Our Story & History

ABOUT FLOATING HOLIDAYS

Floating Holidays is a family run canal boat hire company. Established our story began in Higher Poynton in 2016 with our first boat, we have since grown the fleet to 9 boats and now operate out of premises at  Middlewich Wharf on the Trent and Mersey Canal.  From here there are lots of fabulous routes to chose from when cruising with us; The wonderful Caldon Canal, Four Counties or Cheshire Ring, Manchester City Centre or historic Chester or the picturesque Llangollen Canal including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  Paul and Sam along with Loki the rescue hound and their children, Orlagh and Finneus are actively involved in the business and work hard to ensure all guests have a fabulous stay aboard.

We initially started with our first boat Gemini in 2016 (which retired from service at the end of 2020), and within a year added Rakiraki.  6 months later bringing on board three further boats in Casanova, Lady Sophia and Columbina. In 2020 we added Our Time (retired 2023) to the fleet a lovely 6 berth semi trad boat with a modern feel.

Additional boats arriving for 2022 include the 2 brand new build vessels in Ankka & Golden Princess which are sporting our new and vivid fleet colours as well as 100% new fixtures and fittings. Additionally we have added 2 refurbished former hire boats in Courageous (6 berth – similar layout to Columbina) and Osprey (8 berth – with options of twin or double layouts in the three cabins – retired October 1st 2024).  New for 2024 Lady Sylvia joined the Floating Holidays Family, which is a 2 berth luxury cruiser stern with a walk through bathroom and king size cabin. New for 2025 Lady Isabella (Lady Sylvia’s twin sister) will be joining the fleet as an additional luxury 2 berth narrowboat!  For Autumn & Winter 2024 onwards we hope to be able to offer day hire aboard Wild Thyme which is currently undergoing refurbishment.

In the spring of 2020 Floating Holidays relocated to Middlewich on the Trent and Mersey Canal to operate from Middlewich Wharf. This enables us to offer a much improved customer experience with extra facilities all in one location. We are also able to build, repair and service other canal users vessels via our Chandlery, Joinery, Dry Dock and Engineering facilities.

At Middlewich there is also a dry dock, chandlery shop, moorings and our hire boat customers will benefit from secure parking and being able to load and unload from our yard straight onto their holiday boat without a long walk down the towpath.  The staging area also has a canopy over the canal meaning whatever the weather you can climb aboard without worrying about the rain whilst you get familiar with your boat.

We ensure everyone has full tuition and guidance on how to use a narrowboat and recommend watching the boaters handbook before your holiday.

If you have any questions about life or holidays afloat then do get in touch, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Paul and Samantha Donnelly – Floating Holidays