Canal Boat Holidays

a slower pace of life

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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!
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BOAT HIRE

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

Unfortunately we were unable to travel the route we had planned due to water shortage but had a pleasant time going in the opposite direction. Sadly despite using the CRT website we were unaware of this so didn’t have the correct books and maps for all of this area

15 Sep 2026

★ ★ ★ ★

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

The booking was straightforward on line but it was possible to speak to a friendly person on the phone for queries. Communication from marina was helpful and mostly timely.

15 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Tern - Sandwich Tern from Alvechurch Marina

Really great clean (very large) barge

14 Sep 2026

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

Would have given five stars except that I can hardly read the information on this website. ABC Boat is really stepped up when the boat we were due to have from Aldermaston was delayed by a fallen tree. We were quickly and efficiently directed to Springwood Haven, where we found ourselves in a **** and span almost new Boat. The Coventry and Oxford Canal were utterly beautiful with pubs strategically placed along our journey. The weather cooperated which increased our pleasure considerably.

14 Sep 2026

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

Please refer to my initial comments

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Wren - Inca Wren from Whitchurch Marina

Great service from the company due to the issues on the canal. Hand over went well and the holiday was brilliant. Travelled up to Chirck for a couple of nights and then back to Ellesmere for another couple of nights. Boat was in good condition and clean when picked up.

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Wren - Inca Wren from Whitchurch Marina

We originally booked our holiday to start from Wrenbury Mill but due to issues on the canal, Wrenbury Mill is not currently connected to the network. After a couple of emails with customer services they provide us with a number of other options. We picked the boat up from Whitchurch marina and had a good handover with the guys there.

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Canada Warbler from Gailey Wharf

Beautiful area to explore, a lovely relaxing week. A few hours cruising, then mooring up in lovely villages with good amenities and sharing a glass of something nice with friends. Perfect.

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Canada Warbler from Gailey Wharf

We have hired with ABC for a few years now and the experience as usual was excellent. Our original booking was unable to go ahead due to stoppages on the network, so we were given different options for other locations to start from. We had a great time on the Shropshire Union canal on Canada Warbler from Gailey. The guys at the booking office and yard were great. All helpful and made our holiday start off well. Canada Warbler was tip top, beautifully clean and well presented. Disappointed that our week went so quickly. Can’t wait to book again. Thank you.

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Tern - Sandwich Tern from Alvechurch Marina

Great staff, everyone helpful, and a great barging holiday had by all.

14 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Marsh Sandpiper from Gayton Marina

Our experience with ABC was great. All staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the boat was spotless.

10 Sep 2026

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Your recent holiday on Sandpiper - Marsh Sandpiper from Gayton Marina

We had a great trip, With good weather and pleasant company from other boaters.

10 Sep 2026

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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.

Berkshire

Aldermaston Wharf

Cambridgeshire

March Marina

Worcestershire

Alvechurch Marina

Cheshire

Anderton Marina

Shropshire

Blackwater Meadow Marina

Staffordshire

Gailey Marina

Forth and Clyde

Falkirk Canal

Monmouthshire

Goytre Wharf
View all locations

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 size, we have 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

Dog-Friendly
Trips

Your furry friends can join your UK canal cruise for free. Simply add them to your booking - up to three pets per boat at no extra cost.

Pet-Friendly Holidays

What's
on Board?

All of the key essentials have been included. There's central heating, an oven, fridge, charging points, TV and even free-wifi. Bedding and towels are provided, and the boat is fully serviced before handover.

See What's on Board

International Visitor Information

View our locations and within our location pages, you’ll be able to see routes to the airport.

Our Locations

Over
140 Routes
available

View all Routes

Special Offers

View offers

Maps & Guides

View guides

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.