Frequent Questions


...how do I book my boat?
To book your holiday, CHECK AVAILBILITY & BOOK ONLINE or call our Booking Team on 0117 304 1122, and any of our expert staff can assist you. For more details and conditions of hire, please CLICK HERE.

...will my boat have heating?
All of our boats have gas central heating with radiators throughout for comfortable cosy all year round cruising. In addition, selected boats feature a multi-fuel stove for extra warmth and comfort for autumn and winter cruising.

...can I take pets?
Up to two well behaved pets are welcome on all of our boats. One pet is free of charge and if you want to bring a second pet, there is a small charge of £25 for either a short break or per week.

...I haven't been boating before and need instruction.
We welcome novices and experienced boaters alike and always provide a full show through and familiarisation on our boat. For complete novices, we provide hands on instruction on your arrival at the boatyard. This includes practical instruction on driving your boat, operating locks and the "rules of the road". For those wishing to benefit from additional training before your holiday, we can offer an RYA approved training course in boat handling. Please call our booking team on 0117 304 1122 for further details.

...do you supply buoyancy aids?
Buoyancy aids are available on arrival at the boatyard. They are not automatically provided on the boat as they have to be individually sized for each crew member. We keep a range of sizes to suit all (adults and children) - please request buoyancy aids on your booking form.

...do I have to do a Ring Route?
You can choose from an out and back cruise (the most commonly selected option) or a Ring Route. Most Ring Routes take between 6 and 10 hours cruising a day depending on the route chosen and the base you start from. If it is your first cruise or you have young children, it is often preferable to select an out and back route so that you can decide how much time you want to spend moving and how much time exploring attractions along the way. There are numerous places to turn your boat (known as "Winding Holes") along the way For experienced and larger crews, the Ring Routes offer a rewarding and varied holiday with plenty of locks to operate.

...can we bring bikes?
You are welcome to bring a maximum of two bikes at owners risk, BUT please bear in mind that the only place to store them is on the roof of your boat, so you will need to bring an old blanket or other protective cover to lay on the roof and you will need to take great care of low bridges and overhanging obstructions. You cannot place the bikes inside the boat at any time (to avoid damage to furnishings) so you will also need to bring a suitable lock and chain to secure bikes when leaving the boat.

...where can we park our cars?
Your holiday cost includes car parking at the boatyard. Please note however that parking space is limited at some yards, so please minimise the number of cars you bring if possible. Parking is at owners risk.

...can I bring my hairdryer?
Your boat has a 12V electrical supply (rather like a car) and you will be supplied a 12V hairdryer as part of your boat inventory. Please do not bring any domestic appliances from home as they will not work on the boat.

...can I charge my mobile phone/camcorder?
Each boat has a 12V car cigar lighter socket for charging phones and camcorders. You just need to bring the same charging cable that you would use in the car.

...what bedding is provided?
You will be provided with all bed linen for you - sheets, pillows, pillow cases duvets and duvet covers to suit the combination of single and double beds on your boat for each of the crew members.

...can we fish?
You are welcome to fish subject to holding the appropriate rod/fishing licences for the waterway that you are on. We do however ask that you don't bring live bait onto your boat.

...do we have to pay for a licence?
Your boat will be licenced for the waterway it is on (Canals or Thames) You will have to pay a visitor licence if taking a boat from the Thames base at Oxford onto the canals or if taking a boat from any other base onto the River Avon or River Thames.

...can I cruise at night?
Hire boats are not permitted to cruise after dusk or before dawn - you will need to be moored up by nightfall.

...where can I moor up?
You can moor free of charge anywhere along the canal towpath providing you avoid lock waiting areas or mooring within 50m of bridges. On the Thames and other navigations, mooring sites are provided which may be free for 24 hours or there may be a small charge where mooring on privately owned or managed land (such as National Trust property)

...how fast does my boat cruise?
Your boat will travel at a maximum 3 miles per hour on the canals (comfortable walking pace), but you will need to go slower past moored boats and where the depth of the canal is shallow to avoid creating a wash (wave) that can damage the canal bank. Each lock will take around 20 minutes from start to finish. Remember, a boating holiday is all about relaxation and slowing down to the pace of life 200 years ago when the canals were built!

...can I drink and drive?
Part of the fun and relaxation is enjoying a drink whilst cruising along. Please just remember that for the safety of yourself and others, you must not drive a boat under the influence of excess alcohol which would also invalidate your damage waiver.

...how old do you have to be to cruise the boat?
The minimum age of the hirer is 21 and it is essential that for safety your crew comprises at least two adults. Crew members under 18 may drive your boat under supervision of the hirer or another member of the crew over 21 years of age.

...what inventory is on the boat?
Your boat is fully equipped for self-catering and includes all crockery, cutlery, pots pans and glasses as well as bed linen and cleaning materials. We will send a full inventory list with your booking confirmation.

...what time do I pick up and return the boat?
Your boat will be ready from 3pm and needs to be returned by 9.00am.