What is a boating holiday like?
Boating holidays appeal to a wide variety of interests. You can get away from it all on the tranquil backwaters of the rural canals with their quaint waterside pubs, or explore the normally hidden channels through major towns and cities with a wealth of architectural and industrial history only accessible by water. Your boating holiday offers many places of interest to stop along the way for the whole family.
There is also plenty to do on the water itself, including piloting your own boat, operating locks, exploring backwaters, and maybe taking in a little fishing or soaking up the sun! The slow pace of the waterways is one of the main attractions to many and because you travel only as far as you wish each day, your holiday can be as relaxing or as energetic as you choose.
How do the locks work?
Locks are used to lift or lower boats from one level to another and can be found on almost all canals and many rivers. On major rivers and waterways such as the
Operating locks is very simple and part of the fun of a boating holiday. Care must however be taken around locks and your hire operator will brief you fully when you collect your boat. The lock consists of a chamber into which your boat passes, plus a gate or gates at either end. The lock has openings (paddles or sluices) at the top and bottom to allow water in and out of the chamber to raise or lower the water level and the boat. These paddles are opened and closed by the crew using a lock handle on the winding gear at the top and bottom of each lock. It sounds a little complicated, but you will soon find that operating locks is very easy and great fun.
Do I need any previous boating experience?
No. It is not necessary to have any previous boating experience to hire a self-drive boat. Your holiday hire operator will provide you with training on arrival at your selected hire base. This will include how to steer your boat, daily boat checks, operating locks and safety instructions. Don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure that you are completely confident and can get the most enjoyment from being captain of your own vessel.
Do I need a licence?
No "driving" licence is required for a hire boat on the inland waterways. Your boat will however be licenced to use the
What is included in the holiday price?
Your holiday hire cost will include the self-drive hire of your chosen boat for the rental period. The fuel cost is excluded and the hirer has to fill up before returning the boat at the end of your holiday.
Can I take pets?
Well behaved pets are welcome. A small charge is applicable.
What should I take with me?
Your boat will be very well equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, crockery etc. Life jackets are always available on the boat, especially for young children.
Additional specific items you may want to bring include towels, teatowels, a torch, camera, binoculars, a good waterways guide (such as Nicholson's), enough food supplies for a couple of days cruising (check the location of convenient shops along the waterway with your hire operator), non-slip soft deck shoes and protective gloves (for working locks). Remember also that the sun's rays are much more powerful when you are on the water, so sunglasses, protective cream and a sun hat are recommended to avoid burning.
Where can we stop overnight?
On most of the
How far can we travel in a day?
On most of the inland waterways the maximum speed is around 4mph (a brisk walking pace) however the average speed is closer to 3mph. In calculating how far you can to travel in a day, you should work on the basis of "lock miles" . To do this count each lock as one mile and add the distance in actual miles to make "lock miles". Divide this by 3(mph) to give the total time in hours to cover the required distance including locks.