Journal

Why you tell us life is “better by water”

BBC Radio Leicester approached us this week, to talk about the benefits of narrowboating. The countryside around Market Harborough, they rightly say, is threaded with canals. They want to discuss whether the Leicestershire waterways really can enrich our lives. Their coverage was, of course, a response to the Canal and River Trust’s ongoing campaign to convince the wider public that “life is better by water.” Now Aaran and I didn’t set foot on a narrowboat Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
Canal boat hire from Boutique Narrowboats

Why an autumn narrowboat holiday is the perfect getaway

Which season is your favourite on the canals? As the nights begin to draw in and the weather cools, do your thoughts turn to outdoor adventure? After a summer of picnicking on the towpaths and sipping wine on the deck, perhaps it does sound a bit topsy turvy to relish the autumn. But judge not until you’ve tried it. The canals are quiet again at this time of year. The wildlife is busy and plentiful Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
A posh posh posh narrowboat or canal boat hire

A posh, posh, posh narrowboat holiday – how our guests came across Boutique Narrowboats

When we greet our guests and welcome them on board our holiday canalboats, we sometimes have a chat about how they came across our little company. Last week, we had to laugh when we learned that in desperation, our guests had pleaded with the Google search box to find them a “posh posh posh narrowboat.” Luckily, we came up top and it turns out that we were the perfect fit for this couple.   There are Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
Boutique narrowboat Chalkhill Blue exterior 1

We are recruiting at Boutique Narrowboats!

Quality Coordinator This newly-created position is designed to ensure our holiday narrowboats are of the highest standard. No marina or boat experience necessary, but you must be a good organiser and communicator. The Quality Coordinator will liaise with a small team of cleaners, engineers and maintenance staff so that our holiday and day trip boats always meet our customers high expectations. Reporting to the marina owners, you will oversee standards of cleanliness, equipment, repairs, supplies Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
Grand union canal locks on boutique narrowboat

Narrowboat training for novices

Narrowboat training Many of our hirers have never set foot on a canal boat before their holiday and so narrowboat training is vital. Although we offer a comprehensive handover for all our guests, we are happy to do a bit of extra ‘hand-holding’ for the novices who come aboard. Once you’ve booked with us (or even before!), we encourage you to watch the Canal and River Trust’s guide to narrowboating, known as The Boaters’ Handbook. Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
Feature image for Lock Etiquette

Canal lock etiquette – your guide to canal locks

To all you narrowboat novices: we say, don’t be put off by these fellas . Locks can look intimidating and you do need to take things slowly and carefully. But here’s the thing: as you exit your first lock, you will have been a little apprehensive together, figured it out together, practised some new skills together and will be talking about it for years to come. We love the fact that most of our hirers Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago

Why a luxury canal boat is the perfect location for a romantic weekend getaway

A romantic weekend getaway can range from a five-star penthouse at the Ritz to a two-person tent in a festival field. You may not yet have considered a gentle adventure on a narrowboat. Sometimes the decision is about price but then again sometimes it’s about the tone of the weekend and although as the co-owner of Boutique Narrowboats I’m obviously biased, I’d like to explain why I’d plump for a canal boat every time. A Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
Luxury canal boat hire

Packing for your narrowboat holiday

For those of you who have booked the Boutique Narrowboat over the next couple of months, you will probably already have Packing Plans. If you’ve been on a canal boat before, you’ll know all about the limited storage and nonslip shoes – both are standard bits of advice from holiday boat operators and pretty obvious even to the most virgin of boaters. As we prepare Lesley Ann for her first hirers, we’ve been tweaking the Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago
canal boat hire lowered into water

Moving day for the Boutique Narrowboat – Lesley Ann – what’s next?

After months of working on Lesley Ann at Debdale Wharf Marina, the time has come for her to be lifted off her hardstanding. After a couple of hiccups – including a broken crane – we have lift-off for our narrowboat.     [sswp-slide sswpid=2289]   Next stop is a berth in the water at Debdale Marina while we complete a few finishing touches, then it’s off to her new home in North Kilworth Marina. Can’t Read more

By Sharon Peach, ago