So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
Everything was world class
21 Apr 2026
Thankyou for sharing your 5 star review with us. We’re delighted to hear that the whole experience felt so special for you, from the lovely craft to the helpful and kind team. Knowing that nothing was wanting and that everything felt “altogether beautiful” is exactly the experience we strive to deliver. Your description of it being world class truly means the world to us. Thank you for choosing ABC and for sharing such generous feedback. We’d be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back again for another unforgettable time on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
The whole experience was so very special, a lovely craft, really helpful and kind staff, nothing wanting at all, altogether beautiful!
21 Apr 2026
Thankyou for sharing your 5 star review with us. We’re delighted to hear that the whole experience felt so special for you, from the lovely craft to the helpful and kind team. Knowing that nothing was wanting and that everything felt “altogether beautiful” is exactly the experience we strive to deliver. Your description of it being world class truly means the world to us. Thank you for choosing ABC and for sharing such generous feedback. We’d be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back again for another unforgettable time on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
I just told you that the ABC company failed to support us when the barge could go no further due to problems on the lock, and we could go no further on the other route due to a blockage. We did not pay to not be able to travel.
21 Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you feel your holiday did not meet your expectations and that your experience was such a disappointment. ABC Boat Hire is unable to guarantee specific cruising routes from any of our marinas. The UK waterway network is subject to factors outside our control, including essential maintenance, unforeseen closures, and operational issues managed by the Canal & River Trust. These measures are necessary to ensure the safety and continued operation of the waterways. For this reason, we advise all customers to check for planned or ongoing stoppages both before and during their holiday via the Canal & River Trust notices page. With regard to your journey, we understand that while travelling towards Newbury on the Kennet and Avon Canal, a fallen tree obstructed your planned route, which was addressed by the Canal & River Trust at the earliest opportunity. You subsequently chose to travel east, where you also experienced difficulty with a lock. Following your call to the marina advising of your decision to disembark, a member of our team attended to assist with navigating the lock. However, we understand that alternative accommodation had already been arranged at that stage before allowing us the opportunity to fully resolve the matter. We have been advised by the Marina Manager that support was provided throughout your holiday, including ongoing communication and the offer of alternative accommodation aboard one of our boats at the marina for the remaining nights. We are also pleased that our team was able to assist with transport back to your car. We do appreciate how frustrating and disruptive these unforeseen events must have been, particularly given your extensive experience boating in both England and Ireland. While many aspects of the waterway network are outside our control, we do take your feedback seriously and will continue to review how we can better support customers when unexpected situations arise. We regret that this experience has led to such disappointment and appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention. We will also provide this feedback to Canal and River Trust. ABC Boat Hire
26 Apr 2026
A fantastic weekend away with friends on our first canal boat experience. The trip from Anderton Marina along to the town of Lymm was very enjoyable.
20 Apr 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review. We’re delighted to hear that your first canal boating experience was such a success and that our team’s guidance helped make you feel confident and well looked after from the start. It’s great to know the boat was presented in excellent condition and that you enjoyed a memorable weekend away with friends. The cruise from Anderton Marina to Lymm really is a lovely route, and we’re so pleased you found it enjoyable and relaxing. Thank you for choosing ABC Boat Hire, and for your kind recommendation — we’d be thrilled to welcome you back again for another great experience on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
It was our first time hiring a canal boat. I thought the staff guidance was excellent and the boat was presented in great condition. I would definitely use ABC Boat Hire again.
20 Apr 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review. We’re delighted to hear that your first canal boating experience was such a success and that our team’s guidance helped make you feel confident and well looked after from the start. It’s great to know the boat was presented in excellent condition and that you enjoyed a memorable weekend away with friends. The cruise from Anderton Marina to Lymm really is a lovely route, and we’re so pleased you found it enjoyable and relaxing. Thank you for choosing ABC Boat Hire, and for your kind recommendation — we’d be thrilled to welcome you back again for another great experience on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
we couldn't do the Avon Ring due to a lock closure, byt the boatyard notfied us promptly
19 Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. We’re really pleased to hear that you found the boat layout practical, well equipped, and with good storage, and that our team provided efficient and helpful service throughout. Thank you as well for your understanding regarding the Avon Ring. Unfortunately, lock closures are beyond our control, but we’re glad we were able to notify you promptly so you could adjust your plans with as little disruption as possible. We very much appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear you’re likely to book again. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another enjoyable cruise on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
good boat layout and equipment, with pretty good storage efficient helpful service likely to book again
19 Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. We’re really pleased to hear that you found the boat layout practical, well equipped, and with good storage, and that our team provided efficient and helpful service throughout. Thank you as well for your understanding regarding the Avon Ring. Unfortunately, lock closures are beyond our control, but we’re glad we were able to notify you promptly so you could adjust your plans with as little disruption as possible. We very much appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear you’re likely to book again. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another enjoyable cruise on the water. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
As before - a good trip, well managed.
19 Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your spring holiday and that our team at Gayton helped you feel confident and well prepared from the outset. It’s wonderful to know that American Thrush’s facilities and bed configuration suited your needs, and that you found the return process smooth and straightforward. We also truly appreciate your kind words about the marina and your overall experience. Thank you as well for your constructive feedback. We’re sorry that the vacuum cleaner did not meet expectations, and we will be reviewing this to ensure improved equipment is available moving forward. In addition, the Marina Manager has addressed the housekeeping team to reinforce our cleanliness standards on every turnaround. We’re grateful you brought this to our attention. We look forward to seeing you return in the future. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
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
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your spring holiday and that our team at Gayton helped you feel confident and well prepared from the outset. It’s wonderful to know that American Thrush’s facilities and bed configuration suited your needs, and that you found the return process smooth and straightforward. We also truly appreciate your kind words about the marina and your overall experience. Thank you as well for your constructive feedback. We’re sorry that the vacuum cleaner did not meet expectations, and we will be reviewing this to ensure improved equipment is available moving forward. In addition, the Marina Manager has addressed the housekeeping team to reinforce our cleanliness standards on every turnaround. We’re grateful you brought this to our attention. We look forward to seeing you return in the future. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
The service was very good they were very helpful and knowledgeable I would recommend them and use again
18 Apr 2026
Thank you for you5 star review. We’re really pleased to hear that you found the service very good and that our team were helpful and knowledgeable throughout your experience. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’re delighted to know you would use us again. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another enjoyable trip. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
The boat was beautifully clean and well presented at the start. There was a cutting board missing and we found the bowls oddly sized - we bought a board and a bowl to see us through. The hand over at the end was slow as we were not told where to moor the boat on return and had to wait while another boat was serviced
18 Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the boat and the canals around Kings Orchard, and that you found Grass Wren clean and well presented. I have forwarded your comments regarding the chopping board to our housekeeper to ensure this is on board. We’re sorry that some of the kitchen inventory did not fully meet your expectations. We do apologise for any confusion and delay experienced during the return handover, as well as the mooring instructions, which should have been clearly explained in advance. We appreciate your balanced feedback and are glad you still had a good experience overall. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
We thought the service we received was very good they were helpful and very knowledgeable would recommend and use again
18 Apr 2026
Thank you for you5 star review. We’re really pleased to hear that you found the service very good and that our team were helpful and knowledgeable throughout your experience. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’re delighted to know you would use us again. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another enjoyable trip. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
Seven of us had a perfectly relaxing week on the Trent and Mersey and Shropshire Union canals. In April the canals were very quiet with no waiting at locks etc.
18 Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your excellent review and for choosing ABC again for your holiday. We’re delighted to hear that both of your booking experiences were straightforward, competitively priced, and that you were able to take advantage of our early booking and loyalty discounts. It’s great to know that the marina teams were helpful, the boats were well prepared and well equipped, and that the pick‑up and return processes were smooth and efficient. We’re also pleased that the secure parking at each base added to the ease of your trip. A relaxing week cruising the Trent & Mersey and Shropshire Union canals sounds ideal, and April really can be a wonderful time to travel with quieter waterways and minimal waiting at locks. We’re so glad that all seven of you enjoyed such a peaceful and enjoyable holiday. Thank you for your continued support and kind recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future for another great boating experience. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
As the previous report. Good boat, clean but some items missing or inadequate. Hand over at end slow as not told where to moor before we set off.
18 Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the boat and the canals around Kings Orchard, and that you found Grass Wren clean and well presented. I have forwarded your comments regarding the chopping board to our housekeeper to ensure this is on board. We’re sorry that some of the kitchen inventory did not fully meet your expectations. We do apologise for any confusion and delay experienced during the return handover, as well as the mooring instructions, which should have been clearly explained in advance. We appreciate your balanced feedback and are glad you still had a good experience overall. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
This was the second time of booking a hire boat with ABC, each time was simple, competitively priced with good early booking and loyalty discounts. Staff at the marinas were helpful and the boats well prepared and equipped. Pick up and return processes were simple and efficient. Secure parking facilities were provided at each base. We will definitely be hiring again in the future.
18 Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your excellent review and for choosing ABC again for your holiday. We’re delighted to hear that both of your booking experiences were straightforward, competitively priced, and that you were able to take advantage of our early booking and loyalty discounts. It’s great to know that the marina teams were helpful, the boats were well prepared and well equipped, and that the pick‑up and return processes were smooth and efficient. We’re also pleased that the secure parking at each base added to the ease of your trip. A relaxing week cruising the Trent & Mersey and Shropshire Union canals sounds ideal, and April really can be a wonderful time to travel with quieter waterways and minimal waiting at locks. We’re so glad that all seven of you enjoyed such a peaceful and enjoyable holiday. Thank you for your continued support and kind recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future for another great boating experience. ABC Boat Hire
06 May 2026
