Black Prince Holidays

What it’s like

Hire a narrowboat and let the kids work the locks and take a turn at the tiller under supervision.

This is a canal boat holiday rather than a day trip, so the whole crew ends up living on the water for a few days at least. Kids get properly involved: working the locks, steering under supervision, and once you're moored up there's fishing, cycling and walking to fill the evenings, with pony trekking, climbing and canoeing on the list too depending on where you moor. Nobody needs experience going in. A British Marine Federation accredited team talks you through boat operation, locks and route planning before you set off, and there's a 24-hour emergency line with free call-out if something goes wrong on the water.

There's no minimum age for kids driving the boat, but anyone under 18 has to be under close supervision the whole time, which is fair enough given what's at stake. The main hirer needs to be 25 or over, so this isn't something an older teen can book for a mates' trip without an adult on the paperwork. Buoyancy aids come in four sizes down to toddler and get fitted individually before you leave, which is the kind of detail that tells you they've thought about small children on board.

Towpath mooring and lock fees are already covered in the price, so the only running cost to budget for is diesel, charged back on return at a rate that undercuts the pumps. It's a fair way to see canal life rather than just splash about, and the locks are the bit kids talk about after, not the scenery.

One thing to flag if you're travelling with a wheelchair user: the narrowboats have narrow aisles and the bathrooms aren't wheelchair-friendly, so accessibility is limited. Dogs are welcome too, with the first pet free and a second at £30 on arrival, up to two pets, as long as they stay off the furniture and bedding.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Families with older children confident enough to help with locks

Dogs

Pet-friendly boats. First pet free, second pet £30 payable on arrival, max 2 pets

• Under-18s can drive the boat but must be closely supervised throughout, not just at the locks
• The main hirer has to be 25 or over, so it's not one for an older teen to book alone
• Diesel is billed on return rather than paid upfront, so keep an eye on how much you're using
• Narrowboats aren't set up for wheelchair users, with narrow aisles and no accessible bathroom

Plan your visit

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