Canal Boat Day Hire

18/06/2026

Forgotten your duck food? 🦆

Don’t worry, Tilly now carries her own supply!

Introducing **Tilly’s Duck Treats** – handy little bags of duck-friendly food available onboard for customers who want to feed the ducks along the Grand Union Canal.

It’s always a highlight of the day when the ducks come swimming over to say hello, especially for younger crew members!

So if you’ve left the bread at home (which ducks shouldn’t really be eating anyway), we’ve got you covered.

Just another little extra to make your day on the canal even more enjoyable 🚤

17/06/2026

One of my favourite things about running Canal Boat Day Hire is seeing families spend quality time together 🚤❤️

No rushing around. No screens. No schedules.

Just good food, good company and a relaxing day exploring the Grand Union Canal together.

It’s amazing how quickly seven hours can disappear when you’re chatting, enjoying the scenery and making memories with the people who matter most.

Days like these remind us that sometimes the simplest experiences are the best ones.

15/06/2026

Day 3 of eating cake on the canal thanks to .coffee.dough 🍰🚤

I’m beginning to think winning that Russian layer cake competition may have been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Today’s slice was enjoyed while waiting at a lock on the Grand Union Canal. Tough life, I know.

If anyone from Union Coffee & Dough is reading this, I regret to inform you that the cake is disappearing at an alarming rate.

Excellent coffee. Excellent cake. Highly recommended.

12/06/2026

https://www.canalboatdayhire.co.uk/blog/can-anyone-hire-a-narrowboat-what-you-need-to-know

Can anyone hire a narrowboat? Discover whether you need experience, a licence or qualifications, plus expert advice from a Hertfordshire canal boat operator who has taught hundreds of first-time boaters.

11/06/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review recently.

As a small independent business, every review makes a real difference. Not only do they help future customers feel confident about booking, but they also help more people discover Canal Boat Day Hire.

It’s been fantastic to read about family days out, birthday celebrations, evenings on the canal and first-time boaters enjoying something completely different.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Tilly so far. Reading your feedback genuinely makes all the hard work worthwhile.

🚤❤️

10/06/2026

Not ideal conditions for having a service carried out on Tilly, but Sam from was very professional and patient and got the work done for me.

07/06/2026

What better way to celebrate a 60th birthday than with family, sunshine and a day on the canal? 🎉🚤

It was a pleasure having this lovely family onboard Tilly to celebrate such a special occasion.

Birthdays don’t always need a big party or a busy venue. Sometimes the best memories are made spending quality time together, cruising through the Hertfordshire countryside at a slower pace.

Happy 60th birthday from all of us at Canal Boat Day Hire! 🎂🥳

06/06/2026

Most people who hire Tilly have never driven a boat before 🚤

A few hours later, they’re steering into locks like they’ve been doing it for years.

With a full handover and some guidance at the start, canal boating is much easier than most people expect. The smiles afterwards say it all.

Would you give it a go?

06/06/2026

https://www.canalboatdayhire.co.uk/blog/the-history-of-apsley-marina

Discover how Apsley Marina was created in 2003, transforming former paper mill land into a thriving waterside community on the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire.

05/06/2026

Every now and then, customers arrive fully prepared for their canal adventure 🚤🎩

Today’s crew turned up with the greatest captain’s hats ever, and I have to admit they looked the part from the moment they stepped onboard!

One of the best things about running Canal Boat Day Hire is seeing how different groups make the experience their own. Whether it’s a birthday, a company team building day, family day out, reunion with friends, or just an excuse to spend time together, everyone brings their own personality to the trip.

I think these hats deserve a 10/10 for effort 👏
Thanks to the team from