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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Talk to me about canal holidays

24 replies

akissbeforebed · 17/02/2022 21:01

DH has mentioned a canal/barge holiday several times now so I think he may actually be serious about it!

I'm not convinced yet but could, possibly, be persuaded but I've never done it before and have questions. How easy is it to pilot (drive? sail?) a canal boat? What about locks - are they simple and easy to operate? Do you get lessons before they let you go off in a canal boat? Do you go there and back? What happens if you get stuck? How much does it cost? How comfortable are canal boats?

Please talk to me about canal holidays - the good and the bad. We're in the South East but happy to travel to get to the best canals (UK only). It would just be me and DH, possibly DD (19) as well.

Thank you.

OP posts:

Mum2jenny · 17/02/2022 21:07

They’re great fun imo, but generally the more people you have, the further you can travel as you can set up the locks ahead. One person steering, and others setting up the locks. The weather can restrict movements though if there’s been lots of rain as the CRT can lock the flood locks if the current is high, particularly on river sections.

RaininSummer · 17/02/2022 21:08

I may be in the minority but I do not like canal holidays. Smelly uncomfortable barges and very unrelaxing because with only 2 of you someone has to pilot the barge whilst the other does the lock. A barge holiday was my worst holiday ever.

JoanOgden · 17/02/2022 21:11

I love canal holidays, very relaxing and close to nature with lots of opportunities for excursions along the way. But I wouldn't do one with only two people - it's much easier with 3 or 4, especially if there are lots of locks.

AnnaMagnani · 17/02/2022 21:16

The boat is very easy. Beyond that it depends what you want from a holiday.

It's OK when there are locks as there is something to do but our family found there was a limit to how much relaxing we could do.

Quality of the boat also makes a massive difference. On a rainy day on uncomfortable seating, it isn't fun.

Yorknees · 17/02/2022 21:27

We did it last year and loved it! Just us 2 and dog.

We picked a route with the least locks but to be honest once you've done one they are pretty straightforward. I didn't do much apart from hold the rope, so 2 people would be fine.

The only thing about routes with a lot of locks, in high season you could spend more time waiting for your turn. So we picked a less busy route.

It was the most chilled holiday ever. We've booked again for this year.

Mum2jenny · 17/02/2022 21:35

However I know I’m biased as we have our own narrowboat

NotEnoughTime · 17/02/2022 21:35

I'm interested in a canal holiday too.

I have hired a barge for the day in May so I will see how that goes and if we all enjoy it before I commit to a holiday.

Might you be able to do that?

Phineyj · 17/02/2022 21:41

I enjoy them very much and it's difficult to mess up, even for complete beginners (they give you a lesson before you take the boat). I'd suggest trying to persuade your daughter to come as having more crew than the minimum is more relaxing.

Phineyj · 17/02/2022 21:42

I meant to add you can get 3 and 4 night hires, which might be better than a week for a first try. Also, it's cheaper to use the Drifters website.

itwasntaparty · 17/02/2022 21:48

I'd go for the Norfolk broads instead of a canal if I was doing it again. Bigger, comfier boats. Or the canal du midi if you'd consider France. Narrow boats aren't that much fun if the weather is shite and the morning isn't great.

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 17/02/2022 22:03

Union Canal in Scotland...no locks unless you want to head off to the adjoining Forth and Clyde at Falkirk and the locks there are all manned so you just have to follow instructions, and if you want you get to go over the Falkirk Wheel. Or head down to the Kelpies...again there are volunteers who cycle alongside the canal to do the locks for you.

Haggisfish3 · 17/02/2022 22:06

We hired one for twelve of us and it was the best holiday we have ever had. Only travelled thirty miles ina. Week but it was so much fun.

FanGurlll · 17/02/2022 22:06

I'd recommend the Norfolk Broads too. There are no locks on the Broads and plenty of rivers to explore.

GnomeDePlume · 17/02/2022 22:09

We did a few of these when I was a child. They are like a caravan holiday except that you are locked in the caravan. You also spend a lot of time looking up at things (canals are low down) as you chug past.

MichaelAndEagle · 17/02/2022 22:11

3 adults would make it easier as 2 can jump off and do the locks and more to share the driving.
They are fairly easy once you get the hang of it, and quite easy to drive.
I think they're relaxing if the weather is nice.
But if its awful, you have to keep going to get the boat back in time. Meaning someone standing out in the rain! (My poor old dad, bless him).

FanGurlll · 18/02/2022 00:14

Broads boats can be driven from inside

garlictwist · 18/02/2022 05:52

@Haggisfish3

We hired one for twelve of us and it was the best holiday we have ever had. Only travelled thirty miles ina. Week but it was so much fun.

Twelve people? On one barge? How does that work?

Original poster

akissbeforebed · 18/02/2022 08:25

Thanks everyone - I might take a look at Norfolk to get us started.

OP posts:

Haggisfish3 · 18/02/2022 17:45

They had four double bedrooms and two fold down sofas…it was a squash and a squeeze. And the toilet tank got too full at one point! But it was the best fun ever.

Beebumble2 · 19/02/2022 11:44

Go in Spring or summer. We went in October half term when it was getting dark early and we had to moor up.

Wiennetta · 20/02/2022 09:18

I’ve only done it once but loved it. However we were extremely lucky with the weather - high 20s and sunny throughout which definitely helped. We got a cruiser style boat rather than a narrow boat, it didn’t feel too cramped and we had 6 on board.

We didn’t have any massive plans to get to anywhere specific which helped - we just pottered around a bit enjoying the views and dropping in at the pubs.

Wiennetta · 20/02/2022 09:19

Oh and we went to the Norfolk Broads too - really gorgeous area.

Phineyj · 20/02/2022 11:59

We had the most wonderful canal holiday once pottering between Bath and a nice pub in Bradford-on-Avon. We could easily have walked the distance in a day but speed is not the point.

CorinneLN · 26/08/2022 04:35

We love a canal holiday! They are fairly straight forward to learn to drive and most companies will give you a good tutorial at the start of your trip. Take a good look at the area so you can be sure if plenty else to do if you want a day or two off the boat, and also look at the boats. The quality ranges massively between companies but some of the smaller independent firms have some very comfortable and stylish boats. Take a look at Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays

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