Narrowboat Day Hire: Which Boat Is Best for Your Group?
Choosing the right narrowboat day hire can make your trip even more enjoyable. At Cow Roast Marina, you can choose from four different boats—Albert, Victoria, Hay Day and Lavender—each offering a slightly different layout and experience.
Each boat accommodates groups of up to ten and includes everything you need for a comfortable day on the Grand Union Canal. The best choice simply depends on your group and the kind of day you have planned.
Let’s meet the fleet and find the right narrowboat for you.
Albert: Spacious and Family-Friendly
At 38 feet long, Albert is one of our largest narrowboats. Its semi-traditional stern provides an enclosed rear deck where group members can stand securely near the person steering.
This makes Albert particularly appealing to families with children and larger groups who want plenty of room to spend the day together.
Inside, there is seating for ten and a removable double table for sharing lunch, playing games or debating who has demonstrated the finest steering skills so far.
Albert also has onboard heating for cooler days and removable windows that let in more fresh air during warmer weather. It is also available for selected evening-hire sessions.
Albert may suit you if:
You are travelling with a family or larger group.
You prefer an enclosed area near the driver.
You want plenty of indoor seating and table space.
You are interested in an evening cruise.
Victoria: Roomy and Comfortable
Victoria is also a 38-foot semi-traditional narrowboat, offering the same generous size and enclosed rear-deck style as Albert.
Comfortable seating for up to ten people, plus a removable double table, gives everyone a natural place to gather for food and drinks.
Onboard heating helps keep the cabin comfortable when the weather is cooler, while the removable windows make it easy to enjoy the fresh air on a sunny day.
Victoria is a strong all-round choice for families, groups of friends and small celebrations where space and comfort are the priorities.
Victoria may suit you if:
You want one of our most spacious boats.
Your group would appreciate plenty of indoor seating.
You prefer a semi-traditional stern.
You are planning a birthday, family gathering or group day out.
Hay Day: Compact and Easy to Handle
Hay Day may be the smallest member of the fleet at 30 feet, but it still contains all the premium features needed for a comfortable day on the canal.
Its shorter length makes it highly manoeuvrable and particularly friendly for first-time narrowboat drivers. If you are slightly nervous about taking control of a boat for the first time, Hay Day could be an excellent choice.
The semi-traditional stern provides an enclosed area near the tiller, while the long, shaded foredeck offers additional seating at the front. It also has a roll-away canvas cover and a convenient foldaway picnic table.
Compact does not mean cramped—it means nimble.
Hay Day may suit you if:
This is your first time driving a narrowboat.
You would prefer a shorter, highly manoeuvrable boat.
You like the security of a semi-traditional stern.
You want a shaded outdoor area for relaxing.
No previous boating experience is required. Before departure, you will receive a complete safety briefing and practical tuition. You can also read our guide to driving and stopping a narrowboat without panicking.
Lavender: Open, Sociable and Made for the View
Lavender offers a different experience from the other three boats.
This 35-foot narrowboat has a cruiser stern, creating a large, open rear deck where several people can stand comfortably with the driver. Instead of leaving one person alone at the tiller, the group can gather together and enjoy the scenery while cruising.
Lavender also features a spacious open foredeck, comfortable indoor seating, deck chairs and a small table.
Its open layout makes it a particularly sociable choice for couples, friends and groups who want to spend as much of the day outside as possible.
Lavender may suit you if:
You want a large, open steering area.
Several people would like to stand with the driver.
Your group enjoys spending time outdoors.
You are planning a relaxed and sociable cruise.
What Is Included in Every Narrowboat Day Hire?
Whichever boat you choose, you will have the practical essentials you need for the day.
Every narrowboat includes a galley with:
A four-burner hob
A kettle and fridge
Crockery and cutlery
Mugs and wine glasses
You will also find a full flushing toilet, onboard heating, life jackets for everyone and two USB charging points.
Washing-up liquid, tea towels, hand sanitiser and disinfectant spray are provided too. You can bring your own food and drinks, prepare hot drinks aboard and enjoy lunch wherever your route takes you.
Which Narrowboat Is Best for Your Group?
There is no single “best” boat—only the one that best suits the kind of day your group wants.
Choose Albert or Victoria if space, indoor seating and an enclosed stern are most important.
Choose Hay Day if you would feel more comfortable starting with a shorter, highly manoeuvrable boat.
Choose Lavender if your group wants an open, sociable steering area and plenty of time outside enjoying the view.
Whichever narrowboat you select, you will receive the same practical tuition, onboard essentials and opportunity to explore the Grand Union Canal at your own pace.
The hardest decision may simply be choosing who gets to steer first.
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