boating holidays

[tezestwing]

We are hoping to go on a narrow boat canal cruise this year 4 adults 2 teenage lads any ideas to keep us occupied for a week not to many locks though just heard they can get a bit repetitive and busy in July never been on canals before so any info would be appreciated thanks in anticipation Tez

[Boo Boo]

Have no experience of canal narrow boats, but would definitely recommend hiring a boat on the Norfolk Broads.

[sddsddean]

Heres a nice map. If its your first time, you will definately want to do a 'ring' so you don't go over the same ground. Cheshore ring is easy in a week, as is Leicester ring (but don't stop in Leicester itself. 4 counties ring is good too. The only 'problem you may have with the Stourport/Avon ring is the locks from Worcester to B'ham; there are 16 in 1 1/2 miles at Tardebigge! Wherever you go, its a great way to see the British countryside...oh, and there are loads of pubs!! Just thought, if you are feeling adventurous, head out to Llangollen and go over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct...1007ft long, 121 ft up and on one side there is nothing to stop you going over the side! (though as far as I know, no one has ever fallen off it).
http://www.holidayuk.co.uk/canals/mainmap.htm

[Gef]

Where do you live? Is the travelling to the boatyard a factor?

The British canal system extends for over 2000 miles. Do you want to visit towns/cities or be mainly rural?

[toecrusher]

have done several narrowboat hols, nothing like it! chugging along at 4 miles an hour, get to see fantastic countryside, lots of countrypubs and restaurants to choose from. locks are good fun and a general meeting place for like minded people going up and down the canal. you can do as much or as little as you choose, moor up virtually wherever takes your fancy. your teenage lads will love steering the boat and operating the locks. it is just a brilliant holiday! we are actually thinking about buying a part share in a narrowboat ( as it is unfortunately a very expensive holiday, thats the only downside) have a great time!!!

[tezestwing]

Thanks for all the posts we have managed to get a boat from Stone so we will go round the 4 counties ring The only other question that puzzled me was do you all go round the same way is there a best way is the long tunnel that is on this route one way excuse my ignorance Thanks in anticipation Tez

[sddsddean]

I've done the 4 Counties ring, also from Stone! We did it anti clockwise (can't remember why!). As such, it doesn't really matter which way you go. However, I would go anticlockwise, so that when you are approaching Stoke from the north (which is only a day or so from Stone) you can decide if you have enough time to go up the Caldon canal (if you can, do go...scenery is lovely). As regards Harcastle Tunnel...it has subsided a lot due to mining subsidence, so the roof keeps encroaching, but its not a problem. It is one way at a time, but convoys are sorted out by the tunnel keepers. The other oddity is that it has no ventilation shafts. There is a fan at the south end to aid ventilation, but of course that would just suck in air through the south portal, so a door fits across the south tunnel mouth to prevent this. The practical upshot of all this is that if you are travelling south you think 'we must be getting near the end soon' and suddenly the tunnel kepers open the door to let you out!! Its a bit of a shock really! Have fun..its a great holiday.