Planning your narrowboat holiday in the UK

Contents:

• Preparing your narrowboat for travel
• Canal etiquette
• The best canal routes in the UK
• Planning your narrowboat holiday: The ultimate packing list

Preparing your narrowboat for travel

If you haven’t been travelling in your narrowboat for a while, there are a few things you need to do before you can set off again. To ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible, you should carry out checks to ensure everything is in working order. This can include having your boat serviced and cleaning everything down.

Service the engine

You should change your engine and gearbox oil, oil filter, and antifreeze on an annual basis. You should also check your hoses and connections for any wear and tear, fan belts and cables, and clean the engine mounts.

If you know what you’re doing, you can do all of the above yourself or take your boat to be serviced by a professional.

Carry out routine checks

Before you set out onto the water, you should always check your batteries, plumbing, weed hatch, and cruising kit. To check your batteries, make sure you remove any covers and leave them disconnected for more than an hour. You'll need a multi-meter or battery tester to check if they're holding charge.

If it's your first trip of the year, you'll likely have drained your water systems to prepare for your boat's lack of use. In which case, you'll need to close all of the taps on board and switch your pump back on, then open all of the taps and check the water is running through correctly.

Before you check your weed hatch, make sure you remove the keys and isolate the batteries. Then, you're free to open the weed hatch and use your hands to check for any debris you can remove. However, be careful of the propeller while you do so.

Lastly, checking your cruising kit will help you ensure you have everything you'll need during your trip. Cruising kits usually include lock keys, key floats, fenders and buttons, boarding ladders, life jackets, mooring pins, hooks, and chains.

Clean the bilge and the inside and outside of your boat

Cleaning the bilge prevents water, oil, and debris from seeping into your engine. If this is your first time cleaning the bilge, all you need is a bilge pump and degreaser to prepare your bilge for travel.

Next, ensure you air out the living spaces within your boat by opening the doors and windows and wiping everything down thoroughly before you set off on your next adventure.

Canal Etiquette

As a narrowboat owner, you'll know the rules and regulations around driving and parking your narrowboat. However, it helps to brush up on your narrowboat etiquette now and again when travelling in your narrowboat.

Driving in your narrowboat

• Drive on the right-hand side: You might be used to driving on the left side of the road, but when passing other boats on the canals, you should always position yourself on the right-hand side.
• Stay under 4mph on narrow canals: Watch for speed limit signs as you cruise, but you should be at a maximum of 4mph on narrow canals.
• Slow down when passing under tunnels or passing other boats: Slowing down to pass under a tunnel will give you better control and make you less likely to bump your boat. You can also blast your horn to alert boats on the other side that you're coming through. Slowing down when passing other boats, whether they're moving or moored up, will stop your boat from creating waves that'll cause moored boats to bump together.

Mooring up

• Follow the signs for where to moor up: As you travel, you'll come across signs such as private mooring or visitor mooring. These are good indicators of where you can moor up your boat if you're in a busy area.
• Avoid mooring near bends, tunnels, or bridges: Mooring near bends, tunnels, or bridges can make it more difficult for other boaters to manoeuvre.
• Moor with your bow upstream in moving water: This can help avoid getting any debris caught up in your propeller or rudder, as the front of your boat will push it out of the way before it reaches the back.

Using locks

• Accept help if you need it: If there's a queue waiting to use the lock, they may help you pass through whilst they wait.
• Close the paddles and gates behind you: To keep the water in the lock, always moor just past the lock and go back to close the gates and put down the paddles.
• Go two at a time if there's space: Some locks will have enough room for two boats, so you can ask the boat waiting in front of you or wait for the boat behind (if there's anyone nearby) to see if they are happy to go through at the same time.

Best canal routes in the UK

Exploring the UK by its many canals and rivers is a great way of seeing the sights across each different region. The UK is blessed with a wealth of woodlands, moorlands, and industrial towns, many of which can be explored by narrowboat.

We've compiled a list of some of the best routes to explore in your narrowboat, with maps showing some of the sights along the way.

Best canal routes in Yorkshire and the North East

Aire and Calder Navigation

The Aire and Calder Navigation Main Line runs from Leeds to Goole, with further routes heading off the main line to Wakefield, Selby, and Sheffield.

Leeds
While visiting Leeds, you can moor your boat either along a canal towpath for free or at visitor moorings closer to the centre. Then you can head into the city, where you’ll find numerous pubs, bars, and cafés along the river.

Castleford
Here, you can moor at Castleford Cut and wander into the town of Castleford. If you carry on to Ferrybridge, you'll also pass a nature reserve with beautiful views.

Wakefield
Heading down the Wakefield Branch will take you onto the Calder and Hebble navigation to Sowerby Bridge. As the Aire and Calder Navigation crosses the River Calder, you’ll see the Stanley Ferry Marina with a pub overlooking the water for a quick pitstop. Carrying on into Wakefield will take you past the Southern Washlands and its wildlife, before heading into the centre of Wakefield.

Ferrybridge
With a rich industrial history, the views at Ferrybridge offer a stark contrast between its industrial past and the nature surrounding its waterways today.

Knottingley
Connecting Knottingley to Goole is the Knottingley and Goole Canal. If you’re looking for something to do here, head to the Wonkey Donkey Visitors Centre.

Whitley, Great Heck, and Pollington
Pass by some quiet Yorkshire villages surrounded by open fields as you continue along the Aire and Calder Navigation. Moor up along one of the towpaths here for a scenic walk through the countryside.

Goole
Goole is sometimes referred to as ‘a port in green fields’ due it being the UK’s furthest inland port. Moor near Goole Marina for some breakfast at the Coffee Dock Café and a walk around the Marina. From Goole, you can continue on to the River Ouse or the Humber Estuary.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Huddersfield Narrow Canal runs from Huddersfield in Yorkshire to Ashton-Under-Lyne in Greater Manchester. The canal runs for just under 20 miles and has 74 locks along its length. For Lock 1E and the Standedge Tunnel, you’ll have to book in advance for passage through before you travel.

Huddersfield
You’ll find loads to do in Huddersfield, whether you’re looking for food, drinks, or entertainment. Here, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal becomes the Huddersfield Broad Canal and continues on to join the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Marsden
Based in the Colne Valley, Marsden is a large village surrounded by Marsden and Meltham Moors. From here, you can take the Standedge Tunnel through the Pennines and into Greater Manchester. There’s a number of walks you can take from the village into the Moors or along the canal, too.

Standedge Tunnel
Britain’s longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel at just over 3 miles long, Standedge Tunnel is considered one of the UK’s ‘seven wonders of the waterways’. The tunnel first opened more than 200 years ago, in 1811. Running from Marsden to Diggle, you’ll also find The Standedge Tunnel Visitors Centre at the Marsden end.

Saddleworth Viaduct
You won’t be able to miss this impressive structure as you pass under it on your way through Uppermill. The viaduct has stood here for more than 150 years.

Friezland
Friezland is a small village in Greater Manchester that sits right alongside the canal, surrounded by areas of woodland.

Best canal routes in the North West and Wales

Cheshire Ring

The Cheshire Ring is a canal route that takes you through the vibrant cityscapes of Manchester and several of its surrounding towns such as Macclesfield and Congleton—you'll even get to see the famous Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich.

To complete the whole 97-mile route, you’ll likely need two weeks to fully enjoy the journey and everything it has to offer along the way.

Manchester and Rochdale Canal
This section of the journey provides the perfect opportunity to stop over near Manchester and head into the city to explore. With excellent nightlife and an abundance of things to do, from visiting the theatre to going for drinks and food in the city’s Northern Quarter, it’s a great place moor up before continuing around the Ring.

Anderton Boat Lift and Northwich Nature Park
The Anderton Boat Lift and Visitors Centre is another of the UK’s Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Here, you can watch boats get lifted 50 feet from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal. You’ll also be a mere 15-minute walk from Northwich Nature Park if you want to stretch your legs before hopping back on your boat.

Kidsgrove and Harecastle Tunnel
If you carry on along the Trent and Mersey Canal past Kidsgrove, you’ll come to Harecastle Tunnel, where the water is a peculiar orange colour. This is due to the amount of iron oxide in the groundwater which has mixed into the canal.

Macclesfield and Bosley Locks
The town of Macclesfield offers a range of pubs, cafés, and restaurants. You can also walk up Tegg's Nose or, if you go a bit further, up to Macclesfield Forest. Bosley Lock Flight is a series of twelve locks running through a stretch of countryside between Macclesfield and Congleton, with beautiful views of the nearby Peak District.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

As you may have guessed from the name, this canal route links the cities of Liverpool and Leeds. It includes 91 locks along its main line and is 127 miles in total. If you carry on your journey even further past Leeds to the Aire and Calder Navigation, you can travel across the UK from coast to coast.

Leeds
As we mentioned earlier on, Leeds is a thriving city with a whole host of things to see and do. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes right through its centre and you can carry on to the Aire and Calder Navigation from here to visit Wakefield, Selby, and Goole. Granary Wharf is a great place to moor up whilst you explore the city and is only a five-minute walk from the city centre.

Rodley
Rodley is a small village with four local pubs and shops to make a pitstop along your journey. Rodley Nature Reserve is also just a short walk away from the high street.

Five Rise Locks, Bingley
The steepest flight of locks in the UK, Five Rise Locks, has a full-time lock keeper to help if you are a less-experienced boater.

Skipton
Mooring up at Skipton means you can visit the historic Skipton Castle and the traditional market that runs the length of the High Street.

Burnley
Originally, the route from Liverpool to Burnley was used to transport cotton. In the 1900s, Burnley was a thriving cotton and weaving town with over 79,000 looms.

Wigan
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal takes you through Wigan and right past Wigan Pier. The pier‘s warehouses and wharves are now a local heritage centre and Cultural Quarter. The pier even featured in a book by George Orwell.

Burscough Wharf
Stopping at Burscough Wharf gives you the opportunity to enjoy regular live music events as well as try the vast range of food and drinks venues.

Liverpool
As of 2009, a link was added from Leeds and Liverpool Canal to Salthouse Dock in the city centre. Liverpool is a great place to stop with its beautiful waterfront views and multitude of things to do and places to eat and drink.

Llangollen Canal

With part of the canal declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Llangollen canal offers beautiful views of the countryside with quaint towns to visit along its 46-mile route.

Nantwich
A charming market town with a rich history, Nantwich has a number of buildings dating as far back as the 15^th century. Visit Nantwich Museum to find out more about the town’s history. You’ll find a map of the town centre on the council website, with all of the key sights highlighted.

Grindley Brook Locks
This staircase of three locks at Grindley Brook is more than 200 years old. Beside the locks is a small café, so you might find you have a small audience as you pass through!

Ellesmere
Right in the Shropshire Lake District, Ellesmere boasts a number of local meres that are teeming with wildlife. The town itself has a range of places to eat and drink whilst you visit, with various events and festivals held throughout the year.

Chirk Aquaduct and Viaduct
Just a short walk from Chirk town centre, Chirk Aqueduct and Viaduct crosses the border between England and Wales. You can even stand with one foot in each country. The small Welsh town of Chirk dates back to the 11^th Century and puts you nearby to Chirk Castle if you’re looking for some picturesque walks.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
In English, Pontcysyllte translates to ‘the bridge that connects’. Built during the Industrial Revolution, taking your narrowboat on the aqueduct puts you 126 feet above the River Dee below.

Llangollen
The town of Llangollen offers every amenity you could need including cafes, bars, restaurants, and a wealth of independent shops. If you’re looking for some scenic walks, Castell Dinas Bran is a great place to visit.

Best canal routes in the East Midlands

The East Midlands Ring

Often also referred to as the Leicester Ring, this canal route takes you along a number of canals and rivers through the Midland countryside and a range of nearby market towns. Ideally, you’ll have around two weeks to explore this 154-mile route which includes 100 locks.

Leicester
In Leicester, you’ll find museums, theatres, bars, and restaurants to visit that’ll keep you busy whilst you’re moored. The National Space Centre is among Leicester’s most popular attractions.

Foxton Locks and Canal Museum
A Grade II listed site, Foxton Locks is the UK’s longest flight of staircase locks. Next to the locks, you’ll find Foxton Canal Museum in a boilerhouse which used to power the boatlift nearby. Here, you can discover the story of how the lift and the locks first came to be as well as learn about the people who built them.

Coventry
Making a stop at Coventry gives you the opportunity to explore various museums, its famous cathedral, and Coombe Abbey Park. Coventry has a rich history and some striking architecture to enjoy as you explore the city’s bars, restaurants, and cafés.

Birmingham and Fazeley
If you decide to venture off theCoventry Canal, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal will take you right through the city of Birmingham. You’ll pass some of Birmingham’s most famous buildings, such as the Post Office Tower, on this route.

Burton-upon-Trent
Burton is a busy market town with a rich history in brewing beer. With a number of breweries to visit as well as shops and cafés along the high street, it’s a great place to stop on your way around the Ring.

River Trent and the Fossdyke Navigation

The River Trent flows from Trent Falls all the way down to Shardlow in Derbyshire. About halfway through the journey, there’s a branch off the river which becomes the Fossdyke Navigation, which takes you on to the historic city of Lincoln. This route along the Trent requires an experienced boater due to the river tide, but as long as you’re careful and are wary of currents, and avoid the shallows around bends, it makes for a great trip.

Gainsborough
The market town of Gainsborough sits right next to the River Trent and is the only town you’ll see on the river for this route. You’ll find no places to stop on the tidal section of the Trent, but it’s the perfect route for non-stop cruising and enjoying the scenic views and the nature at its banks.

Lincoln and the Fossdyke Navigation
The Fossdyke is one of Britain’s oldest canals, having been created in 120AD by the Romans as a connection between the River Witham and River Trent. Moor up at Brayford Pool right in the centre of the city to begin exploring Lincoln’s history. At the top of Steep Hill, which lives up to its name, you’ll find Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral.

Lincoln Castle was built nearly 1000 years ago by William the Conqueror and has seen multiple famous battles and sieges in its long history. Just a few years after the castle, William the Conqueror established Lincoln Cathedral. You can also view Lincoln Cathedral’s Magna Carta (one of only four surviving originals) inside the walls of the castle.

Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in the county of Nottinghamshire. You’ll definitely know when you’ve come across Newark along your route as you’ll cruise right past the historic Newark Castle, which is 900 years old.

Nottingham
You can bypass the unnavigable stretch of the River Trent here to head into Nottingham via the working portion of  the Nottingham Canal and the Beeston Cut before rejoining the River Trent further along the journey. Moor up at one of the marinas or along a towpath near Nottingham to explore a town that’s bursting with shops, cafes, and bars to enjoy during your stay.

There are various halls, parks, and museums to visit in Nottingham, too. You can even visit The City of Caves which gives you a tour of the UK’s largest network of caves right underneath Nottingham.

Best canal routes in the West Midlands

Stratford-upon-Avon Canal

The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is perfect for a weekend away as it’s easily completed in two or three days. Running for 25 miles from Kings Norton Junction to the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the canal passes through quaint villages as well as the Forest of Arden for beautiful views whilst you tackle it’s 54 locks.

Kings Norton Junction and the double guillotine stop lock
Roughly 200 years old, the Kings Norton Junction connects the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Just 200 yards further along the canal, you’ll find a well-preserved guillotine double stop lock from a time when water was a valuable commodity and needed to be preserved between rivers.

Preston Bagot
With a population of less than 200, Preston Bagot is a quaint village with scenic churches, inns, and walks to enjoy.

Wootton Wawen
The picturesque village of Wootton Wawen features a Church established by an Anglo-Danish landowner (Wagen) from whom the village got its name. The earliest recording of the village happened around the mid-700s.

Wilmcote
A small village just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, Wilmcote is home to the cottage of Mary Arden, Shakespeare’s Mother.

Stratford-upon-Avon
Mooring up in Stratford-upon-Avon is a dream for Shakespeare fans who can experience Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. A walk through the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon takes you past some beautiful old cottages with a number of museums and gardens nearby.

Warwickshire Ring

With a great mix of rural and urban areas to discover, the Warwickshire Ring offers something for everyone. The Warwickshire Ring is perfect for a two-week trip as the journey takes you across 104 miles and through 121 locks.

Brindley Place
Birmingham’s Brindley Place is a beautiful place to stop and explore. There’s a wide selection of cafes, bars, and shops here, right next to the canal. If you’re looking for more things to do whilst you visit, Brindley Place also boasts an art gallery, theatre, and National Sea Life Centre on site.

Baddesley Clinton House
Built in the late 1500s, the Grand Union Canal takes you right past the House and Gardens owned by the National Trust. Baddesley Clinton has a lengthy history and was used to hide Catholics from persecution in the 1590s.

Kingswood Junction
This junction joins the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal with the Grand Union Canal, and completed construction in 1803.

Hatton Locks
The Hatton Flight of Locks includes 21 locks that raise the canal 146 feet. Due to its size and height, the impressive structure is often referred to as ‘Stairway to Heaven’.

Warwick and Warwick Castle
With a range of parks and gardens within walking distance of the town, Warwick is a great place to see some beautiful scenery whether it’s historic buildings or nature. With events on throughout the year, Warwick Castle is a captivating place to visit for all ages. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle and gardens have over 1000 years of history to explore via walk-through experiences and self-guided tours.

Ashby Canal
Ideal for first-time boaters, venturing away from the Ring down Ashby Canal provides a gentle route with no locks and an abundance of wildlife.

Best canal routes in London and the South East

Regent’s Canal

Regents Canal is only 8.6 miles long, but it’s packed with sights and things to do along it. Heading right though Central London, the short journey takes you past a lot of the capital’s most notable sights.

Paddington Basin
Before joining Regent’s Canal, take the turning to the Southeast from Little Venice and you’ll reach Paddington Basin. With floating restaurants and bars as well as lots to see around the area, Paddington Basin is a hive of activity that has lots to offer.

Little Venice
Little Venice, also known as Browning’s Pool, is a triangular shaped basin where boats can moor up, or you can stop at one of the towpaths nearby. Here, you’ll find a host of quirky cafes and restaurants to explore alongside the canal.

Surrounded by regency-style houses and trees lining the canal, the area is a great place to stop for a walk and is a popular spot for narrowboat users year-round. You’ll also find some independent theatres in the area to enjoy, including Puppet Theatre Barge which sits right on the water.

Regent’s Park
Regent’s Canal runs right past Regent’s Park and is the perfect place for a picnic or a walk around the gardens. You’ll also pass by London Zoo here, where an aviary sits right by some of the animal enclosures.

Camden
At Camden Lock, you’ll find the famous Camden Lock Market, which has various stalls selling handmade items. The market is open every day, so it’s a great place to wander around and grab a coffee.

Islington
Islington Tunnel takes the canal right underneath Islington for nearly 900m, making it the longest tunnel of its kind in London.

Limehouse Basin
Limehouse Basin is a marina bustling with boats that have come from the River Thames or the network of canals off the Limehouse Cut.

Grand Union Canal

As Britain’s longest canal at 137 miles long, the Grand Union Canal takes you from Birmingham or Leicester through the rural English countryside and south to London. This route used to be separated into multiple different canals and waterways until they were unified into one canal, hence the name.

Blisworth Tunnel
The longest wide navigable tunnel in Europe, Blisworth tunnel is nearly 3,000m long. Constructed more than 200 years ago, boats used to pass through the tunnel by men lying on their backs and pushing the boat along with their feet!

Stoke Bruerne
In a Grade II listed mill at Stoke Bruerne, you’ll find The Canal Museum with lots of information on the history of our waterways. Stoke Bruerne is also surrounded by nature and plenty of walks to get you out and about around the canal.

Cosgrove Aqueduct
Also known as the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, this aqueduct carries the Grand Union Canal right over the River Ouse.

Marsworth
With thatched cottages sitting right by the water, passing through Marsworth offers some beautiful sights of the British countryside.

Waddesdon Manor
If you don’t mind travelling from Aylesbury to Waddesdon (about 20 mins by car), take a trip to Waddesdon Manor. Built in the late 1800s in a French Renaissance-style, the manor is filled with art to see and has even featured in film and TV.

Chilterns
As you continue South past Aylesbury and Marsworth, you’ll pass right through the Chiltern National Landscape. With rolling hills and valleys in every direction, you’re surrounded by nature.

Best canal routes in the Southwest

Kennet and Avon Canal

Spanning 87 miles, the journey along the Kennet and Avon Canal takes you through cities such as Reading, Bath, and Bristol, as well as quaint market towns like Newbury and Hungerford.

Reading
With loads of places to eat, drink, and shop, Reading is definitely worth a stop as you travel the Kennet and Avon Canal. Reading also has a range of historical sites such as the Abbey Ruins, Caversham Court Gardens, and various museums.

Newbury
First recorded in the 11^th century as a town which ‘had the right to hold a fair and a market’, Newbury today hosts outdoor arts at Greenham Common and has multiple museums you can visit to learn about its history.

Hungerford
Located in the Northwest Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the market town of Hungerford has plenty of quaint cafes and classic British pubs to visit during your stay. For a bit of history, pay a visit to the Littlecote Roman Villa, one of the few Roman villas in Britain.

Caen Hill Locks
A staircase of 29 locks, Caen Hill Locks another of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways and is more than 200 years old.

Bath
The only city in the UK to hold UNESCO World Heritage Status, Bath has historical sites around every corner. Bath gained its name from the Roman Baths that were built there in 60AD, thanks to the natural hot springs found in the city. Beyond its namesake, Bath also has museums, galleries, and festivals throughout the year to enjoy.

Bristol
From Banksy’s street art to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Bristol. Bristol was also voted number one for best places to visit in the UK in 2024 by Time Out. Bristol’s rich history also means there’s a range of notable attractions to visit, like the SS Great Britain and Wookey Hole Caves.

River Severn to Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

As Britain’s longest river, taking your narrowboat along the River Severn means you’ll travel through three counties: Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. When you get towards Gloucester, the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal helps you to continue your journey by bypassing a particularly treacherous branch of the Severn.

Stourport-on-Severn
Awarded the status of a Heritage Inland Port, Stourport is a Georgian canal town popular with boaters. The Georgian Canal Basins provide a great place to moor up and wander along the waterways that converge in Stourport.

Worcester
As the site of the final battle of the English Civil War, Worcester has an interesting history which you can learn more about at The Commandery (famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during The Battle of Worcester). If you’re looking for scenic walks, try the Worcester Heritage Walk to see many of the city’s sights at your own pace.

Tewkesbury
A medieval market town based in the Cotswolds, a walk through Tewkesbury shows you architecture from many different periods of England’s history. There are buildings from the Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian eras all on the same street. You can find out more about the history of Tewkesbury at the Heritage and Visitors Centre.

Gloucester
Arguably Gloucester’s most poignant landmark is the Cathedral, which even featured in some of the Harry Potter films. More than 1300 years old, join one of the Cathedral’s tours to learn about its long history, visit the underground crypts, and see Gloucester from the top of the Cathedral’s tower. During your stay, you can also make the most of Gloucester’s museums and art galleries or enjoy food and drinks at the docks or Gloucester Quays.

Planning your UK narrowboat holiday: The ultimate packing list

Whether it’s your first holiday on your narrowboat or you’re a seasoned professional, you can use the list below to make sure you don’t forget any of the essentials for having a great trip. Beyond the clothes and toiletries you’d usually pack for your holiday, it’s a good idea to also pack:

  1.  Gardening gloves or work gloves

Gardening or work gloves can help save your hands from getting scraped when you’re handling the ropes or locks. Just make sure the gloves you choose still have a good grip!

  2.  Clothes for wet weather (raincoat, wellies, etc.)

We all know the weather in the UK can be a bit unpredictable, so packing some good waterproofs can help keep you dry whilst you’re exploring, when you need to moor, or take your boat through locks.

  3.  Warm nightwear

The temperature is usually colder when you’re closer to the waterline, so packing warm nightwear and some extra layers will help you stay warm overnight.

  4.  Torches

It’s best not to cruise anywhere after dark, but if you’re moored by a towpath, a torch  could help you find your way at night if you want to go out.

  5.  Binoculars

There’s often lots of wildlife by rivers and canals, so having binoculars can help you spot things you would otherwise miss!

  6.  Map of the waterways

This one may be obvious, but a map of the waterways is vital for getting you from point A to point B.

  7.  Trainers with good grip

As you’ll be getting on and off the boat, you’ll want shoes with a good grip so you aren’t sliding around in the process.

  8.  Food and drink

Obviously, you’ll also need to take your own food and drink on board. A good tip is to remove any unnecessary packaging before you go so it’s not filling the bins whilst you’re travelling.

  9.  Soft baggage/suitcases

Packing everything in soft suitcases or bags will make things easier to store when you have limited space.

Extra peace of mind with narrowboat insurance through Insure4Boats

We hope you found this guide useful. Why not explore more of our blog for even more inspiration?

If you’re planning to embark on your next narrowboat adventure, make sure your journey is fully protected with specialist narrowboat insurance through Insure4Boats. Narrowboat insurance through Insure4Boats includes third party liability, theft, accidental damage, contents, and personal accident cover. Use the links above to find out more about what’s included in our policies.

Policies are designed to be quick, easy, and can be purchased entirely online, meaning you and your narrowboat can be protected in just a few minutes.

Please note the information provided in this guide should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For further information on insurance cover please visit our page on narrowboat insurance.