The Narrow Boat Hire Companies
So, you are all ready to book your first cruise!This is an enjoyable part of cruising, choosing which company to cruise with.Here are a few to peruse to help you decide.The Waterways World magazine has a comprehensive list of companies in its annual edition.Also, the Pearson’s Guide has a list of companies that cruise the particular canal covered by each guide.
U.K.Boats have bases on the
Llangollen,
Birmingham and Worcester,
Falkirk,
on the Forth and Clyde, and Union Canals,and
Grand Union
Phone 0870 8352525.
Black Prince,
who we have used twice and highly recommend, also have a base at Falkirk in Scotland, and others at Chirk on the Llangollen, Napton Junction on the Oxford, the Trent and Mersey at Acton Bridge, and Stoke on Trent, plus Stoke Prior on the Worcester and Birmingham.Contact them at 01527 575115.
Anglo Welsh
have undergone several changes over the past few years. We used them right up to 2004, and always found them efficient, friendly and the boats first class. They have bases at:
Kennett and Avon
at Bath
>Somerset Coal Canal,(by the Kennet and Avon)
at Monkton Combe
>The Llangollen, at Trevor >The River Thames, at Oxford >The Shroppie, at Bunbury Heywood >The Stratford Canal at Wooten Wawen
>Worcester and Birmingham Canal
at Tardebigge
> Trent and Mersey
based at Barton Mariner, where you can also pop down to the Brewery. Contact number is 01173041122
Calcutt Boats
Located by the Grand Union and Oxford Canals,at Napton Junction, it's an ideal base for exploring these two waterways. Good fleet of 20 or so boats from 2 to 8 berths.Contact number 01926 812075
Cambrian Cruises
For those who wish to cruise the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Wales. Nicely located at Pencelli, Pows, they run 8 boats, 2-6 berth.Contact 01874 665315
Chas Hardin
are a family run concern, Chas Hardin is based at Beeston Castle Wharf. 6 narrowboats to cruise theShropshire Union, and Llangollen Canal. Good quality boats and excellent, personal service. Contact them at 01829 732595
Canal Cruising Company
is a well run family business, located at the canal friendly town of Stone in Staffordshire on the Trent and Mersey. Good choice of narrowboats. Contact 01785 813982
Kate Boats
are another family run business for over 20 years with a good reputation. Located at Warwick, on the Grand Union Canal.Phone 0196 492968
Maestermyn Cruisers
are a long established business on the Llangollen. We have visited their base for pump out and water, (and bought a lovely shirt from the shop there) and find the staff helpful and very friendly. The fleet of narrowboats always appear in good, clean condition.Contact 0169 662424
Middlewhich Narrowboats
Based for many years at the old salt town of Middlewich, on the Trent and Mersey. Ideal base for cruising both the T & M as well as the the Shroppie, and the ever popular 4 counties ring.Good range of craft to choose from.Phone 01606 832460
Oxfordshire Narrowboats
A lovely location at Lower Heyford, on the equally lovely Oxford Canal. Contact 01869 340348
Rose Narrowboats
have been around for a long time, and have a good reputation. Based at Stretton-Under-Fosse, near Rugby on the Grand Union, we have passed many a happy traveller in a Rose Narrowboat. Call them at 01788 832449
Viking Afloat
are one of the big, leading hire fleets with four bases. The llangollen base is just down from Whitchurch, the Oxford Canal base is at Rugby. At Gaily Wharf, an interesting spot in itself, is the Staffordshire and Worcestershire base, with the Worscester and Birmingham at Worcester. Viking afloat are highly regarded, and operate a fleet of well presented narrowboats fron 2 to 8 berth.Contact 01905 610660
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