narrow boat holidays.

[Norrin Radd]

so the good lady has decided she would like a narrow boat holiday next year ,
any opinions, which canal ? are there any pitfalls and what to look out for.

 

[Rooter]

Don't start it here as we did about 20 years ago. I think its where my vertigo comes from!!

http://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/en-gb/top-ideas/pontcysyllte-aqueduct/

 

[jdpjamesp]

Lancaster canal is meant to be really good although it's not the longest. Quite a few golf courses along the route though.

 

[louise_a]

The Cheshire Ring is a popular one.

 

[Rooter]

Arguably one of the best episodes of Alan..

[video=youtube;J-sjiSu93Lo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-sjiSu93Lo[/video]

 

[Norrin Radd]

Don't start it here as we did about 20 years ago. I think its where my vertigo comes from!!

http://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/en-gb/top-ideas/pontcysyllte-aqueduct/

View attachment 17462

dont think we would be having a boating holiday if i showed her that picture.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Ive done a few, is there just the 2 of you or are there more?
reason is the locks can be hard work and its normally the bloke who gets lumbered, therefore Mrs Poacher will need to be able to drive the boat into the locks.

if she is happy with that then go for it, its great fun

You have a number of options, but bear in mind you will be doing 3 1/2 days out followed by 3 1/2 days back, unless you can find a circular route,
you can start from Oxford and do the Oxford/ Grand Union arm. or start from various places along the south M42 (Kingswood area) and do the Stratford On Avon Arm.

Or start at Blisworth in Northants and just do the Grand Union.

You spend the entire week at 4 mph and its very relaxing, stopping near a canal side pub every evening, for dinner and a couple of pints.

not the cheapest of breaks, but if there is a group, then its pretty good value

 

[Hobbit]

Been there, don't like all the faffing about with locks, and following one route pretty much. Done the Norfolk(and Suffolk) Broads loads of times. Bigger, more comfortable boats. Far better holiday, and more places to stop off.

Coming from the south, pick up at either Beccles or Norwich...

 

[Norrin Radd]

thanks for the replys guys and gals,
Hobbit I have done the broads ,great fun and top notch fishing ,but having watched Timothy West and Prunella Scales in their tv show the wife has got the idea she would like to give it a bash.
Phil,we were think of the Kennet and Avon canal,any idea on a route for that one.

 

[Rooter]

Phil,we were think of the Kennet and Avon canal,any idea on a route for that one.

if you do, let me know, will advise on good places to eat and drink 20 miles either side of Newbury! (K&A goes right through the middle of town!)

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've done this a couple of times on the Thames and once on the Broads. I actually disagree with Hobbit, I found the locks great fun as people get themselves into a right mess and it's hilarious watching them trying to recover. I thought the Broads was a bit boring as you just poodle around all day with no locks.

Horses for courses though but it can be great fun if there is a group of you.

 

[Norrin Radd]

if you do, let me know, will advise on good places to eat and drink 20 miles either side of Newbury! (K&A goes right through the middle of town!)

thanks Rooter,
what a friendly place this forum can be.

 

[Stegsie]

I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread - it's something I've never done but would love to do. I really fancy it

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Kennet & avon basically goes between Reading and Bath, via Newbury Its as good as any.

Budget on travelling about 20 miles a day, (less if there are loads of locks) It can take a couple of hours to complete a 7 lock chain

Plenty of stuff on the interwebthingy, look at where the boat yards are and start from there

enjoy

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What about the broads?

We had a great there

 

[MarkA]

The Thames is also a great place too, great pubs and scenery. Its a great holiday and a fantastic way to unwind as the pace of life is just so much slower.

 

[Robster59]

I did The Thames years ago but on a cruiser and not a narrowboat. I went from Hampton Court to Oxford. At the time, all the major locks on The Thames were manned so you could have the joy of going through them without the hassle. We did do one tributary which had a manual lock towards Reading but to be honest it wasn't that difficult and quite fun.

 

[Norrin Radd]

had quick look on the web ,and it looks like about £1200 for a weeks hire in september next year.that is for the K&A canal.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread - it's something I've never done but would love to do. I really fancy it

Same here. I've watched a few programmes on it recently, especially Timothy West and Pru.

The French ones looked better though.