Luxury Canal Hotel Boat Holiday
This delightful and interesting cruise starts at the beautiful 19th century town of Berkhamsted, which was a centre of straw-plaiting for the hatmakers of Dunstable and Luton. Below Rising Sun lock, the River Bulbourne joins the canal briefly, being the first of several flings that the Grand Union canal experiences between Berkhamsted and Uxbridge.
En route to Hemel Hempstead the canal glides across Boxmoor, an area of chestnut shaded meadowland which retains its ancient grazing rights. The Bulbourne joins the River Gade at Hemel, and we follow their route down the river valley through Cassiobury Park, a popular haunt for canal side strolls and picnics.
Passing through Rickmansworth, another typical small Home Counties town, Stocker’s Lock is a simple reminder of just how beautiful a canal can be. The lock-keepers cottage is particularly lovely, and overlooking the canal is Stocker’s House, built for the Collector of Coal duties for coal barges passing on their way to London.
We pass through suburban Uxbridge where the Uxbridge Bot Centre occupies the premises which once belonged to the famous canal carrying company Fellows, Morton & Clayton. We will no doubt see some of their original boats, restored for private pleasure, use on our trip.
Join us aboard The Billet at 2pm for sparkling wine, canapés and introductory welcome and safety chat. After settling in we will cruise at 3pm. Departure on your final day will be at 10am, after a sumptuous breakfast.
Cruise Dates 2017
Wed, 19 Apr 2017 to Mon, 24 Apr 2017
If travelling by train, we would suggest Berkhamsted station for Berkhamsted; and London Kings Cross for Battlebridge.