Grand Union Narrowboats

Best holiday experience. Ive been all over the world, and have stayed in some fantastic places but none of them beats a week on the canals with Grand Union Narrowboats. Steve and his team were just excellent, we pumped them for information and they never stopped giving. The pre-cruise instruction was brilliant, and the chaperoned cruise was just right as well as the move through the first locks. Always full of advice and contactable throughout the holiday GU Narrowboats would be hard to beat. Next stop sell the house, buy a narrowboat, disappear.
Apr 30th, 2023

We just finished an amazing week-long holiday on the Grand Union in a boat rented from this company. It cost less than we were expecting (partly because we went out of season), but the quality of the service and the boat were very high. The boatyard in Weedon is in a great position, a day or so south to the lovely canal village of Stoke Bruerne (with a canal museum and lots of pubs), and a couple of days NW up to Braunston, with beautiful countryside all around, and many historic locks, tunnels, mills etc nearby. We just did a few days up and a few days down, but Weedon is also well positioned for longer adventures that look very attractive (a three-week trip could take you down to London, along the Thames and back up the Oxford canal, or North up and around the Birmingham ring, etc etc). We rented Jimsonweed, a 6-berth narrowboat. It was much more luxurious than other boats we have used in the past, with two toilets, a good shower, comfy beds, and lots of storage space (3 cupboards and 8 draws total). It had great central heating too, which made staying on the canal in April comfortable even when it went below freezing outside, and had a little airing cupboard above the boiler which came in handy. Everything you need in the kitchen too - reasonably sized fridge-freezer, toaster, microwave, gas oven with hob and grill, lots of pots and pans, baking tray etc. You can cook proper meals very easily. Steve and his company provide the sort of set-up on the boat that you'd get in a good AirBnB or holiday rental - clean towels on all the beds, a fully equipped kitchen with washing up liquid ready and a cafetiere for fresh coffee, teabags and a pint of milk in the fridge, fresh flowers on the table, boardgames on the shelf, etc. They also provide training in steering, mooring, locks etc, so it's a good place to start even if you are a complete beginner. It really does require almost no preparation - just make a booking, and all you need to think about is bringing food (and maybe a canal map or guidebook), other than that you just follow the instructions in the emails they send. There are also none of the hidden charges you sometimes get from rental companies. Everything was included, including the diesel (used for fuel and for heating), and car parking (they didn't even complain when we brought two cars, when we wouldn't have been surprised if they had charged us for the second one). If you stay on the canals you also don't have to pay any fees, pay for mooring, etc. I would absolutely recommend this company to anyone who is thinking about taking a canal boating holiday.
Apr 17th, 2023

Steve and his fantastic team at Grand union canal boats Weedon, have again come out 10/10 for our family holiday on Londonweed. This is the second time in two years we have chosen Grandunion canalboats last year we chose Jimsonweed which was fantastic. This years boat was amazing and extremely well appointed both internally and externally. We were very grateful for the lovely flowers , wine and Easter eggs which where on board as we arrived. 10/10 for quality and customer satisfaction.
Apr 13th, 2023

Great holiday would recommend for experienced or beginner. Steve and his team couldn't be more welcoming or helpful
Apr 11th, 2023

We had a wonderful week staying on narrowboat Ragweed! Steve and the team at Grand Union Narrowboats were super friendly and helpful - Steve even took time away from his evening, weekend and family to help us with a minor problem we encountered. Ragweed is a 5* boat - well equipped, cosy, warm shower, a proper bed! The finishing touches were very much appreciated - quality blackout curtains, fresh flowers and even a pint of milk, tea, coffee and a bottle of wine to welcome us onboard :-) We travelled from Weedon to Leighton Buzzard and really enjoyed the experience of cruising through Blisworth Tunnel! There were plenty of canal-side pubs to stop at and some really lovely picturesque spots to stop at overnight. Wed highly recommend a narrowboat holiday Grand Union Narrowboats, with Steve and his team - well certainly be back!
Mar 18th, 2023