some1nos

Want to rent a canal boat in the UK for one week in September. Do not know where to start. Six women ages 50-80, never done this before, looking for scenery, good pubs, nice towns to stop in, a few locks and good weather. Want to take the boat one way. Not sure what canal route to take or company to rent from. Anyone had any experience with renting canal boats. Was it worth the money? Any suggestions on a good itinery and a dependable rental company?

nukesafe

Don't mean to be a downer for your plans, but I have done both the narrow boats in England and Wales, and cruised the inland waterways of Europe. I much prefer French ditch crawling to the UK equivalent.

In France almost all of the locks are either automatic or have a lock keeper who works the locks. In the UK, they hand you a crank handle when they turn the rental craft over to you. After you have wound a few locks by hand you will appreciate the difference.

When I did the narrow boat thing, I had my young children with me, who took winding sluices as a challenge. There is no way I would survive a trip with a lot of locks at my age.

Besides, in France --- you are in France.

PatrickLondon

You could try the Norfolk Broads, which are more or less lock-free; or look for hotel boats, where there's a crew to do the hard work.

Here's what the official body managing canals has to say:
http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boatin...-boat-holidays

I have no knowledge of these people, but this looks like an overview of some of the opportunities:
http://www.britain-afloat.com

sofarsogood

Here's a recent Fodors thread about canal cruising, within it are links to companies. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nal-cruise.cfm

These are the details of the Canal Trust which looks after the upkeep of canals http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

Don't be put off by others negativity, its a very popular and relaxing holiday in the UK

Heimdall

I don't see that as negativity — just letting the OP know what she is letting herself in for. Some1nos, at 4 mph max speed you won't be covering a lot of territory, and no one comes to the UK for good weather. Learn all the pros and cons of canal boat holidays, and if that's what you want, go for it.

Personally I would rather do the Canal du Midi in France, or Norfolk Broads in England. With the Canal du Midi you are likely to have glorious weather, and with the Norfolk Broads no locks to negotiate.

ron

Given the number of passengers, you are going to need a full size narrow boat. Given the ages, some are not going to be too much help in driving, locking and mooring. And, as far as I know, most rental cruises are round-trip.

Maybe you would be wise to look at a one week hotel narrowboat cruise. Here is one example, http://www.hotelboat-holidays.co.uk/

I only chose this one because I have done a couple of cruises with them. There are others that I am sure are just as good.

some1nos

Thank you everyone for your info, web links, and insight. I have ordered some brochures to look over and look forward to this adventure!

Katwise

Hi,

The last 2 years I crewed on a narrowboat for a single handed boater continual cruising. We did about 2/3rds of the sytem mainly canals but 5 months on the rivers and 3 on the canals last year. The boat owner is 65 and I'm 63, I did most of the locking and he most of the driving, getting off the boat to help with wome locks where that was easy enough to do. I had no problem doing most of the locks, there were very few I couldnt do on my own. As I didnt get the steer the boat too much I am going to do the Helmswoman certificate for the fun of it. Later on it would also be great to do the French system, so if any one's looking for a crew member here I am.

I think if I could do the locks the ladies planning the trip could also do it so go for it.

nukesafe

Good for you Katwise! I can just imagine the nuclear looks I would get from my wife if I told her I would steer and she would have to do the locks.