narrowboat holidays from Middlewich Narrowboats "Middlewich boats... are the nearest available thing to proper boating."
Rev.J.Wickstead, Skegness
"We know the boat and like her. Hazel is well designed for our purpose. It was a grand holiday - best aspects were the relaxed speed of travel and meeting people"
John Nightingale, Chester
traditional narrowboats
our traditional
narrowboats
semi traditional & cruiser style narrowboats
our semi-trad
 & cruiser style narrowboats
Our Narrowboat Holidays in Traditional & Cruiser Style

Traditional narrowboats versus Cruiser type  narrowboats – which is best for narrowboat holidays? It all depends on your priorities.

Canal narrowboats come in two distinct styles – "traditional" and "cruiser" , and most hire companies offering narrowboat holidays operate the latter. However, half our fleet comprises traditional narrowboats of great character although we do also have four cruiser style narrowboats and three "semi-traditional" narrowboats for those who prefer them. See below and click on links above for more details.

The Traditional narrowboat Style (or "trad" for short) is where the cabin design follows that of the old commercial canal boats and refers usually to the size of the rear deck (or "counter") which is short in length, the steerer standing between the rear doors. In our case however we go much further than that and copy as much of the historic detail as possible, including in some cases making replicas of the famous "boatman’s back cabins" – see below for further details. Some are also built with the traditional materials, steel hulls carrying oak framed wooden cabins, and some have steel cabins, but all contain refinements the old boatman would never have dreamed of. The advantage of a trad style narrowboat is that the steerer has a protected position against wet or cold weather and the additional advantage of the heat from the engine or the boatman’s cabin stove around their legs. There is also a very real feeling of closeness to the canal traditions. Friends can stand on the gunwales or sit on the roof. The main seating area is in the bow.

The Cruiser Style narrowboat has a large flat rear deck which gives no protection, but is large enough for several people to sit together at the rear – a useful feature for young families and older folk.

The Semi-traditional narrowboat has a large cruiser style stern deck enclosed by cabin sides and doors (but no roof), combining some of the advantages of both styles, and is becoming increasingly popular. You have the choice of all three!

BOATMAN’S BACK CABINS
– fitted to Maple, Willow and Holly.

These are authentic replicas of the living accommodation of the old working craft and we were the first company to incorporate them into modern hire narrowboats. Stepping down from the steerer’s "counter" onto the coal box, you enter a snug, private world finished in the correct wood graining with gaily hand decorated panels featuring the traditional roses and castles, and crocheted lace hangings. There is a small solid fuel stove on your left for heating cooking, then the decorated drop down table cupboard with crumb drawer below and on the right the sidebed or settee. Ahead is the double "cross" bed which folds out across the narrowboat with decorated flap, the door leading to the rest of the narrowboat. On Willow and Maple there are also traditional engine controls – separate gear change rod and throttle speedwheel - to complete the picture. A fascinating experience of a way of life which has now largely disappeared.

All Narrowboats Have the Following Features Except Where Noted
  • Flushing toilets – which are emptied by us on your return
  • Showers or shower bath
  • Washbasins, drawers and wardrobes – in or adjacent to all bedrooms (except boatman’s cabins)
  • Fully equipped galleys – with sink unit, fridge, cooker and plenty of storage and working areas.
  • Private bedrooms – as shown in the boat plans.
  • Single lever controls – with combined throttle and gear functions for simplicity of operation (except Maple and Willow ).
  • Central heating. Boatman’s cabins have solid fuel stoves – fuel is provided.
  • Hot and cold water to all basins.
  • Electric lighting and power – for 12 volt accessories including TV. Also a 240 volt shaver only socket, and reading lamps at most berths.
  • A full inventory - of cutlery, crockery, cooking, cleaning navigation and safety equipment. TVs fitted as standard.
12 Berth Boats

We operate three of these (Elm, Poplar, Ash), specially designed to enable 12 people to live comfortably together – for instance, they have single eating areas and large saloons as we realise the importance of "socialising". Large groups can hire more than one narrowboat, including smaller ones if necessary, to achieve the required capacity.


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Middlewich Narrowboats (Willow Wren Kearns Ltd) Canal Terrace, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9BD England
Tel; 01606 832460 Fax; 01606 737912 email info@middlewichboats.co.uk