You may find this page
useful in answering many of the questions you may have about narrowboating
holidays.
• What
Tuition Do I Need?
• What Time Do We Need To Arrive & Depart?
• What Maps & Guides Are Available?
• What Licences Are Required & Restrictions?
• Is A Narrow Boat Holiday Suitable For Young
Children?
• What If I Am An Overseas Visitors?
• Can We Bring Pets?
• Is Fishing Allowed?
• What Should We Do About Groceries?
• Can We Charge Our Mobile Phone/Camcorder?
• What Can We Do About Mobile Phone Hire?
• Are Their Any Extras To Pay?
• Is Their A Narrowboat Course I Can Take
• Can We Look Before We Book?
Tuition
No previous experience is necessary, as our boats are extremely easy to handle
and full tuition is given at the start of every holiday. Comprehensive cruising
information is in the manual on the boat and sent out with the holiday confirmation
to introduce you to the theory of locks and the 'rules of the road'.
Arrival
& Departure
We endeavor to have boats ready for collection at 3.00pm on the start day
of your holiday. The boat must be back at the base and completely vacated
by by 9.30am on the return date. As our teams have a very tight schedule to
prepare and service the boat for the next guests, there is a charge applicable
for any late return of the boat.
Maps
& Guides
The Pearson's and Nicholson's guides are superb for locating all the sites
of interest, pubs, shops and facilities along your route. The guides relevant
to each route are indicated in the Cruising routes section of the site, and
may be ordered at the time of booking or purchased at the start of the holiday.
Licences
& Restrictions
You do not need a driving licence for a narrowboat, and their are no age restrictions,
but children must be kept under strict supervision to prevent accidents and
comply with insurance regulations. The maximum number of people on board is
restricted to the number of berths, with an absolute maximum of twelve.
The boats are licensed for all the waterways under British Waterways control (like road tax for boats), but there are a few waterways outside their jurisdiction for which you will need to purchase an additional license such as the Rivers Avon, Thames and Wey
Young
Children
A narrowboat holiday is superb for families. We have a number of accessories
that are available free of charge, on request:
• PVC mesh netting fixed around the stern of boats with a cruiser
stern.
• Buoyancy aids for both children and adults (these do not need
to be booked in advance and may be requested upon arrival at the marina).
• Cot-sides for standard berths, depending upon the boat layout.
Simply indicate your requirements on the booking form.
Overseas
Visitors
In addition to the full bed linen provided for all customers, we also supply
towels for visitors traveling from overseas. If this brochure has a travel
agents stamp, we recommend you make your booking via them - they will be able
to help you with other travel requirements in addition to the narrowboat holiday.
Otherwise you are welcome to book direct with us on
+ 44 1905 610660
Pets
This really is a holiday the whole family can enjoy together. There is a charge
of just £25 for each pet. We obviously request that the boat is returned
in a clean and tidy condition and reserve the right to charge for any additional
cleaning or repairs required as a result of pets being on board during your
holiday or to restrict or refuse pets.
Fishing
Fishing is prohibited on British rivers between 15th March and 15th June.
Fishing is allowed outside these dates and on canals at any time, but a license
is required. This is available from any post office with a 1-day, 8-day or
annual license to choose from. For reasons of hygiene, we regret that live
bait may not be kept on the boat.
Groceries
One of the pleasures of a canal holiday is the option to stop off and experience
towns and villages along the way, shopping as and when you need supplies.
There is information on how to get groceries in the booklet sent 8 weeks before
the holiday.
Mobile
phone charging
All of our boats have a 12-volt electricity supply with a car type cigar lighter
socket that can be used with a mobile phone in-car adaptor lead. Although
there is a 240-volt electricity supply on many of our boats, this is not always
suitable for the supply of low currents for long periods. 110-volt AC supply
is not available in the UK.
Mobile
phone hire
We do have mobile phones available for hire whilst you are on holiday with
us. We require a £50 returnable deposit payable at the time of booking
together with the hire charge of £25 for the first week (including £5
of calls) and £10 per week thereafter (no additional inclusive calls
- top up cards may be purchased from a number of outlets).
Extras
The brochure details the items inclusive to your holiday. There are some compulsory
charges in addition to the brochure price such as cancellation Protection
Fee (calculated at the rate of 4% of the hire charge), Accidental Damage Waiver
Fee at £45, and a deposit for fuel £85 per week or £50 per
short break (The hirer pays for fuel consumed at the end of the holiday).
There are also some options for those who want them such as pets at £25
each, additional berths on some boats at £50 per week or £25 per
short break and we can arrange for details of Personal Holiday Insurance (strongly
recommended) for UK customers if required. There
is a 2% charge for payments made by credit cards. Further
details of all these are available in our our brochure.
Helmsman
Courses
The basic skills of handling a boat are quickly learnt and our handover team
will show you all you need to know to truly enjoy your holiday. However, if
you have a duty of care to a group, or simply out of interest, our Helmsman's
course offers the opportunity to develop your skills and attain an RYA qualification.
For more information please call 0845 126 4098.
Look
before you book
Our bases are open 7 days a week throughout the cruising season and we welcome
inspection of our boats before you book. Please phone before you arrive to
ensure that they are open and boats are available for viewing.
Alvechurch
Marina - 0121 445 1133
Anderton Marina - 01606 79642
Falkirk Base - 07973 503916
Gayton Marina - 01604 858685
Goytre Wharf - 01873 880516
Hilperton Marina - 01225 765243
Wrenbury Mill - 01270 780 544
Please
note that the marinas and bases are unable to give vacancy information. These
enquiries must be made direct to the booking office on 0845 126 4098