A canal holiday is a holiday like no other…

Due to the narrow dimensions of the canals, usually 7ft wide and 70ft long, those innovative Victorians sought to invent a particular style of boat – the narrowboat. Don’t let the name put you off – these days the narrow width of a boat doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style and comfort.

Those new to a canal holiday may be surprised to be met with televisions, DVD players, and modern bathroom suites. Then of course there’s the little luxuries that you may not notice but make all the difference, such as central heating and hygienic flushing toilets.

The types of boats available for hire can vary depending on the canals and rivers you are planning to cruise. But there are really only three basic boat types – narrowboats, barges, and cruisers.

Despite the name narrowboats can be surprisingly spacious; with usually at least 6ft worth of headroom, and the longer vessels can comfortably accommodate up to twelve people.

They have three main designs and are steered by the use of a tiller at the stern (back) of the boat.

Some of the major canals and rivers have a wider set of dimensions and so can accommodate boats of up to 14ft wide – this is where the barge comes in. These spacious vessels are the 4X4s of the waterways but with more space comes fewer routes, as these boats are obviously limited to those canals and rivers that can handle them.

These stylish, yacht-like boats are sleek and stream-lined, and only available on the broad waters of Norfolk and Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, the River Thames, as well as the Crinan and Caledonian canals in Scotland. Because the spaces in which they are free to roam are wide and open, this means they are not restricted in width and follow more ‘typical’ boat proportions.

Like the narrowboat, cruisers are also fit to accommodate large parties but they are more flexible in their design. New to steering a boat? Choose one that’s smaller and easier to manoeuvre. Unsure of weather conditions? Choose one with steering above and below deck – ideal for sailing your boat in comfort come rain or shine.

Usually, but don’t panic because it’s all very easy! You don’t need any previous experience behind a tiller, as training will be given by your canal holiday operator beforehand. They will explain everything to you in a matter of hours when you arrive. If you are still wary though or you just fancy putting your feet up, take a holiday on a hotel boat. Here the experienced crew take care of everything for you, from steering to cooking.

For more information on handling your canal boat and boating skills, see What expertise are needed? below.

Your canal holiday operator will ensure that you leave with enough fuel to last you throughout your boating holiday, and some hire fleets will include it within the price. Please be advised though that many canal holiday companies are now charging extra for fuel. You may have to refill during your trip, such as if you take an extended journey, but you will be advised about this at the start of your holiday.

You will also need to fill up with water frequently, which is why there are water taps at regular intervals along the canals and rivers. If you are on a longer cruise you may also need to have your toilet tank pumped out, but most boatyards can do this for you.

Anyone can! Cruising on a canal boat is such an easy, laid-back form of travelling that you’ll be out on the open water and captain of your own vessel in no time. Even children can drive them, as long as they’re supervised by an adult. The beauty of a canal holiday is that you truly are in charge; cruise where you want and do what you want – what could be more appealing?

What is a hotel boat?

Hotel boats have been around for years but are one of the best kept secrets of the canals. Step on board for a unique opportunity to enjoy the delightful scenery and relaxing pace of the waterways – without the worries of cooking or the exertions of lock- winding.

What happens on a hotel boat holiday?

Like hotels on dry land, each hotel boat has its own distinctive character and charm. Some welcome parties of six or eight, others are more intimate, catering for smaller groups. However, all explore the most enchanting countryside the UK has to offer, with opportunities to stop off at places of interest and benefit from the local knowledge of the crew.

From breakfast to afternoon tea and cakes and a wholesome dinner, home-made fayre is the order of the day on board a hotel boat. Boats cruise every day, starting after breakfast and guests can shoose between stepping ashore and strolling along the towpath or simply sitting in comfort onboard and watching out for willdife. If you wish to lend a hand with the working of the boat or locks, you will often be welcome.

Can I get off the boat?

Each schedule differs, but most hotel boats make a point of stopping at local attractions and places of interest and will moor near a friendly waterside pub in the evening. During cruising times guests are free to hop off the boat and walk along the towpath – you may arrange to be picked up again at a certain point.

First choose a location, either a place that you’ve previously fallen in love with or an area that you’ve always wanted to explore, and then it’s pretty much plain-sailing from there. Deciding what you want to do all day will also help to narrow down your options. So if you love the bustling activity and sights of the city, go for routes that pass through major cities like Birmingham or Manchester. But if you prefer quietude and beauty, there’s a huge choice of rural waterways throughout the country. Create a journey that’s entirely catered towards the needs of you or your friends and family.

Find a destination

The price of a canal holiday can vary widely and is dependant upon a number of factors, such as how many people are going, the length of the break you are taking, and the time of year you are going.

Couples can expect to pay around £300 – 400 for a short break, or £500 – 800 for a week-long break. Whilst a family of four can expect a cost of around £500 – 700 for a short break, and £700 – 1000 for a week-long cruise. Prices are typically higher during the peak times of December and the summer months of May, June, July, August, and September.

All over the UK. It’s all very simple; choose which part of the country you would like to explore then use the search in the top right-hand corner to find the nearest canal holidays bases.

During the summer months you can expect to cruise on your canal boat for anywhere between 3 and 7 hours a day.

You will usually be travelling at around 3-4mph on your boat. This means that cruising for about 4 hours a day will allow you to cover around 80 to 100 miles in a week, whilst providing plenty of time for lazy lunches and energetic exploring. You should also make sure you allow extra time in your schedule to go through locks, as it will take you around 15 minutes extra to negotiate each one, although an energetic party could manage it in less. You are not usually permitted to cruise at night.

Booking a canal holiday is much the same as booking a holiday abroad – just choose the location you would like to travel in and work from there. The inland waterways are an historical network, one whose basic structure hasn’t changed much over the years, so there’s really only so many routes you can take and it’s very difficult to get lost!

Normally your canal holiday operator will discuss with you the routes available within the area you have booked, and most companies will have cruising maps that you can buy. You can also download and print off free boaters' guides for most waterways on waterscape.

Your route all depends on your personal choice. Larger crews of two families may fancy covering more ground on their boat, with an energetic route or a cruising ring. However, groups of friends might enjoy a city cruise - with lots of things to see and do these make for a very undemanding route. Take a look at our pick of the UK’s best cities to visit by canal boat:

• London
• Birmingham
• Manchester
• Liverpool
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Personal skill and confidence behind the tiller of your boat may also play a large part when it comes to choosing your route. If you’re new to boating you may want to avoid routes with lots of locks, such as the hilly approaches to Birmingham. However, if you have energetic children then lots of locks can keep them entertained and actually work to your advantage! Find out how you can become a pro at navigating locks, by reading How do locks work?

Most canal holidays last for a week, from Saturday to Saturday, but other start days are available. Hire a boat for a short mid-week break or a long weekend. If you’re feeling more adventurous, why not try an extended break of a fortnight or more?

Anywhere along the towpath, with very few exceptions. Mooring is free of charge on most canals and rivers; although you may have to pay a small fee on rivers where the banks are privately owned, or at quays and harbours. There are also specially designated ‘visitor moorings’ at popular places, and mooring your canal boat here is typically limited to 48 hours. You must make sure that you avoid mooring your boat within 50 metres of a lock or bridge, so that other boaters can pass by safely.

Hire bases will often have parking facilities where you can leave your car for the week. If you are arriving by train, your canal holiday operator can tell you how to find the base, and can often arrange a taxi for you.

Definitely not! It may sound daunting learning to operate a canal boat, especially if you’ve never even set foot on one before, but you don’t need any previous boating experience whatsoever. Whatever the make of boat, steering is easy, and you’ll quickly get the hang of the controls once your canal holiday operator has explained everything to you. There is no driving test to pass either and your hire-boat operator will make sure you’re fully confident with the controls before they let you loose on the water.

Yes! The best guide is the Boaters’ Handbook, a small booklet packed with information about how to handle a canal boat. It’s available electronically in pdf format, or by calling BW’s Customer Service Centre on 0845 671 5530. A Boaters’ Handbook DVD charting the journeys of two groups taking a canal holiday is also available for £2.50 from the waterscape shop.

Watch the Boaters' Handbook DVD

If you’d still prefer to be more prepared, why not have a go at an RYA Helmsman Course? You can learn to sail any kind of boat, from a canal boat to a windsurfer, not to mention have loads of fun in the process and bag yourself a certificate at the end. Find out more about the types of courses available at www.ryatraining.org.

You don’t need any special driving licence to operate a canal boat. British Waterways requires that your boat is licensed to cruise the canals and rivers managed by them, but this will be included within the price of your canal holiday.

Locks are actually a lot easier to work than you may think and are all part of the fun on a canal holiday. They’re used as a way of raising or lowering your boat, so that it can go up or down steep gradients, and each one takes around 15 – 20 minutes to bring your boat through.

Simply take your canal boat into the lock chamber, close the gates behind you, and then fill or empty the lock by raising small trap doors called ‘paddles’. You raise the paddles with an L-shaped lock key, called a ‘windlass’, which will be given to you by your canal holiday operator. When the chamber is completely full or empty open the gates and set off. Easy! For a more detailed step-by-step guide, read How do locks work?

Yes, but these will be explained to you at the hire base and are reiterated in the boaters’ handbook.

Download the Boaters’ Handbook

Your canal boat will be insured by your canal holiday operator, although they will still expect you to take reasonable care. Some may also require a refundable security deposit or a damage waiver payment. A damage waiver is a non-refundable payment that covers you in the event of loss or damage to you boat, except where this has been caused by negligence or a deliberate act. Many canal holiday operators will also offer you optional insurance, which covers you for personal injury and theft.

It is very unlikely that your canal boat will break down, but if it does just contact your hire-base with details of your location, and they will send an engineer out as soon as possible. Some canal holiday operators may levy an additional charge if the fault is caused by your own carelessness. British Waterways provides a 24 hour emergency freephone service, which can be reached by calling 0800 47 999 47. If an incident appears to be life or injury threatening, or involves fire or criminality, please dial 999.

Swimming in any of British Waterways’ canals and rivers is strictly prohibited. You are strongly advised against getting into the canals and rivers due to the potential risks of illness, drowning, and possible collision with moving boats. Although some waterways are only a few feet deep there is no telling the size of the depth until you actually get in, and remember that cold temperatures can cause cramp in even the strongest of swimmers.

The drink driving rules are the same when it comes to operating a boat as they are when operating a car.

The waterways are rich in lush vegetation and beautifully unique animals, but as long as you respect your surroundings and the environment you’ll have nothing to worry about. All visitors to the canals and rivers should make sure they follow the Waterways Code, the main points of which include:

• Keep noise to a minimum
• Don’t damage the surrounding vegetation or banks
• Never dump rubbish, sewage, or oily bilge water into the water or onto the bank
• Clean up after your dog, and keep it under control
• If fishing, never discard hooks, lines, bottles or tins that can injure wildlife.

You can find more information in the Boaters’ Handbook. To find out more about the types of wildlife you might see along the waterways, visit the wildlife section.