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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Canal boat holiday - anyone been on one?

36 replies

Eulalia · 28/02/2007 13:15

We are considering hiring a canal boat in England. Round about the end of June, probably just for a week (quite expensive). There are 5 of us, me, dh, ds1 who will be nearly 8, ds2, nearly 2 and dd 5.

Wondered what experiences others had of this type of holiday? Bit concered about my little one with regard to safety (he likes to climb!), keeping him amused and so on.

Are there plenty of places to stop at? What are they like (there seems to be English pubs) - child friendly? What about provisions, where would we get fresh stuff?

Is the living accommodation OK - beds comfortable etc?

Any advice/experiences welcomed. Thanks.

OP posts:

LilyLoo · 05/03/2007 14:07

Good idea i first took my DS when he was 15mth then wnet and did it in France the following year. Going to book again for over here at easter taking DS 4 and DD 2. It great fun you just have to be extra vigilant. Theres plenty to do and a good excuse for a few bottles wine is an added bonus. But don't expect any luxury living it's basic at best but DC's love excuse not to have bath everyday!

NarrowboatOwner · 08/03/2007 00:31

Do you know what type of narrowboat you have hired? A cruiser-style will have more room at the tiller end, usually enough to fit a buggy and a few people!

You will have a brilliant holiday, but please please please ensure that your children wear lifejackets, particularly at locks (no excuses, even if there's a heatwave). I cannot believe the number of people who allow small children, with no lifejackets, to run near the edge of the locks or across the lock gates without considering that they are actually very dangerous.

Other people will happily help or advise at locks, you will soon find that there is an amazing camaraderie amongst boaters (even if you're only on holiday!) We all had to start somewhere!

vinhotinto · 08/03/2007 11:25

Hello fellow narrow boat owner

NarrowboatOwner · 08/03/2007 19:31

Hello there (or should it be "ahoy there"?)

princesscc · 08/03/2007 19:50

Did a few of these holidays before kids, with another couple. They were fab. There is plenty of tow paths to walk along, if you pick the right canal, so the ages of kids shouldn't be too much of a problem. I would suggest you get hold of a Nicholson Ordnance Survey of Waterways. It shows not only all the lochs, but points of interest and eateries along each canal. The only thing you shuld bear in mind if you haven't been before, don't go for one with lots and lots of locks on! They are hard work and if you get a group of five together it could take you up to 2 hours to get through them all. The Brecon Becons in Wales is a nice gentle one to start with, only half a dozen locks, but plenty of pubs and interest.

NarrowboatOwner · 08/03/2007 20:07

I think one of the best things about canal trips are the locks!

princesscc · 08/03/2007 20:17

Oh I do too! But is can be a baptism of fire if you choose somewhere like Wigan!

NarrowboatOwner · 08/03/2007 20:39

But immeasurable fun! I regularly do the Hatton flight (21 locks?) and Stockton flight (11 locks?) on the Grand Union over a weekend. I go out solo, and have often done these flights completely by myself. I'm dead fit, me!

princesscc · 08/03/2007 20:40

show off!

edam · 08/03/2007 20:51

Narrow boat holidays are fab but yes, you would have to supervise children carefully esp. at locks and make sure they are wearing life jackets at all times.

I gave up a few years ago - we always used to go with my dad but he has a record of disaster-prone holidays and it got a bit much. Engine fires, getting stuck on the cill of a lock, my dad falling and breaking a couple of ribs and having to be removed by ambulance... (his own fault, was being careless walking along the gunnels and slipped getting down into the bows).

However, we are going to risk it again this year, just for a couple of days. I'm thinking now ds is 3.5 he can be quite sensible. There will be my sister and BIL as well so four adults should be able to look after two children. Dh has refused to come, though!

hotandbothered · 09/03/2007 23:49

would highly recommend it BUT make sure you take enough to keep them occupied if its raining/cold. We went with our dd 20 months and a group of 7 adults. It was freezing - literally - and I hadn't banked on on dd not wanting to go outside at all!!! Thankfully we'd taken play dough, building bricks and colouring stuff which helped. Don't rely on tv reception - canals tend to be real black holes. The other adults were great and relieved me so that I could pop up and actually see the world going by. Inside is very low down and you don't get a great view.
Our dd wore her life jacket all the time - it went round her and under her bum - so she couldn't get out of it. Fantastic!
Have a great time

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