Booking with us could not be easier.
We will be delighted to assist you in making your decision regarding which boat, route and base best suits you.
Our booking office is open 7 days a week, every day of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For availability and booking enquiries, advice and information you can contact the office from 8.30am to 6pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends (and on public holidays) or click here.
Having made your provisional booking with us, we will hold the reservation for seven days. Complete the booking form in the brochure or on the website, making note of the reference number that you will have been given, and send it to us with your deposit
payment (or full payment if your holiday starts within 8 weeks) along with any vouchers or offers being claimed.
We will then send you a confirmation of booking as well as any maps and guides you may have ordered.
If you are planning your holiday and would like further information outside our usual office hours you can access a wealth of information, including availability, on this website.
Click here and simply enter details of your preferred start location, dates and the
size of your group to enable you to view the boats currently available. You can choose either to phone to make your reservation or use the on-line form to make your booking. Please note that availability or bookings are not contractual until confirmation is received from the booking office.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
UK Boat Hire - Telephone: 0330 333 0590, Overseas: +44 1905 610660, Skype: ukboathire
Use the online availability checker to find out which boats are available and the price of the holiday.
You can choose either to phone to make your reservation or use the on-line form to make your booking straight away.
Discounts for 2010
The following discounts are available to those booking longer holidays, or more than one holiday in the year. These discounts may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher or discount except the special 2 berth offers.
The greater of either:
£50 off brochure price for bookings of 10/11 nights
£100 off brochure price for bookings of two consecutive weeks
£150 off brochure price for bookings of three consecutive weeks
£200 off brochure price for bookings of four consecutive weeks
25% second holiday discount
If you book a holiday of a week or more to start in June, July or August, you will be entitled to a 25% discount on any holiday taken during the weeks marked with a red star (*) on the price table. This applies only to two holidays taken in 2010.
The Waterways of the UK provide one of the most relaxing and rewarding holidays around and they are also one of the 'greenest'.
Click here for more information on green holidays
In addition, if you wish, you can further reduce the impact of your holiday on the environment by off setting your own travel to and from the boat with a voluntary donation through us to the same fund. We suggest £5.00 per car, all of which will go directly to "The Waterways Trust Green Fund" which you can indicate on the booking form.
Cancellation Protection Plan (Required)
Once a deposit has been paid and a booking confirmed, a contract exists and you will be liable for the whole of the hire charge even if you are prevented from taking your holiday. The Company have arranged a Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) to offer protection against this liability in certain circumstances.
The charge for the CPP is calculated at the rate of 4% of the hire charge payable. CPP payments are not refundable.
The fee is automatically added to the initial payment and will only be waived if:
a) the whole cost of the holiday is paid on booking and written confirmation is received that you accept the risk of no refund if cancellation becomes necessary or
b) if you have a cancellation insurance with cover that is comparable or exceeds our scheme, and can provide documentary evidence of such at the time of booking the holiday. Payments for the cancellation protection plan are not refundable.
Where any of the qualifying circumstances are met, all hire monies paid will be refunded less the CPP subscription fee and you will be absolved from liability for any balance of hire payment outstanding. The decision of The Company on all claims will be final.
CPP only covers complete cancellation prior to the start of the holiday. It does not give a partial refund in the event of one or more persons being unable to take their place in the crew.
Cover is only provided to those people detailed with names and addresses shown on the booking form.
Any claim must be supported by suitable documentary evidence.
Any claim must be made at the earliest opportunity by telephone and then be confirmed within seven days by Recorded Delivery Mail.
We recommend that you take out personal holiday insurance as we only insure the boat which does not cover you or your personal possessions. If you would like details about personal holiday insurance please indicate on the booking form.
Accidental Damage Waiver (Compulsory)
The Accidental Damage Waiver Fee of £45 covers you in the event of damage, loss or accident to your boat or its inventory during your holiday. It is non-refundable and avoids the requirement for a damage deposit payment of £500 to cover the insurance excess pending any claims. There are certain exclusions:
Any claims arising from excessive speed (the limit is 4mph)
Damage arising from negligence, malicious or intentional damage to the boat, its inventory, third party property, the canal and its structures.
Damage to the rudder, skeg or transmission due to contact with a lock sill.
Return of the boat late and/or in an unclean condition.
Cancellation Protection Plan (Required)
Once a deposit has been paid and a booking confirmed, a contract exists and you will be liable for the whole of the hire charge even if you are prevented from taking your holiday. The Company have arranged a Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) to offer protection against this liability in certain circumstances.
The charge for the CPP is calculated at the rate of 4% of the hire charge payable. CPP payments are not refundable.
The fee is automatically added to the initial payment and will only be waived if:
a) the whole cost of the holiday is paid on booking and written confirmation is received that you accept the risk of no refund if cancellation becomes necessary or
b) if you have a cancellation insurance with cover that is comparable or exceeds our scheme, and can provide documentary evidence of such at the time of booking the holiday. Payments for the cancellation protection plan are not refundable.
Where any of the qualifying circumstances are met, all hire monies paid will be refunded less the CPP subscription fee and you will be absolved from liability for any balance of hire payment outstanding. The decision of The Company on all claims will be final.
CPP only covers complete cancellation prior to the start of the holiday. It does not give a partial refund in the event of one or more persons being unable to take their place in the crew.
Cover is only provided to those people detailed with names and addresses shown on the booking form.
Any claim must be supported by suitable documentary evidence.
Any claim must be made at the earliest opportunity by telephone and then be confirmed within seven days by Recorded Delivery Mail.
Qualifying Circumstances
Death, injury, illness, pregnancy complications or confinement immediately prior to holiday commencement (certified in all cases by a qualified registered medical practitioner).
Death, injury, illness, pregnancy complications or confinement (certified in all cases by a qualified registered medical practitioner) of a near relative (husband, wife, father, mother, parent-in-law, sister, brother or child) or a close business associate of any named member of the party immediately prior to holiday commencement.
Jury or witness service (in a court of law), or redundancy (qualifying for payment under the Redundancy Payment Act 1965).
Fire, storm, flood, subsidence or malicious damage making the hirer’s home uninhabitable.
Police requiring the hirer’s presence following burglary at home or place of business.
Cancelled leave orders in respect of the UK police and military personnel.
Unforeseen occupational posting in respect of the hirer’s present employment immediately prior to holiday commencement.
With the exception of maternity the above circumstances must occur after the holiday has been booked and the CPP fee paid.
Credit Card Surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 2% of the payment made will be applied if a credit card is used. If only part payment is made (e.g. deposit) by credit card and the remainder by an alternative method, the surcharge will only apply to the amount paid by credit card (overseas debit cards may also incur the 2% surcharge, please check with your card issuer to verify).
Fuel
The boat is ready fuelled for your holiday on arrival, but there is a fuel deposit payable with your holiday booking. This is £75 per week and £40 per short break as the cost of fuel is not included in the hire cost. When you return the boat to us the balance is refundable after deducting fuel used. However if you have used fuel in excess of the deposit you will be asked to pay the difference.
Pets
This really is a holiday the whole family can enjoy together. We charge £25 for each pet. We obviously request that the boat is returned in a clean and tidy condition and reserve the right to refuse pets or charge for any additional cleaning or repairs required as a result of pets being on board during your holiday.
Optional Berths
Optional high level berths where available are £50 per week £25 per short break each. (See page 30 for more information.)