Vacation captains needed. No experience required.

Imagine navigating England's beautiful channels and rivers on your schedule, casting a line for your very own catch of the day, or stopping whenever you wish to visit a town, tourist attraction or neighborhood pub. And the best part is that it doesn't matter whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned sailor. All the boats are easy to handle, and most travelers need just a short, free tutorial before they can set sail.

We offer a wide range of boating options through the Hoseasons and Blakes Holiday Boating brands, from barges for large families to luxurious 4- and 5-star boats that allow you to travel in style.

Cruisers

Large, spacious cruisers come in a wide range of styles and can accommodate 2 to 10 travelers. These larger boats are available for tours on the Norfolk Broads, the River Thames and the Caledonian Canal.

Narrowboats

Built to fit the UK's narrow canals, these boats are available in a wide range of layouts, sleeping up to 12 people comfortably. Narrowboats are also available on the Canal du Midi in France and in Holland.

Houseboats

These "floating homes" are available only on the Norfolk Broads and are permanently moored in a variety of beautiful locations. Free dinghies are provided with all houseboats, and most also offer day launch hire, so you can explore nearby attractions.

Each boat, regardless of style, includes a fully equipped kitchen, central heating and a water heater. Boats also have sealed unit toilets similar to those used in aircraft. In the unlikely event you experience an engine or equipment problem, we will dispatch a service engineer immediately.

The cost of fuel is included in the price of most boat hires on the UK canals. In France and Ireland, you may be required to refuel before returning your boat. Boating vacations require a certain amount of physical activity, so we recommend each party has at least two reasonably fit adults.