South Grand Union Canal: Open for Worry-Free Autumn Holidays
Book your autumn canal boat holiday with confidence—water levels on our stretch of the Grand Union Canal are good, with no navigation or lock restrictions needed this Autumn!
Narrowboat Hire Prices
Find yourself a cheap canal boat holiday with our latest offers and last minute deals
Here at Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays, we have a range of narrowboats and holiday options to suit every budget. So whether you are looking for a great value narrowboat holiday for the whole family, or you want to indulge on a relaxing skippered canal boat holiday in the countryside, we can help you create your dream canal holiday on the Grand Union.
The cost of our canal boat holidays vary depending on the size of your crew and whether you are looking for a shortbreak or a longer canal boat holiday, but rest assured, our simple pricing structures shown below include everything you need to enjoy you trip, so you'll never be surprised by hidden charges for essentials like diesel, bedding and parking! For full details of what's included in the price of your boat hire with Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays, take a look at the full list below the pricing tables.
2025 Narrowboat Hire Prices
Mini Escape
| Short Break Monday - Friday or Friday - Monday | Sale Price | Weekly Hire Starting Monday or Friday | Sale Price | |
| 27 Jun - 4 Sept | £679 |
| £985 | |
| 5 Sept - 2 Oct | £644 | £932 | ||
| 3 Oct - 23 Oct | £531 |
| £806 | |
| 24 Oct - 3 Nov | £608 |
| £896 |
From November to mid March, this boat is available for static hire from just £95 per night. Please see our section 'Static Narrowboat Hire Prices' below for further details.
Narrow Escape
| Short Break Monday - Friday or Friday - Monday | Sale Price | Weekly Hire Starting Monday or Friday | Sale Price | |
| 27 Jun - 4 Sept | £945 | £1,345 | ||
| 5 Sept - 2 Oct | £842 | £1,211 | ||
| 3 Oct - 23 Oct |
| £698 | £986 | |
| 24 Oct - 3 Nov | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT |
From November to mid March, this boat is available for static hire from just £125 per night. Please see our section 'Static Narrowboat Hire Prices' below for further details.
Search for your next canal boat holiday today
2026 Narrowboat Hire Prices
Mini Escape
| Short Break Monday - Friday or Friday - Monday | Sale Price | Weekly Hire Starting Monday or Friday | Sale Price | |
| 16 Mar - 26 Mar | £620 | £940 | ||
| 27 Mar - 12 Apr | £710 | £1,045 | ||
| 13 Apr - 30 Apr | £620 | £940 | ||
| 1 May - 28 Jun | £750 | £1,085
| ||
| 29 Jun - 3 Sep | £795 | £1,150 | ||
| 4 Sep - 1 Oct | £750 | £1,085 | ||
| 2 Oct - 23 Oct | £620 | £940 | ||
| 24 Oct - 3 Nov | £710 | £1,045 |
From November to mid March, this boat is available for static hire from just £95 per night. Please see our section 'Static Narrowboat Hire Prices' below for further details.
Narrow Escape
| Short Break Monday - Friday or Friday - Monday | Sale Price | Weekly Hire Starting Monday or Friday | Sale Price | |
| 16 Mar - 26 Mar | £815 | £1,150 | ||
| 27 Mar - 12 Apr | £895 | £1,360 | ||
| 13 Apr - 30 Apr | £815 | £1,150 | ||
| 1 May - 28 Jun | £985 | £1,415
| ||
| 29 Jun - 3 Sep | £1,105 | £1,570 | ||
| 4 Sep - 1 Oct | £985 | £1,415 | ||
| 2 Oct - 23 Oct | £815 | £1,150 | ||
| 24 Oct - 3 Nov | £895 | £1,360 |
From November to mid March, this boat is available for static hire from just £125 per night. Please see our section 'Static Narrowboat Hire Prices' below for further details.
What's included in the hire price?
The narrowboat hire price you are quoted includes all of the following (some of which may be charged additionally with other boat hire companies, so please bear this in mind when comparing holiday prices!)
- A bespoke holiday boat for your own private use
- A full tank of diesel at the start of your holiday
- Gas, coal, kindling and other heating essentials
- All bedding and bed linen
- Secure parking (for up to 2 cars)
- Life-jackets and buoyancy aids
- A selection of items to keep you entertained including a TV with DVD player, books, board games and DVDs
- Kitchen essentials including all crockery, cooking equipment, plus tea, coffee, sugar and condiments
- Cleaning essentials including tea towels, washing up liquid and sponges, and toilet rolls*
- All required boating equipment such as windlasses, mooring pins and a mallet*
- Plus, a comprehensive introductory training session at the start of your narrowboat holiday
*To see the full inventory of onboard items, refer to the handbook for either Mini Escape or Narrow Escape.
Customer Reviews
Really enjoyed our time on the grand union canal. Gareth was helpful and came with us for the first couple of locks. Would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to experience narrowboating.
S Randell
We had a great time in the 'Narrow Escape' 5 berth boat. The boat was clean and in good order, and we got good instruction on how to use it, do the locks, etc, as well as good advice on where to go. Highly recommended if you want to enjoy a slower pace in beautiful countryside!
John Harbour
Great boat, and Corinne and Gareth were fantastic with giving advice and instruction on how to drive and operate the boat. Will definitely be returning for more 👍
Compass57146536964
Static Narrowboat Hire Prices
During winter months (November to mid-March) the narrowboat hire prices quoted are for static boat hire only. Breaks are bookable for a minimum 1 night stay, starting any day of the week, except Sunday. You can book static hire online here or by calling us.
If you have any questions about narrowboat hire, or problems when booking your canal holiday online, please call us on 01296 486 216.