School’s Out! Enjoy a Screen-Free Family Day on a Narrowboat

Sometimes the best family moments happen when the screens are put away.

The school summer holidays are beginning across the UK, bringing weeks of freedom—and the familiar challenge of finding activities that the whole family will enjoy.

After months of school runs, homework and busy routines, the summer break should be an opportunity to spend proper time together. Yet many family days out involve crowded attractions, long queues and children asking for a screen before you have even arrived.

A private narrowboat day offers something refreshingly different. It gives your family the freedom to slow down, explore the Grand Union Canal and enjoy an outdoor adventure at your own pace. The journey itself becomes the entertainment, from passing through locks and spotting wildlife to sharing lunch beside the water.

A Day When Everyone Can Switch Off

Screens have become part of everyday family life. They help us work, learn, communicate and stay entertained, but it can sometimes feel difficult to get everyone away from them, even during the holidays.

On a narrowboat, there is always something happening beyond the screen. Children can watch the changing scenery, look out for ducks and swans, wave to passing boats and see how the locks work. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy the rare pleasure of having nowhere else they need to be.

There is no strict sightseeing schedule to follow and no pressure to rush from one attraction to the next. You simply travel along the canal, enjoy the surroundings and decide how you want your day to unfold.

Phones may still appear for a few photographs, of course, but the canal usually gives everyone much more interesting things to look at.

The Journey Is Part of the Adventure

For children who have never travelled by narrowboat before, simply being on the boat can feel like an adventure.

The day begins at Cow Roast Marina near Tring, where you will receive a safety briefing and practical tuition before setting off. You do not need a boating licence or previous experience. We will explain the controls, show you how to steer and make sure you feel comfortable before your journey begins.

Once you are underway, the canal's pace gives the whole family time to notice things that are easily missed on ordinary days out. One moment you may be cruising beneath leafy trees; the next, you could be passing another colourful narrowboat or watching a heron standing quietly beside the water.

Operating the locks also adds a sense of teamwork to the day. Family members can learn how the canal works and help one another through each stage, always following the safety guidance provided. Rather than simply being passengers, everyone can feel involved in the experience.

Your Own Private Space for the Day

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a narrowboat is that the boat is private to your group.

You will not be sharing the experience with strangers, trying to find several seats together or worrying about the children disturbing other passengers. Your family can settle in, talk, laugh and enjoy the day in its own way.

This also gives you more flexibility than many traditional attractions. You can take a break when you need one, stop for lunch and travel at a comfortable pace. If the children become fascinated by a particular part of the journey, there is no tour guide hurrying you along to the next stop.

It is your family’s boat and your family’s day.

Bring Your Favourite Summer Lunch

Food always tastes a little better outdoors, particularly after a morning on the water.

You can bring a picnic, including sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, to enjoy during your trip. Instead of searching for an expensive café with enough space for everyone, you already have your own comfortable place to eat.

Keep the menu simple and choose food that is easy to serve. Sandwiches, fruit, crisps and a few favourite treats are usually ideal for a relaxed canal lunch. Reusable bottles and containers are also useful because they are easier to manage on board and help prevent rubbish from reaching the canal.

The adults can enjoy a cup of tea while the children compare the ducks they have spotted or negotiate over who gets the last biscuit.

A Different Kind of Family Memory

Some of the best family memories do not come from the biggest or most expensive attractions. They come from doing something new together.

It might be the moment someone finally masters steering in a straight line, the excitement of approaching the first lock or the unexpected sight of a swan gliding alongside the boat. These small moments often become the stories families remember long after the summer holidays have ended.

A narrowboat day also creates space for conversation. Without constant notifications, queues or competing attractions, families can simply spend time together. That may sound like a small thing, but during a busy year, it can be surprisingly rare.

An Easy Escape from Everyday Life

Cow Roast Marina is located near Tring, making it accessible for families travelling from London and other parts of the UK.

For those coming by train, Tring is around 30 minutes from London Euston on a fast service. Yet after leaving the station and reaching the canal, the surroundings feel far removed from the city's pace.

You do not need to organise a complicated holiday or travel abroad to experience a change of scenery. A single day on the Grand Union Canal can provide the feeling of a proper escape, while still allowing everyone to return home at the end of the day.

What Should You Bring?

British summer weather can be unpredictable, so it is sensible to prepare for sunshine and the occasional shower.

Bring comfortable clothes, practical footwear and an extra layer, even if the morning feels warm. Sun cream, hats and reusable water bottles are useful on brighter days, while a lightweight waterproof can keep a passing shower from interrupting the fun.

Do not forget your picnic, a few snacks and a phone or camera for family photographs. Consider bringing binoculars for wildlife spotting, or create a simple checklist of birds and animals for the children to find along the journey.

You will not need any boating equipment or previous experience—we will provide the tuition you need before you leave the marina.

Make This Summer Holiday One to Remember

The school holidays do not need to be filled with expensive attractions or carefully planned entertainment. Sometimes, the best family day is one that gives everyone room to breathe, explore and enjoy being together.

A private narrowboat trip offers fresh air, beautiful scenery and a gentle sense of adventure, all without long queues or a boating licence. More importantly, it gives the family something increasingly valuable: an entire day to share.

This summer, put the screens away, step aboard and discover how much fun life can be at four miles per hour.

Ready for Your Summer Adventure?

Our narrowboats are popular during the summer holidays, so we recommend booking your date early to secure your spot. Whether you're planning a family get-together or a relaxing day out, we are ready to welcome you aboard.

Book your narrowboat day now on our website

We look forward to seeing you at Cow Roast Marina soon!