Canal Boat Day Hire Experiences

Whether you're planning a family day out, celebrating a birthday, looking for something different to do as a couple or organising a day with friends or colleagues, a day aboard Tilly can be whatever you want it to be.

Tilly is your own private narrowboat for the day, departing from Apsley Marina on the Grand Union Canal. No previous boating experience or licence is required – I'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.

Explore the different ways you can enjoy a day on the canal below.

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Family Days Out

A group of eight people, including children, standing together outdoors near a canal with Tilly the narrowboat behind them. They are smiling and dressed casually, with a large residential building in the background.

Swap screens and schedules for a day together on the Grand Union Canal. Children can get involved with the adventure while the whole family enjoys a relaxed day aboard Tilly.

FAMILY DAYS OUT →

Romantic Boat Trips

Two smiling people, a man and a woman, sitting on Tilly the canal boat on the Grand Union Canal surrounded by trees.

Slow things down with a peaceful day or evening on the canal. Tilly offers couples a private and memorable way to spend time together away from the usual crowds.

ROMANTIC BOAT TRIPS →

Birthday Boat Hire

A group of ten people standing outdoors by the Grand Union Canal, holding drinks, smiling, with trees and Tilly the narrowboat in the background during the daytime.

Celebrate your birthday with something a little different. Gather your favourite people and enjoy your own private narrowboat for a relaxed and memorable day together on the Grand Union Canal.

BIRTHDAY BOAT HIRE →

Hen Party Boat Hire

Group of five women standing on Tilly the narrowboat, smiling, with a sign that reads 'Canal Boat Day Hire' and contact information, with green foliage in the background.

Swap the usual hen party for a private day on the canal. Bring your favourite food and drinks, enjoy the scenery and spend the day cruising, laughing and celebrating together aboard Tilly.

HEN PARTY BOAT HIRE →

Team Building Days

A group of six women and one man gathered outdoors by a small waterway, with the man explaining how to open the locks using a windlass, while the women listen attentively.

Get your team away from the usual workplace for a day on the canal. Steering Tilly, working through locks and sharing the experience makes for a relaxed and genuinely different team day.

TEAM BUILDING DAYS →

Dog Friendly Days Out

A group of nine people and a dog standing on a towpath next to narrowboat Tilly on the Grand Union Canal. The scene is outdoors with trees and grass, under a partly cloudy sky.

No need to leave your four-legged family member at home. Dogs are welcome aboard Tilly, so you can enjoy a day exploring the Grand Union Canal together.

DOG FRIENDLY DAYS OUT →

Never Driven a Narrowboat Before?

A smiling young girl wearing a captain's hat, holding a plush teddy bear with a badge, and standing on Tilly the canal boat. She is pointing with her arm extended to the right, with a canal lock tower and trees in the background.

Most people who hire Tilly have little or no previous narrowboat experience. You'll receive a full briefing and practical tuition before setting off, and I'll help you through your first two locks.

FIRST TIME CANAL BOAT HIRE →

Where Can You Go?

Map of two canal boat routes, the North Route and the South Route, showing landmarks, lock locations, and scenic highlights along each route, with directional markers and icons indicating points of interest.

From Apsley Marina, you can cruise either north towards Hemel Hempstead or south towards Kings Langley, Hunton Bridge and Watford. Both directions offer a proper day on the Grand Union Canal, with locks, changing scenery and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Head north for an earlier pub or café stop, or travel south for a quieter and more scenic cruise through open countryside. You don't need to choose your route when you book – we'll talk through the options when you arrive and decide what best suits your group.

Our detailed route guide shows you what to expect in each direction, including approximate journey times, locks, places to eat, points of interest and recommended turnaround locations.

EXPLORE ROUTES FROM APSLEY →