Day Hire Cruise Route

Our self-drive narrowboat day hire on the Kennet and Avon (K&A) Canal, available March to end October, offers an easterly, lock-free, cruising route from Devizes Wharf in Wiltshire, through stunning scenery as you travel along the Vale of Pewsey.

We recommend that you do not try to go too far as this is supposed to be a relaxing day afloat. Both of our routes heading East allow time for your tuition on arrival. We would only recommend a pub lunch if you’re doing the shorter cruising route (see below), we would highly recommend Route B and bringing your own picnic to make the most of your day afloat.

Route A:  If you wish to combine your day hire with a pub lunch the most suitable place is The Bridge Inn - a canal side pub (Bridge No.134). Because it is likely that many day hire groups need a larger table, and to avoid disappointment on the day, we strongly advise that you book this in advance: enquiries@thebridgeinnhorton.com - 01380 860111.  Assuming you set off promptly from Devizes (before 11am) you should book your table for around midday, please cruise past the pub and turn at Horton Bridge winding hole. Stopping at the pub on your return leg, this should allow for a timely return to wharf, departing the pub no later than 14.30. Total Cruising Time 2-3 hours

Route B: Cruise through stunning scenery as you travel along the Vale of Pewsey as far as All Cannings, passing many idyllic country moorings and turning just before Allington swing bridge (we do not allow dayboats past this point). On your return leg stop at a mooring of your choice for a towpath picnic. You may even have time for a swift drink and a bar snack at the Bridge Inn, but please remember to leave no later 14:30 so you arrive back at the wharf in good time.Total Cruising Time 5-6 hours

Please do not moor the boat on the bridge moorings or in the turning point at Allington swing bridge; there are plenty of towpath moorings in this area.

Of course, if you’ve enjoyed yourselves, you may like to consider a longer cruise on one of our gorgeous holiday boats for short breaks or even a week away; there are many places to stop and eat on the way to Hungerford and back.

(N.B. To the immediate west of Devizes Wharf lie the Caen Hill Locks which you are not permitted to descend – you’d spend all day going down, then up again!)

See the Route Map

  • What you need to know to book

    To check dayhire availability and prices for MOONDANCING, MOONGAZING, or MOONLIGHTING.

    CLICK HERE TO BOOK

    Number of people

    You can have minimum of 2 adults to a maximum of 10 people aboard the dayboat. The price remains the same but please let us know how many people are in your party so we can welcome you aboard. Dogs are welcome and are free but we limit them to a maximum of 4 per boat.

    Date:

    Subject to availabilty dayboats are available 7 days a week. Select your date between 8th March and 31st October, then click the Search button.

    Scroll through the boat’s calendar and select ONLY available dates which are coloured green. When you have decided on your date, Click Book Now to proceed to the secure SagePay payment screens, where you can complete your details. We will email you the Dayhire Booking Confirmation Letter; your day on the water is booked and we look forward to greeting you aboard. Arrival, parking and contact information is all given in your confirmation letter. Please contact us if you have any further enquiries.

    All bookings and made in line with our standard Terms & Conditions of Hire. When you arrive to board your dayboat you will be given (and asked to sign) our Day Hire Commencement Acceptance.

    A reminder concerning alcohol when cruising

    We want everyone to enjoy their time on our dayhire for all the right reasons, so you will appreciate that following a couple of recent isolated incidents of hirers behaving inappropriately on the canal, we have decided to tighten up on our already existing alcohol policy. We have no wish to be party poopers – a cold glass of beer whilst cruising through the countryside is one of life’s pleasures – but we will now require that any alcohol brought on to the boat will need to be checked in before loading and will be limited to 6 units per adult (this is equivalent to roughly half a bottle of wine or a couple of pints of beer per adult).

    Hire will be immediately terminated (with no refund of monies or deposit) should the boat be seen to be speeding or disregarding other vessels, or should there be any complaints of inappropriate behaviour or foul language. Thank you for your support in this matter and have a lovely day!

  • Day Hire Vouchers

    A day out on our boats makes a wonderful present. If you would like to give this as a gift, but do not know which day would suit your recipient, then you can purchase a voucher so they can choose any day available.

    The price of a dayhire varies across the season and weekend are usually more than week days. We sell vouchers at £180, but will refund any difference, or ask for the additional amount when the date/price is chosen.

    If you would like to purchase a trip on a dayboat as a gift then please email us with your telephone number and we will call you to arrange this. A voucher with a booking number will be sent to you so that you can print it to be included in your card. Instructions included as to how to choose a date, and then confirmation of the dayhire will be emailed.

    Alternatively, if you know which date you want we advise you to book so that you are guaranteed this day. We can still email you a voucher for you to print and give.