creese Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I've been asked by friends, after a Sunday jaunt, to find a narrowboat holiday, weekend/week or midweek. Most likely a weekend. Has anyone done this and can recommend a company, the best canal and an idea of the price (for 4 people, not all related, so maybe a 5 berth) Thanks
jinnantonnixx Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Where do you live? Brecon is a very nice for a spot of narrow boating. 1
MK-2 Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 The only company I've seen is Luxury Canal Boat Holidays | Weekly Narrow Boat Hire as their boats regularly chug past our garden. The Erewash is very nice, we walk down there pretty much every night after dinner and it's a lovely setting. Can't talk for any others unfortunately but that's my view 1
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 Where do you live? Brecon is a very nice for a spot of narrow boating. We are spread around the Southern end. Brecon sounds a good choice.
laserblazer Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Kennet and Avon is pretty good and not too far to travel. There were loads of boat hire companies at our Water Festival and we noticed that it's not a cheap holiday anymore. But it is total relaxation and any holiday planning that is dictated by pup locations has got to be worth the money 1
Andrew_C Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I've done a few hols, a long time ago. The nicest was a long week-end around Llangollen. The Pontcysyllte aqueduct is fabulous! Boat yard at Trevor, from memory. 1
jinnantonnixx Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I've done a few hols, a long time ago. The nicest was a long week-end around Llangollen. The Pontcysyllte aqueduct is fabulous! Boat yard at Trevor, from memory. Oh yes, I've been over that. Not for those scared of heights, but it depends on which side you sit.
joe90bass Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Oh yes, I've been over that. Not for those scared of heights, but it depends on which side you sit. Even for those not scared of heights it's scary! I remember standing on the back of the narrowboat when going over it and looking down below, it most definitely makes you double check you have a firm grip on the boat! As a child I spent many years on the Mon and Brec, it's very pretty and very few locks so plenty of cruising can be done! Another highly recommended waterway is the River Avon from Tewkesbury to Stratford, there's plenty of towns along the way and a days cruise generally gets you from one to the other (or read pub to pub!) I'm not sure of prices, but I know boats aren't cheap to hire unless you're splitting the cost several ways! 1
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 I've done a few hols, a long time ago. The nicest was a long week-end around Llangollen. The Pontcysyllte aqueduct is fabulous! Boat yard at Trevor, from memory. That is another possible location we have looked at. Thanks
TechMonkey Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I've done the route from Guilford, to the Thames Lock (Shepperton Lock?) then West up the Thames. Very nice and sedate. Also done a bit of the the Canal that is near Alton Towers, heads through Stoke and then goes in to the Sapperton Tunnel (again I think I didn't have to do much navigation). That one was more involved as there were more locks but if there are a good group of you can get through them no problem. My Dad always tells me of a route near Birmingham he did with friends that went up the greatest incline on a canal that was just lock after lock. They got it down to a fine art with teams leap frogging each other to power on through. 1
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 Even for those not scared of heights it's scary! I remember standing on the back of the narrowboat when going over it and looking down below, it most definitely makes you double check you have a firm grip on the boat! As a child I spent many years on the Mon and Brec, it's very pretty and very few locks so plenty of cruising can be done! Another highly recommended waterway is the River Avon from Tewkesbury to Stratford, there's plenty of towns along the way and a days cruise generally gets you from one to the other (or read pub to pub!) I'm not sure of prices, but I know boats aren't cheap to hire unless you're splitting the cost several ways! It will be between four of us.
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 I've done the route from Guilford, to the Thames Lock (Shepperton Lock?) then West up the Thames. Very nice and sedate. Also done a bit of the the Canal that is near Alton Towers, heads through Stoke and then goes in to the Sapperton Tunnel (again I think I didn't have to do much navigation). That one was more involved as there were more locks but if there are a good group of you can get through them no problem. My Dad always tells me of a route near Birmingham he did with friends that went up the greatest incline on a canal that was just lock after lock. They got it down to a fine art with teams leap frogging each other to power on through. We've done a few day boat trips, including locks. I've done 2 Norfolk Broads holidays, about 35 and 15 years ago. I have visited Caen Hill Locks, not in a boat though. kennet avon canal history devizes heritage can boats locks
laserblazer Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Black Prince Canal Narrowboat Holidays & UK Barge & Boat Hire. might give you some ideas on pricing. 1
rad Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) Black Prince Canal Narrowboat Holidays & UK Barge & Boat Hire. might give you some ideas on pricing. They run out of a Marina close to Heathrow as their london base, close = 10 minutes drive from the airport. How do I know, because I used to live on a boat in the marina. I have hands on expierience living onboard so if you have any questions do ask away. If you love it so much, you might want to buy my boat! Edited July 4, 2011 by rad
Andrew_C Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) Boat yard at Trevor, from memory.Actually, it was at Chirk. We got there by train. Even for those not scared of heights it's scary! For those that don't know, it is an aqueduct, 1000' long and 126' high. The tow path to one side, and the top of the trough (the width of a railway rail) the other. Wiki Edited July 4, 2011 by Andrew_C
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 They run out of a Marina close to Heathrow as their london base, close = 10 minutes drive from the airport. How do I know, because I used to live on a boat in the marina. I have hands on expierience living onboard so if you have any questions do ask away. If you love it so much, you might want to buy my boat! I know someone who is looking for one. Wants to take it over to France.
MK-2 Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Actually, it was at Chirk. We got there by train. For those that don't know, it is an aqueduct, 1000' long and 126' high. The tow path to one side, and the top of the trough (the width of a railway rail) the other. Wiki I think this pic says it all: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Pontcysyllte_aqueduct_arp.jpg
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 It's likely to be a long weekend around the beginning of October. Hopefully the end of October I will be in S Africa. 6,500 to 12,000ft up
eastanglia Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 be sure to take a look at the Norfolk Broads below is a link to a boat hire company that has a great reputation Norfolk Broads Boating Holidays & Norfolk Broads Boat Hire - Richardsons 1
creese Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) be sure to take a look at the Norfolk Broads below is a link to a boat hire company that has a great reputation Norfolk Broads Boating Holidays & Norfolk Broads Boat Hire - Richardsons I enjoyed my 2 trips on the Broads. These seem to be all cruisers Edited July 4, 2011 by creese
Andrew_C Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I did the Caldon (the one near Alton Towers mentioned above) in October. Really quite beautiful. Very quiet, and the countries most isolated (allegedly) pub on the route.
SteveBentley Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 If you were a bit closer to "up north", Bronte Boats at Hebden Bridge seem quite cheap. 1
creese Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 If you were a bit closer to "up north", Bronte Boats at Hebden Bridge seem quite cheap. We could travel. I'll take a look, thanks.
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