Our Narrowboat Holiday with Kids in England

One of the most memorable things we did on our month-long family trip to Europe was rent a narrowboat. We spent three days cruising the Grand Union Canal in central England. It was slow, peaceful, and completely different from anything we had done before. Our kids learned to work the canal locks, we tied up at country pubs for dinner, and we woke up each morning to swans gliding past the window. If you have ever wondered what a narrowboat holiday with kids is actually like, here is our honest experience! We also share what we learned that might help your own family plan a trip.

Our family went on a month-long trip to Europe in fall 2022, and renting a narrowboat was just one of our adventures!

What Is a Narrowboat?

First of all, what is a narrowboat exactly? A narrowboat is a long, slim boat designed specifically to navigate the narrow canals of the United Kingdom. The one we rented was 67 feet long but only about 7 feet wide, which is what lets it fit through the historic canal locks. It is steered by a pilot standing at the stern, or rear, using a long tiller. Andy learned to navigate the narrowboat fairly quickly. He kept a good distance from the canal banks and other boats as he steered us down the water.

Renting a narrowboat in England is a lot like taking an RV out on a glamping trip. Since we have done plenty of RV camping as a family, the rhythm felt familiar. You have a cozy home on wheels, or in this case on water, and you travel slowly from place to place with everything you need on board.

Do You Need Experience to Rent a Narrowboat?

This was our biggest question before the trip, so here is the reassuring answer: no, you do not need a license or any prior boating experience to rent a narrowboat in the UK. The rental company gives you a hands-on lesson before you set off, covering how to steer, how to work the locks, and how to moor for the night. Andy had never piloted a boat like this, and he felt comfortable within the first hour. Canal cruising is genuinely beginner friendly, which is a big part of what makes it such a great family adventure.

Video: Narrowboat Adventure in England

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Narrowboat exiting a lock on the Grand Union Canal in England.

How Canal Locks Work (and How Kids Can Help)

The most challenging and honestly the most fun part of our narrowboat holiday was learning to open and close the locks along the canal. A lock is a section of the canal with gates at each end that raises or lowers the boat to a new water level, so the canal can climb or descend a hill. It sounds complicated, but kids can absolutely be part of it.

We learned to use a windlass, a special crank handle, to open and close the paddles that let water in and out of the lock. The kids learned to open and close the heavy wooden lock gates by leaning steadily and pushing on the balance beam. Sometimes we passed through several locks one after another as the canal climbed in elevation. Working the locks together turned into a real team effort, and our kids felt so proud every time they helped move the boat up or down.

Kids opening and closing the locks on the Grand Union Canal.

Navigating a narrowboat down the canal is a very relaxing experience. Nothing generally happens very quickly. When we arrived at a lock, though, we needed to be ready with a windlass in hand to open the gates.

Beautiful Stone Bridges and English Countryside

I especially loved how many old stone bridges we passed under along the Grand Union Canal. We often saw swans and ducks gliding along beside the boat. Best of all, each of our kids had a chance to help Andy steer the long narrowboat. Looking out from the rear of the boat gives the pilot a unique view of what is ahead on the canal.

Numbered stone bridges track the progress a narrowboat makes down the Grand Union Canal.

Graceful swans and picturesque fields along the canal offer many interesting views.

I especially love this view of the beautiful English countryside.

Mooring the Narrowboat for the Night

At the end of each day, as it began to get dark, Andy pulled over to the side of the canal and tied up for the night. He moored the boat using a combination of metal stakes and ropes. Since the canal has no current of its own, the narrowboat was in no danger of drifting away.

We often walked to a nearby pub for dinner. On different nights we tried fish and chips, lasagna, gammon steak, and pub fries. Different cheeses, olives, and bread with sauces are popular appetizers in the UK, and we sampled some of those too. Tying up within walking distance of a cozy canal-side pub turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the whole trip.

What It Is Like to Sleep and Eat on a Narrowboat

Overall, our weekend on a narrowboat was both interesting and deeply relaxing. We saw lots of beautiful countryside and sheep drifting past. We had peaceful meals on the boat and at canal-side pubs nearby.

Andy stocked our narrowboat fridge with an assortment of snacks and easy lunch items. Our favorites included salt and vinegar chips, olives, cheese, crackers, salad, and charcuterie meats. Having simple food on board meant we could eat whenever we were hungry without interrupting the cruise.

Our kids had cozy sleeping spaces in the narrowboat bunk beds. They also brought their own blankets for a warm extra layer. The boat had two toilets, an onboard shower, and a kitchen, so it really did feel like a floating little home.

We had an exciting yet peaceful time navigating the narrowboat through the canal locks. While Andy steered the boat, the kids and I filled different roles opening the lock gates and paddles.

The Longest Tunnel

Andy’s most impressive achievement was steering our 67-foot narrowboat from the rear through a dark tunnel that was more than a mile long! The canal tunnels are a remarkable piece of history, dug by hand long before modern machinery, and gliding through one in near darkness was an unforgettable experience for all of us.

Each morning we woke up to the beautiful sight of the peaceful canal. We saw many ducks and swans swimming in the water. One morning, the kids and I even picked blackberries along the canal bank.

Just like with an RV, we stopped at a water station to fill up the narrowboat’s water tank. A fresh refill gave us water for the bathroom and kitchen sinks and let us use the two toilets and the onboard shower.

Tips for a Narrowboat Holiday with Kids

If your family is thinking about a canal boat holiday, here are a few things we learned that made ours go smoothly:

Bring layers and extra blankets – Even in early fall, mornings and evenings on the water were chilly, and the kids were glad to have cozy blankets in their bunks.

Pack simple, grab-and-go food – Stocking the fridge with snacks, sandwich fixings, and easy lunches meant no one got hangry while we were between locks or pubs.

Give every kid a job – Our kids loved having real roles at the locks, whether cranking the windlass, pushing the gates, or holding a rope. Feeling useful kept them engaged all day.

Bring a few table games and books – The slow pace is wonderful, but a couple of quiet activities are handy for downtime on board.

Wave to other people – We met so many friendly boaters and walkers along the towpath. Canal culture is warm and unhurried, and a little friendliness goes a long way.

Would You Try a Narrowboat Holiday?

Life on a narrowboat was surprisingly easy, even with kids along for the ride. We brought snacks, drinks, a few games, and extra blankets, and we met many friendly people who waved as we passed. Renting a narrowboat ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our month-long trip to the UK. It taught our kids that adventure can be slow, quiet, and still completely unforgettable.

So what do you think? Would your family like to try spending a weekend, or even a full week, on a narrowboat? I would love to hear where you would cruise!

Find more of our family adventures on the Family Travel page!