We’re really proud of the way our wide beam canalboats handle. They are tiller steered just like a narrowboat and have the advantage of a bow thruster when needed for mooring up and turning.

Basically ,if you’ve handled a narrowboat, the principles are the same: a wide beam canalboat handles slightly differently.

You do have to slow down more to reduce the drag on moored craft.

But this is countered by the fact that you have each lock to yourself - and with no need to rope up - and thus you tend to lock as quickly as a narrowboat in a narrow lock..

We will give you all the instruction you need including manoeuvering, mooring, turning, and use of locks.

We stay onboard with you for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable, confident and relaxed going boating., including taking you through your first lock if you’ve not done these before.

To help you, our online Hirers Manual has comprehensive instructions and also offers a troubleshooting guide and emergency contact numbers just in case you get into difficulties.

Your well behaved pets are welcome. Please ensure that they remain firmly on the floor of the boat and that they are never left on the boat unattended.

For dogs and other four legged friends, a surcharge of £25 will be made for the first pet and £10 for each additional pet to a maximum of three.

Please remember to read our Terms and Conditions before you book which include reference to our charging over and above this for any damage sustained to the fixtures and fittings caused by pets.

Take a look at the Plan Your Holiday page for a general idea of where we recommend you cruise for the length of holiday you are considering.

If you’d like to plan your cruising in more detail you could Google Canalplan which allows you to ‘play’ with various destinations and cruising hours per day.

We recommend that you allow 4-6 hrs cruising per day, and work on 3 lock-miles per hour (a lower figure than for narrowboats because a widebeam boat moves more slowly in the water).

In one week, experienced boaters may boat as far as Bath to the west and Newbury to the east. If you haven’t boated before you’ll be allowed to cruise between Bath and Kintbury (the non-river based section of the canal) still a good three weeks' - worth!

Once you’re down in the boat everything is on one level.

So, provided there is assistance to get you into the boat and down the four steps (see pics for each boat) you will be to get about quite happliy in luxury wide beam surroundings. Think of this as a floating apartment.

If you have a member of your party who is semi mobile i.e. can get on/off the boat with assistance you are welcome to bring a folding wheelchair to use ashore.

Wide beam accesssible boating holidays are available from our friends just along K& A Canal :

https://bruceboats.katrust.org.uk/

Sorry, but due to insurance requuirements we cannot hire to solo hirers nor to a single adult who has children under 18. Two adults are the mimimum requirement at all times whilst the boat is underway.

You'll join your boat at:-

Burbage Wharf
Burbage
Marlborough
Wiltshire
SN9 3BJ

In the run up to your arrival we’ll email you the phone number to call to open our electric security gate for immediate access to our private wharf….with free parking for one car for Moonshine, two free spaces for each of Moonlight and Moonshadow, and three free spaces for Moonbeam.

You are generally free to moor where you wish, as long as it is on the towpath side of the canal.

The Kennet & Avon Canal was a horse boat canal originally and so the majority of the banks are not piled, meaning a pretty mooring but with the need to use your gangplank.

Formal visitor moorings are generally found at towns and some villages, but are popular so no guarantee you’ll get one - but just take things easy and always allow for a Plan B….

Please do not moor up overnight on a water or service point, or on lock or bridge moorings. (White mooring bollards are usually found in places where boats are meant to moor temporarily to use the facilities or drop crew members off to work a lock or swing bridge).

There are mooring pins and a mallet provided on your boat - and we’ll show you how to moor up during your handover.

Yes - and there is plenty of space on the roof to store these provided you understand that you are responsible for their security and safety.

We do ask that you bring suitable protective sheets/blankets to put under your items to protect the roof from damage.

You should bring your own locks/ chains etc. to secure them to the boat. Wet/ muddy paddleboards/bikes are not allowed inside the boat.

Paddleboards are entirely your responsibility - you should check out the Canal and River Trust website pages here and note that a licence needs to be purchased from CRT. Paddleboards must not be navigated through any lock or tunnel and must not be towed by our boats at any time.

Canoes are entirely your responsibility - you should check out the Canal and River Trust website pages here and note that a licence needs to be purchased from CRT. Canoes must not be navigated through any lock and must not be towed by our boats at any time.

Everything you need for a comfortable holiday is provided:


Comfortable beds with feather duvets and pillows (we can provide anti-allergenic bedding on request)
, together with all bed linen and a full complement of bath sheet, bath towel, bathrobe (all per person) together with a bathmat and hand towel for each bathroom. Extra blankets are available upon request.

Your galley includes a gas cooker, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, fridge, crockery, cutlery, cookware, glassware, teapot, cafetiere etc.


All boats have a wide screen TV with Freeview
 and WiFi connectivity (for you to provide from your mobile/ dongle)

Luxury Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath
.

Full Size Shower
.

Flushing fresh-water toilets
.

Folding chairs and deckchairs

Boarding plank, mooring pins, etc
.

Life jackets (if requested
).

2 waterproof ponchos.


All you need bring are your clothes, toiletries and food.

Almost none. Our boats are very well equipped and everything is included on board, including pair of all weather ponchos for the steerer and crew, fuel, gas and car parking.

Pets
We charge £25.00 for your first pet and £10.00 per additional pet.

Car Parking
We have an allowance of 1 car for Moonshine, 2 for Moonshadow & Moonlight, 3 for Moonbeam.

We may not be able to offer space for any extra cars over the allowance shown. If we can, and provided you booked this with us in advance, we charge £30 per week per car or £15 per short break for any additional vehicles. No responsibility is taken whatsoever for cars and contents whilst parked

We require a 25% deposit which will secure your chosen holiday. This will be shown when you make your online booking with a payment link.

Your boat is fully and comprehensively insured, including for third party cover - we do not add any charge for this.

Insurance cannot cover for damage to the ropes, loss of mooring equipment, damage to the fenders or to the sterngear, especially including the rudder. If you follow our comprehensive instruction, none of these losses should concern you but, in the unlikely eventuality you do lose or damage the above equipment then a charge will be made for repair/ replacement upon your return. Please read our Terms and Conditions for detailed information.

Your balance is due 8 weeks prior to your holiday start date. This will be shown on the confirmation email we sent you once you paid your deposit, with a link to pay the balance by credit or debit card.

All of the fridges on the boats are 'under counter' style domestic fridge/freezers. The freezer space above isn't huge but will easily fit some ice, peas and ice-cream, for example. See the pictures in Gallery for an idea….

Please avoid bringing barbeques or any item containing a gas cartridge/cylinder - these items are not allowed on our boats.

Please avoid any electrical item of over 2000W such as high powered hairdryers. Remember that we provide an iron, hairdryer, microwave, toaster and electric kettle - we’ve even thought of the kitchen sink!

No need for bedding or towels - they’re all included

No need for fresh milk, tea or coffe - they’re all provided on your arrival.

And please don’t bring a bad mood -we love our boats and want to see you smiling from beginning to end of your holiday afloat….

Just click on the BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY button at the top right of your screen, then follow the instructions.