WHAT is it about boats that’s so irresistible?
Not giant, lumbering cruise liners or the cross-channel ferries — but put me on a sailboat, a rowing boat, even a pedalo carved like a swan, and I’m happy.
What I hoped to find on our mini English narrow boat adventure was exactly what I got — a reminder that simpler pleasures are sometimes exactly what you need[/caption]
Narrowboats are small, but small is an opportunity for smart, effective design[/caption]
The kitchen of our 69ft narrowboat was perfectly stocked with every utensil you could need, a fantastic gas oven and beautiful tableware[/caption]
Ratty, in kids’ book The Wind In The Willows, was right when he declared: “There is “nothing half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
What a perfect idea then, after years of threatening my family with a narrowboat holiday, to try one.
So often when we think of holidays we talk of fleeing our little isle for beachier, snowier, glitzier climes.
What I hoped to find on our little English narrowboat adventure was exactly what I got — a reminder that simpler pleasures are sometimes exactly what you need.
And how wonderful those pleasures were in the breathtaking countryside we passed through on the Worcester and Birmingham canal.
Like most of Britain’s canal network, it is shaped by a vibrant history, from its origins as a Roman centre of salt production, through the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution, to near abandonment and then restoration in the late 1960s.
The canal still bears the scars of this history, and as you work the lock gates, hands slipping into grooves worn down by many others, you can’t help but feel close to those who have travelled before.
Excited but apprehensive about this, our first ever narrowboat holiday, our crew of husband, son, parents-in-law, mother and Milo the dog, were completely put at rest thanks to a thorough introduction by Danny from our rental company Black Prince Holidays.
This set the tone for the whole weekend. What friendly, helpful characters we met along the way — the new occupant of the lockside cottage, head to toe in grease, proudly showing us the boat parts he’d hand-made; the fishermen sat in rows, knowingly raising their nets with a smile as the novices went by.
We had opted for a three-night trip, allowing us time to get to grips with the locks and gently cruise, taking in the beautiful scenery.
The first stretch of the route is lovely — quaint little bridges, weeping willows and surrounding farmland adding to a landscape that feels like it hasn’t changed in 200 years.
Despite it being August, it never felt busy or loud, and we were often one of only a few boats on the waterway.
The downside of that peace is pubs are few and far between. But the good ones are great, and once you get into Worcester City there are some real standouts — The Anchor with its beautiful seafood being one.
The fisherman’s stew stuffed with muscles, plump prawns and the freshest squid was to die for.
This really is a perfect intergenerational holiday, and definitely one to bring you closer together — emotionally and physically.
Luckily, we didn’t need to rely on eating out — which is a real blessing, especially with young children.
The kitchen of our 69ft narrowboat was perfectly stocked with every utensil you could need, a fantastic gas oven and beautiful tableware.
A small fridge did the job despite there being six of us, and with larger shops en route in Droitwich Spa and Worcester, we had no problem picking up supplies.
Greeting the swans
Mooring up to eat, or explore, was never an issue and despite our crew ranging in age five to 75, there was a role for everyone.
This really is a perfect intergenerational holiday, and definitely one to bring you closer together — emotionally and physically.
Yes, narrowboats are small, but small is an opportunity for smart, effective design, and these handmade boats by the Black Prince team are a masterclass in both form and function.
The bathrooms on our boat, the Duchess 6 Signature, were far better equipped than many I’ve seen in budget hotels, with a pleasantly forceful shower and two loos.
Mooring up to eat, or explore, was never an issue and despite our crew ranging from ages five to 75, there was a role for everyone[/caption]
Aside from the draw of the interior, this trip was, of course, all about the great outdoors.
Our favourite moments were spent jumping on and off the canal side, laughing as we blundered through the first locks, marvelling at the herons flying overhead, and greeting the swans and signets with our morning tea.
We came looking for time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, what we found was also a reminder of how beautiful this little island is and that sharing it with the ones you love, “messing about on boats”, is all you need.
GO: MIDLANDS
SAILING THERE: Sailing the Worcester and Birmingham canal from Black Prince Holidays’ Stoke Prior base, a three-night narrowboat trip is from £869 in total, based on up to six sharing. A larger boat, similar to the Duchess 6 Signature is from £1,173 in total. Fuel extra, approximately £15 per day. See black-prince.com or call 01527 575 115.