How much does it cost to hire a canal boat in the UK?

How much does it cost to hire a canal boat in the UK?

Prices are highest during the summer months (June, July & August) when a fully catered and organised Hotel Boat week for one person will cost about £1,000 to £1,500 (UK pounds). A self drive hire-boat will be upwards of £250 per person per week to which must be added food costs.

How many narrow boats are there in the UK?

Currently, about 8580 narrowboats are registered as ‘permanent homes’ on Britain’s waterway system and represent a growing alternative community living on semi-permanent moorings or continuously cruising.

Can anyone use a canal boat?

Anyone over 21 can hire a canal boat with no licence or training whatsoever. Most people pick up steering and controlling the boat fairly quickly, canal hire firms will give basic training if you have no one experienced on board before letting you loose, and it is possible to take some lessons in advance.

How far can you travel in a day on a canal boat?

How far can you travel on a canal boat in a day. Typically, you can expect to cruise on a canal boat anywhere between 4 – 7 hours a day. However, this can depend on a number of factors, especially the time of year.

Do people live in narrowboats?

From the 1970s onward narrowboats were gradually being converted into permanent residences or as holiday lettings. Currently, about 8580 narrowboats are registered as ‘permanent homes’ on Britain’s waterway system and represent a growing alternative community living on semi-permanent moorings or continuously cruising.

Can a single person hire a canal boat?

Canal boats can be skippered and crewed by one person, and it could be a good way to escape for a while and feel like you truly are the master of your own destiny, but some experience is definitely recommended before embarking on any solo adventures.

How far can you travel on a canal boat in a day?

As previously mentioned, your canal boat is not permitted to travel at more than four miles per hour – and you also have to allow around 15 minutes for passing through each lock.

Is it easy to steer a narrowboat?

The prospect of steering a narrowboat is relatively simple – however, there are a few things to know that will help make your cruise on the waterways as seamless as possible: Drive on the right – the opposite direction to British roads, all waterways require you to drive your canal boat on the right-hand side.

Is it hard to drive a narrowboat?

Narrowboats are fairly straightforward to drive but they take a little practice to master. Accidents are rare and even with minimal training, a combination of common sense, care and caution should carry you through your holiday without any problems. The speed limit on the canals is 4mph.