So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
A lovely little boat in a stunning part of the world.
16 Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know that the handover was helpful and that our team could support you as first-time boaters — we’re always happy to go the extra mile (or a little way down the canal!). We're also glad the check-in process was smooth and that you found everyone friendly and helpful. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the boat and the beautiful surroundings. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another memorable adventure!
16 Jul 2025
What a wonderful way to holiday. Great handover with all the information you could need and the chap even came a little of the way with us as we were complete novices. Checking the boat back in was straightforward too and everyone was so nice and helpful.
16 Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know that the handover was helpful and that our team could support you as first-time boaters — we’re always happy to go the extra mile (or a little way down the canal!). We're also glad the check-in process was smooth and that you found everyone friendly and helpful. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the boat and the beautiful surroundings. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another memorable adventure!
16 Jul 2025
Great journey, although shame we could not do the ring route
16 Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent experience with ABC and that our team made you feel welcome. It’s also great to know the boat met your expectations and had everything you needed for a comfortable trip. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to see you again soon for another great adventure on the water!
20 Jul 2025
See above for a summary of my experience
16 Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your continued support and for choosing ABC for the fourth time! We're thrilled to hear that you've had consistently great experiences at both Gayton Marina and Springwood Haven. We're also really glad you're enjoying the new WiFi system – we've had great feedback on the upgrade, and it's wonderful to hear it’s made a difference to your trip. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
20 Jul 2025
Excellent experience with ABC and staff were all very friendly and the boat itself very clean and had everything we needed.
16 Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent experience with ABC and that our team made you feel welcome. It’s also great to know the boat met your expectations and had everything you needed for a comfortable trip. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to see you again soon for another great adventure on the water!
20 Jul 2025
Great staff and boat layout, but had an issue with the engines coolant that kept dropping after the engine was shutdown. The boats tick over speed was also quite fast causing us to require pulsing into neutral multiple times. Finally the exhaust was a bit smokey in some of the locks. ABC always have the best team and layouts, and this was no exception with the newer fitted out 'ploiver' class we had - the galley was lovely with some extra space at the front. If able, try to avoid the models with a 'Barrus' engine which will fix the potentially bad throttle + mild exhaust smoke.... 4/5 overall, a great experience and wonderful holiday but not perfect - the boat could have been tested a little more before hire.
16 Jul 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback — we're really pleased to hear that you had a great holiday overall and enjoyed the layout and galley of the newly fitted ‘Plover’ class boat. It's always fantastic to hear that our team continues to meet expectations, and we're grateful for your kind words about the staff and overall experience. We would like to thank you for the feedback regarding the engine to help improve our service at ABC Boat hire.
20 Jul 2025
Great staff and boat layout, but had an issue with the engines coolant that kept dropping after the engine was shutdown. The boats tick over speed was also quite fast causing us to require pulsing into neutral multiple times. Finally the exhaust was a bit smokey in some of the locks. ABC always have the best team and layouts, and this was no exception with the newer fitted out 'ploiver' class we had - the galley was lovely with some extra space at the front. If able, try to avoid the models with a 'Barrus' engine which will fix the potentially bad throttle + mild exhaust smoke.... 4/5 overall, a great experience and wonderful holiday but not perfect - the boat could have been tested a little more before hire.
16 Jul 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback — we're really pleased to hear that you had a great holiday overall and enjoyed the layout and galley of the newly fitted ‘Plover’ class boat. It's always fantastic to hear that our team continues to meet expectations, and we're grateful for your kind words about the staff and overall experience. We would like to thank you for the feedback regarding the engine to help improve our service at ABC Boat hire.
20 Jul 2025
Out with the companies control but very sadly the Kennet and Avon canal running down to the a Thames is really run down and it’s hard work with it so overgrown, so few moorings due to the amount of non leisure boats and so many locks in a state of disrepair. Sadly we fear it won’t be long before this becomes too hard to navigate for the leisure boater. The Thames was amazing though.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words and honest feedback. We’re so pleased to hear you had a fantastic experience with ABC Boat Hire and that our team and your boat met expectations. It’s always lovely to know our staff helped make your trip enjoyable. We completely understand your concerns about the condition of the Kennet & Avon Canal. While it’s outside of our control, we share your hope that more attention and care will be given to its upkeep to preserve it for future leisure boaters. We're glad to hear the Thames portion of your journey was a highlight! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
24 Jul 2025
Boat was in excellent condition and was very clean and comfortable.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so pleased to hear you had a fantastic first experience on a narrowboat holiday. It’s great to know our team helped you feel confident and supported, and that the boat was clean, comfortable, and in excellent condition. It sounds like you really embraced the adventure—even helping others along the way! We’d be delighted to welcome you back next year for another canal journey.
24 Jul 2025
Good and reliable but technical conditions could be better.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your continued support and for recommending ABC Boat Hire! We're so pleased to hear that you've found our staff friendly and helpful, and our boats reliable over the years. We truly value your loyalty and your honest feedback regarding the technical condition of the boats — it's something we take seriously and are always working to improve. Your insights help us enhance the experience for all our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
24 Jul 2025
Very friendly and helpful staff. Good narrow boats, only technical status could be better. We have been used ABC Boat Hire services for many years.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your continued support and for recommending ABC Boat Hire! We're so pleased to hear that you've found our staff friendly and helpful, and our boats reliable over the years. We truly value your loyalty and your honest feedback regarding the technical condition of the boats — it's something we take seriously and are always working to improve. Your insights help us enhance the experience for all our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
24 Jul 2025
Beautiful countryside with many interesting sites and stops.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad your first narrowboat trip was a great experience. It’s wonderful to hear that our team made you feel supported and that the orientation and onboard guide were helpful. Exploring the countryside by canal is such a unique way to travel, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the journey and the sights along the way. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
24 Jul 2025
Convenient dock and car park for loading/unloading; small hardworking team ensured a friendly, hassle free, efficient handover, departure and return. Rock Sandpiper immaculate.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words and great feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that your experience at Anderton Marina was smooth and hassle-free, and that Rock Sandpiper was in immaculate condition for your trip. It’s always lovely to know our hardworking team made a positive impression and helped set the tone for a great journey—especially with such a convenient location for exploring Chester. We’d love to welcome you back for another canal adventure soon!
24 Jul 2025
Yes, they dealt with the booking very efficiently and answered any queries. The Canalboat was well presented and operated very well.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed cruising the Droitwich Ring — it’s a fantastic route with plenty of variety and charm. It’s great to know the booking process was smooth, your queries were handled efficiently, and that the boat met your expectations. We're thrilled you had an excellent canal boat holiday and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
24 Jul 2025
Great service from ABC, the boat was fabulous and am the staff were lovely and super helpful.
15 Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words and honest feedback. We’re so pleased to hear you had a fantastic experience with ABC Boat Hire and that our team and your boat met expectations. It’s always lovely to know our staff helped make your trip enjoyable. We completely understand your concerns about the condition of the Kennet & Avon Canal. While it’s outside of our control, we share your hope that more attention and care will be given to its upkeep to preserve it for future leisure boaters. We're glad to hear the Thames portion of your journey was a highlight! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
24 Jul 2025
