About Us

The Wyvern Shipping Company Limited was founded in 1953 as a carrying company with three pairs of narrow boats. These boats mainly carried coal from the Coventry coal fields to London and returned with timber to Birmingham.

Times were changing and by 1956, canal holidays were the future trade, with former cargo boats being converted to holiday boats.

The Company has been run by the Griffin family since 1961 and is now operated by James Griffin and his dedicated and skilled work force. 

Leaving Leighton Buzzard lock in Bedfordshire is our narrow boat 'Poppy' with her new crew on a short break boating holiday

All our boats have been built in the Wyvern workshops to the highest standard of luxury and safety. To ensure a clean and reliable boat for your holiday, we employ an experienced team of cleaners and service engineers. All sheets, duvets, pillowcases and blankets are washed by our local laundry service.

Over the past 60 years, many thousands of customers have found the fastest way of slowing down is to have a relaxing holiday on a Wyvern boat. Indeed, last year, in excess of 70% of our trade came from previous clients and their recommendations.

Find out more about the history of the canals.

More in this Section