Canal Holiday in UK

I haven't tried the kind of narrowboat holiday you describe. I have heard of some where you can just go along as a passenger and all the work is done for you or can muck in if you wish.

Late DH and I used to hire narrowboats, just the two of us or with another couple with whom we were good friends. We did all the helming, mooring up, lock work and cooking ourselves. I loved these holidays just chugging along, stopping along the way for a walk or to visit canalside villages and pubs, mooring up in the middle of nowhere for the night. My favourite canal was the MonBrec as it's so peaceful.

I do find canals and locks fascinating and enjoy operating the latter so, yes, I can understand why you might like a trip which is somewhere between luxury and nerd.

I'd give it a go. You'll be living in very close confines with strangers for a few days with not a lot of privacy but so long as you don't mind that it would be good introduction to this kind of holiday and lifestyle.

Canal holidays are great, we had two with family MonBrec and one in Ireland. I don't know what being a passenger would be like but if you can rub shoulders with a few others in cramped conditions, and the sun's shining it'll be great. You need good gloves waterproofs and good hat against rain or excess sun . Once hooked you may well be back for more. Enjoy.

I live in a small town in East Cheshire where the Anderton boat company hire out their narrow boats (they do in other towns too). Its a very pleasant and popular area and the boats have been extremely popular this year. We often sit at a local pub and watch the boats negotiate the Big Lock. Everyone seems to be enjoying it. I have never tried it as I am not good on the water.

There are several companies that hire out boats. We have always used Black Prince but I expect others give the same information. So, my advice is look at their web site and it will show you the bases, routes, miles, number of locks and time it takes for each route. You can choose anywhere from a few days or up to 2 weeks. Plan your route so you allow time to get to your final base to return the boat. Travel with at least one other person, be it a friend or relative and be prepared for all weathers. It's the most relaxing way of seeing the countryside.

luckygirl
Neither of the options you present appeal to me as a sailing / boat person. Small boats with people you don’t know just doesn’t work ( for me) ?
Is there absolutely no one that could go with you?
My favourite British ones are the Leeds Liverpool and the Caledonian.
I first did the Leeds Liverpool over 40 years ago with a girlfriend and our children.

The sort of holidays I am looking at are not "self-drive"; they are more like cruises but on canal boats, some narrow, some wide. I am not physically able to deal with locks etc. so I cannot just hire a boat and someone else needs to be in the driving seat!

I do know what you mean LuckyGirl. Would you prefer having the boat to yourself other than the skipper?

Have you looked at Beacon Park Boats? They have male and female skippers.

beaconparkboats.com/blog/hire-a-skipper

Hi Luckygirl my family had a narrowboat when I was a child, so I’ve had many happy holidays on the canals, it’s a lovely way to see the countryside from a different perspective. I found this site which has lots of different options for cruises this year, hope this helps you - some of them are only a few days if you just want to dip your toe in the water (not literally!)
www.hotelboating.co.uk/the-hotelboats-crews.html

I’ve only been on one canal boat holiday and I think it affected my inner ear because I felt very dizzy for ages afterwards. Not something I was expecting!

Thank you so much - these links are brilliant.
Th Beacon Park boats is not that far away from me - and they do a Hire a Skipper service!

Lots of ideas - thank you.