Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

Beautiful, cleverly designed narrowboats ideal for both experienced boaters and newcomers alike. Sleeping up to 4 persons plus pets, we offer luxury self-catering canal boat holidays with all the comforts of home! Book Now at Lancaster Canal Boat Hire!

Skippered Day Hire

Our Friends at Lazy Day Cruises offer Skippered Day Hire on their beautiful Narrowboat, Adagio.

Book Now – Some Dates Still Available!

Our 3 beautiful canal hire boats are all raring to go, with a canal boat cruise being the perfect opportunity to socially distance! Each boat is given a deep-clean between hires, ensuring your safety.

We’re filling up our bookings quickly for 2024 and 2025, so jump on-board now to secure your dates!

Lancaster Canal Boat Hire Holidays

Discover the joy of canal boat holidays on the Lock Free Lancaster Canal. Hire one of our Canal Narrowboats for a short break or a full week and navigate the canal from Preston to Tewitfield.

The fast way to slow down and relax in great scenery, getting close to wildlife and nature.

We are a narrowboat hire company based at Barton Grange Marina on the A6 between Preston and Lancaster.

Our Narrowboats sleep up to 4 persons in comfort, are easy to sail, and are luxuriously equipped with everything you need for your floating holiday.

Latest Photos From Our Guests

We love to show you the fabulous photos taken by our guests. Here are some taken recently…

  • Poppy in Lancaster

    Photo: Jason & Sue

    poppy the narrowboat moored in the rain near buildings
  • Poppy in Lancaster

    Photo: Jason & Sue

    poppy the narrowboat moored on the lancaster canal in a small town
  • A horse near Hest Bank

    Photo: Karen Watts

    close up of a piebald horse standing in a field with trees behind and wild flowers in the foreground
  • One of the Canal’s beautiful Swans

    Photo: Karen Watts

    close up of a swan its wings raised forming a heart shape behind its head
  • Swan with signets

    Photo: Karen Watts

    a swan with five cygnets in its wake swim along the lancaster canal with reeds in the background
  • Poppy gliding along

    Photo: Nicole Kamp

    poppy the narrowboat piloted along the lancaster canal with spring flowers and daffodils
  • A snooze on Poppy

    Photo: Peter Kamp

    poppy narrowboat lancaster canal 03
  • Peter and Nicole Kamp

    Photo: Peter and Nicole Kamp

    a couple pose together with a life ring around both of their necks, in the background is rose the narrowboat and trees carrying spring foliage
  • Sunset at Hest Bank

    Photo: Karen Watts

    sunset over hest bank with hills in the distance and sunlight reflecting off of the water in the foreground
  • A wild deer near Hest Bank

    Photo: Karen Watts

    a deer in long grass beside the lancaster canal looks back at the camera
  • Bridge 92

    Photo: Chris Giles

    an image a bridge over the lancaster canal bordered by budding spring trees
  • A happy Charlie

    Photo: Chris Giles

    a child looks delighted as he stands at the helm of a narrowboat behind him is a bare tree and a stone bridge
  • Heron in flight

    Photo: Chris Giles

    a heron in flight above the lancaster canal with bare trees and early spring foliage
  • Lancaster Swan

    Photo: Chris Giles

    a swan swims across the surface of the lancaster canal image is black and white with a bare tree, field and reeds in the background
  • A squirrel takes a drink

    Photo: Chris Giles

    a squirrel on a branch overhanging the canal drinking from the canal water

The Lancaster Canal

Linking Preston to Kendal, the Lancaster Canal is one of the country’s few contour canals. Built along the natural lie of the land it offers 41-42 miles of lock free cruising – the longest lock-free stretch in the country. As the canal is naturally level, it also lends itself to gentle walking and cycling as well as canoeing and other outdoor pursuits.

Things to see and do

In addition to providing spectacular views of the Silverdale Coast, Forest of Bowland and Wyre countryside, the Lancaster Canal also features some of the most impressive canal architecture in the country. The Lune Aqueduct, which is currently is benefitting from a £2.25 million transformation, is one of John Rennie’s finest works and not to be missed.

There are many superb pubs and excellent restaurants to enjoy along the 41 miles from The Last Orders Inn at Ashton-on-Ribble in the south right up to The Longlands Hotel past Carnforth in the north.

Check our Events and Locations pages to help you decide where to explore on your break – and reveal some lancaster canal offers!

Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

Luxury Self-Catering Narrowboat Hire

Everything you need is included for you on our canal boats and we provide full tuition on how to sail them before you embark on your adventure!

Each Narrowboat benefits from a full kitchen, bathroom, lounge and TV so you can spend quality time onboard or choose to enjoy some the many wonderful sights, taverns and restaurants along the canal route.

The Canal runs through the heart of the historic City of Lancaster, so make sure to take time to visit Lancaster Castle, The Maritime Museum and the many attractions along the towpath.

Full Week or Short Break?

Book a Full Week, a Weekend break from Friday to Monday or a Midweek Break from Monday to Friday on any of our 3 Narrowboats. Check the Booking Calendar below for availability.

Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

We have three beautiful and superbly equipped Narrowboats available for you to book for short breaks or full weeks between March and October. Sleeping from 2 to 4.

Forget Me Not

35ft – Sleeps 2

Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

Forget Me Not is a beautiful narrowboat sleeping 2 people making her perfect for couples.

She is cleverly designed to feel much more spacious than other boats of her size. A ‘floating cottage’!

Short Breaks – from £525
Full Weeks – from £945

Rose

41ft – Sleeps 2

Rose narrowboat

Rose is a 41ft long boat with a more traditional feel. She has one fixed double bed.

Because of her short length, she is just as easy to handle as our other boats. Recently refurbished.

Short Breaks – from £565
Full Weeks – from £985

Poppy

45ft – Sleeps 4

Poppy - Lancaster Canal Boat Hire Holidays

Poppy is a bespoke narrowboat built to extremely high standards in 2016 by Brayzel Narrow Boats.

At 45ft in length, she is small enough to manoeuvre whilst comfortably sleeping 4 people.

Short Breaks – from £685
Full Weeks – from £1175

Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

Select your starting and end dates below for your chosen Narrowboat or alternatively call Sylvia on 07977 683282 to discuss.

Booking Availability

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What our customers say about us

Great day out
paul collins Avatar
paul collins
9/27/2021
positive review I stayed on Rose, beautiful little boat which was perfect for a first timer. Although it's a two berth there was myself, husband and two teenagers (and a small dog). We were more than comfortable with everything we could possibly need. Lots to see as you bob along and the boating community are so friendly. Sylvia and Kate are lovely too and explain everything before sending you on your way. Can't wait to book again.
Claire Stainton Avatar
Claire Stainton
8/27/2021
I used this company again for the second time. 1st visit was a week on Poppy and last week 3 nights on Rose.

Lovely boats and Sylvia is there to assist with every enquiry. They added some short videos showing various elements of each boat. A great idea that allows you a walk round the boat and gives an insight into operations and other aspects of boat handling and use.

A lovely canal that I do not think you would ever get sick of visiting.

People (& dogs) along your journey at pubs, on the tow path or on passing boats are always very friendly. A great holiday.

We will be booking next year and maybe a different boat. Sylvia, thank you. Paul & Donna
Paul Thomas Avatar
Paul Thomas
10/20/2020
positive review A spectacular week on 'Forget Me Not' beautiful scenery on a tranquil water way to beautiful little towns & villages.
A very clean little boat with everything you need 😃
This was one holiday not to forget ⚓
Sharon Charnley Avatar
Sharon Charnley
8/28/2020
New Year Break We spent a marvellous few days on Rose over the New Year break. She has a wonderfully, charming cottage-like appeal, was warm and comfortable and I would highly recommend her as an easily manoeuvrable boat for anyone, no matter what their experience. Thank you so much to Sylvia for being do easy to deal with and friendly in the extreme. I can't recommend her (Rose and/or Sylvia) enough to anyone who is either returning to canal life for a break or considering it for a holiday. I will certainly return.
Ken Heddle Avatar
Ken Heddle
1/11/2020

What’s Included?

When you begin your Narrowboat holiday, we will offer you as much tuition as you feel you need. We will stay on board until you feel confident with the canal boat then leave you to enjoy your relaxing holiday but remember, 24 hour help is only a phone call away!

On board you will find a full sized cooker, fridge, TV/DVD player, and all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans you will need. Poppy is also equipped with an extra TV/DVD, a hair dryer, a toaster and plenty of 240V electric sockets.

Prices include: Bedding, towels, toilet rolls, washing up liquid, sponge, tea towels, umbrella, torch and a full tank of diesel. Daisy and Rose have cassette toilets whilst Poppy has a flushing toilet.

A welcome pack containing tea, coffee, sugar, milk, biscuits and one or two surprises is also included.

Free secure car parking is available inside the Marina for the duration of your break.

Our Review Score

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5.0 Stars - Based on 349 User Reviews

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