Narrowboat hire, compared.

Nine bases across England, Wales and Scotland, including the Falkirk Wheel and a river base at Ely. Minimum hire three nights; lead hirer must be 25+.

Bases

Lower Heyford · Napton · Stoke Prior · Stoke-on-Trent (Festival Marina) · Acton Bridge · Ely · Bradford on Avon · Chirk Marina · Falkirk (Falkirk Wheel)

Sleeps

2–10

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

First pet free, second £30, maximum two. Some boats are pet-free.

First-timers

Handover and coaching on arrival covering the boat, locks and your route; 24-hour emergency line.

Sources: /frequently-asked-questions/, /pet-friendly-holidays/

The largest spread of bases: 12 on its locations pages, and over 140 routes.

Bases

Aldermaston Wharf · Hilperton Marina · Anderton Marina · Nantwich Canal Centre · Springwood Haven · Whitchurch Marina · Wrenbury Mill · Goytre Wharf · Alvechurch Marina · March Marina · Worcester Marina · Falkirk

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

Pets go free, normally up to three per boat. Cleaning or damage may be charged.

First-timers

Tuition at the start of every holiday, a cruising manual on board and lock theory sent in advance.

Sources: /our-locations, /more-information/pet-friendly-holidays

125 narrowboats at nine bases, with three on the Kennet & Avon.

Bases

Bath (Sydney Wharf) · Monkton Combe · Bradford on Avon Marina · Bunbury · Trevor · Silsden · Wootton Wawen · Great Haywood · Whixall

Fleet

125 boats

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

Its FAQ says up to three well-behaved dogs travel free.

First-timers

About an hour's handover with an instructor, a handover video beforehand, and an optional RYA boat-handling course.

Sources: www.anglowelsh.co.uk, /about-us/faqs/

Fuel included. Up to 40% off the second week of a fortnight in early and late season.

Bases

Napton Marina · Autherley Junction

Sleeps

2–10

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Pets welcome on all boats; no fee stated.

First-timers

Full training before you set off.

Sources: www.napton-marina.co.uk, /locations.php

Specialises in big boats for groups of up to 12; 10% early-bird discount on 2027 holidays booked before the end of December.

Bases

Heyford Wharf · Bradford Wharf (as Wiltshire Narrowboats)

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

First pet free, £30 for each extra pet.

First-timers

Novices welcome; buoyancy aids for under-16s and non-swimmers.

Sources: www.oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk, /prices-and-booking

Family firm hiring in Yorkshire since 1980; Pennine rings and one-way trips. 2026 short breaks for a 4-berth ran £950–£1,285 for three nights.

Bases

Sowerby Bridge Wharf · Barnoldswick

Fleet

15 boats

Sleeps

2–10

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

First pet free, extra pets £25 each per week.

First-timers

All boats suit beginners, with 'exceptionally thorough' instruction.

Sources: /prices/short-break-boat-hire-prices.php, /holidays/pet-friendly-boating-holidays.php

Builds its own boats at Braunston; three traditional boats with coal fires.

Bases

Braunston

Fleet

17 boats

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Pets welcome on all boats, £25 per pet per holiday.

First-timers

Shown a real lock and accompanied on the boat until confident.

Price

£1,080–£1,775. 4-berth, per week; the page doesn't state the year. Fuel, damage waiver and parking included.

Sources: /the-boats, /faqs

All-inclusive (diesel, gas, damage waiver, licence, linen, parking). 45 minutes by train from London Euston.

Bases

Leighton Buzzard

Fleet

15 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Up to two; £30 first and £15 second per week (£20/£10 for short breaks). No puppies.

First-timers

Free tuition cruise with an instructor, including a lock.

Sources: /more-information/wyvern-narrowboat-prices/

Family-owned; prices include diesel, damage waiver, gas, linen and parking.

Bases

Warwickshire

Fleet

13 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Pets welcome, £25 charge; one boat is dog-free.

First-timers

Beginners welcome, with full instruction.

Sources: /pricing/, /pets/

Family-run since 1975; builds its own boats.

Bases

Middlewich

Fleet

16 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Every boat is pet-friendly; up to two dogs free, three maximum.

First-timers

An instructor stays with you through your first locks, three of them next to the base.

Sources: /pet-friendly-holidays, /canal-boat-hire-faqs

Small fleet with an RYA training centre on site; says 2027 is still bookable at 2026 prices.

Bases

Calcutt Marina (Napton Junction)

Fleet

6 boats

Sleeps

2–9

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

One pet free, £30 each extra, three maximum.

First-timers

Up to two hours with an RYA-qualified instructor, including at least one lock.

Sources: /narrowboat-hire/

Family-run since 1972, with its own café. Bookings go through Hoseasons.

Bases

Clifton Wharf (Bridge 66)

Fleet

13 boats

Sleeps

2–9

Dogs

Up to two dogs free.

First-timers

A walk-through of the boat before departure and a lock guide.

Sources: /faq/

Small family company that turns round at most six boats a day.

Bases

Brewood

Fleet

11 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

First-timers

Time spent explaining and demonstrating handling; a cruising guide sent before you go.

Sources: /about-countrywide/

Privately owned boats without hire-fleet livery.

Bases

Norbury Junction

Fleet

9 boats

Sleeps

2–10

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

First-timers

The base sits on a 17-mile lock-free stretch, so you can get used to the boat before your first lock.

Sources: /hire/short-breaks-and-weekly-hire/

Wide-beam boats graded 5-star by VisitBritain; fully inclusive pricing. A change of ownership is announced on its site.

Bases

Llangattock Wharf

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Up to two pets, no supplement.

First-timers

Instruction video in advance, then staff alongside while you learn; boats have bow thrusters.

Sources: /faq

Family-run on the Kennet & Avon since 1997, building and maintaining its own Silver Fox class of semi-traditional narrowboats.

Bases

Foxhangers Wharf, Devizes

Fleet

18 boats

Sleeps

2–9

Dogs

Up to two pets; three dogs may be allowed on larger under-occupied boats if agreed in writing.

First-timers

Boaters handbook and online video beforehand, then handover training on arrival covering steering, daily checks, locks and swing bridges, following the British Marine Federation's Hire Boat Handover Scheme.

Sources: www.foxhangers.co.uk, /canal-boating/faqs/, /hire-boats/

Small Middlewich fleet of 2- and 4-berth boats, a third of them launched new in 2021–22.

Bases

Middlewich Wharf

Sleeps

2–4

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

Pets allowed if put on the booking form; £35 per animal per booking. Not on beds or sofas, not left alone aboard.

First-timers

Full training and induction at the 2pm check-in, with a boaters handbook video and PDF to study beforehand.

Sources: floating-holidays.co.uk, /faqs/, /hire-terms/, /location/

Ten boats named after Oxford colleges, at the southern end of the Oxford Canal.

Bases

Oxford

Fleet

10 boats

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

Pets by prior arrangement, £35 per pet. Dog life jackets available.

First-timers

Walk-through of the boat before departure, route notes and maps, and lock training at a lock close to the yard.

Sources: www.collegecruisers.com, /about-our-holidays, /dog-friendly-holidays, /conditions-of-hire

Family-owned and hiring for almost 60 years from Rugby Wharf, with hires from two nights to six months and a four-berth boat designed for limited mobility.

Bases

Rugby Wharf

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

First pet free; the T&Cs charge £20 for a second. Three maximum per the FAQ.

First-timers

About 1.5 hours' instruction for new crews covering the boat, engine, steering and locks; a manual on board and the Canal & River Trust safety video beforehand.

Sources: www.willowwren.co.uk, /faq, /our-fleet, /terms-and-conditions-of-hire

Trading since 1972, with hires from two nights to six months; two of its nine boats are kept for long-term hire only.

Bases

Stretton under Fosse

Fleet

9 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Dogs

Several boats are pet-friendly; up to two pets, more by arrangement.

First-timers

Handover assessed by British Marine, then staff go out on the canal with you to teach steering and mooring before leaving you.

Sources: www.rose-narrowboats.co.uk, /boating-information.html, /new-to-boating.html, /our-holidays.html, /boat-hire.html, /our-boats.html

Family-run since 1988 and builds its own hire boats. The only hire base at the Brecon end of the canal.

Bases

Pencelli

Fleet

15 boats

Sleeps

2–6

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Two small dogs or one large dog, free. Kept off upholstery and beds.

First-timers

Full handover, then one of the team comes with you on a short cruise before you set off.

Price

£1,102–£1,669. 2027, 4-berth, per week. Fully inclusive, fuel included.

Sources: www.cambriancruisers.co.uk, /about, /about/how-we-build-our-boats, /our-boats, /prices-and-availability, /prices-and-availability/inventory, /terms-and-conditions

Hires electric as well as diesel narrowboats, with six charging points along the canal.

Bases

Gilwern

Fleet

7 boats

Sleeps

2–6

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Up to two, free, but not on every boat (its pages disagree on which). Not left alone unless crated.

First-timers

No experience needed: a briefing of about an hour covers steering, locks and canal etiquette.

Sources: /about-us/, /qa/, /diesel-boats/, /electric-boats/, /book-your-holiday/

Small family firm just below the Audlem flight, about three hours' cruise from the Llangollen Canal. Diesel included under a fair-usage rule.

Bases

Overwater Marina, Audlem

Fleet

6 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Well-behaved pets free; no limit stated. Kept off beds and seating.

First-timers

Full tuition and a trial run; crews new to locks are taken through the first lock.

Price

£1,220–£1,510. 4-berth Witch Hazel, per week; 2026 prices, held for 2027 if booked by 30 November 2026. Diesel included.

Sources: cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk, /cheshire-cat-boats/, /2027-availability/, /faq/, /pets-afloat/, /terms-and-conditions/, /suggested-routes/

Trades as Duck Island Boat Company. Four boats of its own design, one a wide beam, on the lock-free Lancaster Canal.

Bases

Garstang Marina

Fleet

4 boats

Sleeps

2–4

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Small or medium dogs on the two 4-berth boats only; the site gives the fee as both £30 and £35.

First-timers

Full tuition at the start; staff stay aboard until you're confident to go alone.

Price

£1,295–£1,595. 2026, 4-berth, per week (March–October). Fuel, linen, towels and tuition included; £50 damage waiver extra.

Sources: www.lancastercanalboathire.com, /canal-boats/, /canal-boats/legato/, /canal-boats/calando/, /faqs/, /terms/

Builds its own boats. Saturday-to-Saturday weeks only; fuel and gas are a fixed £21 a night on top.

Bases

Barton Turns Marina

Fleet

2 boats

Sleeps

2–6

Short breaks

No

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

Up to two on most boats; £50 for one, £70 for two.

First-timers

About two hours of tuition with the skipper at the helm, and the whole crew is shown a lock.

Sources: /narrowboat-hire/, /narrowboat-hire-faqs/, /narrowboat-hire-tcs/, /our-heritage/

On the Ashby Canal for more than 35 years; the whole canal is lock-free. The fleet of eight includes day boats.

Bases

Stoke Golding

Fleet

8 boats

Sleeps

2–11

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Up to four; £30 per dog on overnight boats.

First-timers

A briefing on canal rules and steering before you set off; staff can come aboard to show you.

Sources: /about/, /our-boats/, /our-boats/overnightboats/, /our-boats/overnightboats/ashby/, /routes/short-breaks/, /wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

Family-run, with three boats for couples. Runs the boatyard and fuel station at the wharf. Diesel included under a fair-usage rule.

Bases

Falls Bridge Wharf (near Rugby)

Fleet

3 boats

Sleeps

2–3

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

£25 per pet; not allowed on Hector.

First-timers

Lock and steering tuition if needed, with an accompanied short run. Tia Dalma is for experienced hirers only.

Sources: www.armadaboathire.co.uk, /our-routes, /falls-bridge-wharf, /boats/hector, /boats/jack, /boats/tia-dalma

Near the junction with the Trent & Mersey, for the Four Counties and Cheshire rings. Also hires day boats, one of them electric.

Bases

Scholar Green

Fleet

10 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

£30 per pet; no limit stated.

First-timers

No experience needed; they show you what you need to know before you set off.

Sources: heritagenarrowboats.co.uk, /narrow-boats/, /arrival-advice-form/, /day-boats/, /5-reasons-your-next-uk-holiday-should-be-on-a-narrowboat/, /wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Terms-and-Conditions-Holiday-Narrow-Boats-2024.pdf

Boats for couples, designed and fitted out in-house, at the end of the Harborough Arm (Leicester Line).

Bases

Union Wharf, Market Harborough

Fleet

3 boats

Sleeps

2–3

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Included

Dogs

Up to two free on Woodland Grayling (some pages add Marbled White); Chalkhill Blue is pet-free.

First-timers

About an hour's induction with an instructor (steering, mooring, locks), plus an online course and video beforehand.

Sources: /about/, /book-online/, /faqs/, /dogs-canal-boat-holidays/, /new-to-narrowboating/, /luxury-canal-boat-marbled-white/, /union-wharf-marina-history/

Weekend, midweek, Friday-to-Friday or multi-week hire from Weedon in Northamptonshire; also runs a boatyard.

Bases

Weedon

Sleeps

2–12

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

£25 per dog.

First-timers

Practical tuition on steering and locks with no time limit; they stay until you're confident, and send a video beforehand.

Sources: /about-narrowboating.aspx, /faq.aspx, /narrowboat-holiday-hire.aspx

Motor cruisers, not narrowboats: wider boats for the Thames and the Great Glen.

Bases

Benson · Chertsey · Laggan

Short breaks

Yes

First-timers

No licence or experience needed; full handover covering steering, mooring and locks.

Sources: /en/boating-holidays/england, /en/boating-holidays/scotland

Motor cruisers on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness. Canal fee £14 a night and fuel are extra.

Bases

Inverness

Fleet

24 boats

Sleeps

2–8

Short breaks

Yes

Fuel

Charged on return

Dogs

Most boats; £60 per pet per week.

First-timers

No experience needed; about a third of its customers are new to boating.

Price

£1,070–£1,801. Eriskay class (sleeps 4–5), per week; shown beside 2026 canal fees, so probably 2026 rates.

Sources: /prices-information/