Canal Hire Firms Open for Winter Canal Boat Holidays

You might get the impression from all those sunny scenes in the Hire Boat brochures that canal holidays were a ‘summer only’ activity. In fact late autumn and winter cruising is just as much fun, seeing another side to the countryside and wildlife and finding even the most popular cruising canals more peaceful and relaxing.

Many hire firms now have boats specially equipped for winter cruising, with extra bedding, central heating and solid fuel stoves, so there’s no need to freeze! The pubs are still there to serve warming home cooked meals! Some maintenance closures may affect your choice of routes, the hire firm will advise you. Check out our listing of winter hirers below.

Winter on the Llangollen Canal
Winter on the Llangollen Canal

How to Find the Best Winter Canal Boat Holidays UK

See our listings below for details of top boat hire companies. Compare companies and book directly for the best deals. These firms are a great alternative to the ‘corporate big boys’!

And at HireBoats2Go image Hireboats2go we have holiday boats through the winter months, including the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Independent & Family Firms Open for Winter Canal Boat Holidays

Adventure Nomad

Adventure Nomad Our cosy, welcoming family boat is manageable on the waterways for those with or without experience. Has everything you need for a break exploring around Bath or Bristol, but equally chilling on our lovely mooring in the countryside just outside Trowbridge. We do weekly rentals all through the year.

Ashby Boat Company Ltd

Ashby Boat Company Ltd.  friendly helpful company located on the tranquil Ashby canal. Their fleet has been inspected by The "Visit Britain Quality Assurance Scheme" Short break /Weekly & Day hire.

Bath Canal Boat Co

Bath Canal Boat Co. Luxurious widebeam canal boats. Beginners welcome, advice/guidance given by an Inland Waterways instructor. Based in Bath and operated by a small family business, providing outstanding service with a personal touch.

Boutique Narrowboats

Boutique Narrowboats. With contemporary designs and king-sized beds, these boat interiors are among the most attractive on the waterways. A warm welcome to narrowboat novices and experienced boaters alike.

Canal Boat Cruises

On a Canal Boat Cruises holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool canal there's no rush! Luxury 6 & 8 berth boats based at Riley Green in the idyllic Lancashire country side.

Canal Cruising Company

The Canal Cruising Company is located in the canal town of Stone. We are ideally placed for a number of out and back routes and circular routes. Our boats are 2 to 8 berths, all are ETC graded.

Chas Hardern Boats

Chas Hardern Boats, family run for over 40 years offering a fleet of excellent value, well equipped 2 to 6 berth boats for all year cruising. Ideal for the Shropshire Union Canal, the Llangollen Canal & adjoining canals.

Cheshire Cat Narrowboats

Cheshire Cat Narrowboats, perfect for the Llangollen Canal & Four Counties Ring. Clean, comfortable, well-equipped boats, individual attention, sensible prices, no hidden extras. A warm, friendly welcome guaranteed.

College Cruisers

College Cruisers offer relaxing holidays on the Oxford canal & River Thames. Excellence in customer service & comfort with a friendly welcome & expert tuition. Central Oxford base. All parties welcome including dogs.

Foxhangers

Foxhangers in Central Wiltshire below famous Caen Hill Locks, excellent selection of 2/9 berth well equipped narrowboats. Comfortable cruising to Roman city of Bath & Bristol. Weekly, weekend and short breaks.

Kate Boats

Kate Boats, a family run business, with quality narrowboats from two bases on the Grand Union Canal, ideally situated on the Warwickshire ring.

Beginners welcome, full instruction given.

Norbury Wharf

Norbury Wharf luxury narrow boats at the heart of the beautiful Shropshire Union canal, ideally situated for the Llangollen canal, Four counties ring & much more, Short & long term hire available. Diesel & Gas included.

Pennine Cruisers

Pennine Cruisers are based in Skipton on the tranquil Leeds Liverpool canal, renown for its spectacular scenery. In addition to weekly hire they offer short breaks, w/e and day hire.

Silsden Boats

Family-run Silsden Boats, situated in a traditional Yorkshire village on the picturesque Leeds Liverpool canal. 23 boats, 2 to 9 berth, 6 widebeam. All-Inclusive, No Extras.

The Bruce Trust

The Bruce Trust providing accessible holidays on four wide beam canal boats. 12, 10 and 6 berth boats from either Great Bedwyn or Lower Foxhangers. Wide access ramps, grab rails, hoists etc.

The Wyvern Shipping Co

The Wyvern Shipping Co Luxury Canalboat Holidays - Cruise & explore the beautiful Grand Union Canal for short breaks & weekly hire. Families, pets & groups welcome. Fully inclusive prices for fuel, including & damage waiver. 2-8 berth canal boats available & beginners welcome. Book Your Narrowboating Adventure Now!

Our Listings

We provide contact telephone and email details free of charge for canal based companies, click for details.
Please note: We provide all contact details as an information service. We rely on traders to keep us informed about these listings so we can't guarantee that details are accurate or up to date. Please see our Terms of Use.

Add a company


Ashby Canal
Ashby Boat Company Ltd
89 Station Rd, Stoke Golding, Nuneaton CV13 6EY.
01455 212671
sales@ashbyboats.com
ashbyboats.com


Basingstoke Canal
Galleon Marine
Colt Hill, Odiham RG29 1AL.


Chesterfield Canal
Chesterfield Canal Boat Co.
Chesterfield Canal


Grand Union Canal
Boutique Narrowboats
Union Wharf, Leicester Rd, Market Harborough LE16 7UW.
01858 432123
hello@boutiquenarrowboats.co.uk
www.boutiquenarrowboats.co.uk
Kate Boats
Stockton Top Marina, Blue Lias Industrial Estate, Rugby Rd, Stockton, Southam CV47 8HN.
01926 492968
enquiries@kateboats.co.uk
www.kateboats.co.uk
Southern Narrowboats Ltd
5 Arlow Rd, London N21 3JS.
The Wyvern Shipping Co
Rothschild Rd, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2TF.
01525 372355
wyvern@canalholidays.co.uk
www.canalholidays.co.uk


Kennet and Avon Canal
Adventure Nomad
UNIT 80, Marsh Farm, Marsh Rd, Hilperton Marsh, Trowbridge BA14 7PJ.
07938 137336
admin@adventure-nomad.co.uk
www.adventure-nomad.co.uk
Bath Canal Boat Co
Darlington Wharf, Beckford Rd, Bath BA2 6NJ.
07970 282810
enquiries@bathcanalboats.co.uk
www.bathcanalboats.co.uk
Foxhangers
Lower Foxhangers Farm, Rowde, Devizes SN10 1SS.
01380 828795
info@foxhangers.co.uk
www.foxhangers.co.uk
Moonraker Canalboats
The Old Builders' Wharf, Honey Street, Pewsey SN9 5PS.
The Bruce Trust
Great Bedwyn, Marlborough SN8 3LZ.
01380 721279
brucebranch@katrust.org.uk
www.brucetrust.org.uk


Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Canal Boat Cruises
Riley Green Marina, Bolton Rd, Hoghton PR5 0SP
01254 202967
info@canalboatcruises.co.uk
canalboatcruises.co.uk
Pennine Cruisers
19 Coach St, Skipton BD23 1LH
01756 795478
info@penninecruisers.com
www.penninecruisers.com
Silsden Boats
Canal Wharfe, Elliott St, Silsden, Keighley BD20 0DE.
01535 653675
www.silsdenboats.co.uk


Oxford Canal
College Cruisers
Combe Rd, Oxford OX2 6BL.
01865 554343
info@collegecruisers.com
www.collegecruisers.com


Shropshire Union Canal
Chas Hardern Boats
Beeston Castle Wharf,, Beeston,, Tiverton, Tarporley CW6 9NH.
01829 732595
chasboats@aol.com
www.chashardern.co.uk
Cheshire Cat Narrowboats
Overwater Marina, Coole Ln, Nantwich CW5 8AY.
07867 790195
linda@cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk
www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk
Norbury Wharf
The Wharf, Norbury Junction, Stafford ST20 0PN.
01785 284292
info@norburywharfltd.co.uk
www.norburywharfltd.co.uk


Trent and Mersey Canal
Canal Cruising Company
Crown St, Stone ST15 8QN.
01785 813982
www.canalcruising.co.uk

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