A taste of the past.
Whatever you want from you narrow boat holiday, it's good to know a little about the history
of the canals. The gentle pace of a narrow boat holiday is a great get away from the hustle of
modern day living. Britain's canals were key to Britain's past and you'll find that your
journey on the waterways still has the magic of a bygone era.
During the 18th Century, Britain was booming with the industrial revolution. Cities were
growing rapidly with new factories, production lines and businesses. transportation soon
became a real issue as there were no motor vehicles at that time. The problem was solved
by the invention of the canals; these manmade waterways were dug across the nation so
that raw materials could be moved by boat instead of by horse and cart.
The boats of the industrial revolution are a far cry from your modern narrow boats. Although the
shape and size of the boat are the same, the interior of your narrow boat is designed with the
modern day holiday maker in mind.
The boats that you'll find in the history books had coal fires and basic living quarters for
the impoverished workers of the times. The boats were originally pulled along by a horse- a
slow but effective way of getting heavy and cumbersome goods from one city to the next.
Nowadays, all narrow boat are powered by an engine. At the start of your holiday we
will show you how to drive the narrow boat- it's simple and can be picked up in a short lesson with
one of our experts. We'll also show you how everything works on board.
Don't worry, your narrow boat is a million miles away from the coal fired boats of yesteryear. Our canal
boats are delightfully designed with a huge king-size bed, a kitchen with everything you
could possible need, a lounge and a bathroom complete with electric shower. We want you
to have a narrow boat holiday in total comfort, and we're convinced that you'll love our
narrow, but perfectly formed boats!
If it's a blast from the past that you are looking for, why not head to a tunnel or aqueduct?
try a cruise through a tunnel which has been hand carved out of the rock, like Harecastle
or Standedge.
For an immense sensory experience, glide across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen
Canal. Wonder at the marvels of 18th Century engineering, and enjoy the peaceful journey
over the stunning welsh ravine.
We love the mix of past and present day experiences that a narrow boat holiday can offer. The
slow pace and the sights and sounds of history make this a holiday experience that is
never to be forgotten.
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