YORKSHIRE BOATING
VACATION AND BARGE RENTAL
If you've been on a
boating vacation before, you'll know about the satisfaction
of steering your own rental boat past ever-changing scenery, the fun of
working locks, and the pleasure of good company. If you haven't, now's
your chance!
Choose Shire Cruisers, and get the bonus of grand Yorkshire
scenery, friendly Yorkshire folk - and yet uncrowded waterways.
We're easy to get to, wherever you fly in from. See how to
find us. |
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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, you can use our secure online
booking form
to pay the deposit. |
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. And up to 2 pets are 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
FAQs. |
Barge vs narrow boat
Strictly, the boats we use are smaller than true barges,
and are called 'narrow boats' (simply because they are
not as wide as a true barge). So that's what we call
them on the rest of the site. |
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A real barge in
northern France. Yes, that is its car on the hatch! |
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For your first
boating holiday |
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What do you do?
Self-drive boating
vacations,
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 |
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How far will we
get?
You're travelling at
walking pace. For a first narrow boat rental, head into the Pennines
or explore the Calder Valley. See our
short break canal holiday routes
or one week
narrow boat holiday routes. |
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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. |
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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 vacation. |
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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. |
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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. |
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What’s included
in the price?
Rental of the boat,
instruction, fuel, use of the canal and moorings, inventory,
bed linen, complete backup. The first pet and (on many boats) free children!
Sunshine (subject to availability). |
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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. |
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What do existing customers think?
Check out their useful
Feedback |
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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. |
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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. |
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Read all about it -
Press reports |
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How do we get there?
We have good transport links. We can
pick you up from the station near the boatyard. Trains from London
need just one change. You can fly to Heathrow or Manchester. Details
on our
find us
page. |
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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 vacation you deserve. |
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What do we need to bring?
The boat is fully
equipped, with all you'd expect from any self-catering vacation. You
need to bring food and towels - and less spending money than you'd
think! Click for a
specimen inventory. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Where can we stay before our boat rental?
There is a good selection of bed and
breakfasts, inns and hotels. Some are in small towns, others up in
the hills. See our particular recommendations for
where to stay. |
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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. |
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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 vacation. |
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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. |
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Barging 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
barge holidays |
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