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Grand Union Leicester hire boats

Boutique Narrowboat Marbled White cruising the canal
Canal boat hire

The Art of Slow Travel: How a Canal Boat Holiday Restores Balance in a Fast-Paced World

In today’s fast-moving world, where schedules are packed and notifications never stop, a canal boat holiday offers a refreshing way to slow down. A narrowboat adventure isn’t just an escape from the hustle of daily life—it’s a chance to find balance, immerse yourself in nature, and savour the simple pleasures of Read more

By Simon Youthed, 8 months28 January, 2025 ago
Grand union canal leicester section in winter
Routes

5 reasons you should take to the water on a winter narrowboat cruise

There are so many wonderful reasons to enjoy the canals in winter, that we are totally amazed to have the waterways to ourselves at this time of year. I love the peace and tranquillity so much, that it really is one of England’s best kept secrets. Here are a few Read more

By Sharon Peach, 3 years6 October, 2022 ago
narrow boat hire 50th birthday weekend luxury break on a narrowboat
Canal boat hire

Celebrating a big birthday on a boutique narrow boat break

Search for luxury narrow boats for couples luxury narrow boat birthday breaks Luxury narrow boat birthday breaks are often booked for a milestone birthday. It is a huge responsibility to take charge of a big birthday weekend surprise. Wives, husbands and partners frequently contact us because they are tasked with Read more

By Sharon Peach, 4 years10 April, 2021 ago
Feature image for Lock Etiquette
Canal boat hire

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 Read more

By Sharon Peach, 7 years30 December, 2018 ago
luxury canal boat hire bedroom on the boutique narrowboat
General

Introducing our new luxury canal boat hire business

Our new luxury canal boat hire business launched in Leicestershire just a few weeks ago, in time for Summer 2018. Our first boat is Lesley Ann, which we designed especially for couples, and you can book her for holidays and short breaks here. [sswp-slide sswpid=2222] But it’s become clear that there Read more

By Sharon Peach, 7 years12 April, 2018 ago
Paint colours for narrowboat interior 1
Narrowboat interiors

Designing a narrowboat interior – our mood boards

Gathering samples for our interior designs of our narrowboat and the office is scattered with swatches and snippets. Time to sort them – these are our favourites so far :-).

By Sharon Peach, 8 years10 September, 2017 ago
Foxton Locks hire boat
Routes

Our canal boat weekend break – a trip from North Kilworth to Foxton to Debdale

What a beautiful weekend, we’ve had, cruising between marinas at North Kilworth to Debdale. The guys at North Kilworth have been amazing, allowing Aaran to use the slipway to fit Lesley Ann’s new top. But now it’s time to move on to Debdale, where we can lift her out of Read more

By Sharon Peach, 8 years27 August, 2017 ago
Luxury canal boat hire and narrowboat holidays in the uk leicestershire
Canal boat hire

Canal boating in winter – the story of how Boutique Narrowboats began

Why can’t I hire a narrowboat in winter? My telephone enquiries were answered in a variety of no-nonsense ways by experienced boat-rental companies. My dad was travelling from Cyprus to join us for Christmas and in my head, a lovely cruise through the winter wonderland of the Grand Union Canal Read more

By Sharon Peach, 8 years2 August, 2017 ago
General

A bit about Boutique Narrowboats – our inspiration and our vision

The first thing you should know about us is that we are completely and utterly in love with narrow boating. We took our first watery steps into this world in 2016 and tumbled headlong into a love affair with the stunning scenery of rural Leicestershire. (And if you want to Read more

By Sharon Peach, 8 years4 July, 2017 ago

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  • TripAdvisor

BOUTIQUE NARROWBOATS
UNION WHARF MARINA
1A CANALSIDE
MARKET HARBOROUGH
LEICESTERSHIRE
LE16 7UW


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