Questions about your Holiday
I've never driven a narrowboat. Do I need previous experience?
Not at all. These boats are very easy to handle and we'll give you a good introduction to the workings of the boat and all of its equipment as part of your first day on board.
Is a boating holiday suitable for children?
Absolutely! Children love river and canal holidays - in fact, if they are teenagers they will probably want to take over and steer the boat (under supervision of course).
What about babies - will they be OK on board?
For very little people we would advise that you bring your travel cot with you; slightly bigger little people will be fine in a single berth on board, we do ask that you use your own waterproof mattress cover.
I have a dog, can I bring pets?
Sorry we do not allow pets on board.
How do we get to the hire base?
We are based at The Swan Hotel at Radcot-on-Thames in Oxfordshire on the tranquil upper reaches of the River Thames. Our address and a map can be found here.
Do you supply buoyancy aids?
We do, for adults and children. Just let us know your requirements when you book.
How easy are locks to operate?
Easy! In general, River Thames locks are operated by lock keepers.
What should we bring with us?
This is a relaxing, slightly active self catering holiday so you'll need all your clothes for the British climate and your provisions. There are plenty of pubs and shops along the river where you can stock up.
What bedding is provided?
All beds come complete with sheets, pillows and duvets. For every fixed berth we provide an interior sprung mattress, duvet, pillow, pillow case, mattress pad and linen. All of our duvets and pillows are feather filled; however, we can supply alternatives if required.
Is there central heating and a hot shower?
All boats are equipped with central heating and a storage tank to provide copious amounts of hot water, together with an airing cupboard.
How far can we travel in a day?
On most of the inland waterways the average speed is generally around 3 to 4 mph (walking pace). In calculating how far you can travel in a day, you should work on the basis of ‘lock miles’. To do this, count each lock as one mile and add the distance in actual miles on the river to make ‘lock miles’. Around 20 ‘lock miles’ is a steady day’s cruising of 6½ to 7 hours.
Where can we stop overnight?
There are a number of other moorings on the non-tidal Thames owned by private individuals (for which a charge is usually made). These are too numerous to list here but they are shown on most maps and guide books of the River Thames. On the canals you can stop overnight anywhere along the towpath side without charge, so long as it does not obstruct the waterway (for example, under a bridge or on a tight bend). There are many pubs along the canals and most are happy for you to moor up outside if you use the facilities!
What about maps?
You can purchase our recommended River Thames guides and books here. Among the selection available you will find tourist maps of the River Thames at 1:60,000 scale. Some of the maps shows the facilities available to boat users along with details of boatyards and locks and it highlights the Thames Path.
Where can we shop for provisions during the holiday?
Many of the villages through which the waterway passes have a range of local shops and the bigger towns with supermarkets are generally within walking distance of moorings.
Can I cruise at night?
No because of the dangers the insurance would not cover you if you were to have an accident. It’s best to moor up by dusk.
Arrival and return times?
The boat will normally be available from 3pm on the afternoon of departure. Boats should be returned by 9.00 am and vacated by 9.30 am. If a boat is returned late, it will cause a delay for the next hirer. In this event we reserve the right to charge for the late return, or if it is returned in a dirty state.
What does the hire fee cover?
Hire fees cover the use of the boat for your holiday and all of the equipment on board. Diesel fuel for the boat, gas for cooking, hot water and heating is also included, as well as all the required bedding and bed linen, car parking whilst you're away, the costs of insurance for public liability risks and use of buoyancy aids.
Damage Waiver
Not included in your hire fee is our non-refundable damage waiver fee of £50. This is in addition to the hire fee and it covers you for any accidental damage to the boat and its inventory that may occur on your holiday. More details on this can be found in our conditions of hire.
How can I book?
Call us to check availability. We take a £200 deposit to secure your holiday. We request that the remaining balance is paid 8 weeks prior to your holiday.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept the following methods of payment:
Credit and Debit Cards
We now accept credit and debit cards over the phone and online. There are NO additional charges for using your debit card. There is a 2.5% processing fee for all transactions made using your credit card.
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Bank Transfers
Either by online banking or by going into your bank.
Cheques
Cheques are currently accepted but will cease to be accepted by major UK banks in July 2011. Your holiday will be confirmed once cleared funds have been received.
What about the cost of fuel?
Unlike some other hire companies we include your fuel in the price of your holiday.
Is there a television on board?
Yes, we include a digital FreeView LCD TV and DVD player, and many of our customers bring a selection of DVDs with them for their holiday.
Is there parking for cars?
Yes, we have a free of charge dedicated outdoor parking area for our customers at our hire base. Please remember that parking is at your own risk. It is essential that you leave a set of your car keys with us whilst you are on your holiday in case we need to move your car for any reason.
Can I charge my camcorder, digital camera or mobile phone?
There are 12v recharging points on the boat for the charging of electronic items.
Will I need to fill the water tank on the boat?
Your water tank will be full on the day of departure. You will have to fill up with water once a day - there are many water points along the waterways, generally at least every 4 – 6 hours’ cruising. Remember, you are not connected to the mains! We provide a British Waterways key (and a spare) to unlock the water taps by the side of the river. These are returnable at the end of your holiday.
What are the toilets like?
Our boats all have a macerator toilet on board, very close to what you’re used to at home. The waste tanks hold enough for more than a week long cruise – so no worries about emptying if you're only on-board for a week!
Can I fish from the boat?
Yes, provided that the boat is moored up with the engine switched off and you hold a full up to date Rod Licence - available from www.waterscape.com or any Post Office in England and Wales. No live bait please. Additional charges will be payable if we discover live bait has been used on board.
Is smoking permitted on the boat?
Sorry, no smoking. Additional charges will be payable if we discover any smoking has occurred inside the boat.
What happens if we have a problem?
The boats are well maintained and breakdowns are rare. However, we provide a breakdown and support service if you have a problem, and at night we will always respond in the event of an emergency.