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Boating Holidays in the UK

We offer the widest range of boating holidays in the UK. There are over 1000 hire boats available - almost all with online availability.

Cruiser Boat Holidays on UK waterways

We have self-drive cruiser boats and canal narrowboats available on the rivers and canals of England, Scotland and Wales.

The cruiser boat has been a feature of the UK rivers for many years. Its design allows a considerable degree of comfort and facilities. Many boats have either inside and outside steering or central steering with a sliding canopy.

Cruise past Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace on your way along the Royal River Thames between west London and Oxford. River Thames guide .

Further north in Scotland explore the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness between Inverness and Fort William. Perhaps search for the famous monster! Caledonian Canal guide .

UK Canal Holidays on traditional narrowboats

The distinctive UK canal narrowboat is just over 2 metres wide. These traditional craft have been updated to offer a full range of features and comforts including microwaves, DVD, and en-suite cabins.

The canals join most of the major towns of England, travelling through rural countryside, historic towns and the UK industrial heritage. Once used for transport of goods, they are now almost exclusively used for holiday boating.

See some of the UK's most visited towns by canal - Oxford and its University and colleges, Bath's historic Pump Room and famous Georgian crescents, Chester and its famous arcades, Shakespeare's Stratford on Avon, Edinburgh and the Royal Mile.

Moor your boat near Regent's Park in London or stop in the refurbished centre of Birmingham or the busy heart of Manchester. Cross the famous aqueduct at Llangollen or the Pennines to Yorkshire.

Check out our UK Canal Holidays website for online availability and more info.

Route Information

Call us on : 01756 701200 (+44 1756 701200)

Boating Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

Inland boating holidays

Take your very own behind-the-scenes tour of britain, passing slowly through the english countryside, and into the heart of some of our best loved towns and cities, our holidays.

Great British Boating offers a range of canal boat holidays on the 2,000 miles of Britain’s inland waterways, with all of the information you need to plan and make the most of your time. You can adventure at your own pace along our recommended routes, watching out for wildlife and stopping to enjoy traditional pubs, tea rooms and country walks, as well as exciting historic attractions and cultural events.

Our peaceful canals and rivers offer a great way to relax and discover britain from a unique perspective. choose from hundreds of top quality boats offering all the comforts of home, and all operated by established canal boat holiday companies..

Our canal boat hire operators offer a range of holidays from each starting point.

Short breaks are three-night weekends or four night mid-week holidays. They are great for beginners, providing the chance to get a taste of life afloat on Britain’s inland waterways.

One week holidays provide seven nights away, starting on a Friday or a Saturday.  A week afloat offers the chance to travel further and explore more waterside attractions.

Longer holidays can be 10-days, two weeks or even longer.  These holidays offer the chance to travel round some of the larger circuits, taking in a wide range of landscapes and destinations.

To find out more about the different holiday options available, please use our interactive map below.

Please use the Key to the left of the map to view recommended Attractions and Places of Interest

Northern Region

From the quiet remoteness of the leeds & liverpool canal where it crosses the pennines, to the regenerated waterfronts of exciting cities like manchester, leeds and liverpool, britain’s northern waterways offer canal boat holiday makers a fantastic choice of routes with many iconic canal structures..

Central Region

From peaceful country villages with historic local pubs, to some of britain’s best-loved towns and cities with world famous attractions like shakespeare’s stratford and warwick castle, our central waterways offer the chance to see the heart of england from a unique perspective..

Southern Region

From the majesty of the royal river thames to the peaceful countryside of the kennet & avon canal, the waterways of southern england offer narrowboat holiday-makers the chance to enjoy some of britain’s best loved countryside, as well visit iconic cities like world heritage status bath and oxford..

A DAY OUT ON A CANAL BOAT WITH DRIFTERS BOATING HOLIDAYS

Drifters is offering the chance to win a day afloat, worth up to £189!

You can enter our FREE competition here.

Things you need to know

Great british boating offers information and advice to help you decide on the right boat, departure point and journey for you., operating locks.

It’s easy to learn how to steer a narrowboat and operate the locks. You don’t need a licence and all our narrowboat hire operators provide expert tuition and detailed pre-arrival information.

Easy Access

Great British Boating offers the choice of over 40 canal boat hire departure points, and most are located within a reasonable train or taxi ride from an international airport. Transfers can easily be arranged.

Things to see & do

From quiet country pubs and village churches, to exciting historic attractions where history and culture come to life, you’ll find plenty of places to visit on your canal journey.

Warwick Castle and River Avon

This jaw-dropping castle on the banks of the river avon is almost certainly britain’s greatest medieval experience, along with over 1,000 years of fascinating history to explore. map.

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

This magnificent 1,040 seat theatre on the banks of the river avon in the heart of stratford-upon-avon, is dedicated to the famous english playwright and poet william shakespeare. map.

Walk the Heart of England Way

This popular and scenic 160 km walk which takes you through the english midlands, meets the grand union canal at the navigation inn, lapworth, next to kingswood bridge. map.

Worcester Cathedral and River Severn

Overlooking the river severn, with royal tombs, medieval cloisters and magnificent victorian stained glass, this is one of england’s most famous and iconic cathedrals. map, testimonials, take a look at what some of our customers say about their holidays with us., the stratford canal, leonard, utrecht. nl.

To sum up, we had a great week on the boat, with our captain (my wife) receiving praise at several moments from other more experienced boaters and the crew receiving offers to be hired by other captains 😉

The Warwickshire Ring

Elizabeth, wiesbaden, germany.

Their boat was excellent value, and when we needed help, they responded immediately. The staff were friendly and thoughtful, and they were completely dedicated to making sure that our holiday continued without a hitch

THE WARWICKSHIRE RING

Catherine m, saskatoon, canada.

It was a great adventure as we went through over 20 locks. Stopped in many villages to eat in the pubs. Took a bus to Warwick Castle and Stratford

Great British Boating Holidays is brought to you by Drifters Waterways Holidays .

Want to get started? 

Start planning your trip., find your perfect holiday with great british boating. simply select your preferred start location and date and click on “check availability”. , you can further refine your search by selecting holiday length and berths ., or you can book directly now by calling us on:,  +44 (0) 1252 796 402.

• Cheshire Ring
• Four Counties Ring
• Grand Union Canal
• Kennet and Avon Canal
• Leeds-Liverpool Canal
• Leicester Ring
• Llangollen Canal
• London Ring
• Mon and Brec Canal
• Oxford Canal
• Scotland Canals
• Stourport Ring
• Thames Ring
• Warwickshire Ring
• UK Canal Map
• About Narrowboats
• About the Canals
• Canal Holiday FAQs
• Website Help

OFFERS Click Here For Exclusive Special Offer Discounts

Availability Search

Canal Narrowboat Holidays

Book 2024 and 2025 holidays now with amazing savings, we offer the widest range of canal narrow boats in the uk. search over 2000 canal holiday options and book online at best prices any time.

Cruise the canals around London, moor in historic Bath, Oxford or Chester. Travel from Edinburgh via the stunning Falkirk Wheel. Cross the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.

The narrowboat is the modern version of the cargo vessels that travelled the canals before the railways.

Now these boats contain every creature comfort and are available for hire across the UK and in Ireland.

These canal boats have modern kitchens, beds which can be left made up, heating, showers and toilets. They can sleep from 2 to 12 people.

Canal Boat Hire

A canal holiday lets you experience the locks to go up or down hill and travel through exciting tunnels. You can cross aqueducts over valleys and rivers - the most famous is 120 feet above the ground.

At 4 miles per hour a canal narrow boat holiday is often described as 'the fastest way to slow down'.

Widest Choice

On this website there is the widest choice of canal boat holidays in the UK. We offer weekend and midweek breaks, week hire or longer. And all at the boat operator's price.

Search and Book

On our website you can search for a boat by size, by date, by canal route, or by cruise area. Then book online for best prices.

Your Shortlist

As you find boats and routes you like just add them to your Shortlist (Shopping Basket). Review and compare at any time!

For boating holidays in Europe see our Boating Holidays website

Popular routes for narrowboat holidays.

Canal Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

01252 796401

[email protected]

Find Your Perfect Boating Holiday

For advanced options click here ►

Choose from available start days:

Norfolk Broads Boating Holidays, Sailing Yachts & Canal Boat Hire across the UK Waterways.

Hire Boat offers a selection of over 1,800 boats available for hire from over 80 different start locations. Choose from a variety of different boating holidays including cruisers and sailing yachts on the Norfolk Broads or a traditional narrowboat on the Canals & Rivers across the UK including Scotland, Wales and England. Full tuition is provided on arrival so no previous experience is required. Your contract of hire is always with the boat owners of your selected hire boat. Hire terms are always available when clicking the picture of the boat on a results page. No booking fees are charged. Your holiday is always booked at the best price including any special offers or discounts available. Choose your desired location for your boat holiday, your dates, size of the party and check availability to find your perfect hire boat. Then reserve your hire boat online at the direct booking price and we will call you back to discuss your holiday and confirm the reservation. Alternatively, you can call us for advice and to book your boating holiday. We are open between 9am & 5.30pm (UK) Monday to Saturday. Our contact number is 01252 796401 (+44 01252 796401).

Holiday Ideas & Inspirations

Explore the beautiful UK Canals & Rivers...

Hire a boat to explore the scenery across England, Wales & Scotland. Click to find out more about canal boat holidays.

Discover the beauty of the Norfolk Broads...

Cruise the Norfolk Broads on a motor cruiser or a traditional sailing yacht. Find out more about Norfolk Broads boat hire.

Great savings off selected boat holidays...

Check out our great choice of discounted boating holidays from a selection of locations across the UK Canals & Rivers.

Your Hireboat Booking

Please note: Your boat hire is only confirmed once you have received a booking confirmation and paid either a booking deposit of full payment as appropriate. Your booking is direct with the operator of your hire boat and subject to the owners terms and conditions of hire. Hire Boat accept no liability on behalf of any boat hire operator for any holiday bookings, changes of holiday availability or any costs incurred directly or indirectly in the use of this service. All information provided to Waterways Holidays Ltd. trading as Hireboat.com is protected under our Privacy Policy . Continued use of this website explicitly implies the users complete acceptance of the Website Terms of Use .

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Drifters standards.

All our canal boat hire operators uphold standards of excellence, find out more here

Welcome to Drifters

Drifters brings you Great British Boating

Drifters is made up of nine professional canal boat holiday operators, handpicked because they uphold the highest standards .

With over 550 narrowboats for hire from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, Drifters offers the choice of hundreds of narrowboat holiday routes and destinations.

Our operators invest more in new canal boats each year than all the other UK operators put together, ensuring we offer high quality holidays afloat.  We are all independently assessed and accredited by the trade federation for the boating industry British Marine, so you can embark on your canal adventure with confidence.

We work with the Canal & River Trust for the good of Britain’s canal network – and to promote the enjoyment of canal boat holidays.

To find out more about Drifters Standards offering excellence afloat, please  Click here

Try out our Interactive map

Try out our canal boat holiday destinations Interactive map

Sign-up for our free Newsletter

Drifters’ monthly e-newsletter offers subscribers updates on:,  offers, special events, competitions, destinations, boating tips and holiday reviews., click here for details, drifters price promise, means our prices are always competitive., if you see the same holiday elsewhere at a lower price, we will match it..

If you’ve never been on a narrowboat and canal boating holiday before, it’s easy to learn how to drive a boat and all our operators include tuition in their holiday packages.

You don’t need a licence and it’s easy to learn how to drive a boat.

We’ve got lots of advice for beginners, including the best routes, what to pack and how to prepare for a holiday afloat.

Latest news from

Castles to visit on a narrowboat holiday

Best canal boat holiday cruising rings

Bank holiday rural retreats on a canal boat

New electric day boat for hire at Hilperton

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Narrowboat Holidays Across the UK

98% Guests rated their holiday as being value for money

98% Guests rated their holiday experience as Good or Excellent

97% Guests would recommend Black Prince to a friend

YOUR BOATING ADVENTURE STARTS HERE…

Enjoy a canal boat holiday from one of our nine stunning hire boat locations in England, Scotland and Wales. As the captain of your own self-drive  luxury narrowboat  you can set your own itinerary and wake up to an inspiring new view each morning. It’s an exhilarating break from everyday life that suits families, friends and couples, whether for a short break or a longer canal holiday.  No previous experience is necessary, full coaching will be provided on your arrival.

Best family routes

Last minute Easter breaks

Beginner’s Guide

Explore Cambridgeshire

Travelling from outside the UK?

Short break ideas

LAST MINUTE DEALS

Staffordshire.

Princess 4  |  Sleeps 4

Was £1389 Now £1182

Cambridgeshire.

Duchess 4  |  Sleeps 4

Was £1699 Now £1440

Princess 2 |  Sleeps 6

Was £1499 Now £1275

Here’s to new boating adventures in 2024.

Check out our family-friendly boating route ideas , complete with our Family Towpath Guides and canal routes designed especially with family in mind.

Boating Holidays around UK Waterways

Oxfordshire, warwickshire, worcestershire, chirk, wales, falkirk, scotland, see all locations >.

Oxfordshire

Lower heyford base, warwickshire, napton base, worcestershire, stoke prior base, staffordshire, stoke-on-trent base, acton bridge base, cambridgeshire, bradford on avon base, falkirk base.

NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE? HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT BOAT HIRE?

Call today on ++44 (0)1527 575 115 and a Black Prince team member will be happy to help!

NARROWBOAT HIRE FROM 9 LOCATIONS

Your waterways adventure starts from a choice of nine beautiful holiday locations across the UK, from Oxford to Scotland’s Union Canal, the Peak District to Wales, the Midlands to Southern England. Each of these carefully chosen locations offers some of the best linear and ring canal and river routes, meaning that you can enjoy the mix of peace of the countryside with the lively sights and sounds of historical cities near Scotland, England, south and north Wales.

FLEXIBLE CANAL BOAT HOLIDAYS

With Black Prince you can choose a narrowboat holiday to suit you with a variety of holiday locations and flexible durations, from a three-night short canal break in Wales to a six-week tour of Scottish canals! We can also offer bespoke lengths of holidays should you require it, just give our team a call and ask about long-term canal boat hire.

Our fully heated narrowboats for hire mean that you can enjoy the waterways in early spring right through to late autumn. It’s never been so easy to hire canal boats!

NARROWBOAT HIRE MADE EASY

No previous canal boating experience is necessary with Black Prince Holidays, as full instruction will be given on your arrival no matter whether you’re embarking on a short break or week-long narrowboat holidays. Our British Marine Federation accredited teams will explain the canal boat operation, how to work the locks, plus talk you through your UK canals route plan and give you tips on the best places to moor up and eat etc. Black Prince Holidays also have a 24-hour emergency phone line with a free call-out service. Find out more in our new to narrowboating section .

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This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies, Click here to read more .

Cookie and Privacy Settings

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

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UK Canal Boating

Nationwide canal boat hire specialists.

Find out what makes our canals and rivers such special places.

We have a good choice of recommended routes, or you can do your own.

See inside the boats, and view the locations with our virtual tours.

Canal Boats

These boats have one cabin with a dinette double.

One or two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two to three cabins with a dinette double.

These boats have two cabins and two dinette doubles.

Holiday Locations

Testimonials

"The stag do was fantastic thanks! We were very happy with the service and everything to do with the boat went very well. A great weekend was had by all. Honestly we can't think of anything to change. Thanks for your help organising it. Cheers. Chris "

Canal Boat hire is ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and stags and hens. Our boats are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. Want to learn more?

Check out our canal boat holiday articles.

We know how important your dog is to you and your family and that is why we welcome pets at all of our canal boating holiday locations.

Check out our frequently asked questions.

• Any Location

Aldermaston Wharf

Alvechurch marina, anderton marina, blackwater meadow marina, falkirk canal, gailey marina.

• Gayton Marina

Goytre Wharf

• Hilperton Marina
• Kings Orchard Marina

March Marina

• Nantwich Canal Centre
• Springwood Haven
• Whitchurch Marina
• Worcester Marina
• Wrenbury Mill

Book Now for 2024 – Pay Monthly with our Easy Pay Scheme

Watch our boating holiday videos

Click here and see for yourself just how enjoyable and relaxing canal boating can be

Perfect canal boat hire experience

Relax, unwind and explore life from a whole new perspective

Canal Boat Staycations a slower pace of life

Unsure of what you're looking for? We're here to help! Just call and talk to one of our Friendly team

0330 333 0590

(Free UK calls)

Canal boat hire

Cast off and leave your cares behind with a canal boat holiday from abc boat hire..

SPECIAL OFFERS & DISCOUNTS ! LOOKING FOR CANAL BOAT DAY HIRE ?

WATCH OUR VIDEO

Find your next canal boat adventure.

Our Canal Boat Holiday Locations

Explore our beautiful canal boat hire locations across the country – from the stunning welsh countryside to the bustling lifestyle of scotland’s lively cities..

Cambridgeshire

Worcestershire

Staffordshire

Forth and Clyde

South Wales

Download A Brochure

Our latest brochure makes choosing your boating holiday as easy as ABC. Inside it you'll discover advice on how to plan your trip, find comprehensive boat layouts and details, plus maps, guides and handy tips to help you make the most of our beautiful waterways on your canal holiday.

Choose your canal boat

Whatever your group, we've a range of beautiful hand-built canal boats to hire for your narrowboat holiday., two to five berth.

Accommodating up to 5 people, these boats are perfect for couples or small families searching for their next boating holiday

Six to eight berth

These boats accommodate between 6 and 8 people, making for a perfect boating holiday for larger families and groups

Up to twelve berth

With space for up to 12 people, if you're planning a multi-family boating holiday or big celebration, these are the boats for you.

Over 140 Routes available

Special offers, maps & guides, canal boat faqs, can i hire a boat just for the day.

Yes - we have day hire boats at several of our locations - For more information, head to our day boat hire website: www.abcdayboathire.com

How much does it cost to rent a canal boat?

The price of renting a canal boat varies depending on the location and length of your holiday, as well as the canal boat you choose. We provide a range of special offers, including a 2-week discount, 2 nd holiday discount, multi-boat discount, loyalty discount and early bird discount. We also allow you to spread the cost of your holiday with our easy payment plan. Contact a member of our friendly team to find out more about the costs of our canal boat holidays.

Where is the best place for a canal boat holiday?

It all depends on the type of canal boat holiday you’re looking for! We have locations across England, Scotland and Wales such as Anderton Marina , Falkirk Canal  and Goytre Wharf . Not sure where to spend your next canal boat holiday? Check our locations , routes  and boats  for inspiration. Alternatively, contact a member of our knowledgeable team  who will offer invaluable canal boat holiday advice.

Can I still book if I haven't 'driven' a boat before?

No previous experience is necessary, as our boats are extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every holiday. Comprehensive cruising information is in a manual on the boat and details are sent out with the holiday documents to introduce you to the theory of locks and the 'rules of the road'. We provide our own 24hr emergency helpline. 

Do you need a license to drive a boat?

You do not need a driving licence for a canal boat or narrowboat and the boat itself is licenced by us for CRT waterways. There are a few waterways outside their jurisdiction for which you will need to purchase an additional licence as you enter them, such as the Scottish Canals, Rivers Avon, Thames and Wey. Our start bases can provide details when you arrive to pick up your boat. Aldermaston boats have a Thames license.

The maximum number of people allowed on board is restricted to the number of berths.

Can we bring pets aboard?

This really is a holiday the whole family can enjoy together. We do not charge for any of your pets - however there is normally a maximum of 2 allowed. We obviously request that the boat is returned in a clean and tidy condition and reserve the right to refuse pets or charge for any additional cleaning or repairs required as a result of pets being on board during your holiday.  

ABC BOAT HIRE REVIEWS

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Green Sandpiper from Falkirk

A lovely welcome and detailed explanation of how things worked and were best operated. The boat was great and everything was better than anticipated. The boat hire people looked after us brilliantly.

05 Apr 2024

The Falkirk Wheel was amazing and going through the locks was really interesting.

★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Swallow - Red Collared Swallow from Goytre Wharf

The staff were very helpful and very friendly but the boat was old and dated inside although you could say it's in keeping with the Bargee lifestyle. Quite a few items missing from the itinery, it's the first time i've made gravy in a tespot as there was no measuring jug, a pair of scissors would of been handy also. The condition of the canal was appalling, large logs floating about, submerged trees and most of the trip was ploughing through mud, complete negligence by C.R.T. On a positive note the scenery was stunning and we did enjoy our holiday.

04 Apr 2024

Very friendly and helpful staff. Old dated boat. Appaslling canal with mud, submerged trees and logs. stunning scenery

Your recent holiday on Lark - Flappet Lark from Kings Orchard Marina

The boat was clean and well maintained, the handover was informative and efficient. The staff were all friendly and helpful and made us feel they valued our custom.

★ ★ ★ ★

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Reed Warbler from

A great trip but our original plans were disrupted by waterway closures. The extra two days given by ABC to complete a longer route was very helpful.

Very personable staff and in spite of small problems with the boat, a very helpful engineer team got us on our way, including driving the galley staff on a round trip to the nearest Coop!

Although we could not complete our planned route due the River Trent being in flood we managed to explore other routes and had a very enjoyable holiday.

Your recent holiday on Eagle - Spotted Eagle from Whitchurch Marina

We arrived to a great handover by Jon. The boat was great and very clean. We had a fantastic week on the Llangollen Canal. There was a hiccup with the boat’s heater and, after an easy phone call to the office, Josh (Technician) was sent out. He arrived half an hour later and swapped out a component without any fuss and worked in the rain to do it. Perfect. A great service. Overall a great holiday and a great company.

03 Apr 2024

Your recent holiday on Duck - Mandarin Duck from Worcester

We hired the Mandarin Duck for a long weekend over Easter. There were 4 adults and 2 children (5 and 12). Boat was well equipped and comfortable. Still early in the season so a bit chilly outside but the boat was very toasty with the central heating. Warm welcome on arrival and great handover from all the staff. It was our first outing on a canal boat so felt a little apprehensive but very quickly got the gist of the locks and steering the boat. Our preferred route had to change due to all the rain and river Severn being flooded but still an enjoyable route leaving Worcester Marina up to Stoke Prior and return. The turn around at Stoke Prior was tricky but luckily there were volunteer canal wardens to help and our skipper managed it with ease. We stopped on the second night near Hanbury Junction (turning for Droitwich canal) and had dinner in the Eagle & Sun which was very nice. Overall a lovely experience and we would love to do it again. We would recommend ABC Boat Hire and looking to book again in the future.

Your recent holiday on Wren - Carolina Wren from March Wharf

Friendly welcome and a thorough explanation of the boat facilities. We had help with the best route to travel for a three night trip. All the staff were professional and very helpful.

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Willow Warbler from Worcester

We has a great break, the service great, would defo book with ABC again.

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See where each hotelboat will cruise in the coming year Read more

So why choose a Hotelboat Cruise?

Because it’s a perfect antidote to busy jobs, frenetic tourism, crowded airports, and also a wonderful way to enjoy the countryside!

You have your own skipper and crew who really know our canals and rivers, their waterway heritage and their unique natural environment. They also understand how to keep you comfortable, happy and well-fed on great home-cooked local fare!

You may be floating at a leisurely pace through the hidden countryside or sampling the local beers in a canalside pub. You could practice a favourite hobby like painting or bird-watching, help out with locks and swing bridges, or keep fit by jogging towpaths and lanes. Or you could just treat yourself to a little well-earned relaxation with a piece of homemade cake and that favourite book!

Booking your hotel boat canal and river cruises in the UK

Hotel boat Cruising is very popular; many guests return year after year to explore a different area of our beautiful canals and rivers. Consequently, many cruises are already heavily booked before the end of the previous season. We recommend booking as early as possible to ensure you get the canal cruise and the route you want.

Our Canal and River Cruise pages show which boats are planning to cruise which canals and rivers.

During the cruising season, we will show which Late Booking cabins are still available.

• Wellbeing by water
• Boat holidays and trips

Find a hire boat company

Looking for your ideal boat holiday or trip? Search our directory to find a hire company in a location that suits you.

You can use our canal and river network map to see what else is in your chosen area, from attractions to sports activities.

If you own a boating business and would like to appear in our directory, please register for a  My Trust  account. Once logged in, you will see a menu option called ' My listings '. Here you can create a new listing in the 'Activities' category.

Please note: Businesses which add details of their services or goods to this directory are not operating on behalf of the Trust and are not required to have any connection with the Trust in order to add themselves within the directory. The Trust makes no checks as to the accuracy of statements made by businesses which list their services on these pages and users should not place any reliance on such statements.

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Lazy Days Boating

Welcome to a unique getaway experience on my charming narrow boat nestled along a tranquil canal in Wakefield. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with stunning canal views and scenic walks right at your doorstep. This cozy retreat offers a perfect blend of serenity and adventure, inviting you to...

Nottingham Narrowboat Project

We're a volunteer led charity running a community narrowboat project in the heart of Nottingham city centre with two 70' boats; Megan and Tinkers Leen each available with NCBA qualified Skippers and crew for day hire and residential stays. Each boat carries a max of 12 people. Onboard facilities include...

Three Shires Boat - Grantham Canal Society

30 minute scheduled trips or 2/3/4 hour cruises along the Grantham Canal. All trips private to your group on our award winning Three Shires narrowboat. Prices start from £25 for a group of up to 10 passengers. Hot drinks or squash included but you are welcome to bring your own drinks or picnics. All...

The Grantham Canal Society is pleased to announce that their cruising season will commence from Sunday 10th March, to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Chesterfield Canal Boat Hire

We are Mark and Sharon and are a family canal boat hire business with 2 boats, Maid Marian (4 berth) and Robin Hood (6 berth) based at West Stockwith Marina on the Chesterfield Canal.

Cheshire Scouts - Cheshire Hike 2024

The Cheshire Hike is an annual competition hike organised and delivered entirely by volunteer leaders on behalf of Cheshire Scouts. The event is for scouts and explorer scouts aged from 11 to 17 in teams plotting and walking routes of varying distances over 2 days while carrying kit for the weekend....

The Baldwin Trust

Private, crewed narrowboat cruises on Leicestershire waterways from either Thurmaston, Leicester or Barrow-upon-Soar, Loughborough.

Lock House Tea Rooms

Traditional English Tea Room serving old fashioned homemade favourites such as Rabbit Stew, Dripping on Toast and Cottage pie together with toasted sandwiches, afternoon teas, cobs, homemade puddings and hot and cold drinks including over 60 different teas and much more. All using local produce and fruit...

Electric Bike Tour

Electric Bike Tours

The Boat Co North

We are a hire boat company offering you holidays with heart. Based in Leeds we are at the center of the Yorkshire waterways offering access to all Yorkshires canals and rivers. Bespoke boats, family and dog friendly, beginners welcome, full tuition provided as well 24hr on call for guidance.

[email protected]

+44 1753 543930.

Adventure along the Thames - The Complete Family Holiday

Welcome to kris cruisers, boating holidays on the thames.

We have one of the largest fleets of boats on the River Thames with day boats seating from 2 to 12 people and a fleet of fully equipped luxury holiday cruisers sleeping between 2 and 10 people.

With over 50 years of experience and more than 35 boats to choose from, there’s no need to go anywhere else.

Kris Cruisers is owned and operated by 3 generations of the Clark family along with many dedicated and long serving members of staff.

Early Booking Discount 2024

Book your 2024 holiday by the 31st December 2023 and get a 10% discount off the 2024 hire terms, saving up to £171.50 on a short break or £380.20 on a 1 week’s holiday.

Book 2 weeks or more and save even more.

With the staycation as popular as ever availability is going fast, book now to save disappointment.

Kris Cruisers Wins 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide for 4th year running

Kris Cruisers today announced it has been recognized as a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner for Great Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports. This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to boaters around the globe.

Featured Cruisers

Lady Catherine

Lady Annalise

View our holiday cruisers, view our day boats, a family business.

In terms of quality, our customers appreciate that not only do we have a modern fleet of boats, we also give a friendly personal service that is the hallmark of a family-run business. It also explains why so many of our customers come back to us year after year!

Kris Cruisers is owned and operated by three generations of the Clark family who celebrated 50 years in the Boat Hire industry in 2016.

Your Cruise

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• Skippers Handbook
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• Places to Visit
• 2024 Prices

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Narrowboat Holidays & Boat Hire on the Thames Take a canal boat on a memorable trip on the waterways.

Discover the thames or enjoy the oxford canal or kennet & avon canal  on a relaxing narrowboat holiday. "we significantly beat the big comnpanies on price"                                no extra charge for bank holidays                                     .

Welcome to River Holidays

We are a small family business currently in our 4th year. we offer reasonably priced holidays with a high quality personal service. as people who love boating ourselves we aim to give you an enjoyable holiday on the water on our well kept hire boats.

                              Free secure onsite parking

"We are significantly better value than the big boys!"

We've won awards!

It's been a great year.

We're very pleased to announce we've won 4 awards in 2023!

Camping&Boating Combo

Fancy a bit of both.

We also offer luxury camping at our beautiful location in Sutton Courtenay. If you fancy a weeks holiday split between boating and camping then this is available upon request. Subject to availability

Book your Holiday

Weekend, midweek and full week breaks..

Departing from our mooring in Sutton Courtenay, South Oxfordshire you can travel either south towards London or north towards Oxford on an amazing stretch of The Thames. 

Holidays are available for a weekend break (Friday - Monday midweek getaway (Monday - Thursday) or full week ( Friday-Friday). We have 6 and 8 berth boats.

Enjoy a beautiful stretch of the Thames 

Rustic and natural scenery.

Start your journey in the beautiful village of Sutton Courtenay , S Oxfordshire and take in Oxford, Abingdon, Dorchester, Goring, Pangbourne, Windsor and many other lovely towns. Or you may prefer the peace and tranquility of mooring in the quieter spaces between surrounded by nature. Accessible are the Oxford Canal and Kennett and Avon as well as the Thames.

Town and Country.

Waterway to have a good time.

Enjoy the best of both worlds on the rivers and canals. One night you can be moored in the centre of such towns as Oxford or Windsor enjoying the restaurants, pubs and shopping or you may prefer the peace and tranquillity of mooring in the quieter spaces between surrounded by nature.

Where we are

Easily accessible location with off street secure parking

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The River King

Public Day Trips

April - September

Weekends, Bank Holidays & School Holidays

Private Hire

  Daytimes & Evenings

Available for Private Hire for up to 120 Passengers, including a Fully Stocked Bar & Toilets

Catering available on request

Party Nights & Events

Ranging from Live Music Events to Party Nights cruising up and down the river as the sun comes down.

Ashes Ceremonies

  We aim to offer a discreet & respectful service for all religions & beliefs, with a short cruise to a quiet location where the ceremony can be performed.

Upcoming Events:

SUNDAY 12TH MAY

Thanks for submitting!

07810 810161

[email protected], severn way,, stourport-on-severn, worcestershire.

"Lovely way to end to our family trip to Stourport Riverside on Bank Holiday weekend."

Sue Williams

Welcome to CampiBoats

Rent a Houseboat and enjoy the iconic River Thames.

Stay aboard our floating apartment, remaining in our marina base., are you dreaming of an idyllic holiday aboard a luxury houseboat.

Well look no further; CampiBoats is the perfect choice for your unforgettable houseboat vacation. Our small family business can cater to all your houseboat needs, from providing your houseboat to designing an itinerary and providing holiday reading.

Our holidays are designed with families in mind, with spacious, safe and airy accommodation. The houseboats have all the latest accessories including a TV, fridge, comfy sofa and warm heating, perfect for lazy days relaxing and enjoying your favourite food while cruising along the iconic River Thames.

Made for comfort our modern and uniquely designed CampiBoats easily accommodate up to four people, for short breaks, a week’s holiday or more. Each CampiBoat has its own beautifully fitted bathroom with an electric toilet, washbasin, and a hot shower, for you to enjoy, after the day’s adventures.

Our houseboat holidays are perfect for birdwatchers, sightseers, explorers, history buffs, photographers and adventurers! Sail between Oxford and Windsor or any points in between. You set the pace and decide the itinerary, just let us know what you need. Explore the Iconic Thames, the historic sights and sounds of London’s past. Take your time to enjoy the moments, making incredible memories with your family along the way.

Once on your way, relax and watch your first night’s sunset from the CampiBoat’s open deck with a complimentary bottle of wine.

CampiBoat, eco-friendly vessel, is fully committed to promoting a clean environment on the River Thames. Find out more.

80 miles of sailing

50 marinas for mooring, 126 points of interest, flexible booking, no license needed.

Start Your Unforgettable Adventure Today

Combine camping and boating out on the Thames aboard our CAMPIBOATS, where the fun never ends. From the end of October to the end beginning of April  CAMP in our marina, snuggling down on cold winter’s nights listening to the sounds of the river. From April to the middle of October, set BOAT and sail on the water from sunrise to sunset explore all the Thames has to offer. Book your CAMPIBOAT adventure.

What Customers Say?

How does it work.

Select the dates and check availability of the houseboat.

Enter your details and pay a deposit or full amount for renting your houseboat.

Show up at the marina, hop aboard and start your adventure.

Have a Question?

01183 800 115

Please give us a call if you need any help.

Secure Payments

We accept all major credit and debit cards.

Keep In Touch

Send us an email from Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm.

• Discover The Thames

Danube river cruise ship crashed after it was 'suddenly no longer able to maneuver,' 17 passengers injured

• A cruise ship crashed into a concrete wall along the Danube river in Austria on Friday.
• A police statement said the ship "was suddenly no longer able to maneuver."
• Eleven people were treated at the hospital and another six suffered less serious injuries.

A Bulgarian cruise ship carrying over 140 passengers crashed into a concrete wall along the Danube river in Austria.

The incident occurred late on Friday in the northern Austrian town of Aschach an der Donau, local police said Saturday.

Eleven people were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the crash. Six others suffered less serious injuries that did not require hospital treatment.

Related stories

The ship had set off from Passau, a German city on the Austrian border. A police statement said that as the ship was leaving a lock chamber further down the river, "the ship was suddenly no longer able to maneuver," and its right bow and left aft crashed into the lock walls.

The second-in-command of the ship, who had been at the helm during the crash, "pressed the emergency switch, whereupon the electronics started up again." He was then able to steer the ship out of the lock.

The ship was later docked at the quay wall and emergency services were notified. The ship was able to continue its journey toward Linz, Austria.

Earlier this week, a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing a section of the 1.6-mile-long structure. The bodies of two construction workers were found after the collision, and four more workers are missing and presumed dead.

Citing the container ship's recovered data recorder, officials said the power went out on the Dali for just one minute and three seconds as it approached the bridge, Sky News reported, but that was enough for the collision to become unavoidable.

In 2019, a cruise boat hit and sank a smaller boat near Budapest, Hungary, killing 25 South Korean tourists and two crew members. The captain was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the accident.

The Danube is the second-largest river in Europe, flowing from the Black Forest in Germany south into the Black Sea near Romania and Ukraine.

Correction: April 1, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the year of the Danube ship crash in Hungary. It was in 2019, not 2023.

Watch: One of Europe's deadliest shipwrecks leaves hundreds missing

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Storm Kathleen hits UK with 70mph gales as huge waves batter coast & river bursts banks while other parts to bask in 22C

• Harry Goodwin
• Published : 1:00, 6 Apr 2024
• Updated : 12:03, 6 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

STORM Kathleen has hit the UK with 70mph gales - as huge waves batter the coast and a river bursts it banks while other parts bask in 22C.

The Atlantic storm could spark travel delays, power cuts and life-threatening debris along the west coast from Cornwall to Scotland .

Snaps show how the River Ouse has burst its banks in York , flooding the city.

A yellow wind warning is in place for the whole west coast and Northern Ireland until 10pm tonight.

Around 70 flights to and from UK airports have already been cancelled this morning.

But the storm will also bring hot air from the continent in what is set to be the warmest day of the year so far.

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The Met Office said temperatures could reach up to 22C in East Anglia - while gusts of up to 70mph buffet western areas.

Forecaster Ellie Glaisyer said: "The storm is the reason we are seeing the warmer temperatures.

"The location of the storm - situated out towards the west of the UK - is bringing a southerly wind across the UK.

"This is bringing those warmer temperatures from the continent, meaning we are likely to see temperatures reaching 22C."

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"Storm Kathleen is likely to bring some heavy rain across the UK overnight, which will spread its way northwards across the country."

Glaisyer added: "For most places it should be a relatively dry start to Saturday.

"However, the further west you are, where those strongest winds are in that yellow warning area, it will feel a little colder."

The Met Office said the storm could unleash monster waves and flying debris along the coast.

There will likely be road, rail, air and ferry delays throughout the warning zone.

Storm Kathleen, named by the Irish meteorological service Met Eireann, is the 11th named storm in eight months.

It is only the second time in a UK storm season that the letter K has been reached in the alphabet.

Why is the storm called Kathleen?

STORM Kathleen is named after Kathleen Kay Antonelli/McNulty and Kathleen Lonsdale.

It's one of the seven names Met Eireann chose for the 2023-24 storm names list, with the Irish weather chiefs choosing eminent Irish/Northern-Irish scientists to honour their important contributions to science and the benefits for humankind.

Kathleen ‘Kay’ McNulty Mauchly Antonelli was one of the mothers of computer programming.

She was one of the six original programmers on the ENIAC machine, which was one of the first general purpose electronic digital computers.

Kathleen Lonsdale was an Irish crystallographer who demonstrated the crystal structure of benzene.

She was the first to use Fourier spectral methods while solving the structure of hexachlorobenzene in 1931

The Environment Agency has issued 14 "expected" flood warnings and 123 "possible" flood alerts across the storm's path.

It also issued 43 red cautions for strong streams on the River Thames , advising users of all boats not to navigate.

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RAC expert Rod Dennis said: "This intense storm will be extremely challenging for anyone driving on the western side of the UK.

"We strongly urge drivers to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where the impact of the very strong winds is most likely to be felt."

'Dangerous winds' warning

A yellow wind warning will cover Northern Ireland and the whole west coast from Cornwall up to Scotland today.

The Met Office has issued a "danger to life" warning as snow and winds spark road and rail chaos and 70mph Storm Kathleen barrels towards the UK.

The Met Office said: "Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible.

"Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties."

Chief Meterologist Dan Suri said: "Storm Kathleen will bring strong gusty winds to western areas of the UK through Saturday.

"Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected quite widely.

"Some exposed spots, particularly in coastal Northern Ireland, will see 60 to 70mph gusts with large waves also expected.

"There will also be some blustery showers in the west with the eastern side of the UK seeing a drier and brighter day."

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Women in UK finance earn a third less than male colleagues, data shows

• Firms make modest progress to shrink UK gender pay gap
• Pay inequity in company sample ranges between 54%-13.5%
• Time for companies to face censures on stubborn gaps, CMI says

SLOW PROGRESS

'child penalties'.

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Reporting by Sinead Cruise and Carolyn Cohn in London. Editing by Anousha Sakoui and Jane Merriman

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Bilfinger looks to US, Middle East for M&A expansion, CFO tells Boersen-Zeitung

German industrial services provider Bilfinger is considering growing through mergers and acquisitions and is looking at the Middle East and United States as potential places to do so, the company's finance chief told Boersen-Zeitung.