Everything you need to know about hiring a narrowboat with Wyvern Shipping on the Grand Union Canal. If you have a question that is not answered below, please call us on 01525 372355 or use our online enquiry form.
Prices vary by boat size and time of year. The easiest way to check current prices and availability is to use the availability search. You can also view our full price list or call us on 01525 372355.
All our prices are fully all-inclusive with no hidden extras. The hire fee covers diesel fuel, Calor gas, damage waiver (boat insurance), car parking, bed linen and duvets, Canal and River Trust licence and lock pass, buoyancy aids, and a full hands-on tuition cruise before you set off.
You can check availability and book online at canalholidays.co.uk/availability/ — our booking system shows real-time availability and lets you reserve your boat directly. Alternatively, call our team on 01525 372355 and we will be happy to help you plan your holiday.
A deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your chosen boat and dates. Please call us on 01525 372355 or use our online booking system for current deposit terms. Monthly interim payments of a minimum of £50 can also be made ahead of the balance due date.
We recommend taking out holiday cancellation insurance, which is not included in the hire price. Please contact our office on 01525 372355 for full details of our current cancellation terms before booking.
Our main summer hire season runs from 1st April to 31st October. We also offer winter narrowboat hire from 1st November to 31st March for those who enjoy a quieter cruise on the canals. Short breaks of 3 to 4 nights are available throughout both seasons.
Yes — we offer a 25% discount on the second week for two-week holidays, and 25% off the second and third weeks for three-week holidays. We also have special rates for 10/11-day and 17/18-day hire periods. Call us on 01525 372355 and we will calculate the exact discount for your dates.
No experience is needed at all. Before you set off, our experienced team gives you a full hands-on tuition cruise that covers steering, reversing, mooring, and working through locks. No boating licence is required to hire a narrowboat on UK inland waterways, and our team is available by phone throughout your holiday if you need any guidance.
We are based in Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire — just 38 miles from central London and 45 minutes by train from London Euston. Our boatyard is an ideal starting point for exploring the Grand Union Canal in both directions.
Our boats cruise the Grand Union Canal, which runs directly from our base in Leighton Buzzard. Heading south takes you towards the Tring Summit and on towards London; heading north opens up the route to Milton Keynes and the Northampton Arm. The Grand Union Canal is wide, scenic, and ideal for both beginners and experienced boaters.
We have six boats to suit groups of all sizes: Daisy is our 2-berth boat ideal for couples, Foxglove and Poppy are 4-berth boats perfect for small families or groups of friends, and Cedar, Maple, and Oak are our 6 to 8-berth boats for larger groups. View full details on our Our Boats page.
Yes, we welcome pets on all our boats. For short break hire, the first pet is charged at £20 and a second pet at £10. For weekly hire, the first pet is £30 for the first week (and £15 for any subsequent weeks), with a second pet charged at £15 per week. Please mention that you are bringing a pet when you book.
Bed linen and duvets are provided, so you do not need to bring your own. We recommend packing clothing suitable for all weather conditions (waterproofs and warm layers are essential even in summer), comfortable non-slip shoes, and food and drink for your first day or two — there are shops and pubs along the canal route. A bicycle is a great addition if you enjoy cycling the towpath.
We offer flexible hire periods to suit your schedule. Short breaks of 3 to 4 nights are available throughout the season, as well as week-long holidays and longer hire of up to three weeks. Our discount structure means that longer holidays offer excellent value — call us on 01525 372355 to discuss the best option for your group.
Full hands-on tuition is included in every hire — our experienced team will take you through steering, mooring, and lock-working before you set off on your own. No boating licence is required to hire a narrowboat on UK rivers and canals. Our team is available by phone throughout your holiday if you have any questions on the water.
Still have a question? Call us on 01525 372355 — we are open Monday to Friday 9am–5:30pm and Saturday 9am–2pm during the summer season.