Our Blog

🚤 Why Choose a Family Boat Trip?

5 September 2025

Reconnect, explore, and create unforgettable memories on the water.

Family holidays are meant to bring everyone closer—and what better way to do that than aboard a boat? Whether you’re gliding through peaceful canals, exploring coastal waters, or anchoring near a hidden beach, a family boat trip offers a truly unique experience. Here’s why you should consider trading hotel rooms for hatches and highways for waterways on your next family adventure.


1. Unplug and Reconnect

Life on a boat naturally encourages you to slow down. With limited screen time and no rush to be anywhere, families spend more time together—playing games, sharing meals on deck, or simply watching the sunset. It’s a chance to disconnect from devices and reconnect with each other.


2. Adventure Every Day

From navigating locks and spotting wildlife to mooring in new towns each night, no two days are the same. Kids (and adults!) love the hands-on nature of boating. It turns travel into an experience, not just a way to get from A to B.


3. A Floating Home Away from Home

Modern hire boats are cozy, self-contained, and surprisingly well-equipped. With a kitchen, beds, bathroom, and lounging area, you can enjoy all the comforts of home—plus the freedom to wake up in a new place every day.


4. Affordable and Flexible

Boat trips can be great value, especially compared to hotel stays and theme park passes. You can self-cater, travel at your own pace, and tailor the trip to suit toddlers, teens, or grandparents.


5. Learn Together

Boating teaches valuable life skills—navigation, teamwork, patience, even knot-tying! For children, it’s an exciting way to learn responsibility and decision-making. For adults, it’s a fun challenge and a break from the everyday.


6. Explore Hidden Gems

Boating lets you discover places you’d never see from a car or train. Think secret moorings, sleepy canal villages, and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes are best viewed from the water.


7. Safe and Stress-Free Travel

When you’re cruising at walking speed, there’s no need to rush. Canal and river boating is generally safe, and boat hire companies offer training for beginners. With everyone on board, there’s no packing, repacking, or dragging luggage between hotels.


8. Create Unforgettable Memories

From fishing off the back deck to stargazing at night, the moments you share on a boat are often the ones that stick with you forever. It’s the kind of holiday kids talk about for years—and often want to repeat.


🚢 Final Thoughts

A family boat trip is more than a vacation—it’s an adventure. It brings fun, learning, and quality time together in a way that’s hard to match on land. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, cruising together is a bonding experience that floats above the rest.

Ready to set sail with your crew? Let the waterways be your playground, and let the journey bring your family even closer.

11 of us had a wonderful cruise on Alfie Bhouy. Plentiful afternoon tea. Lots of interesting facts learned. And so much laughter as the "captain" and our 7 year old granddaughter shared jokes. Such a bonus to be given the opportunity to steer. Thank you for happy memories.

Heather B
Trustpilot

Always five stars from us for this lovely company! Another great trip; this time a Sunday Lunch cruise for a friend’s big birthday! Piping hot, top quality lunch and rose wine included. We added a bottle of very reasonable Merlot too. All while experiencing a lovely sail along the canal. Once again the very knowledgeable, interesting and capable Marc was our captain. Great experience - and always a great company to deal with. We will be back (yet again)!

Jan H
Trustpilot

We had a lovely afternoon tea cruise! Mark was a great host, including letting our 5 year old skipper for some of the journey - a memory he will treasure. Would highly recommend!

Darren S
Trustpilot

SUPERB FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE

We were not disappointed the Service was 5 stars. Guests were interacted with and we were allowed to join in with activities. The host was all you could ask for. Ourselves and others had requests for some changes on the menu and theses were adhered to very well. I shall be booking for the whole family. Thank you for such a lovely day me and my friend both needed it.

Dee D
Trustpilot

A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Mark (our skipper) was extremely knowledgeable of the area and canals, and also other canals. He was very interesting and hospitable to us. He invited our grandson to steer the boat and was very welcoming.
On a separate note, we were late arriving for the cruise and Mark did not rush us, and was very friendly.
Highly recommended!

Carol E
Trustpilot

Just had our first canal cruise with a Xmas dinner hot from the pub and I have to say the whole experience was brilliant. The captain was excellent and very knowledgeable throughout the trip and as a bonus I was able to drive with the captain which was a lovely touch. I would highly recommend this trip.

Stephen S
Trustpilot

It helped that it was a beautiful sunny day. The skipper, Mark was very insightful giving us a talk on the local history of the canal as we made our way to Burscough Wharf and back again.

Tony Houston
Trustpilot

Nice way too spend a few hours took my mother for a mothers day treat great food fantastic host wish it hadn't been raining thanks very much

Gary Chadbond
Trustpilot

Just got back from an amazing cruise with afternoon tea with this company. The food was lovely and fresh!
The skipper, Mark was lovely and professional! He was so naturally friendly and explained everything about the history of barges and the area. He was so knowledgeable. The cruise itself was beautiful and relaxing.

Leah Johnson
Trustpilot

What a wonderful experience! Mark was such a great host, very kind and helpful. We miss our trip because of car crash on the road, he not only accommodate us on the next trip but he make us fresh afternoon tea and he place us in the best part of the boat! I can’t explain what a wonderful people and what a experience we had ! Truly amazing! Definitely try for yourself !!! Thank you Mark! See you soon!

Plamena Dimitrova
Trustpilot