Canal/narrowboatd rental?
Mar 17, 2008, 10:25 am
#1
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Canal/narrowboat rental?
Has anyone rented a canal/narrowboat to tour the canals of the midlands? Looking for any recommendations and what to watch out for.
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Mar 17, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Mar 17, 2008, 11:23 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Living near the canals in Birmingham, I seems like I see more and more people pottering around on rented boats!
I have not tried it myself yet, but British Waterways who are responsible for all of the UK's canals have a dedicated leisure website which might be a good place to start for inspiration: http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating
I do remember many years ago going to some sort of canal museum in Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire which seemed pretty famous!
I have not tried it myself yet, but British Waterways who are responsible for all of the UK's canals have a dedicated leisure website which might be a good place to start for inspiration: http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating
I do remember many years ago going to some sort of canal museum in Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire which seemed pretty famous!
Mar 18, 2008, 7:51 am
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Royston, Herts UK
Programs: BA Exec, BMI DC
Posts: 62
Hoseasons
My Family have always used Hoseason's
http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/Availabil...?HolidayType=3
Nice people to deal with and great boats....
Cheers
Benjurs
http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/Availabil...?HolidayType=3
Nice people to deal with and great boats....
Cheers
Benjurs
Mar 18, 2008, 8:09 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
We did this with a group from university many years ago. Great fun. We drove at night (not allowed), got water in the boat more than once, went aground, jammed under bridges, upset the lock keepers, etc.
Unfortunately in some of the inner city areas you can get pelted by the kids from the neighbourhood.
I believe Hoseasons is a booking agency (like Best Western for hotels) rather than owning and operating the boats, which is still pretty much a family-owned scale of business.
Unfortunately in some of the inner city areas you can get pelted by the kids from the neighbourhood.
I believe Hoseasons is a booking agency (like Best Western for hotels) rather than owning and operating the boats, which is still pretty much a family-owned scale of business.
Mar 18, 2008, 9:37 am
#5
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Booked direct with a small outfit (www.kateboats.co.uk) for a very reasonable rate of GBP 290 for 4 nights.
hireboat.com lists a myriad of boats from many suppliers so it's a good place to start looking for availability.
If anyone has any future inquiries, please add to this thread.
I was actually worried about that issue of yobs and other ASBO earners as well as safety overnight and while away from the boat. However, our tentative route is from near Leamington Spa to Oxford (and back) that seems to avoid cities of any size.
hireboat.com lists a myriad of boats from many suppliers so it's a good place to start looking for availability.
If anyone has any future inquiries, please add to this thread.
I was actually worried about that issue of yobs and other ASBO earners as well as safety overnight and while away from the boat. However, our tentative route is from near Leamington Spa to Oxford (and back) that seems to avoid cities of any size.
Mar 19, 2008, 7:33 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Booked direct with a small outfit (www.kateboats.co.uk) for a very reasonable rate of GBP 290 for 4 nights.
The "bandits" section of Narrowboat World is a good place to keep an eye on - in case there is a particular hotspot on your route presently. But it's probably not necessary to worry about this side of things.
m.
Mar 19, 2008, 5:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
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I have had great experience in the past with Alvechurch Boat Centres (www.alvechurch.co.uk) - my family has rented from 3 of their bases (Alvechurch itself for the Stourport ring through Bírmingham, Anderton for the Cheshire ring through Manchester, and Gayton for the Grand Union ring). We were using their top-of-the-line 5 key boats (microwave and mini-dishwasher on board!) and had a great time.
