moorings10

North West England and North Wales feature a vast network of historic canals and rivers shaped by the Industrial Revolution. Key waterways include the Bridgewater and Leeds & Liverpool Canals, plus major rivers like the Mersey and Dee. The region’s canals once powered industry and trade, but today are popular for walking, cycling, and boating, preserving Britain’s industrial heritage.

Boat hire in the UK is a unique, relaxing way to explore over 3,000 miles of historic canals, rivers and waterways. Boats—ranging from narrowboats to wide-beam barges—are available across England, Scotland, and Wales, with no experience needed and full training provided. Modern amenities, flexible rental periods, and a range of prices make it accessible for families, couples, and groups. Popular bases include Bath, Trevor, Great Haywood, and Wootton Wawen. Cruising at 3-4 mph, boaters enjoy scenic routes, waterside pubs, and hidden countryside, making canal holidays a memorable alternative to traditional travel.

Filters:
Boat Hire
#1 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Whittington Wharf Narrowboats

Ellesmere Road, Welsh Frankton, Oswestry SY11 4NU

Hire Company
#2 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Floating Holidays

Middlewich Wharf, 1 Canal Terrace, Middlewich CW10 9BD

Boat Hire
#4 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Trevor holidays

Station Rd, Trevor, Llangollen LL20 7TT.

Hire Company
#5 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Countrywide Cruisers

Brewood, Shropshire Union Canal

  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#6 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Lyneal Trust

Lyneal Wharf, Ellesmere SY12 0LQ

  • Accessible Boats
  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#7 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Marine Cruises

Swanley Bridge Marina, Nantwich CW5 8NR.

Boat Hire
#8 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Drifting Wood Canal Breaks

Llangollen Canal

"Narrowboat hire"

Boat Hire
#9 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Andersen Boats

The Boatyard, 11 Wych-House Ln, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9BQ

Boat Hire
#10 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Aqua Narrowboats

The Boat House, Tomlinson Business Park, Woodyard Ln, Foston, Derby DE65 5BU.

Boat Hire
#11 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

UKvacationsAfloat

The Wharf, Watling St, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5PR.

Boat Hire
#12 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Ashby Boat Company Ltd

89 Station Rd, Stoke Golding, Nuneaton CV13 6EY.

Hire Company
#13 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Drift Away

Anderton (Northwich), Trent & Mersey Canal

  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#14 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Cheshire Narrowboat Holidays

Nantwich, Shropshire Union Canal

  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#15 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Canal Cruising Company

Crown St, Stone ST15 8QN.

Boat Hire
#16 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Cheshire Cat Narrowboats

Overwater Marina, Coole Ln, Nantwich CW5 8AY.

  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#17 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Chas Hardern Boats

Beeston Castle Wharf,, Beeston,, Tiverton, Tarporley CW6 9NH.

  • Accessible Entrance
Day Boat Hire and Hire Company
#18 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Bollington Wharf

Grimshaw Lane, Bollington, Macclesfield SK10 5NB

  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#19 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

Norbury Wharf

The Wharf, Norbury Junction, Stafford ST20 0PN.

  • Winter Hire
  • Accessible Entrance
Boat Hire
#20 Rated Boat Hire on the North West England & North Wales Canals

ABC Nantwich Canal Centre

Nantwich Canal Centre, Shropshire Union Canal

  • Accessible Entrance