So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff who showed us how to operate the boat, the locks, and everything else for the journey. They were polite and knowledgable (shout out to Sarah at Blackwater Meadow Marina, who briefed us so very patiently!). We set off and had an amazing little journey without any issues. The boats are very well-equipped and have everything you need.
29 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that your experience with ABC Boat Hire was smooth and hassle-free from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know that our website, booking process, and our pre-departure instructions helped make things clear and easy for you and your crew. A special thank-you for mentioning Sarah at Blackwater Meadow Marina — we’ll make sure she and the team hear your kind words! We’re so pleased you enjoyed your journey and appreciated the transparency and quality of our service. It means a lot to know you’re already recommending us to friends and family. We hope to welcome you back on board for another memorable adventure soon! Many thanks ABC Boat Hire
03 Nov 2025
Good pre trip information. Well prepared boat. Quick and easy return.
29 Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback following your recent holiday aboard Terek Sandpiper from Hilperton Marina. We are pleased to hear that you found the pre-trip information helpful and the boat well prepared with good onboard facilities. It is also great to know that the return process was quick and straightforward. Your comments are much appreciated, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on board again in the future. ABC Boat Hire
03 Nov 2025
Excellent service and all round holiday.
29 Oct 2025
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that your stay aboard the Barred Warbler was such a positive experience. It is wonderful to know that you found the boat well-equipped, clean, and comfortable, and that our team provided service that met your expectations. Your comments are greatly appreciated and will be shared with the staff. We look forward to welcoming you back on board in the future. ABC Holiday Cottages
03 Nov 2025
Just spent 4 nights on the barred warbler. It was amazing to say the least. Everything needed was already in the boat and the staff were totally outstanding when accommodating our needs. Everything was clean and in good working order which was great compared to other accommodations we've used. Won't hesitate to return. Really Really worth a try !!!!
29 Oct 2025
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that your stay aboard the Barred Warbler was such a positive experience. It is wonderful to know that you found the boat well-equipped, clean, and comfortable, and that our team provided service that met your expectations. Your comments are greatly appreciated and will be shared with the staff. We look forward to welcoming you back on board in the future. ABC Holiday Cottages
03 Nov 2025
First class boat and service.
27 Oct 2025
Thanks so much for the kind feedback. We’re so happy you enjoyed the boat and found everything running smoothly. It was a pleasure having you on board, and we’d love to see you back out on the water soon! ABC Holiday Cottages
31 Oct 2025
Friendly and hepful staff. Boat had been modernized to good standards, and was great apart from the all-too-familiar water pump noise problem at bow at night. Storage space is scarce, none under the "versatile" beds any more. Excessive amount of pillows, but they were removed by the staff upon request. We had specified (and even confirmed by e-mail when asked) five separate beds, so we were surprised to find two double beds and pillows and linen for six when we arrived. This was corrected at marina before departure.
27 Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing these additional observations. We’re glad you found the boat well equipped and appreciated the modern conveniences like the 230 V appliances and USB charging sockets. We also appreciate your detailed feedback regarding the water pumps and understand the challenge they can present at night. Your comments about resiliently mounted and encapsulated pumps are noted and will help guide future improvements. We hope to welcome you onboard soon. ABC Holiday Cottages
31 Oct 2025
Adding to our comments in the previous section, the boat was well equipped including many 230 V appliances (like vacuum cleaner) and USB charging sockets. There were even switches to disable the noisy water pumps at bow, but this is useless since it woud prevent the crew from using bathrooms at night. Resiliently mounted and encapsulated pumps remain on the wish list.
27 Oct 2025
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear you found our staff friendly and helpful, and that you enjoyed the modernised features of the boat. We appreciate your constructive comments regarding the water pump noise, storage limitations, and bedding arrangements. We’re pleased that our team was able to address the bedding and pillow issues promptly before your departure. Your feedback helps us continue to improve, and we hope to welcome you back on board in the future. ABC Holiday Cottages
31 Oct 2025
Very friendly and helpful. Everything operated on time Boat very well equipped and clean.
27 Oct 2025
Thanks so much for the kind feedback. We’re so happy you enjoyed the boat and found everything running smoothly. It was a pleasure having you on board, and we’d love to see you back out on the water soon! ABC Holiday Cottages
31 Oct 2025
excellent service as always
26 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your continued support over the past seven years! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you've consistently received excellent and friendly service from our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and it's always a pleasure to welcome you back each year. We look forward to helping you enjoy many more memorable canal holidays in the future. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
excellent friendly service. would recommend again - have used them every years for the last 7 years
26 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your continued support over the past seven years! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you've consistently received excellent and friendly service from our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and it's always a pleasure to welcome you back each year. We look forward to helping you enjoy many more memorable canal holidays in the future. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Good clear information on arrival at Blackwater Marina of the boat and it's features. Spotlessly clean and well equipped. Use of locks explained and manoeuvring advice given. Initially staff take you onto the canal and give short lesson/ instructions on handling before leaving you to enjoy the trip. Handover on return very easy . Would highly recommend using ABC as we will on our next trip.
26 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great narrowboat experience and that everything from the boat’s cleanliness to the handover process met your expectations. It’s great to know our team at Blackwater Marina provided clear guidance and helpful instruction to get you started confidently on your journey. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your holiday from Ellesmere to Llangollen, and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Excellent holiday week from Ellesmere to Llangollen
26 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great narrowboat experience and that everything from the boat’s cleanliness to the handover process met your expectations. It’s great to know our team at Blackwater Marina provided clear guidance and helpful instruction to get you started confidently on your journey. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your holiday from Ellesmere to Llangollen, and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Great service, very helpful and friendly
25 Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the service and found the boat well equipped and comfortable. It’s great to know the older style layout with the raised table and extra storage suited your preferences — many of our guests love being able to enjoy the views as they cruise along! We really appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Very well equipped boat, we much prefer the layout of this older style boats as it has the raised table so you can see out as you go along and the extra storage space
25 Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the service and found the boat well equipped and comfortable. It’s great to know the older style layout with the raised table and extra storage suited your preferences — many of our guests love being able to enjoy the views as they cruise along! We really appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Very good service the team at Gailey extremely friendly and helpful. Would recommend ABC to anyone wishing to hire from Gailey and we would use them again.
24 Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind review! We're so pleased to hear that the team at Gailey provided friendly and helpful service, and that the boat exceeded your expectations in both size and equipment — it’s great to know the layout worked well for your group. We really appreciate your recommendation and your tip about the Birmingham canal routes. Feedback like this is incredibly helpful for future guests planning their journeys, and we’ll be sure to pass it along. Looking forward to welcoming you back for another adventure soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
