Forget queuing at the airport or renewing your passport, this year take the family on a traditional UK waterways adventure. A canal boat holiday offers a perfect mix of novelty, nature, and quality time together. Here are six reasons your children will thank you for a narrowboat summer holiday.
credit: Fox Narrowboats
1) A Floating Home Full of Surprises
There’s something magical about stepping aboard your very own boat for the week. It’s not just a holiday; it’s an experience. Fox Narrowboats come fully equipped with all the comforts of home: a galley kitchen, shower, toilet, and separate bedrooms. Boats like the 55 foot cruiser, Platinum Fox, even offer a double bed and two singles — ideal for families.
platinum fox narrowboat double bed cabin
As you unpack and explore, the kids will love claiming their bunks, opening every cupboard, and plugging in their gadgets to the USB sockets. (Yes, there’s power for tablets!) But don’t be surprised if the real fun starts when the devices are forgotten and they’re out on deck watching the world go by.
platinum fox narrowboat single beds in cabin
Browse the boats: Choose a holiday narrowboat.
2) Everyone Gets Their Own Space
Unlike cramming into a tent or squeezing into a hotel room, a narrowboat offers separate cabins, giving children and parents a little space. Older kids can chill with their phones or read a book, while adults enjoy steering the boat, making lunch, or catching up over a cuppa. It’s the best of both worlds: togetherness, with the option to retreat.
3) Bring the Dog Too
Yes, the family pet is invited. Our canal holidays are dog-friendly, so your four-legged friend can join the adventure. Dogs love trotting along the towpath, exploring mooring spots, or snoozing on deck while the boat gently chugs along. Just remember a life jacket for smaller breeds, and a lead for adventurous ones!
credit: dog with life vest Matt Seymour
The kids will appreciate that the dog can come to the pub, tag along on walks, and be part of the fun every step of the way.
You may also like: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide
4) A Screen-Free Adventure (Sort Of)
They may not know it yet, but the children are actually going to enjoy being outdoors. A child that was previously glued to a screen may find themselves sitting on deck watching the ducks, or walking the towpath, simply because there is so much to see and do. The boat will be travelling at less than four miles per hour so it’s possible to walk and keep up with the boat. Simple jobs like mooring up the boat together give a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being part of a team. At the end of the day the whole family should feel tired in a good way, relaxing at a waterside pub, before taking a short walk back to the boat for a good night’s sleep.
Marmont Priory Lock
5) Easy Access to Family-Friendly Days Out
Our hire boat base in Cambridgeshire allows easy boating access to the Middle Level and several navigable rivers, with plenty to explore along the way. Think picnics in the sunshine, spotting kingfishers, and visiting historic sites like Ely Cathedral or Oliver Cromwell’s House. Interested in culture? You can cruise all the way to Cambridge and explore the University colleges or try punting on the river Cam. Museums, windfarms, old churches, local music festivals, quaint villages, ancient mills, medieval streets, fish and chips, and traditional pubs are just some of the things you can enjoy when you’re cruising in the Fens.
There’s something for everyone, from curious teens to inquisitive little ones (and grown-up history geeks, too).
6) Become Part of the Crew
If your weekdays feel like ships passing in the night, a narrowboat holiday brings you all back together… in the same boat! (Groan.) Before you set off, we’ll show you the ropes (literally), teaching your crew how to navigate and handle the boat safely. When you cast off and begin your first cruise there is a wonderful sense of freedom, and you’ll find you begin to spend quality time together.
credit: Scott Precious
Kids love getting involved, learning mooring knots, working the locks, or even having a go at steering, under supervision. Suddenly, everyone has a role. Even doing the dishes feels like an adventure when you’re chugging gently along on the river, with the countryside rolling past your window.
Ready to Make This Summer Unforgettable?
Whether it’s the freedom of the open water, the novelty of boat life, or the simple joy of shared experiences, a narrowboat holiday creates memories your kids will treasure for years.
credit : Fox narrowboats
Book your floating family adventure with Fox Narrowboats today, and discover the joy of slow travel, together. Booking on our website gets you an instant online discount.
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Photos credits: dog life vest Matt Seymour on Unsplash, mooring Scott Precious on Unsplash
