Willow Wren Hire Cruisers

Willow Wren Cruising Holidays for waterway cruising and canal cruising holidays, English canalboat hire (narrowboat hire) & training courses.

WILLOW WREN are one of the oldest established waterway cruising companies, founded in 1964 as a division of an older canal carrying company. From our base at Rugby in the 'Heart of England' we offer a variety of canal cruising holidays and leisure cruises, including narrowboat hire, weekend breaks and training programmes.

WILLOW WREN HOLIDAYS FOR GROUPS specialise in narrowboat hire of larger 10 and 12 berth boats for schools and youth groups, larger families or groups of friends. All our boats are specially designed and superbly fitted out to give maximum comfort and space for up to twelve people.

WILLOW WREN TRAINING. We have a deep commitment to safer boating. We specialise in providing courses for the inland waterway boater and our trainers have between them over 40 years relevant waterway experience.

Waterway Holidays for Groups

A Waterways Holiday... WHAT'S THE ATTRACTION?

Inland waterways holidays have been popular for many years but despite that popularity have never lost their delightful aura of mystery and adventure! Canalboat hire (longboat hire) opens up the quintessential experience of travelling by boat along old water routes, once so busy with trade and commerce and now so lost and peaceful. Nowhere else is there the same sense of eager anticipation than on their still waters, when with mooring lines slipped, your boat chugs off into the morning mist at the start of another canal holiday.

People may call it different names, a boating holiday, inland waterway holiday, canal holiday, river cruising holiday, but they all mean the same, discovery, adventure, fun and freedom!

DISCOVER our waterway heritage as you cruise the historic Midlands canals, studying the engineering feats that made them possible and learning more about the lives of those who worked on them.

ADVENTURE into this waterway world as you and your crew operate the locks and steer the boat through long tunnels, over lofty embankments or through deep creeper-hung cuttings!
Have FUN, with lots to do and see both on and off the water. Eat out at canalside pubs, walk the towpaths, enjoy the abundant waterside wildlife. See our beautiful countryside from a different perspective at a leisurely pace. On a canal holiday even the chores can be fun!
Enjoy the FREEDOM to go where you please, at a snail's pace, and like the snail, taking your accommodation with you! To stop when and where you want with no parking problems! To enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside with no traffic jams, queues or crowds of people!

It's no wonder then that canal holidays appeal so much to groups from schools, scouts, guides and many other young people's organisations as well as groups of friends or families.

WHY HOLIDAY WITH WILLOW WREN?

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - We are one of the oldest established waterway hireboat companies, founded in 1964 as a division of an older canal carrying company.

SUPER BOATS from the GROUP SPECIALISTS - We have always specialised in providing larger 10 and 12 berth boats for schools and youth groups, larger families or groups of friends. All our boats are specially designed and built by us for group hire. Our new 'semi trad' 12 berth 65 footers are the finest available.

WIDE CHOICE OF ROUTES - From our country base on the pretty North Oxford canal you can choose from at least nine different one or two week cruises including three 'ring' routes.

SHORT BREAKS - We offer all-season bookable short breaks so if you can't spend a week or two then try a few days away over a long weekend or during the week. Ideal for a friends' reunion or as a taster cruise!

ALL- INCLUSIVE PRICES - Hire fees include VAT, all boat fuel, gas for heating and cooking, car parking and your pets too. No extra person charges. Check prices and book your holidays here.

SAFETY AND TUITION - As specialists in group holidays we are very aware of the responsibilities of party leaders 'in loco parentis' and have a number of ways to make your task easier!

We offer:

• Canal boat holidays
• Boat trips
• Boat hire
• Moorings

Services for you

• Toilets

• Parking

Services for you

• Water points
• Refuse disposal

Services for your boat

• Boat service & repairs
• Bottled gas
• Pump out