Searching for a family-friendly holiday can be challenging, but fear not – a canal holiday ticks all the boxes! With something for everyone, it guarantees a fantastic experience for the whole family, including your beloved dog! At College Cruisers, our team has extensive experience boating with families, ensuring you have an unforgettable holiday. Every day is an adventure filled with shared moments, from navigating locks and cooking together to enjoying games and visits to the local pub. Even washing up becomes a fun activity that brings everyone together on board!

Scenic Canal Boat Holidays

Embark on a canal holiday and immerse yourself in a world of wonders waiting to be discovered. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife around every bend – from friendly ducks and graceful swans to elusive herons and charming moorhens nestled among the reeds. With luck, you might even catch a glimpse of a majestic kingfisher fishing right before your eyes.

Feeling adventurous? Bring along fishing rods or simply sit back with a net, embracing the tranquility as you wait for a nibble. As you journey along the historic Oxford Canal, dating back to the 1700s, you become a part of a rich history. Each lock you pass through is a testament to the skilled navvies who crafted them by hand, long before the days of modern machinery.

Gliding beneath picturesque bridges, each with its own unique character, invites reflection on the craftsmanship of bygone days. Close your eyes and envision the laborious process of hand-digging each mile of canal, accompanied by the rhythmic clip-clop of horses pulling boats in an era before engines. Every moment on the canal is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the remarkable history that surrounds you.

Adventurous Canal Boat Holidays

Your canal holiday isn't just about relaxation – it's a chance for everyone to acquire new skills and embrace adventure. From mastering the art of boat navigation to operating locks and tying secure knots for evening mooring, there's plenty to learn and enjoy.

Upon arrival, we'll acquaint you with your boat, ensuring the children are comfortable in their sleeping quarters and providing a comprehensive overview of boat operations. We'll assist in planning your itinerary, ensuring safety measures are in place with life jackets fitted for children and dogs.

Then, it's time for hands-on learning as we embark on a guided trip. You'll have the opportunity to steer the narrow boat, navigate locks, execute turns, and safely moor up at each destination. Everyone on board will have a role to play, ensuring a sense of participation and shared responsibility.

Rest assured, safety is our top priority throughout your journey, ensuring that every new skill you acquire is learned in a secure and supportive environment.

Relaxing Canal Boat Holidays

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with loved ones – whether it's grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, or closest friends – and immerse yourselves in quality time together. Relax and unwind along the canal, leaving work and school worries behind as you simply chill out!

Indulge in a canal-side barbecue, complete with cozy blankets for added comfort, or treat yourselves to a hearty fry-up in the morning. As you cruise along, let the enticing aromas of dinner cooking in the oven fill the air, adding to the ambiance of your journey. Alternatively, venture to one of the charming village pubs along the route, where delicious meals await. After a satisfying dinner, take a leisurely stroll back to the boat, feeling well-fed and ready to rest for the night.

Our Customer Reviews

All excellent including instruction from James

- Ashok and Crew

22/07/2024

The team was very nice and friendly , very happy with everything

- Kjersti and Family Norway

16/07/2024

Lovely boat . Had a very enjoyable time and a comfortable 4 nights on Keble

- Elizabeth and Maurice

15/07/2024

Great handover from Nick , clear , sensible instruction for a couple of total novices . Thanks

- Andrew and Katy

15/07/2024

Cracking weekend and perfect location , we’ve had a great time !

- Josh , Graham

15/07/2024

We had a wonderful trip , staff were exceptionally friendly and informative , everything was fabulous —— thank you

- Louise and family

13/07/2024

Thankyou for a great experience , James was amazing , thank you for helping with the key .

- Kirsten and family

09/07/2024

We had a really great time the boat came up to all expectations and along with great weather we would use college cruisers again any time

- Brian and Jane

24/06/2024

excellent holiday , beautiful boat

- David and Gaynor

18/06/2024

We had an amazing time , hopefully we will do it again … thankyou

- Warwick and Melanie, SA

17/06/2024

Wilf gave a very informative handover , good communication , lovely clean boat and easy to use equipment

- Michael and Helen

15/06/2024

We felt like welcome guests from the time of booking until our return. Will was awesome at showing us around the boat and giving us instructions. We can’t wait to...

- Trinity

24/05/2024

If there was an excellent box, instruction, reliability and staff would get a tick.

- Jamie & Nikki

04/05/2024

Absolutely loved our time on Nuffield, a very relaxing way to meet people and see sights.

- The Gray family

03/05/2024

Excellent service… special shout out to James for advice on where to moor… lovely team.

- Edmund & Yaiza

03/05/2024

We enjoyed every moment of it, thank you. ☺

- Edmund & Yaiza

04/05/2024

An incredible weekend away. Cary’s and her team were very knowledgeable and helpful when planning our trip. I couldn’t recommend more and looking forward to returning

- Lauren D.

05/03/2024

My partner and I just spent a week on Magdalen. It was clean, comfortable and well equipped. It was lovely having the log burner as it was late October. Cary’s...

- Jane O.

05/11/2023

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” ― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the...

- Chris G.

31/10/2023

We spent a week on the Exeter. Very comfortable boat. A special thanks to James who explained how everything worked and made us feel comfortable hanlding the Exeter (one of...

- Kees v.

22/10/2023

We had such a good time! Such a lovely team to help you off on your holiday. We were a couple with a 7-month-old. Tricky first day learning how to...

- Edmond O.

17/10/2023

Julesa lovely holiday. Big thanks

- Jules

31/07/2023

Piroska we have had a wonderful trip on this boat. Thank you

- Piroska

25/07/2023

Lucy lovely trip on the river Thames, lovely staff, lovely boat. Thank you

- Lucy

25/07/2023
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Funafloat Ltd trading as College Cruisers Registered in England and Wales

No: 03469314
VAT: 685699260


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