Boating holidays on Yorkshire canals

The Yorkshire boating holiday company that works hard ....
.... to give you an easy time.

NARROW BOAT HIRE IN YORKSHIRE
Boating holidays from Shire Cruisers
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BOATING HOLIDAYS IN YORKSHIRE
for first-time boaters


 Tired of rushing everywhere? Step through a gap in the towpath wall, and you enter another world. Step onto a narrow boat, and slow down to a new, more natural pace of life, with time to see the scenery, chat to passers-by and enjoy being with your family and friends. Boating holidays allow you to explore a secret world, where people are friendly and there's a fresh discovery round every corner.
Your boat is magic too, with more space than you'd think possible, and all the comfort and facilities you want. Handling the boat and doing the locks is a big part of the fun, made easy because of our thorough boat hire training.
Choose Shire Cruisers, and get the bonus of grand Yorkshire scenery, friendly Yorkshire folk - and yet uncrowded waterways.
New Base

For 2010, we open our new base at Foulridge Wharf on the Leeds & Liverpool. Try our new routes to Skipton and beyond.		 Greenberfield, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Experienced boaters - click for details of our canal holidays just for you		  Boating holiday in Yorkshire: Marsden locks, Huddersfield Narrow Canal
How to book
Check Availability online to see immediately which boats are available, and request a holiday reservation. If you can't find what you want, please email us and we will suggest some options. And once you’ve reserved your boat, see our booking page for what to do next, including secure online payment.
Compare our offers
Up to 15% off for a second week - Free extra children under 18 on most boats (but you provide the children!). Up to 40% off high-season price in spring and autumn. Plus possible Loyalty, Flotilla, Midweek or Under-occupancy discounts.
And one pet is free.
Want a brochure?
Read our printed brochure online, download one as a PDF (4.9Mb) or ask for one on real paper.
More questions?
See our comprehensive boating holiday FAQs.
 
For your first boating holiday

boating holidays in Pennine Yorkshire with Shire Cruisers

What do you do?
Self-drive boating holidays, from three days to three weeks, and from two to ten berth. Click for canal boat holiday Routes, narrow Boats, boating holiday Prices or Availability

Visit Hebden Bridge in the Yorkshire Pennines on a boating holiday with Shire cruisers

 How far will we get?
You're travelling at walking pace. For a first narrow boat hire, head into the Pennines or explore the Calder Valley. See our short break canal holiday routes or one week narrow boat holiday routes.

Carefully built and well maintained narrowboats for boating holidays in Yorkshire

 What are the boats like?
They're narrow boats, with all the comforts of home. Comfortable beds, showers, well-equipped kitchens, central heating, TV - the charm is that you take it with you as you travel.

Boat handling training on a boating holiday in Yorkshire

Will you show us how to handle the boat?
Our boat hire training programme is exceptionally thorough, aimed at making sure you have the knowledge and confidence you need to really enjoy your narrowboat holiday.

Things to do on a boating holiday in Pennine Yorkshire

 Will there be enough to do?
 Slowing down to boat speed helps you notice so much more around you. You'll see that our canals are in a beautiful part of Yorkshire, with lots of canal places to go and boating things to do.

Bargain boating hire holidays from Shire Cruisers

How much is it?
 A week on a 5 star 4 berth narrowboat with 2 loos could cost you £280 a head in June.  A weekend for 10 adults could cost under £60 each in October. Look at our boating holiday prices.

Working the locks on a Pennine Yorkshire boating holiday with Shire Cruisers

 What’s included in the price?
Hire of the boat, instruction, fuel, use of the canal and moorings, full inventory, bed linen, complete backup. The first pet and (on many boats) free children! Sunshine (subject to availability).
aspley Wharf pub at night  Are there pubs by the canal?
There certainly are. See our recommendations for Yorkshire canal pubs, where you'll get a great welcome and a huge variety of beers and food.

Discover Yorkshire on a barging holiday 

What’s special about the northern waterways?
They are wider, grander, more hilly than the Midlands canals. Local people are pleased to see you, and above all the canals are much less crowded. 

 Cross the Pennines on a one-way trip boating holiday on the Yorkshire canals

Can we do one way trips?
Experienced boaters can do our three one way trips across the Pennines, but these are not suitable for first timers because you have to know how to pace yourself. Click for one way canal routes.
Read all about it - Press reports 

Pets can come too on a boating holiday with Shire Cruisers

 Are you pet-friendly?
 Pets usually love boating holidays. You're welcome to bring your dog, cat, hamster, goldfish - but please keep them off the seats. The first pet is free. See pet-friendly boating holidays.  

Wide choices of boats for boating holidays with Shire Cruisers

 Are you independently inspected?
We are annually inspected by VisitBritain and our boat hire training system is audited by the British Marine Federation, to help us ensure you get the super boating holiday you deserve.

Loading up ready for a boating holiday on the Yorkshire canals

 What do we need to bring?
The boat is fully equipped, with all you'd expect from any self-catering holiday. You need to bring food and towels - and less spending money than you'd think! Click for a specimen inventory.

Your narrowboat can have double or single beds made up as you ask

Have you got the right layout for our party?
 As well as fixed double beds, we have narrow boats with two loos, and lots of different layouts to suit your particular needs. Find the right boat for you and your party using our Boatfinder.

Quality boating holidays from Shire Cruisers

 Why choose Shire Cruisers?
We have the track record - nearly 30 years of experience. We know the northern waterways and help you to make the most of your time here. We'll simply look after you really well.

Take your first boating holiday with Shire Cruisers

More questions?
 We answer more in our comprehensive boating holiday FAQs. But do email us, or ring 01422 832712. There's loads more in the Information Pack we send before your holiday.

Lazy days afloat: boat trips on the Yorkshire canals

 Can we go just for the day?
50-seater passenger boats, self-drive day boats, small boats with a crew, meals and discos aboard, pirate parties - see our recommendations for canal boat trips.
Ring routes for boating holidays in Yorkshire Can we do any rings?
Experienced boaters are welcome to try our canal holiday ring routes across the Pennines. As with one way trips, save these for your second or third boating holiday.

Nationwide boating holidays with Drifters

 Can we go elsewhere in the country?
We recommend Drifters - Narrowboat and canal boating holidays in the UK. UK Canal boating holidays. Narrowboat and canalboat hire from the very best operators from a choice of 30 bases around Britain. We're a member, of course. We also recommend some other independent firms.

Happy customers 

 What do existing customers think?
Check out their useful Feedback

Boating holidays with Shire Cruisers, The Wharf, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 2AG, England
tel: 01422 832712 - Overseas tel: + 44 1422 832712 fax: 01422 839565 email: info@shirecruisers.co.uk     Site Map
Britannia Narrow Boats Ltd Registered in England and Wales 1462318 Registered Office as above VAT No. 333 5525 70
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