About this trip.
The Peterborough base sits on the Otonabee River, roughly halfway along the Trent-Severn Waterway — the chain of lakes, rivers and canals that threads across southern Ontario and opens onto the Kawartha Lakes to the north-west.
The waterway and the Kawarthas
This is cottage country. The Kawartha Lakes are an interconnected system of freshwater lakes, and the Trent-Severn stitches them together with stretches of canalised river. Cruising here has a different character from the European canals — wider open water, forested shorelines, lakeside marina towns rather than medieval villages. Expect practical cottage-country stops rather than curated tourist strips.
Starting from Horseshoe Bay Marina
The base is Horseshoe Bay Marina at 374 Carolyn Street in Peterborough — known locally for years as Willow Bend Marina, and fully refurbished ahead of the 2024 season. Its mid-waterway position is the practical argument for starting here: you can head north-west into the Kawarthas, or work along the canalised sections in either direction, without committing to a single out-and-back route. The marina sits on the Otonabee within the city, so the first hours of a cruise take you through Peterborough's outskirts and onto open water reasonably quickly.
What the days look like
Because the Trent-Severn links natural lakes rather than running as a single narrow cut, days alternate between open-water cruising and slower lock-worked sections. Moorings are a mix of marina berths in the towns and quieter spots out on the lakes. The scale is larger than a European canal holiday — longer hops between stops, and the boats handle more like lake cruisers than narrow canal craft, which is worth knowing before you book.
Getting there and booking
Peterborough has its own small airport (CYPQ) 3.3km from the marina, and a train station 7.4km away. Most overseas visitors fly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ), roughly 125km south-west of Peterborough, and drive on from there. Le Boat has run the Peterborough base since the 2024 refurbishment and publishes a downloadable region guide covering the stops and practical details along the waterway.
It suits people after a cruising holiday with space and water rather than a cultural tick-list — closer in feel to a Canadian cottage week afloat than to a European canal break, and best taken at a pace that gives the lakes room to open up.
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.
