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boat day hire and trip boats

Things to do boating on the canal

There's something magical about spending time by the water - the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings, the sights of the wildlife and the passing boats. What better place could there be to enjoy a memorable holiday or a relaxing afternoon?

If the call of the waterside appeals to you, but you don’t have time to spend a week or more on a narrowboat holiday, then fear not! You can experience the tranquil pleasures of canal cruising by hiring a self-drive boat for a day – or even an afternoon.

Find local options for boat day hire using our Quick Search in the top right hand corner, or click through using the left hand links from the appropriate waterway page.

trip boats

Cruising along the canals is always a calming experience, but you can take this relaxation one step further and enjoy a peaceful voyage without doing any of the hard work yourself by going out in a trip boat.

Trip boats operate from many of the most picturesque spots on the waterway network – some offering the chance to go back in time and enjoy a voyage on a horse drawn narrowboat. Find trip boat operators using our Quick Search in the top right hand corner, or click through using the left hand links from the appropriate waterway page.

restaurant boats

What could be better than cruising through an idyllic landscape while enjoying first class cuisine? Restaurant boats abound on the River Thames in London, but wherever you are in the country, the charm of dining aboard a bobbing narrowboat will be but a short drive away.

Find restaurant boats through the ‘pubs and restaurants’ link in our Quick Search or using the left hand links on waterway/local area pages.