So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
Thanks for a great week! The boat has been amazing! We’re mainly writing this review so the next guests will be attentive on this and don’t sail the wrong way. That’s also the reason for the one star, so people read it. The canal is collapsed completely at the Cheshire Ring in Little Bollington. We experienced that it was by a coincidence that ABC boathire told us before we left the marina, when we said our plan A was Cheshire Ring. We also met a ABC boat going north towards the collapse and asked them if they knew and they hadn’t heard anything. The collapse is not expected to be fixed in the near future and it will be recommended that ABC boathire mention this to their guests every time. Another critical point and good to know is that if you are planning to do the Four Countries ring then you have to prebook to get through Harecastle Tunnel in Kidsgrove at latest one day in advance before noon (12:00pm). We planned to do Four Countries ring as our plan B in collaboration with ABC boathire, but they didn’t mention that pre booking was mandatory. This resulted in us coming to the tunnel Sunday afternoon and next possible entrance was the following Tuesday. Which ruined our plan B so we had to turn around and reschedule everything once again. There were no apologies from ABC boathire when we called them about our disappointment. It felt like they abdicted their responsibility in telling us this very relevant information beforehand and instead were met by a rude attitude. This review is mainly to inform the future boat renters and secondly as a constructive critic that ABC boathire with succes can inform to guests in the future for a better experience. A side note; a shame that the Anderton Boat lift is not working right now - that was why we chose Anderton in the first place. But this is our own fault.
23 Oct 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry your holiday was affected by canal stoppages. ABC Boat Hire cannot guarantee specific routes, as the Canal & River Trust (CRT) carries out essential maintenance to ensure the safety and operation of the waterways. All our customers are responsible for checking planned or current stoppages before and during their trip via the CRT website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices Details and links are also provided in your booking confirmation. As outlined in Section 22 of our Terms and Conditions: “Acts beyond the parties’ control”, we cannot be held responsible for unforeseen disruptions. With 16 marinas within the UK and Wales, we always aim to minimise inconvenience and, where possible, relocate customers if all routes from a marina are closed The Bridgewater Canal has been out of action for over a year and is expected to remain unnavigable throughout 2026. Our staff at Anderton Marina have been reminding all customers of this on arrival to help them plan alternative routes. The Booking Office is always on hand to provide information or guidance about any routes.
27 Oct 2025
A great experience, very organised and helpful to the novice travellers! We had a very good induction and notches very clean & well equipped. Nothing was too much trouble.
22 Oct 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear you had a fabulous weekend away and that everything was well organised and supportive — especially for novice travellers. It’s great to know the boat was clean, well equipped, and that our team made sure nothing was too much trouble. We’re delighted you had such a positive experience from start to finish and hope to welcome you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Excellent service from start to finish
22 Oct 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear you had a fabulous weekend away and that everything was well organised and supportive — especially for novice travellers. It’s great to know the boat was clean, well equipped, and that our team made sure nothing was too much trouble. We’re delighted you had such a positive experience from start to finish and hope to welcome you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
The boat was beautiful and clean, the staff bent over backwards to assist us and therefore we had a great holiday
22 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a perfect holiday and that the boat met your expectations in both cleanliness and comfort. It’s wonderful to know our team went the extra mile to assist you — we’re proud to have such a dedicated crew. We’re so pleased everything came together for a memorable trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you had a perfect holiday and that the boat was beautifully clean and comfortable. It’s especially lovely to know our team went above and beyond to assist you — we’re proud to have such a dedicated crew who help make every trip special. We’re so pleased everything came together for a memorable experience, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Great team. Charlotte Ginger deserves a special mention helping us use canalplan and check the crt website for closures. Lee, Conrad & Dave had the boat perfect and were very responsive when we needed to call. The pump outs and linen changes made the long trip viable. the Wrenbury/ Whitchurch and Alvechurch teams were excellent too - organising a few things and the latter talking us through our revised trip down the Avon & Severn rivers. We are already planning our next trip.
22 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! Eight weeks aboard Piping Plover sounds like an incredible adventure, and we’re thrilled to hear it was such a positive experience. It’s great to know the boat’s layout and modern features suited your needs so well, and that our support teams across the network helped make the journey smooth — especially with the challenges posed by canal closures. A special thank you for mentioning Charlotte Ginger, Lee, Conrad, and Dave — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words. We’re also glad the pump-outs and linen changes helped make the long trip comfortable and viable. It’s wonderful to hear that both the Wrenbury/Whitchurch and Alvechurch teams were able to assist with your revised route down the Avon and Severn. We’re already looking forward to helping you plan your next canal adventure! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Everything about the holiday was perfect
22 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a perfect holiday and that the boat met your expectations in both cleanliness and comfort. It’s wonderful to know our team went the extra mile to assist you — we’re proud to have such a dedicated crew. We’re so pleased everything came together for a memorable trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you had a perfect holiday and that the boat was beautifully clean and comfortable. It’s especially lovely to know our team went above and beyond to assist you — we’re proud to have such a dedicated crew who help make every trip special. We’re so pleased everything came together for a memorable experience, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Helped us plan and adapt to canal closures due to the low water. . Support with the boat across the network. Plover class excellent - great layout, modern & fresh.
22 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! Eight weeks aboard Piping Plover sounds like an incredible adventure, and we’re thrilled to hear it was such a positive experience. It’s great to know the boat’s layout and modern features suited your needs so well, and that our support teams across the network helped make the journey smooth — especially with the challenges posed by canal closures. A special thank you for mentioning Charlotte Ginger, Lee, Conrad, and Dave — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words. We’re also glad the pump-outs and linen changes helped make the long trip comfortable and viable. It’s wonderful to hear that both the Wrenbury/Whitchurch and Alvechurch teams were able to assist with your revised route down the Avon and Severn. We’re already looking forward to helping you plan your next canal adventure! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
27 Oct 2025
Two of the pubs attended didn’t do food
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent holiday on Pintail Duck from Springwood Haven Marina. We’re pleased to hear that you received excellent service and found our team helpful throughout your trip. We’re sorry to hear about the issue with the water pump and appreciate you bringing this to our attention — this has been passed on to our maintenance team for review. For future reference, we do recommend turning the water pump off at night to prevent noise and ensure a more restful sleep. Thank you also for mentioning the pubs along your route; we understand how important it is to plan stops in advance, as some local venues can vary in their food service availability. We’re grateful for your comments and hope to welcome you back again soon for another enjoyable canal boating experience. ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
The service was excellent from Springwood marina the staff were really helpful unfortunately they had tried showing us the video. The boat had an issue with a water pump, it was very noisy and had to be swollen off at night
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent holiday on Pintail Duck from Springwood Haven Marina. We’re pleased to hear that you received excellent service and found our team helpful throughout your trip. We’re sorry to hear about the issue with the water pump and appreciate you bringing this to our attention — this has been passed on to our maintenance team for review. For future reference, we do recommend turning the water pump off at night to prevent noise and ensure a more restful sleep. Thank you also for mentioning the pubs along your route; we understand how important it is to plan stops in advance, as some local venues can vary in their food service availability. We’re grateful for your comments and hope to welcome you back again soon for another enjoyable canal boating experience. ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
7 days on Winter Wren. Pickup was smooth and well practised, as was handover on return. Everything very chilled and relaxed but effective too. We came away for a week's relaxing on the canal and, that was exactly what we got. Everything we needed was supplied, but we brought a few extras - bath sheets and our own pillows, a wool blanket for the bed. All in all very warm and comfy. This was our 2nd hire with ABC. We will be back, but probably at a different location. Thankyou. Hugh and Susie Barnes
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing the details of your recent journey from Wrenbury to Llangollen and your return via Ellesmere and Whitchurch Arms. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed exploring these scenic routes. Your recommendations of the Thai restaurant in Ellesmere and the Black Bear in Whitchurch are much appreciated and will undoubtedly be valuable to future guests. We look forward to welcoming you on another memorable canal holiday in the future. ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
We travelled from Wrenbury to Llangollen via stops below Grindley Locks and Ellesmere Arm. After most of a day at Llangollen we returned via stops at Ellesmere Arm and Whitchurch Arm. I can recommend the Thai in Ellesmere and the Black Bear in Whitchurch where we ate.
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing the details of your recent journey from Wrenbury to Llangollen and your return via Ellesmere and Whitchurch Arms. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed exploring these scenic routes. Your recommendations of the Thai restaurant in Ellesmere and the Black Bear in Whitchurch are much appreciated and will undoubtedly be valuable to future guests. We look forward to welcoming you on another memorable canal holiday in the future. ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
Just nice people, easy to deal with.
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted you enjoyed your time aboard Red Backed Finch and appreciated the service at Goytre Wharf. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the beautiful canal scenery as well. We look forward to welcoming you back for another trip. ABC Boat Hire
25 Oct 2025
great family fun, peaceful and relaxing.
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased you had a great holiday aboard Ashes Lark and found everything from the boat to the service enjoyable. It’s lovely to hear our team and sister marinas were able to help make your trip smooth and relaxing. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back for another peaceful cruise soon. ABC Boat Hire
25 Oct 2025
Would definitely recommend ABC. Staff were very helpful and gave us a thorough explanation around operating the boat. Loved our week away.
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind feedback about your recent holiday on Sooty Swift from Whitchurch Marina. We’re delighted to hear that you found the booking process straightforward and our staff helpful and informative during the handover. It’s great to know you enjoyed your week on the Llangollen Canal and that the boat was well-equipped with everything you needed for a comfortable trip. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon for another relaxing holiday on the waterways. ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
All excellent can’t wait for the next trip
21 Oct 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the excellent service, communication, and your trip aboard Grays Lark from Whitchurch Marina. It’s great to know you appreciated the boat and the picturesque canal. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure on the waterways! ABC Boat Hire
23 Oct 2025
