It worked for Timothy West and Prunella Scales, so why not for you? If you’ve never taken a break, short or otherwise, on a canal boat, you’ve not experienced the hidden world that Britain’s waterways offer.
What's a canal boat holiday like?
It’s a world which revolves in slow motion, where it’s easy to fall into the unhurried pace of the day, which often ends in the beer garden of a riverside pub.
- Best canal and riverside pubs in Britain
- Top five boating holidays
- The best journeys on Britain's waterways
There’s a wide variety of waterways on which to steer your hired vessel. Those who like to mix a holiday with history might prefer to head for the straight lines of the British canal network, offering an opportunity to investigate the country’s industrial past, a time when water was king.
Those seeking to connect with nature might elect to take a more idyllic voyage, quietly chugging their way along a serpentine river or two, or mooching around the gorgeous Norfolk Broads. Or, of course, you could draw up an itinerary that takes in both canal and river. Everything connects.
Do you need a licence for a canal boat UK?
There are few barriers to hiring a canal boat. No previous boat-handling experience is required, nor is possession of a driving licence.
Full tuition on how to operate the boat will be given by the hire company prior to departure, along with an overview of the rules of the river (which side of the river the boat should be on, maximum speeds, general etiquette etc).
The hire company will also explain how to moor the boat and how to navigate the many locks on Britain’s waterways. One of the few restrictions is that you must be at least 16 years of age to hire and operate a canal boat.
How much will hiring a canal boat cost?
The cost of hire differs greatly and depends on variables such as the size of the vessel, the time of year and the length of the hire period. Depending on the season, a narrowboat can cost anywhere between £500 and £3,000 to hire for a week, although the more expensive cost of renting a larger boat with more sleeping berths will be offset by the number of passengers.
You can expect a three-day weekend hire to be roughly half the cost of a week-long arrangement. But how can you put a price on a relaxed voyage of peace and serenity? All aboard!
Discover more water-based adventures
- Best stand-up paddleboarding places in UK: Discover beautiful locations for top paddling adventures
- Unmissable adventures on water: wild swimming, paddleboarding and more
- Best sea kayaking places off the coast of England: five locations perfect for coastal paddling adventures
- Best kayaking spots in the UK: our most scenic rivers, canals and lakes for a safe and beautiful paddle