Journal

Narrowboat built for private clients by Boutique Narrowboats

Narrowboat built for private clients

This week we waved off the latest Boutique Narrowboat built for private clients. Swallow is 53 foot of loveliness, every inch of it designed with our clients in mind. Here’s what was involved. First design meeting Our clients asked to meet with us a couple of years ago, after seeing the standard of our hire boats on the internet and social media. They are experienced narrowboaters and have holidayed throughout their adult life. They had Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
best canal boat holiday for beginners with training on a boat

The best canal boat holidays for beginners

The best canal boat holidays for beginners start with a gentle introduction. It can be daunting to consider driving a long barge or narrowboat, so it is a good idea to do a little light homework before you arrive, followed by some practical training. Training for canal boat beginners If you are a canal boat novice, these are the steps we take to ensure you feel confident on your holiday or day trip. 1. Online Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
Painted cabin sides on Chalkhill Blue for hire with Boutique Narrowboats

Narrowboat interior trends 2024

Narrowboat interior trends are no different from any other design hot lists. Our shopping choices are heavily influenced by what’s in fashion on the catwalk as well as in interiors. Fashions may come and go, but as a boat interior designer, I also have to take the marine environment into account. Extremes of temperature and weather play havoc with timber and textiles. Add to that the unusual room dimensions on a boat, and you’ll see Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
Logo British travel awards silver winner Boutique Narrowboats

National award for narrowboat holidays

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded silver in a national award for UK short breaks. The British Travel Awards are given to all kinds of companies in the hospitality industry every year. They are voted for by the public, which makes our own award even more special. We owe such a huge thank you to all our past, present and future guests who took the time to cast their vote. Boutique Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
narrowboat dinette boutique narrowboat drawing

Narrowboat dinettes and their alternatives

Many boat owners and builders consider narrowboat dinettes to be essential part of the interior design. Most hire boats have one (or two) in order to maximise the number of berths. Before, say, 2020, boatbuilders also automatically installed dinettes into their fit outs for private customers. But over the last two or three years, I’ve noticed a change. Certainly we have not built dinettes into our own holiday narrowboats in order to boost the contemporary Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
Union Wharf Narrowboats at night

The narrowboats at Christmas

The narrowboats at Christmas take a little snooze for a couple of weeks, giving us all time to look back at the previous year and plan ahead for the next. Amidst all the flurry and excitement of the festive period, we like to take a pause. So we invite you to join us in considering a few favourite things about 2023. Here are some of ours: Reading all about your Boutique Narrowboat holiday adventures on Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
narrowboat saloon seating on a boutique narrowboat

Narrowboat saloon seating

Narrowboat saloon seating can be tricky. Folk see the kinds of sofas we use on our holiday boats and wonder if they can replicate the look on their own boat. But the solution to a common narrowboat problem (space vs comfort vs appearance) is not straightforward. As an interior designer of narrowboats I’m always very conscious of the fact that people need to be comfortable sitting in a room just 6’10” wide. Often the client Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
Inside a Boutique Narrowboat on a holiday close to home UK

Holiday close to home

If airport delays, rail strikes and the general state of world stability is putting you off trips abroad, perhaps you are considering a holiday close to home. A narrowboat holiday is certainly one way to see England from a new angle. Whether you are meandering through our rural landscapes or winding your way through the towns of our industrial past, the canals can give you a whole new perspective on this wonderful country. Up close Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
Stove on a luxury canal boat for hire from Market Harborough in the autumn and winter

English canal boat holidays in the autumn

English canal boat holidays in the autumn are among the best ways to see the countryside. As the air cools and the light changes, the canal reflects the beautiful colours of autumn as if you are travelling right through the heart of it. The natural world is always changing and when you are travelling on a canal boat holiday, you experience it close up: the migrating birds, the reddening leaves, the scent of woodburners on Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago
union wharf marina in market harborough to hire a canal boat

Static canal boat holidays

As the winter approaches, we like to offer a number of dates for our static canal boat holidays. We trialled the idea last year and had some brilliant feedback, so we’ve decided to do the same again this year. So what kind of people are choosing a static canal boat holiday? 1. Airbnb stays for visiting friends and family This is the most popular reason for booking one of our canal boats to stay in Read more…

By Sharon Peach, ago