Canal Boat Staycations
a slower pace of life

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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

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Canal boat hire

Cast off and leave your cares behind with a canal boat holiday from ABC Boat Hire.

Canal boat hire like you've never experienced before. With 16 starting locations across the waterway network and canal boat sizes to accommodate 2 to 12 people. You, your family or friends can afford to kick back and relax as you enjoy watching Britain's most stunning countryside drift by. See for yourself just how relaxing and enjoyable a canal boat holiday can be - watch our boating videos if you don't believe us!

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

Let's Chat

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)

WATCH
OUR VIDEO

Find your next canal boat adventure!

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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.

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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.

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD
ABC Boat Hire Brochure 2026

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

View Two to Five berth boats

Six to eight berth

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

View Six to eight berth boats

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.

View Up to twelve berth boats

Over
140 Routes
available

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Special Offers

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Maps & Guides

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Canal Boat FAQs

Can I hire a boat just for the day?

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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?

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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, 2nd 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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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 3 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

Feefo - Gold trusted service award 2023 Feefo - Gold trusted service award 2024 Feefo - Platinum trusted service award 2025

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Pine Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina

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

Your recent holiday on Warbler - Pine Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina

Excellent service from start to finish

22 Oct 2025

Your recent holiday on Swift - Great Dusky Swift from Springwood Haven Marina

The boat was beautiful and clean, the staff bent over backwards to assist us and therefore we had a great holiday

22 Oct 2025

Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina

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

Your recent holiday on Swift - Great Dusky Swift from Springwood Haven Marina

Everything about the holiday was perfect

22 Oct 2025

Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina

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

Your recent holiday on Duck - Pintail Duck from Springwood Haven Marina

Two of the pubs attended didn’t do food

21 Oct 2025

Your recent holiday on Duck - Pintail Duck from Springwood Haven Marina

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

Your recent holiday on Wren - Winter Wren from Wrenbury

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

Your recent holiday on Wren - Winter Wren from Wrenbury

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

Your recent holiday on Finch - Red Backed Finch from Goytre Wharf

Just nice people, easy to deal with.

21 Oct 2025

Your recent holiday on Lark - Ashes Lark from Worcester

great family fun, peaceful and relaxing.

21 Oct 2025