Canal Boat Hire Holidays

We had an amazing week on Angus’ wide beam barge. The vessel is kitted out superbly and is so comfortable- Angus gave us a very thorough briefing before we set off and the week went completely to plan – I would thoroughly recommend hiring from Bloomsbury Canal Boats – 5 star experience and service. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Larkspur is magical and we’ve had two holidays on her, enjoyed enormously. The interior is exceptionally beautiful and comfortable, and Angus a great teacher, instilling the confidence to take Larkspur on canal travels and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
We’ll be back!  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

So we have just returned from our 2nd holiday on the AMAZING Larkspur and we have to say that we had just as good an experience as we did in 2018. Our 2018 holiday gave us the most stunning weather. We also did the full trip from collecting the boat to navigating the amazing Caen Hill locks and back to Bath. 2019 saw good but mixed weather but it made no difference to us. The canal boat experience results in complete calm and chill but activity as well. Being our second time we were more experiences as to where we chose to Moor up / pubs to choose etc. However we also went to places that we missed last year so all in all it still felt like a first to a degree. With WiFi available I could still keep an eye on the footy and we also had a couple of cosey movie nights as well. Once again the beds were some of the most comfortable EVER and don’t get me started on how good the oven is. Granted we didn’t use it that much as there are so many great places to eat at along the way but it is just one of the things that highlights the care and attention taken to ensure the boat is top quality. Angus (owner) was as fabulous this year as last. Me thinks we will be going for a hat trick in 2021 as well. So a HUGE recommendation from us once again. Oh I must say that I am / was a laze by a pool abroad somewhere sort of guy. NOT ANY MORE.

Boat is well kitted out and very comfortable on a beautiful spot on the canal too! Friendly and comprehensive hand over. Great pub a minutes walk if you arrive late in the day and don’t want to cook before moving off. We have booked again for next year!! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We hired the Larkspur for a little under a week in late August 2019. We had a terrific time. The boat was wonderful – fantastically well-appointed, immaculately presented, and undoubtedly spacious. It had everything we needed. On our first day Angus came with us for the first hour, to show us the ropes, the tiller, and the locks – and much else besides. Angus was an experienced and patient teacher, expert in guiding novices to crew his boat.

After Angus left us (at Bath) we travelled back past Bathampton, through Bradford (where we moored for one night) and thence further east (another mooring). We refuelled at Trowbridge before heading back to Bath, stopping on the way. Pottering along at just over walking pace, we did not cover many miles perhaps, but had a wonderful time taking things slowly, seeing lots of wildlife (kingfishers, coots, herons etc) and admiring the countryside that flanks the Kennet and Avon canal.

Strongly recommended.

We really enjoyed our week on Larkspur, the boat was very comfortable, spacious and well equipped. We had never been on a canal boat before but the tuition provided by Angus was excellent The boat was easy to manoeuvre and moor and we navigated our way to Foxhanger and back during the course of the week. There was plenty of space for the four off us (All adults) to eat and relax. There was a plentiful supply of wood for the burner – not that we needed it as temperatures reached 30 the week that we were aboard. Despite this the interior of the boat stayed comfortable with all the windows open.

It was a super week full of fun and relaxation. We discovered some lovely pubs and met some interesting people along the way. We would certainly recommend Larkspur for a canal holiday. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★