excellent service and great boats
23 May 2025
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Your recent holiday on Away Day from Alvechurch Marina
Great personal service and excellent boat. I only withdrew one star because we hadn't been advised to watch their film on safety beforehand. We felt this used up valuable sailing time on the day, but it didn't detract from a really super trip overall. We would definitely book again with ABC boat hire and are even considering a longer trip next time!
16 Jun 2024
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Your recent holiday on Away Day from Alvechurch Marina
It was very simple to book and when we arrived it was all very straightforward. The training video was helpful. It was easy to use the boat - although a bit cold on board!
22 Mar 2019
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Your recent holiday on Wagtail - Forest Wagtail from Worcester Marina
Brilliant company and experience
30 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wagtail - Forest Wagtail from Worcester Marina
Brilliant experience always looked after at abc staff and boats are fantastic
30 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Duck - Mandarin Duck from Worcester Marina
It was very cramped but ok for three nights. It got perishingly cold at night though. We did not keep heating on all night, for fear of running down the battery. Ive never been so cold in my life. We came home a day early. Sun was shining during the days though.
27 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Duck - Mandarin Duck from Worcester Marina
Kept us informed. Gave us our options and also were happy to change our requested bed configuration right at the 11th hour. Very good. Staff are extremely knowledgeable.
27 Mar 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Canyon Wren from Worcester Marina
Good service, lots of information & advice given
13 Jul 2025
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Canyon Wren from Worcester Marina
Great fun, and good holiday
13 Jul 2025
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Canyon Wren from Worcester Marina
Fully met our expectations
30 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Canyon Wren from Worcester Marina
The staff at ABC Boat Hire, Worcester Marina, turned over a boat to us that we enjoyed for four weeks.
30 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Dove - Rock Dove from Worcester Marina
The Rock dove was a very nice boat and it had good amenities. The company had good service and friendly staff at abc boat hires marina. We got some great tips to take with us on our trip.
05 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Dove - Rock Dove from Worcester Marina
The booking was smooth, good customer service both by email and phone. Very happy with the overall experience!
05 Jun 2025
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Your recent holiday on Dove - Rock Dove from Worcester Marina
Rock Dove is a boat we had hired before and found very satisfactory. This time the vessel was looking a little tired, and one or two items were missing or defective., though this did not detract from our holiday.
30 May 2025
★ ★ ★ ★
Your recent holiday on Dove - Rock Dove from Worcester Marina
Journey was slightly restricted by canal closures, though ABC staff advised us on alternative routes and we made full use of the available routes.
30 May 2025
Featured Boats
Featured boats from Alvechurch Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
Featured boats from Worcester Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Up to twelve berth Boats
Pet Friendly
ABC welcomes pets at no extra charge. Our experienced team provides expert guidance to ensure your furry friends feel comfortable and safe throughout your Worcestershire canal adventure.
FAQ
What experience do I need to hire a canal boat?
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None at all. We provide comprehensive training before you set off, covering steering, locks, mooring, and safety.
What's included in the price?
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Full boat equipment, bedding, towels, comprehensive boat insurance, training, and 24/7 emergency support. You just bring food, drinks, and personal items. What’s not included is the fuel cost. You’ll receive a partial refund on the fuel deposit you did not use.
