narrowboat hire on/around the Thames

[mic]

hi

wondered if anyone who does a hire service on the Thames or the Grand Union Canal? ive had a little search and found the larger companies but im sure theres cheaper small firms out there. anyone know of any? just for a weekend break to see if we (me and family) enjoy it

cheers

 

[Telephant]

Not narrowboat hire but these hire boats for weekends - http://www.cotswoldboat.co.uk/

 

[prof pat pending]

Have you tried Hoseasons, they list lots of companies that you can then try contacting directly

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/webpages...&sortkey=dd48400f-1b38-4ee7-95de-3a9141f7f40a

 

[sturmvogel190a]

mic google canal tipi experience they are based at the top of our island 2 hrs up the kennet from the Thames ,no idea of prices or availability but sure there website would give you that info Steve

 

[TrueBlue]

There's only one NB hire base on the GU - Paddington Arm and even if there is something smaller in that area it would take most of a day (and return) to get down to Brentford to access the tidal thames. Then you have to juggle tide times to get out.
So not a lot of good for a weekend on the non tidal bit.

On the Wey, there's Farncombe boathouse but a day and a bit down to the Thames

On the River there's Canaltime at Penton Hook. Anglo Welsh up river - but they are larger operators.


On the Oxford canal there's College cruisers (in Oxford) but I hadn't noticed any of their boats on the River.
Oxfordshire Narrowboats are based at Lower Heyford, but again it's a good half day down to the Thames.

It's just not economic anymore for smaller hire boat firms, even the larger outfits are struggling. As you have found even if there are one or two small concerns still operating they don't have the funds to advertise widely. Last Year Guildford Boathouse (the 'other' hire company on the Wey) went bust...

Boat hire is expensive so you'll be hard pressed to get a really good deal.

 

[Brayman]

Caversham Boat Services used to have one or two narrow boats at Reading, don't know if they still have.

 

[TrueBlue]

Oh, yes - forgot them.
They look a bit tired - so maybe at a good price. Quite a pleasant cruising area as well.

 

[boatone]

A definite vote for Farncombe Boathouse on the River Wey. Not the "big river" but a very pleasant stretch of rural England to spend a weekend, particularly if you want family to enjoy their first experience.
Wherever you manage to hire you are not going to get far in a weekend so better to concentrate on getting family onside ready for a more adventurous trip later !

 

[bumperdump]

http://www.cavershamboatservices.co.uk/html/hire_nb.html