Canal Boat holidays have increased in popularity over recent years and we can see why. Whilst on the canal, you're often just a short walk away from a major road, town or city and yet still able to enjoy the tranquility of meandering slowly through the beautiful countryside.
However, these kind of breaks don't come cheap (despite the pretty basic facilities), you're at the mercy of the British weather and often on a time limit if you're aiming to complete a certain route - which can mean very early mornings and long days travelling.
One way to sample the experience of canal boating is to hire a day boat. Many canal boat holiday companies will offer this facility, and we've had some wonderful times enjoying this on a number of occasions - usually for a family members birthday, something we did during the summer of 2018.
Booking your Day Boat
Most canal day boats can be booked via the company website. A quick search on the internet will help find ones in your area.
Before you decide, it's worth checking driving time to the pick up point. Most day boats are available to hire from 9.30am - 5.00pm (or sunset if this is earlier). To get the most out of your experience, you'll want be checked in, boarded and ready to go as close to 9.30am as possible. A long drive through rush hour traffic before this might not be the best way to start your day.
Also research the canal route you can take, including which areas of interest are nearby. It makes the day more fun if you can moor up along the way and spend some time exploring the local areas. Many routes will have plenty of pubs within walking distance of the canal side, so again, check which of these are worth stopping off for.
We booked our most recent boat, the Mock Turtle, from Claymoore Canal Holidays at a cost of £155 for the day. A £50 refundable cash deposit is taken from you when you pick up the boat to cover any damage or failure to return the boat on time.
What to bring with you
An oven and kettle will be provided, along with mugs, glasses, plates and cutlery, but you'll need to bring your own food and drink. Even if you're planning to stop at a pub for lunch, tea, coffee, sugar, milk, soft drinks, water and snacks are always a good idea. If you fancy a tipple during the day, alcohol is permitted but it's an offence to operate the boat under the influence, so make sure there's at least one designated boat operator who remains sober.
If you're celebrating a birthday or special occasion, you're welcome to decorate the boat with balloons or banners - don't forget to bring something to hang/tie them up with.
Walking boots or trainer type shoes are ideal to wear whilst walking around the boat and along the canal tow path. Layers, including waterproofs, are also a good idea to bring with you. As well as a large umbrella, as the driver of the boat will be stood out in the open. If it rains, they'll soon become drenched.
Depending on your plans, especially if you have younger children who may become easily bored, it's worth packing something to help pass the time. Games, colouring books, or how about canal bingo to keep everyone entertained? There will be plenty of wildlife to spot, including ducks, swans, and the occasional wading cow:
What to expect on a Day Boat
Obviously, there are no beds on a day boat, therefore they tend to be much smaller than standard canal boats. You will, however, find a kitchen area comprising a sink, fridge and work surfaces, along with a stove top kettle, as well as a collection of plates, mugs, glasses and cutlery. Anything you use will need to be cleaned before you return the boat - washing up liquid, a cloth and tea towel should also be provided.
Each day boat we've hired has had a slightly different configuration when it comes to seating areas and tables. Most have large outdoor areas - sometimes with benches along the side, sometimes with alternative seats provided (note the stools in the photo). If you're not sure what's available, bring camping chairs with you to use if necessary.
All will have indoor seating and a table. On the Mock Turtle, there was an indoor area, a covered seating area with benches and sides which could be rolled up to allow the sunshine in, plus an extra uncovered area. There was no permanent table, but a large camping table was provided to place food and drink on once erected.
Day boats will also have a toilet and obviously room at the back of the boat for the boat operator to stand.
As you can see, the interior of the day boats are pretty basic, but you hopefully won't need to be spending too much time inside, especially when you've got stunning views such as these to enjoy:
As well as taking in the scenery, we were lucky enough to be able to enjoy a stop at Walton Hall & Gardens, which not only boasts a magnificent hall and beautiful gardens, but also a children's play area, mini golf course and even a small zoo - complete with goats, ponies, donkey's, peacocks and alpacas.
As we'd brought a picnic lunch with us to eat on the boat, it gave us the opportunity to spend more time at Walton Hall & Gardens, then continue along the canal to the beautiful village of Grappenhall. There are a couple of nice looking pubs a short walk away from the canal, but we wouldn't have had time to eat here before we needed to turn the boat around and head back to our starting point.
You definitely need to calculate journey times and plan accordingly during your day to ensure you return the boat before the stipulated time. You may only be a few miles away, but remember the boat only travels at 3mph, so you can't get anywhere fast - but that's part of the charm.
It's unusual for a day boat hire route to include locks, but if you do find yourself having to navigate them, you'll need to add on significantly more journey time just in case you end up in a queue waiting for an empty lock.
Hiring a day boat has always provided us with a fabulous family day out. It's something members of varying ages can enjoy, those with dogs are permitted to bring them along, and it's an ideal opportunity to explore the local area in a completely different way.
