Are you looking for a good holiday deal?

Struggling to budget when the future is uncertain?

Want to take a safe trip within your own social bubble?

A narrowboat staycation is the ideal choice for these unpredictable times.

A staycation has always been a good option for families on a budget, but the pandemic has now made it the number one choice of getaway this year. People are avoiding the hassle of airport queues, and last minute cancellations, by enjoying England’s beautiful rural scenery, and eating out at riverside beer gardens. Holidaying closer to home is also another way to help rescue our economy right now.

Earlier this month, British Marine secured a welcome win for the holiday hire boat sector as HMRC confirmed that the temporary reduction to 5% for holiday accommodation does apply to those hiring out boats (inland and coastal) which are to be used for holiday accommodation.

If you book and pay in full for your 2021 holiday by 12th January you will beat the 15% VAT price increase as we are a cash accounting business.

It is a good time to start planning ahead to make sure that you get the best boating holiday deals for 2021. So here are four top tips for canal boating on a budget.

1. Book Now for Spring

If you’ve previously enjoyed a narrowboat summer holiday, next year you might like to benefit from the best prices by booking for spring. As the wildlife awakens from hibernation, trees blossom and daffodils, and primroses brighten your cruise, you will find that the waterways are less busy in springtime. Can you imagine rows of cygnets and ducklings bobbing along beside your hire boat? (Check out When Swans are Your Neighbours: What You Need to Know.)

2. Book Online

To get the best deals you can book a canal boat spring break online, it’s easy and can save you time and money. Look out for various deals and last-minute cancellations on our Facebook page, Fox Narrowboats. The best priced deals are often the first to go, so you can save money by booking early. You won’t need your car on a narrowboat holiday, so some people choose to arrive at our hire boat base by train. Rail operators offer quite good deals if you book 12 weeks in advance. (Search for tickets to March, in Cambridgeshire.) We are only 90 minutes from London by train.

3. Self-Catering

On a narrowboat staycation your holiday expenses will be minimal. Make your budget stretch even further by opting for cooking meals on board. Each luxury narrowboat comes with a fully equipped galley, including a full-sized cooker, microwave and fridge. Eat on board, relax on deck, or pack a picnic, and eat out in the stunning local countryside. You could also grab a takeaway in one of the villages and towns on your journey, and eat it back at the boat.

4. All Inclusive Prices

At Foxboats our all-in price includes hire, damage waiver, fuel and gas. An all-inclusive pricing policy makes it so much easier to budget for your holiday. Our 2021 holidays are at a VAT rate of 5% to avoid the VAT surcharge from 12th January 2021 you will need to have paid for your holiday in full by that day.

More Choice of Boat

With staycations becoming the most popular holiday choice right now, our boats are booking up fast, so if you have a particular boat in mind, or a particular date for your holiday then reserve your most suitable boat now to avoid disappointment.

You may also like: Boating on a Budget – 3 Low Cost Alternatives

Stop! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to get the latest helpful holiday tips in these changing times. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

The post Canal Boating on a Budget appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

1. Book Now for Spring 2016

If you’ve previously tried a canal boat break in the summer, this year you might like to benefit from the best prices by booking now for spring. A spring narrowboat holiday means that the waterways are less busy, the wildlife are awakening from hibernation and new baby animals and waterfowl are born. Trees blossom and daffodils, primroses and other English flowers unique to the season will brighten your cruise. Also, it’s lovely to have cygnets and ducklings as visitors to your boat. Check out When Swans are Your Neighbours: What You Need to Know. (However, since I wrote that article I have learned that in spring it is best not to feed swans, ducks and geese as their natural diet is best for them.)

2. Try Day Boat Hire

Day boat hire is a wonderfully low-cost way to relax on our beautiful waterways, taking in the scenery and wildlife. With lots of room at the front and rear of the narrowboat everyone can be outside. Our day hire narrowboat has a galley, dinette, toilet and seating for 10 people. It’s an economical alternative to booking a narrowboat holiday, and only 90 minutes from London by train. Book a day boat hire online.

3. Book Online

To get the best deals you can book a canal boat spring break online, it’s easy and may save you time and money.

4. Book Travel Tickets in Advance

You won’t need your car on a narrowboat holiday so some people choose to arrive by train. Rail operators offer quite good deals if you book 12 weeks in advance. Search for tickets to March.

5. All Inclusive Prices

At Foxboats our all-in price includes hire, damage waiver, fuel and gas. An all-inclusive pricing policy makes it easier to budget for your holiday.

More Choice

Our phones are busy in Spring with boats booking up fast, so if you have a particular boat in mind, or a particular date for your holiday then reserve your most suitable boat now to avoid disappointment.

Book Early

Be ahead of the rest; it’s not too early to think about it! There are lots of advantages to planning in advance. The best priced deals are often the first to go so save money by booking your 2016 canal boat holiday early.

Special Offer.

All season 20% off Platinum Fox and Urban Fox booked before 29th February 2016

The post How to Save Money on Your 2016 Narrowboat Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.