Floating Holidays
ENTRY
from £16
WHERE
Middlewich
What it’s like
A self-drive canal boat holiday where you learn to sail the boat yourself and fish straight from the deck.
You take the boat out yourselves here. Staff show you how to drive and sail it before you set off, then you're pottering along English and Welsh canals at your own pace, working the locks and mooring up wherever takes your fancy. It's a proper hands-on holiday rather than something you watch from the bank.
The fleet ranges from a boat for two right up to one that sleeps ten, so it works whether it's a couple wanting a quiet week or a bigger group taking over a whole boat. There's a freeview TV and DVD player aboard, and some boats have a radio too, which helps on an evening moored up somewhere quiet with nothing else on.
Fishing's allowed if you've got a rod licence from the Environment Agency, though live bait's banned on the boats, so check what you're allowed to bring before you pack the tackle box. Check in is from 2pm and check out's at 9am, and if you need to shift either of those, they charge half a day's hire for the privilege, which stings a bit if your train's late.
It runs Monday to Saturday from April to October, and Monday to Friday over winter, though the holiday hires close for the colder months. Parking's £3 a night in a secure compound, which is fair enough for peace of mind while you're off on the water.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Secure parking compound, £3 per car per night
- Dogs
- Allowed aboard. See site for details
- Live bait is banned on the boats, so plan your fishing kit accordingly
- Holiday hires close over the winter months
- Shifting your check in or check out time costs half a day's hire
- Dogs are allowed aboard
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's £16 per person per night.
How many people can the boat sleep?
The fleet covers everything from a boat for two people up to one that takes a group of ten, so it flexes to fit your party.
Will someone show us how to sail the boat?
Yes, staff give you instruction on driving and sailing before you head off.
Can we fish from the boat?
You can, as long as you've got a rod licence from the Environment Agency. Live bait isn't allowed on the boats under any circumstances.
What are check in and check out times?
Check in's from 2pm and check out's at 9am. An earlier or later time costs 50% of a day's hire.
Is there parking?
There's a secure parking compound for your car while you're away, and it's £3 per car per night.
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