About this trip.
Cruising between Chertsey and Oxford
The upper Thames is a river for slow travel — a stretch of water meadows, old towns and lock-keepers' cottages where the pace is set by the current rather than the driver. Self-drive hire covers most of the navigable length, from Chertsey in Surrey up to Benson in south Oxfordshire, and on to Oxford at the top.
No licence or prior experience is required. The handover at the marina walks you through the boat's controls and the lock system before you leave, and from there it's a question of reading the river and deciding where to moor for the night.
The routes in practice
Two bases anchor the hire operation: Chertsey and Benson. From Chertsey, the natural week takes you upriver to Windsor and back, threading through a popular stretch of riverside towns. From Benson, the pull is upstream towards Oxford — a shorter, quieter reach ending in the city itself. For anyone with longer, the ten-day Chertsey-to-Benson round trip covers most of the good river in between.
Days on the water tend to run short. A few hours of cruising, one or two locks, a long lunch at a moored-up pub, an afternoon walk ashore, dinner back at the boat or somewhere with a pontoon. Hirers returning from this stretch describe each town as having its own character, and the riverside locals as a friendly lot.
Locks, boats and what's on board
The Thames locks are, for the most part, manned during the day. This removes much of the anxiety first-timers have about the system — the lock-keeper cycles the gates and you handle the ropes. It's straightforward once you've done two or three.
The Horizon 4 is the larger boat in the fleet and comfortably carries groups of eight to ten, with enough deck space that a full party never feels cramped. Smaller craft suit couples and families. Provisioning is easy — towns and villages appear often enough that food shopping on the move isn't an issue. Mobile signal along the banks is patchy, though; returning hirers recommend bringing a Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited data if you need to stay connected.
Bookings and who it suits
Hires are sold by the week or as shorter breaks, with Chertsey and Benson offering different stretches of river to choose from. The format suits couples, families and groups of friends — anyone drawn to a holiday where the days are structured around where to stop rather than how far to go. Le Boat's UK sales team can be reached by phone to talk through boats, dates and routes before you book.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for canal holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓The boat itself, booked by the night or week
- ✓Fuel for the engine at typical cruising pace
- ✓Handover briefing at the base — no licence needed
- ✓Mooring ropes, fenders, lifejackets and a basic starter pack
- ✓24/7 technical support line for the duration of the hire
Typically not included
- ×Travel to and from the base (train, flights, transfers)
- ×Travel insurance with cruise cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Bedding, towels, or end-of-hire cleaning on some fleets (a modest supplement if required)
- ×Food, drink, and groceries — stock up at towpath-side villages
- ×Lock and mooring fees on some European waterways
- ×Pet supplement (typically £20-30 per dog per week if allowed)
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
Other canal holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
