Our Boats brings together 25 family run English, Scottish & Welsh canal hire firms.

Our Boats provide great activity holidays on UK canals for friends, families, & pets!

You get quality service from family firms because these really are our boats. Deal directly with us.

No big holiday chains and their managers here, just independent family firms and our boats!

We personally make sure that our boats offer you a great value & enjoyable holiday!

Just click on the company name to see the company website, routes, boats and full booking information.
See another website by clicking on 'Family hire firm listings' at the top of each screen. Visit as many as you like, all offer something different!

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Family owned,
Family run hire firms

North & Scotland
Andersen Boats has been a family business for over 25 years, located in Middlewich convenient for the Cheshire and Four Counties Rings and the Llangollen Canal. Well equipped comfortable boats.
Shire Cruisers give you the chance to explore the spectacular scenery of Pennine Yorkshire’s uncrowded waterways. Their boats are quality graded by VisitBritain. Helpful staff give a specially thorough handover.
Snaygill Boats are based in Skipton on the peaceful and beautiful Leeds & Liverpool canal, crossing the Pennine Hills and Yorkshire Dales. Full details in their online brochure.
Canal Cruising Company are the oldest family hire company established 1948. Located in Stone on the Trent and Mersey offering wide choice of routes, 2 to 8 berth all VisitBritain graded.
On a Canal Boat Cruises holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool canal there's no rush! Luxury 6 & 8 berth boats based at Riley Green in the idyllic Lancashire country side.
Claymoore Canal Holidays has routes to suit everyone. Experience the Cheshire and Four Counties Rings. Cruise to Llangollen or historic Chester. VisitBritain graded boats, friendly staff. Expert tuition for beginners.
Capercaillie Cruisers based at Falkirk on the Forth and Clyde Canal offer an outstanding holiday with the personal touch on Scotland's 'newest' canal! See historic Edinburgh and the stunning new 'Falkirk Wheel'.
Marine Cruises offer well equipped 4 star 2 to 10 berth boats on the Scottish Lowland canals, on the  Trent & Mersey Canal and the Llangollen Canal.

Central & Southern
Fox Narrowboats run 4 and 5 star boats in the Cambridgeshire fens. Visit Ely, Cambridge or Peterborough. The Fox family have operated a hire fleet for over 35 years.
Canal Experience. Family business. Reading and Newbury bases. M4/ Heathrow/train/coach links. Explore: Newbury, Devizes, Bath on Kennet & Avon; Oxford, Henley, Windsor on River Thames. Boat handling & photography courses.
Willow Wren offer a range of boats on the North Oxford Canal, from high specification boats for families and couples to specialist 12 berth craft for larger groups.
Foxhangers Canal Holidays on the Kennet & Avon Canal below the famous Caen Hill Locks, modern 12 boat fleet of 2-9 berth narrowboats. Comfortable cruising to Roman cities of Bath & Bristol.
Nene Valley Boats Small family run business near Oundle, Northants offering 2-6 berth traditional narrowboats for hire on the River Nene. Explore the river from Northampton to Peterborough, the Fens and the River Great Ouse.
Kate Boats, a family run business, with quality narrowboats from two bases on the Grand Union Canal, ideally situated on the Warwickshire ring. Beginners welcome, full instruction given.
College Cruisers are a long established hire fleet based right in the centre of the historic City of Oxford. Routes include the peaceful Oxford Canal and the beautiful River Thames.
Oxfordshire Narrowboats. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the beautiful, rural and friendly South Oxford Canal with its Cotswold stone villages and pubs. London is less than an hour's drive.
Rose Narrowboats  are a family firm with a fleet of 23 luxury narrowboats for weekly or shortbreak rental in the heart of the Midlands canal system. On-line brochure here now.
The Wyvern Shipping Co. have 2 to 8 berth luxury narrow boats on the Grand Union Canal. Weekend and short breaks a speciality. Transport arranged from all London airports.

Wales & West
Chas Hardern Boats, family run for over 30yrs offering a fleet of excellent value, well equipped 2 to 6 berth boats for all year cruising. Ideal for Shropshire Union, Llangollen & adjoining canals.
Starline Narrowboats are a small, friendly, family-run company based at Upton-Upon-Severn. Cruises include the majestic River Severn, Shakespeare's River Avon to Stratford or the scenic West Midlands canals.
Cambrian Cruisers, highest graded quality assured narrowboats on lovely Monmouth & Brecon canal in stunning Brecon Beacons National Park. Weekly hire/ short breaks for up to 6 people. Novices welcome.
Maestermyn Cruisers have 2 to 10 berth narrowboats on the beautiful, historic and exciting Llangollen Canal for weekly & short break hire. Narrowboat Restaurant  /Inn on site for early arrivals.
Beacon Park Boats Unrivalled luxury, ultimate relaxation. Unwind on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal however you choose, for as long as you like, aboard our 5* canalboats, in the splendour of the Brecon Beacons.
Norbury Wharf. Independently managed, privately owned luxury narrowboats on the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal. Enjoy the country pubs, the freedom and heritage of the canals. Short & long term hire available.
Castle Narrowboats, on the historic Monmouth & Brecon Canal, offer an excellent choice of high quality canalboats, including unique electric powered narrowboats, discover the beauty of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales.