Welcome to Southern Narrowboats
The Only Self-Drive Narrowboat Holiday Company on the Grand Union Canal – London stretch.
Whether you are a couple, a group of friends, a mixed group or a family, you will love the experience of a Narrowboat holiday. Working to crew the boat, relaxing and taking in the scenery, enjoying the slow pace of life on the water. As they say, turn up and slow down. Watch your children’s delight to be part of the team working the ropes and locks. Watch with surprise as your teenagers put down their devices and get involved! Relax with a beverage at the bow watching the swans or keep the skipper company at the tiller. Cruise the day taking in the landscape and the sights on the waterway, then at sundown moor up and enjoy the simple pleasures onboard. Preparing and eating dinner together, watching a movie or playing cards or a board. Catch up on reading, relax and unwind. Families or friends enjoy the adventure of sleeping on the boat! Dine together in a waterside pub or restaurant, or take a stroll along the towpath, perhaps with your dog? Visit local shops and attractions. You may wish to actively cruise the waterways or use the boat as a base/floating hotel room. Take it where you want, moor and explore!
‘The boat’ is the holiday on a Narrowboat break, removing the requirement to spend time or money elsewhere, unless you desire to. Along the waterways you will find a myriad of beautiful pubs and restaurants to visit and watch the world go by
Southern Narrowboats, owned and operated by lifelong boaters Richard and Louise Whitaker, who are proud to offer their customers the personal touch.
The Only Self-Drive Narrowboat Holiday Company on the Grand Union Canal – London stretch.
The unique proximity of our Marina to London means that you can choose to head North into the beautiful countryside via an abundance of locks, or enjoy 23 miles of lock free boating and head South into the bright lights and hustle and bustle of London. The canals and rivers are your oyster. Pre-bookable day and overnight moorings are available in many locations including London.
Your boating short break or longer holiday will begin at West London’s Packet Boat Marina in Cowley, Uxbridge. Close to Heathrow Airport and the M4/M25 Motorways and nearby Uxbridge Tube and West Drayton Train Stations take you into Central London in 20 minutes. There is fully a secure car park at the Marina.
The unique proximity of our Marina to London means that you can choose to head North into the beautiful countryside via an abundance of locks, or enjoy 23 miles of lock free boating and head South into the bright lights and hustle and bustle of London. The canals and rivers are your oyster. Pre-bookable day and overnight moorings are available in many locations including London.
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We had a great week on The Cassiopeia. Great boat which was brilliantly prepared by Richard & Louise. Highly recommended.
Just back from a lovely midweek break on Cassiopeia. We’re a family of two adults and two older teenagers who’d never hired a narrow boat before. Richard explained everything and was contactable in case of any issues. It was great to get the kids off their phones for a bit and help with navigating the locks! We managed the Camden locks even though it was our first time and we’ll be appearing in lots of tourist’s photos I think! 😀
We had a wonderful week on Little Egret in the October half term. Friendly and more than helpful in every possible way. Immaculate inside, would highly recommend. I have also contacted them for advice and where so helpful. Thank you.
We had a super mid week break on Little Egret travelling up the Grand Union in mostly lovely weather. Little Egret is a lovely boat with really comfortable beds- especially the king size double! The boat handles well and was 100% reliable. Our route took us though some beautiful peaceful countryside, all within the M25 ring. Thank you. We’ll be back!
We just finished a 3 week holiday after 2 years of waiting. Big thanks to Richard and Louise for going “above and beyond.” Cassiopeia is one of the best handling boats we have ever hired (this is trip 10 for us and we have hired all over the country). She is comfortable and really well kitted out.
We had a fantastic holiday with Southern Narrowboats! With our three boys 4, 8 & 10, it was such an adventure and found our way into the country very exciting and relaxing. The boat was beautiful with a gold brass tiller that mage us feel a step up in the narrow boat style steaks ! Warm cosy and easy to manage it was a very restful holiday. Highly recommend both Louise and Richards very experienced and well managed excursions. ! The family Cox
Really enjoyed our recent trip on Little Egret. Great facilities on the boat, friendly and helpful, especially as this was our first canal boat trip. Ideal holiday to get the teenagers away from screens – They were more confident than the adults by the end of the week!
We had a wonderful time on Cassiopeia it’s a beautiful boat fully equipped with everything you could need three lovely double beds we slept very comfortably and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. In our five days we took the boat from Uxbridge into London Camden Lock then back up North to Cassiobury Park in Watford before heading back to the boat yard. We saw lots of birds including Herons and Cormorants and wildlife. The dog had lots of walks along the towpath. It was particularly pretty in Autumn with the trees along Little Venice and Cassiobury Park. It was lovely sailing through Harefield where my grandmother used to live along the canal. Remembering also when I was younger going to Cassiobury Park.
. Thanks Louise and Richard x
Beautiful weekend away on the water with Little Egret. We were a crew of 4 heading north. Louise was a great help making sure we were prepared in the run up to the trip and Rich was a gent helping us out and showing us the ropes. Fantastic new experience. Thanks you!
Great week through London and back. Everything we needed on board – very comfortable and well prepared for us. Professional, helpful and friendly owners