A boat stay is a night, a weekend or a week spent aboard a boat instead of in a hotel or cottage. On BoatStays that means a narrowboat, river cruiser, wide-beam or dayboat on Britain's rivers and canals, booked directly from the person who owns it. Some boats cruise with you at the tiller, some come with a skipper, and some stay on their mooring as a floating place to sleep.

How much do boat stays cost?

Most cruising boat stays sit between £120 and £300 a night depending on the boat, the season and how many people are aboard. Moored stays and afternoon dayboat trips start lower. Every price you see on a listing is the owner's own price, with no hidden mark up.

Do I need a licence or experience?

No. The owner holds the boat licence, the commercial Boat Safety Scheme certificate and hire and reward insurance. Before you cast off they run a handover covering steering, mooring and locks. Plenty of guests have never held a tiller before.

Where can I book a boat stay?

Across England and Wales. The Thames, the Grand Union, the Kennet and Avon, the Llangollen, the Oxford Canal and the Trent and Mersey are the most popular routes, and new boats join every month.

Are dogs allowed on a boat stay?

Often, yes. Dog policy is set by each owner and shown on the listing, and you can message the owner before you book to check.

Soft bags rather than hard suitcases, layers, non slip shoes and a torch. Bedding and towels are usually provided, and each listing spells out exactly what is included.

A narrowboat moored on a still canal at first light

Boat stays in the UK

A plain guide to staying aboard on Britain's rivers and canals, and how to book a boat stay directly from the person who owns the boat.

Boat stays are the simplest form of waterway holiday. Rather than renting from a fleet operator, you book a single boat from the person who owns it, looks after it and knows the water it sits on. That owner sets the price, writes the listing, hands over the keys and answers your questions before you arrive.

Every boat on BoatStays carries a current licence, a commercial Boat Safety Scheme certificate and hire and reward insurance, and we check those documents before a listing goes live. Three percent of what we earn goes to The Rivers Trust, because the water these stays happen on needs looking after.

Three kinds of boat stay

Cruising boat stays

You take the tiller and move each day. Expect three to four miles an hour plus a quarter of an hour per lock, so a relaxed weekend is 15 to 25 miles there and back.

Narrowboat stays

Moored boat stays

The boat stays put and you use it as a base. Ideal if you want the water without the navigation, or if you are travelling with small children.

Browse all boats

Skippered and day trips

An owner or skipper handles the boat while you sit back. Book by the hour for an afternoon on the water, or a full day out.

Dayboat stays

Where to find boat stays

River Thames Grand Union Canal Kennet and Avon Canal Llangollen Canal Oxford Canal Trent and Mersey Canal

Boat stay questions, answered

What is a boat stay?: A boat stay is a night, a weekend or a week spent aboard a boat instead of in a hotel or cottage. On BoatStays that means a narrowboat, river cruiser, wide-beam or dayboat on Britain's rivers and canals, booked directly from the person who owns it. Some boats cruise with you at the tiller, some come with a skipper, and some stay on their mooring as a floating place to sleep.
How much do boat stays cost?: Most cruising boat stays sit between £120 and £300 a night depending on the boat, the season and how many people are aboard. Moored stays and afternoon dayboat trips start lower. Every price you see on a listing is the owner's own price, with no hidden mark up.
Do I need a licence or experience?: No. The owner holds the boat licence, the commercial Boat Safety Scheme certificate and hire and reward insurance. Before you cast off they run a handover covering steering, mooring and locks. Plenty of guests have never held a tiller before.
Where can I book a boat stay?: Across England and Wales. The Thames, the Grand Union, the Kennet and Avon, the Llangollen, the Oxford Canal and the Trent and Mersey are the most popular routes, and new boats join every month.
Are dogs allowed on a boat stay?: Often, yes. Dog policy is set by each owner and shown on the listing, and you can message the owner before you book to check.
What should I bring?: Soft bags rather than hard suitcases, layers, non slip shoes and a torch. Bedding and towels are usually provided, and each listing spells out exactly what is included.