Preparing for your canal boat holiday
Tuition
There’s plenty of storage on board and we offer advice on what to pack.
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for between 2 and 12 people.
With our Price Promise you’ll know you are paying the best price.
You don’t need a licence to drive a canal boat. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to operate your boat.
Before you set off, one of our expert instructors will take you through everything you need to know to operate your boat.
We’ll take you through the basics such as how to switch on the engine, steer the boat and work the locks.
There’s a manual on board every boat and our engineering teams are on hand 24 hours a day to help over the phone, or come out to you if needed.
Going through locks
A lock is a chamber with gates at either end. By emptying or filling the chamber with water, boats can move up or down a canal. With the lock gates closed, open the sluices (paddles) to let the water in or out.
When the water level under your boat is the same as the level it’s moving to, you can move your boat in or out of the lock. It takes around 15-20 minutes to go through a lock.
Our boat handover tuition includes guidance on how to work a lock and you can watch our Boat Handover Video ahead of your holiday to learn how to operate the boat.
Tutorials & information
How to go through a lock
This Canal & River Trust video explains what a lock is and how to use it.
How to steer a narrowboat
This short video shows you how to steer a narrowboat.
How to flush the toilet on a narrowboat
Our canal boat toilets are fully flushable but they operate a bit differently to your toilet at home.
How to check the engine oil
We have a series of short ‘how to’ videos to help guide you once you’re on your holiday, including ‘How to check the engine oil’.
Boater's Handbook video and guide
The Canal & River Trust offers lots of advice for beginners, including the Boater’s Handbook video and guide.
Tips for narrowboat beginners
Our tips for narrowboat holiday beginners include advice on lock safety and where to moor (park) your boat.
Best routes for beginners
If you’ve thought of taking a canal boat holiday, but you’re not sure where to begin, here’s a guide to our best boating breaks for beginners.
What to pack for a narrowboat holiday
To help you prepare for your narrowboat holiday, we’ve put together a list of useful items to pack.
What's in a narrowboat kitchen
Our canal boat kitchens have everything you need to enjoy a self-catering holiday afloat.
FAQ's
Our Frequently Asked Questions include information about narrowboating words and terms, and what’s on board your boat.
General Advice
Our short General Advice video gives some helpful basic advice for narrowboat holiday-makers.
Hire a boat for the day
Hiring a boat for the day is a great way to test to the waters. Tuition is included in our day boat hire, so you can get the hang of steering, mooring up and on some routes, going through a lock or two.
