You do not need any previous experience, or a boat licence, you will be given all the training you need to get started. The waters are mostly current free and cruising speed is only three to four miles per hour making operating a canal boat child’s play.

We ask that you arrive at 1pm on your arrival day in order to provide sufficient time to check-in, load the boat and receive the training and tour. On your day of departure, you will need to vacate the boat no later than 9.30am if staying for a week or 3-4pm if on a short break as we wish to avoid potentially penalising the incoming guests.

You can moor up wherever you want, just tie up by a towpath so you can get on and off the boat easily, or better still outside a pub!!

Water is free and we give you a British Waterways key on arrival so you can use the waterpoints. Diesel, gas and pump-outs (if necessary) are included in the narrowboat hire price you pay.

The boat and contents are fully insured, but we do have an excess on our insurance so we recommend that you take out our £45.00 damage waiver, then if you do have an accident you do not have to worry. The only thing that is not insured by us are (a) your car which is probably protected under your motor policy and (b) your personal possessions which are also probably covered under your house contents insurance but please check your own policies carefully.

Our Welcome folder is full of narowboat hire information and good advice as well as a canal map, which will show you where to find bridges, water-points, villages and those essential canalside pubs!

Our dedicated narrowboat hire team are on hand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for emergencies and every narrowboat is equipped with a mobile phone for such calls. Your safety and enjoyment are our paramount concern.

Online you will not be able to book a 6 berth canal boat with 2 adults and 2/3/4 children who are all under 14 yrs of age, but please telephone or e mail us, because as long as the children aren't too small we might be able to put you on a 6 berth canal boat, and we can take the booking over the phone. We provide Buoyancy Aids free of charge.

Free car parking is available at all locations although we can only currently guarantee one parking space per narrow boat occupied. Many of our marinas are also close to main line railway stations.

The boat has 240v (UK Mains) sockets which accept 3 pin plugs. Do not bring any electrical equipment over 1000 watts.

We cannot take pets on this website. Click here for alternative site.

These are all provided free of charge, all the beds have duvets.

Is allowed on the Canals at any time of year, but a Rod Licence is required – you can get a 1 day, 8 day, or annual licence from the post office, or Online at the Environment website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

You can fit 2-3 bikes on the roof of the narrowboat, please bring some old matting to protect our paintwork, and some straps.

Part of the canal boat experience is stopping off and visiting the villages and towns along the way, so you can stock up with groceries as you go along, although all our marinas are close to tow There are lots of pubs and some cafes along the Canals, some have their own moorings, and some are just a short stroll away.

barge-hire.com (c) 2008 - All rights reserved.
Our booking address is: barge-hire.com PO Box 57 Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 7ZN
Telephone: 01395-443545
Email: bookings@barge-hire.com