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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Great week through London and back. Everything we needed on board – very comfortable and well prepared for us. Professional, helpful and friendly owners
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.
Just had an absolutely amazing three night holiday aboard Cassiopeia! Everything supplied, very thoughtful owners! From towels to DVDs. All went like clockwork, the best little holiday ever. Thank you from the Atkinson/ Sabrosa family xxz
We had a fabulous time and the staff were all very caring and helped us have a wonderful holiday.
Incredible long weekend a few weeks ago on the Little Egret. We had a great family trip with our 4 and 6 year old daughters. We went north away from London and the scenery beside the canal and peace and tranquillity was exceptional. It was great fun working the locks and learning to drive a narrowboat. We would definitely go again and are looking forward to it already! Thanks a lot Louise and Rich – wonderful experience…and all before the rain set in…very lucky!
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 lovely week on Cassiopeia. Thank you so much for all the little finishing touches, the evenings were so much more cozy and comfortable 🤗 A perfect few days away with some very much needed quality family time. Board games and hot chocolate were enjoyed by us all. We were little lock pros by the end of the week, we all had our part to play. Lovely memories made 💛
We had a most amazing time! Thank you so much to Louise and Richard. The boat was so cool!!
We chose to sail into London ( no locks!) and moored at Paddington basin. Great way to see London and just an amazing experience overall. The kids ( 4 & 7) are already asking when we can do it again. We will be back soon xx
My family and I have just spent a fantastic mid-week break on the Little Egret, very comfortable for our family of five.
The boat is very clean and has everything you need on board, perfect for a break without worrying about social distancing as everything is self contained.
The information provided, and organisation from Southern Narrowboats was spot on, so many thanks.
Highly recommended.
Very friendly, lovely boat and easy pick up. We had Cassiopeia which is a lovely boat. Clean, comfortable and smart. We went up to Rickmansworth and had a great weekend. Thank you Louise and Rich.