So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
Boat was good but staff inflexible. We were on a short hire (4 nights) and asked in advance if we could get away earlier than the stipulated 1430. We were assured that our request was noted and ABC would do their best. We arrived at midday, the boatyard was not busy yet no one showed the slightest interest in getting up away as requested. In fact it was 1500 before we got underway.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. We understand how disappointing it must have been to arrive early and not be able to get underway as hoped, especially on a short break. While we do our best to accommodate early departures when possible, we regret that this wasn’t achieved in your case. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the Grand Union closure, and we’re sorry it affected your plans to complete the Birmingham Mini Ring. Your comments about staff flexibility are noted and will be shared with the team to help improve how we support guests in similar situations. We’re glad to hear the boat itself met your expectations, and we hope to welcome you back for a smoother and more enjoyable trip in the future. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Excellent trip third time on the Llangollen great canal
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent trip aboard Hooded Warbler and that our team at Whitchurch, Wrenbury, and Blackwater Meadow helped make your experience so enjoyable. We’ll be sure to pass on your thanks to Joe and the rest of the crew — even if they don’t see this directly, it means a lot to know their efforts are appreciated. It’s wonderful to hear this was your third time on the Llangollen — such a special canal — and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable journey. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
The boats were great, and ready to go
23 Sep 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear you had a great long weekend and found the boats clean, well-appointed, and ready to go. We understand the desire to get underway a little earlier, and while our standard collection time is 2:30pm, we’ll certainly take your suggestion on board as we continue to look for ways to improve the experience for our guests. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another fantastic trip! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Collected our boat the Hooded Warbler from Whitchurch marina. All staff very helpful and friendly, boat was very clean the guy can’t remember his name who handed over our boat and talked through everything was excellent couldn’t do enough for us. Had a couple of very small problems with the boat which were dealt with straight away sending a guy from Wrenbury again can’t remember his name but what a lovely guy fixed the problem while we went for a pint. Called at Blackwater Meadow Marina on way back probably never read this but thanks Joe for checking on us very early, again staff were amazing
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent trip aboard Hooded Warbler and that our team at Whitchurch, Wrenbury, and Blackwater Meadow helped make your experience so enjoyable. We’ll be sure to pass on your thanks to Joe and the rest of the crew — even if they don’t see this directly, it means a lot to know their efforts are appreciated. It’s wonderful to hear this was your third time on the Llangollen — such a special canal — and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable journey. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Aldermaston Wharf is a great starting point, Kent and Avon is a very quiet and picturesque canal, plenty of wildife including otters, kingfishers and Herons, good pubs on the way, plenty of locks but very quiet so very little waiting around. Weather could have been better but we made the most of it.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We're delighted to hear you had an excellent week aboard from Aldermaston Wharf and that the boat was well prepared, clean, and in great condition. It’s lovely to know our team’s advice helped make your trip even better. The Kennet & Avon Canal truly is a hidden gem — peaceful, picturesque, and full of wildlife. We're so glad you enjoyed spotting otters, kingfishers, and herons, and made the most of the good pubs and quiet locks along the way. Sorry the weather didn’t fully cooperate, but it’s great to hear you still had a memorable time. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another wonderful adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Had a great weekend on the boats as usual. These boats were well appointed, clean and ready to go. We didn’t have to wait too long to get going, though it would be great if you could collect your boats slightly earlier than 2.30.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear you had a great long weekend and found the boats clean, well-appointed, and ready to go. We understand the desire to get underway a little earlier, and while our standard collection time is 2:30pm, we’ll certainly take your suggestion on board as we continue to look for ways to improve the experience for our guests. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another fantastic trip! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Disappointing not to be able to complete the Birmingham mini ring outing the closure of the Grand Union (not ABC’s fault)
23 Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. We understand how disappointing it must have been to arrive early and not be able to get underway as hoped, especially on a short break. While we do our best to accommodate early departures when possible, we regret that this wasn’t achieved in your case. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the Grand Union closure, and we’re sorry it affected your plans to complete the Birmingham Mini Ring. Your comments about staff flexibility are noted and will be shared with the team to help improve how we support guests in similar situations. We’re glad to hear the boat itself met your expectations, and we hope to welcome you back for a smoother and more enjoyable trip in the future. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Great service, boats was well prepared, in good condition and very clean. Good advice given by the boat all at ABC. Excellent week. Would recommend Kent and Avon canal and Aldermaston Wharf for a start point.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We're delighted to hear you had an excellent week aboard from Aldermaston Wharf and that the boat was well prepared, clean, and in great condition. It’s lovely to know our team’s advice helped make your trip even better. The Kennet & Avon Canal truly is a hidden gem — peaceful, picturesque, and full of wildlife. We're so glad you enjoyed spotting otters, kingfishers, and herons, and made the most of the good pubs and quiet locks along the way. Sorry the weather didn’t fully cooperate, but it’s great to hear you still had a memorable time. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another wonderful adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Despite not being able to take the Llangollen route due to a van taking out the Wrenbury lift bridge barrier we thoroughly enjoyed our trip having diverted to Chester.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent experience with us at Wrenbury and that the boat and handover met your expectations. It’s great to know our team made you feel welcome and supported throughout your trip. We’re sorry the Llangollen route wasn’t possible due to the lift bridge incident, but we’re glad you still had a thoroughly enjoyable journey to Chester — a fantastic alternative with plenty to see and do. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another memorable adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Always very welcoming at Wrenbury. Very efficient handover. Boat was excellent. Would definitely use again.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent experience with us at Wrenbury and that the boat and handover met your expectations. It’s great to know our team made you feel welcome and supported throughout your trip. We’re sorry the Llangollen route wasn’t possible due to the lift bridge incident, but we’re glad you still had a thoroughly enjoyable journey to Chester — a fantastic alternative with plenty to see and do. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another memorable adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Good weather and peaceful
22 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you had a peaceful trip around Droitwich Spa and that our team made the experience even better with their helpfulness, politeness, and good humour. It’s always lovely to know our guests feel well looked after — we hope to welcome you back again soon for another relaxing adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Very polite and helpful with a good sense of humour and nothing was too much trouble.
22 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you had a peaceful trip around Droitwich Spa and that our team made the experience even better with their helpfulness, politeness, and good humour. It’s always lovely to know our guests feel well looked after — we hope to welcome you back again soon for another relaxing adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
The service was friendly and efficient. Grant helped with tips on avoiding Birmingham traffic and stayed late to train us. The boat was very clean indeed and had none of the glitches we heard from other Narrowboat holiday makers.
21 Sep 2025
Everything was good and made for a great holiday.
21 Sep 2025
Llangollen canal proved to be a real gem. Glorious countryside, ever-changing stunning scenery, interesting towns/villages in Llangollen, Chirk and Ellesmere.
20 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback — we’re delighted to hear that the handover was straightforward and that the boat had everything you needed for a smooth and enjoyable holiday. It’s great to know you had no issues during your trip and that you found the Llangollen Canal to be such a gem! The stunning scenery, peaceful countryside, and charming towns like Llangollen, Chirk, and Ellesmere really do make it a special route. We appreciate your note about the guidebook — it’s true that most hire companies follow the same approach, and we hope it still added value to your journey. Looking forward to welcoming you aboard again soon! Many thanks, The ABC Boat Hire Team
21 Sep 2025
