Would like to embark on a narrow boat holiday - any recommendations?

Question

2 adults 3 children within UK.

Answer 1

Check out this website, which will fill you in on everything you need to know: http://www.canaljunction.com
Includes maps of the canal network, pictures + contact details for the boat hire spots.

My first ever holiday was a week on the Norfolk Broads when I must have been about 5 or 6yrs old....... not much else topped it..... kids should enjoy it just fine if you give them little jobs to do like topping up the water supply.... tie boat up for the night..... have a go at steering for a while, etc..... perhaps give them a couple of small pairs of 8x21 Binoculars to spot things along the way (e.g. bird species, etc).

Answer 2

I would recommend:
- Get the largest boat you can afford; they are suprisingly pokey inside and if the weather is bad you will be spending a lot of time inside!
- We rented a boat from Rugby to Banbury ( midlands area) would not recommend it as scenery a bit dull and you go through a lot of unsightly suburbs. Also a lot of other boats ; we found the more experienced and permenet boat owners not a very friednly bunch to rented holiday boaters and a bit aloof.
- Avoid a route with a lot of locks; they may seen like fun but some routes have 15 per day or one every mile and it gets a bit tiring and frustrating waiting ( unless the weather is hot and sunny...)
- We heard that there is a canal in east Wales ( the only one) that is a great trip for beginners and very beutiful with not too many lochs. Actor Richard Gere, girlfriend and son hired a boat on it last summer so it got some good publicity.
- We went in March. I would avoid all months aside from those when there is a good chance of dry weather as it can get very depressing and boring in the rain! Plan lots of stops and take bikes with you so you can explore the local sights rather than it turn into some kind of marathon just getting from A to B.
- Renting a gypsy horse and caravan ijn southern Ireland is a lot more fun and similar price!

Answer 3

I'd recommend you don't. Narrow boats are ok for a day trip, but an entire holiday would bore the hell out of the kids and probably you too. There's sod all to do apart from sit while the boat moves.

Answer 4

Tommy I actually have a extreme-high quality slender-boat, and it it the terrific undertaking that I even have ever bought. I cruise all of it twelve months around, and have even been ice-breaking. yet i assume early September is a first rate guess. i be attentive to that hire is costly, yet whilst in comparison with an inn, in case you have kinfolk with you, this is low priced, as you're doing the cooking and finding out the accomodation ! you should pass fof an "inn boat" the place each thing is performed for you, yet by making use of having your guy or woman vessel for a at the same time as, you could moor up at regardless of pub you please, function all of the locks, and have the liberty of basically tying it to a tree in case you're knackered. I spent my honeymoon on a narrowboat, as we've been off to the mid-east right here week, so the 1st activity on return became into to purchase one. particularly reccommended. subsequently - Bob the Boat

Answer 5

Barby nr Rugby Warwickshire.

Answer 6

I had one when i was a kid and it was better than Africa for me (well, almost). Go on the Norfolk Broads. Plenty of different settings and moods for all the family. Younger ones, tell them it's Rosie and Jim and there is electric for Playstaions for the older ones...

Answer 7

north broads is great we went for a week and sailed down a river stopping off at lots of diffrent places

Answer 8

if the kids are under 10, then forget it. they will get bored

Answer 9

our family went on one a few years ago, very very boring,

Answer 10

yes - dont do it