Canal Holidays in the UK

For many of our customers this will be the first time they have holidayed afloat. We do hope that you will find the answers to your queries on this website, but if there are any points on which you are unsure please do not hesitate to telephone. You will be surprised just how easy it is to become skipper of your canalboat.

A fully inclusive hire fee: The hire fee includes the hire of the boat and a very full inventory, VAT as applicable, car parking, all bottled gas, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, bed linen etc used during your cruise, also colour television. All you need to bring with you are clothes, a personal towel or some fleets and fine weather.

Provisions: There are many delightful canalside villages where you can do your shopping during your cruise. It is wise, however, to bring enough for the first two or three days with you.
Alternatively for those traveling from overseas you may find it easier to shop on line and have your provisions delivered to our boatyard on the afternoon of your arrival by one of the main UK supermarkets.
www.tesco.com
www.sainsburys.co.uk
www.waitrosedeliver.com

Short breaks: If you have less than a week available or would like to try a short cruise before booking your main holiday, a few days on the canals and rivers is ideal. Check availability here or telephone 0845 126 4098   (Overseas 0044 1905 734168)

First Aid: All boats carry a first aid box to deal with minor cuts and bruises.

Repairs and service: All boats are given a major (aircraft type) overhaul during the winter months and are serviced between cruises, so service calls are extremely rare, but if one does become necessary every effort will be made to get you under way again with as little delay as possible. A phone call will always bring assistance. All service calls are completely free of charge.

Buoyancy aids: Buoyancy aids are available free of charge. These should be requested at check in. All boats carry a life buoy.

Additional berths: Some of our boats are fitted with additional upper berths called pipe beds: The additional bedding, cutlery, crockery etc is naturally included. Some additional berths are only recommended for children and small adults.

Pets: House trained dogs are allowed. We do ask customers bringing dogs to bring their own bedding for their pets and to keep them off the mattresses and bedding. The first pet is free and additional pets are charged at £25 per week per pet. For safety, dogs must be kept on a lead whilst at the boatyard.

Electrical Supply: All boats have a 12v cigar lighter socket for charging phones etc. (Bring own lead). Some boats have a 240v supply suitable for the appliances supplied. (You use your own equipment at your own risk) Electric irons cannot be used. Please see boat detail pages for boats equipped with microwaves, electric coffee makers and toasters. All boats have electric shaver sockets.

Tuition: All customers who have not holidayed on our boats before will be sent a free Holiday Guide and The Boaters Handbook to read. On arrival customers will receive instruction on the operation of locks and taken for a short run to familiarise them with the controls. You are encouraged to ask as many questions as you can and will not be left until you feel confident that you can handle the boat. The boat has a comprehensive manual to remind you how everything works and details of a 24 hour helpline.
We also are a RYA Training Centre, click to see details of our Training Course.

Car Parking: Cars may be parked free of charge at our yards during your cruise (At own risk).

Locks: On the River Thames all locks are worked by Thames Conservancy staff These locks open at 9.30am and close at 6 or 7pm depending on the time of year. Canal locks are worked by your own crew with the windlass provided on the boat

Fishing: Almost all waterways are rented to local fishing clubs. Day tickets are usually available from the bailiff. You should also obtain a rod licence from the appropriate Regional Water Authority. There is one golden rule, however - on no account may worms or maggots be taken aboard any of our boats.

Clothing: Bring warm clothes and sweaters for chilly mornings and evenings, sunbathing gear, slacks or jeans. Open neck shirts are the most suitable clothes to wear while cruising, with perhaps a jacket and tie for the odd meal or evening ashore. A pair of wellingtons might be useful and a waterproof coat, A torch is really essential for finding your way back to the boat after an evening ashore!
If in doubt of what to bring, you may like to explore the following mail order site at www.josjeans.co.uk  they offer a selection of clothing all suitable for boating. Our team have been putting their clothing to the test for the past few years and have always found it amazing value for money and extremely hardwearing.

Inspection of boats: We welcome enquiries and will be pleased to show you through the boats. If you would like to see a particular boat please phone first to make sure that it will be at the boatyard. During the winter months there are always boats that can be viewed.

Damage/Loss Waiver Scheme: Customers will be required to pay a non refundable £45 damage waiver against the £500 insurance excess and accidental damage.

Licences: No form of driving licence is required. All boats have current safety certificates and licence fees paid for all British Waterways Board canals and rivers. Short period licences for the River Avon are payable by boat crews at the toll houses. River Thames and River Nene licences need obtaining 14 days in advance from the appropriate Water Authority. The Rivers are susceptible to flooding so may not always be available to cruise.

Hire Fees: The balance of hire fee and damage deposit/waiver become due 8 weeks before the commencement of the holiday.

Young Children: We can provide cotsides for the berths on some boats. These are available free of charge, please order when booking. (Subject to availability)

Waterproofs: All boats carry two sets of waterproofs in case of inclement weather conditions as part of their standard equipment.

Party Bookings: We regret we are unable to accept bookings from persons under 21 years of age. We reserve the right to refuse all male or all female crews or to ask for an additional damage deposit to be paid.

Footwear: Please bring soft soled shoes as these are much kinder to the decks and safer for you.

Canoes, Dinghies and Bicycles: We have found that canoes, dinghies and bicycles brought by customers cause damage to our boats, and we regret therefore that these items can only be taken if you bring protection for the boat. (All such items are brought and used at own risk).

Hire Periods are from 3:00pm and finish at 9.30am. The period in between is absolutely essential for cleaning and maintenance, so please do not arrive early. The latest time for embarkation is 4.30pm after which the yards may be closed.

More Information: Please read the conditions of hire carefully because they contain a lot more information that you will need to know. They are in the interest of all customers and enable us to maintain the highest standard of boats, equipment and service.

Overnight Accommodation: Some crews travel quite a distance to start their holiday on board one of our Canalboats. You may like to travel the day before and stay overnight somewhere nearby. For local accommodation check the individual companies websites or call our office for details.

We hope you enjoy your canal holidays in the UK

Copyright Canalboat Holidays Ltd