Restrictions on narrow boat holidays?

[paulobrad]

I want to hire a narrow boat to go on holiday next summer but i am one of a group of 6 20-year old guys. Will I be able to or will most companies not come near us with a barge poll (ha ha boom boom)?

Also, who would people recomend booking with and where in the country to go?

[spudqueen]

Mr Spudqueen and his friends went on about 3 narrowboat holidays when they were in their early 20's but that was 20 years ago. There have been some incidents in which boats have been badly damaged by groups of young men so some boat companies are now cautious and state in their brochure that they will not accept bookings from same sex groups. I would go down to WH Smiths and buy a couple of magazines (Waterways World) is one which most of the boat companies advertise in. As to where to go - it depends on how long you are going for, though a good 2 week one is the Avon ring which takes in Worcester, Tewkesbury and Stratford-Upon-Avon along with some more rural places. If you've never been on a boat holiday before it may be worth while considering doing and 'out and back' holiday rather than a ring as you just cruise along for half your holiday then turn round and go back, knowing that you'll be back at the boat yard in time! This is actually better than it sounds as you tend to pass through the places you've already been through at a different time of day, so that really nice looking pub you went passed at 10am on the way out you may be back at at 6pm on the way back!