Testimonials
Testimonials, feedback from previous Canal & River Holidays
All these genuine reviews below can been seen in their original form on our FB Review Page, Google or Trip Advisor
Tricia Says…
5 Stars!
My dad and I had a fabulous time on Ollie Owl this summer. What an immaculate and wonderfully equipped boat! It is a joy to take an electric boat out, so quiet. The facilities are very luxurious and we slept so well. Extremely well equipped. We loved it. Nothing was too much trouble for Catherine in the run up to the holiday, and during. She was extremely helpful with all our questions and when my dad got sick and had to come later to the holiday, she allowed me to take the boat out with a friend instead initially. The briefing and the onboarding material from the app was so helpful. If you have any doubt, just book your holiday, you will not regret it 🙂
Olivia R – Jul 24
A GEM!
Arthur is a gem and despite the efforts of our great British summer, we had the best holiday. It had everything. Challenge variety, beautiful scenery and wonderful towns and villages to explore along the way. And always at the end of the day, the sanctuary of our floating holiday home. You have a great formula. Don’t change a thing!
Tim Brunskill – Aug 23
Superb!
Midsummer from Droitwich Spa Marina to Gloucester Docks on the gorgeous Arthur Owl. 10/10 holiday experience on a boutique narrowboat full of luxury (comfortable bow cabin, great lounge and sofa, rainwater shower, individual and beautiful décor and design). The River Severn was lovely and Gloucester Docks were a superb destination with lots of restaurants, easily do-able in a week. Thanks Catherine and the Cafwin Cruises team for a fabulous holiday!
R Parlone – Jun 24
You are Amazing!
After spending a week on Ollie, we are hooked! My wife didn’t want to come home and was nearly in tears! What an experience! It was our first trip (except a day trip) on a narrow boat and Ollie did not disappoint! A beautiful boat, fantastically finished and a great layout for only 2 of us. It was a joy to pilot and even though my wife was dreading the locks (and it was hard work) we had a fantastic time. Catherine was sooo helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommended and as soon as we can afford it – we will be back!! Thank you Catherine and Cafwin Cruises – you were amazing!
Lodge Farm Leisure – Aug 23
Lovely narrowboat and team with a great choice of cruising routes
A fantastic week on a lovely boutique narrowboat and first class service from Catherine and the team at Cafwin Cruises. Had a wonderful week on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, River Severn and the Droitwich Canal. Arthur Owl was very comfortable, lots of room, with all the features you could wish for including a dishwasher, two TVs, excellent kitchen area, lovely bathroom and a very comfortable bow cabin bed. Very easy to handle and the best handover we’ve ever had from John, who watched us go through the first three locks. Superb support from Catherine for the few minor questions we had. Thanks to the Cafwin team!
A Wonderful Holiday
This has to be the cleanest, most beautifully decorated and well maintained boat we have ever hired. Catherine and her team were super friendly , professional and helpful. The cruising area was great with plenty of options. We will definitely return. Thanks for a wonderful holiday.
Ann McEneany – Jul 23
Ollie Owl is a boat we’d be proud to own. Thoroughly enjoyed our week aboard. Beautiful traditional livery on the outside disguises all Ollie’s mod cons on the inside. The state-of-the-art electric hybrid is near silent which enhanced our enjoyment of the beautiful scenery.
Catherine is v welcoming, friendly and helpful. We were informed about all that is needed for confidently getting out on the water and making the most of our holiday. In my experience one the best narrowboats I’ve hired. Thx again for a great holiday, would definitely book again!
Lee Walmsley – Aug 23
Absolutely the VERY best!!!🥰🥰🥰
This is the second time we’ve hired Arthur Owl and is our twelfth canal boating vacation. We can say 100% Cafwin Cruises far exceed in every way. The boats are incredibly comfortable – those of you unfamiliar with canal boating will know most hire boats are, at best, basic. This is where Cafwin score top marks! Their boats are of such a high standard. They are kitted out with good quality home furnishings – sofas, cushions, beds. The bathroom and kitchen are also equipped very well. There are also other superb touches, such as, soft, fluffy towels, toiletries, welcome hamper and a good quality TV with Netflix, Spotify, etc. so real home from home. The boat is easy to handle and there are tools on board, such as mooring chains, rudimentary tools for clearing the propeller should anything get tangled and decent windlasses.
Then there’s Catherine Armstrong – without any doubt, nothing is too much trouble. If you need any help, Catherine is on hand to help. Responsive, knowledgeable and just the best. We’d have no hesitation in recommending Cafwin and will certainly be rebooking again.
Marsha Axson – Jun 23
The Perfect Getaway!
We recently spent a rather damp week aboard the beautiful Ollie Owl (late March) but it was still the most perfect getaway.
Our initial reason for booking was the appeal of an electric boat and this was amazing BUT was only part of what turned out to be a superb holiday. The facilities onboard are alike to that of your own home, not only in quality but also in just what was provided. From the moment we booked the level of service and attention to detail from Catherine was second to none. Handover was very thorough and the boat was stunning. Bedding was so comfortable, fluffy towels and dressing gowns, beautiful soft throws for the evenings (although the boat was very snug), provisions such as tea/coffee etc provided, along with herbs/ spices, toiletries – it made such a difference and then the extra treats; we felt very spoilt.
Everything that was provided was perfect and we will be back. We have hired a number of other boats in the past and this, by far, in the most luxurious and comfortable boat we have every had. We managed to have a sneak peak at Arthur Owl before we left, that looked equally lovely but the quietness of the electric propulsion was a definite bonus for us.
Thank you, Catherine, – you should be so proud of your boats and the quality holiday you provide.
Sam Bryne – Jun 23
Couples
What can we say….what a wonderful week we had on Arthur Owl! Everything from booking right through to handover at the end was excellent. Catherine and her team deserve 10/10.
We were introduced to Arthur by John, who went through all the safety brief (doom and gloom as he called it) but he advised of many an eventuality that may happen (which luckily none did). He explained how drive safely, how to get out of situations should they arise. John also went through a few locks with us (it had been a long time since I had been on a canal) to the very low tunnel under the M5, which we were ever so grateful for as we met a working barge coming the other way! He then waved us on our way but made if very clear that if we needed anything at all just to contact, which was a comfort!
Arthur Owl is a utterly fabulous narrowboat with everything and more you would ever need onboard. Everything and I mean everything has been thought off….even down to butter knives!
The decor is well thought out and top quality throughout, with a shower that I would love in my house! Little touches like welcome drinks and chocolate, tea, coffee and sugar supplies. Enough towels, tea towels etc that you would ever need, wet weather gear, show covers, dog towels and dog life jackets.
We received a video before departure along with some suggested routes. Catherine also set up a chat group once we were on board in case we had any issues. The video proved to be a life saver ….we watched it again a few times when we had forgotten simple things like how to turn on the shower, how to find bits, but I know if we were stuck we could have just popped it in the group chat.
It was one of our top 5 holidays, such great fun, a bit of hard work but such a tranquil boat to relax in after cruising down the canals.
We will definitely be back hopefully soon . Thank you Catherine and team for providing such an excellent holiday!
NKYW – May 23
. Best hire boat we’ve ever taken out by miles! 
Meant to tell you Ollie Owl received loads of compliments on our journey from all sorts of people – lots of boat envy in the air
You should be so proud of what you’ve achieved with that boat. It’s in a class all of its own 
x We had the first hire of the season in late March with typical Spring weather: the boat was warm and cosy, and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal is beautiful even without leaves on the trees.
As for the electric drive – a revelation! It encourages a different (perhaps slower) driving style, and is all but silent, enabling you to have conversations with people on the towpath and from the bottom of a lock, makes tunnels a whole different experience, as well as wafting past the wildlife without disturbing it (kingfisher at 3m distance!). Even in March the diesel generator was on for only a couple of hours a day and is surprisingly quiet – and we chose when to run it.
I recommend Cafwin Cruises for luxury narrowboating.
NB 23 – Mar 23
ZZ Pepper – Oct 22
Amazing!
We had an amazing two weeks on Arthur Owl, cruising down to the river Avon across to Stratford, up to south Birmingham then back down to Droitwich.
The boat offers everything you need, in style, we very much enjoyed curling up on the sofa at the end of the day., after the power shower and wearing the dressing gowns provided, before retiring to the huge bed with beautiful linens.
Catherine is happy to help before, during and after the holiday,
Maps are provided for potential routes. Locks are quicker to do than you think, estimate 3 miles each hour plus 10 minutes for each lock and you can plan your journey.
We would be very happy to return.
Amanda D – Oct 22
We are just back from an amazing week onboard the lovely Arthur Owl nothing can prepare you for how amazing this boat actually is and when it is said that you have everything you need. You really do have everything. We brought far to much stuff just in case. Turns out all we needed was any food and drink we needed and our clothes. The lovely little welcome pack was very much appreciated. We will definitely be recommending and hopefully one day we can return and maybe do an even bigger route.
Dani A – Aug 22
What do you get if you take a luxury apartment, put in on a boat and cruise the historic waterways of England?
You get Arthur Owl.
We have just taken Arthur up to the top of the longest lock flight in England and back and had a great time.
Arthur is beautifully fitted out with every imaginable comfort and then some you couldn’t imagine. The interior is superb and tasteful, the galley has everything – including a dishwasher(!), the lounge area has a lifetimes worth of videos and a sumptuous sofa that converts to an extra bed. The shower, unbelievable outside of a 5* hotel. Is the TV in the bedroom with netflix a step too far!
The boat has a huge set of storage tanks so no ‘range anxiety’, and is even equipped with bow thrusters for truly lazy cruising.
Not cruised before? no worries, unlike many of the large rental companies, Arthur comes with a complete, hands on, training session.
With central heating and lots of snugly blankets this is not just a summer trip. We will be back -maybe on Arthur’s younger brother- hy-bred Ollie.
David P – Oct 22
Luxury Boutique
Even before we arrived, Catherine the owner, was very helpful. This continued in person with an informative induction putting us at ease and giving us the confidence to drive and navigate the boat.
The luxury boutique boat Arthur Owl is charming & comfortable and had absolutely everything we needed.
No need to bring bedding, toiletries ,towels, it is all provided and of very high quality.
We could go on and on about the great holiday we had, everything was just perfect and the cherry on the top is all the attention to detail from Catherine, you can just see the great pride she has taken in her business and does it does look like its definitely out of love or passion, her boat was by far the best out of any we passed or moored up next to.
We would not hesitate to go back for a second holiday with Cafwin cruises, in fact we probably wont be going anywhere else.
The attention to detail and the cleanliness of the boat Arthur Owl is definitely 5 Star afloat.
Tina Smith – Aug 22
We had an amazing week on Arthur Owl. It was our first experience of narrowboating and Catherine made the whole process so easy and straightforward. There was masses of information, instructions, maps, online videos and we felt at ease from the outset. Catherine’s pre-set itineraries give you confidence when embarking on your journey, and were incredibly welcome.
The boat is beautiful – a real ’boutique’ feel with every home comfort you could wish for. It was very spacious with an extremely comfy bed, together with lots of amenities and little special touches included. The boat got some admiring glances and comments during our week away, and it felt like a real home from home.
Thank you for a most wonderful time, Catherine – we have recommended you to so many people since our trip, and we really hope to be able to find the time next year to do it all again!
Karen Bastock – Jun 22
Wonderful week away onboard Ollie Owl. Dog friendly holiday on a special narrowboat. Service second to none, with a complete and thorough handover from Catherine, who also stayed in touch via WhatsApp during our stay. Beautiful electric boat that was a home from home. Would definitely recommend!
Ruth Benson – Jul 22
Cafwin boats are special. They have hire boats that you’d love to own and keep for yourself, just beautiful and luxurious in every respect. We’ve just had a very relaxing week on Electric Ollie Owl, a family of two adults, two teenagers and a spaniel. Plenty of space for all of us and lots to see and do around Droitwich. Worcester and the River Severn are fabulous.
The electric drive system is an experience, super quiet and relaxing to to cruise. It’s also extremely manouverable and user friendly.
I’d recommend Catherine and her boats to anyone, but please leave space in the schedule for us to book up again in 2023.
Cheers Ian
Ian Furmidge – Aug 22
Just returned home after a wonderful two week holiday on the lovely Arthur Owl. When we boarded Arthur Owl we definitely weren’t disappointed, he was even more beautiful then we had imagined. As seasoned holiday boaters, we tend to choose to do full on busy routes with many locks and full days cruising. We appreciated the comforts of having a proper sofa and the lovely big comfy bed at the end of the day. These comforts also made the odd quieter, shorter days a lot easier to relax too. Arthur Owl really does have everything you could possibly need. We would just like to say a big thank you to Catherine for making this possible and to John.
Bryan Coaley – Jun 22
Best ever hire boat — and best ever hire boat experience
I’ve been hiring narrowboats for several years from an alphabet soup of companies, and I thought I knew ‘the ropes’. Yet hiring Ollie Owl from Catherine at Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays has utterly spoiled me and my family. Ollie is beautifully appointed, with every amenity described in the extensive information online (though, honestly, the pictures and information don’t do her justice!) Everything you could possibly need is aboard this boutique boat (if it isn’t then Catherine is the most responsive host I’ve ever met). The serial hybrid system was better than I had imagined — gliding along in exhaust-free near-silence is bliss. Though understanding the tech side isn’t required, I got obsessed with learning about the solar capacities, monitoring, and other technical logistics. Ollie is also a larger boat than I’m used to, but after my week aboard all my fears (including wind) were gone…she handles beautifully even in 20mph gusts(!) This was also an ideal holiday to share with my two teenagers, for whom it was a first ever narrowboat experience. On a personal note, both Catherine and John were amazing throughout the hire experience, providing just enough advice to give me confidence without spoiling any surprises. We all felt as cared for and valued as Cafwin’s fleet of lovely boats!
Hawley Montgomery-Downs – Jun 22
After an extensive safety, familiarisation and operating session, we set off on our two week trip around the Stourport Ring on Arthur Owl. The first night we had the most wonderful sleep since we arrived from Australia, with the mattress and pillows far more comfortable than any of the hotels we stayed in and even more so than our mattress at home! The level of luxury afforded in Cafwin’s brochures are not exaggerated and we saw no other narrowboat in our time on the canals that even came close to a Cafwin Cruises boat. Arthur attracted a lot of attention whilst we cruised the canals with people stopping to admire him and some people had a tour around him. We even had a CRT volunteer take his photo; he is certainly a celebrity in these parts.
Catherine was amazing supplying everything we needed and setting up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch whilst we were cruising and providing us the peace of mind we needed as first time boaters. I would not hesitate to recommend Cafwin Cruises for any future holidays.
Sian & Alistair Anderson – May 22
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
“Just returned from 4 days on Arthur Owl , apart from being probably the hottest week of the year what with the luxury facilities on board and the amazing waterfall shower we survived , this was a new venture for us and we couldn’t recommend Cafwin Cruises enough with their help and tuition throughout our stay, highly recommended 
“
Angela Dobson – Jul 21
“I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic week we have had.
Family time is so very rare these days with a 17 year old, but Luc loved it. Apparently, it ranks in the top 3 holidays ever !!! (and we have had a couple of good uns…..).
This holiday has been on my bucket list since the dawn of time, and now I can tick it off.
Arthur Owl is a beautifully appointed boat and we feel very privileged to have spent a week on him. You truly have covered everything that one could think of for home comforts.
We have booked again for 2022.”
David Evans – Aug 21
“We first hired “Arthur Owl” from Cafwin cruises in August of 2020.
The boat was extremely comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on her. So much so, that on our return, we immediately booked two weeks in June 2021.
Well, what luck! The weather was glorious for virtually all of the two weeks.
A great time was had exploring the River Severn and the Gloucester- Sharpness canal.
We have no hesitation at all in recommending Cafwin Cruises. Catherine was always on hand to deal with any queries we had. Indeed, she was a pleasure to deal with and no doubt, we will be hiring from her again.
Robin Gulliver – Jun 21
“Having just returned from a 3 week cruise on Arthur Owl, we would like to say what a fantastic boat he is and how well turned out he is .
We have hired him before and knew what to expect and also the very high standard of equipment and comfort on board and would thoroughly recommend him ( and Catherine ) as fine hosts .
I have said this before but for us it’s the nearest thing you get to owning your own narrowboat and a joy to be admired by other waterway users.
Catherine is very attentive and ,as we discovered when a “little” problem occurred , very prompt in sorting things out so we can only suggest you that you experience this marvellous boat . We took her on a “ leisurely” cruise on the Avon ring via the River Severn and thoroughly enjoyed it and even managed to complete the Tardebegge lock flight in 3.15 hrs ( with help from volunteers ) .
You will not be dissapointed.
Martin & Maggie Cole and Grace the dog – 6 Jul 21
“I haven’t booked a cruise with Cafwin but we have our own boat and I met Catherine at the marina today. She initially helped us to moor up whilst suffering the strong winds that were doing their best to blow our boat elsewhere. We then got chatting and I saw the quality of the impressive narrowboat ‘Arthur Owl’: a beautifully presented and maintained boutique standard craft, that Catherine was putting the finishing touches to for the next lucky guest. It was immaculate. I can also say that Catherine is so enthusiastic about her customer service that you cannot fail to have an excellent time aboard. So why am I writing this if not a customer? Because Catherine offered us her much needed help at that time and she is clearly a first class individual to have the good fortune to meet. Her friendly professional nature was so apparent that she deserves an independent ‘shout out’ and I feel that I can fully guide you in her direction for a care free and enjoyable holiday afloat. Best wishes to all.”
Marco Blanko – 3 May 21
“Wow, what a great week spent on Canal Boat “Arthur Owl”. Julie and I wanted to thank Catherine and the staff at Cafwin Cruises for a fantastic holiday. The Canal boat was superb with all the things you would expect from home, dishwasher, large comfortable bed, rainfall shower etc. Everything was spotlessly clean and kept like new, even scratches on the hull caused when entering the locks are touched up before each hire. Catherine was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish and even set up a WhatsApp group so we could ask her question quickly whilst on holiday. We will be back again and than you Cafwin Cruises.”
Kevin Peggs – 2 Jun 21
“We originally booked a two week trip in November last year. We were confident in the measures that Catherine had put in place for COVID safety – she took swift and clear action. Unfortunately lockdown prevented us going, but Catherine was in touch straight away and offered us various options, including a refund. We decided to re-book a week this Easter. However, with the uncertainties, arrival of a new grandchild and fact that we haven’t been vaccinated yet we decided to cancel last month. We’re also getting our own boat and so didn’t want to defer to later in the year. Catherine was very understanding and instantly refunded everything but the deposit and once she had re-booked the boat she refunded our deposit as well.
say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time…..”
Liz & Jake Turner – Mar 21
“On previous walks along the towpath, we had chatted to people who were enjoying their festive break on a canal boat. We started to dream of doing the same …..Next thing we knew Catherine was welcoming us (with appropriate social distancing !) on board and introducing us to her boutique canal boat Arthur Owl. This was made all the easier by Catherine’s thorough and professional pre – trip preparations. And what a delight Arthur Owl is with his well – equipped galley (including a generous wine rack), an intimate dining area and a relaxing lounge area with even a Christmas tree in the corner. Then there is an invigorating shower and a cosy master bedroom. Having been shown the ropes (so to speak) we got off to a good start motoring along the canals and starting to negotiate the locks with ease. The first night we moored up and after an evening of wining & dining on board we let Arthur rock us slowly to sleep. We had one of the best nights’ sleep ever. Another night we moored up under a clear sky with a full moon for another dinner on board. Then on New Year’s Eve we moored up for some more wining & dining and ended up watching a splendid display of fireworks over the local village. Looking back, the long evenings on board were lovely and warm with plenty of time for one or two (but who’s counting) drinks and some romantic dinners. On the other hand, the days were short, bright and cold but dry and so good for canaling and doing some walking. So we found some time off the boat to walk the towpaths and forage for some food – albeit from a local M&S !!! Along the way we saw a heron, a kingfisher and even a solitary fox trotting back home across a nearby field. The trip exceeded expectations but it ended all too soon when it was time to say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time ….”
Mike Martin – Jan 21
“We originally booked Arthur Owl for 2 weeks over November/December. Unfortunately, the second lockdown scuppered our plans, but Catharine is super friendly and immediately offered us either a full refund, or credit for another holiday.
Katrina Ash – Dec 20
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ 
. We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“Would thoroughly recommend Cafwin and their lovely boat Arthur Owl – If it’s not the best hire boat on the waterways it’s definitely in the running.
Steve Gray – Oct 20
“We have just had a fantastic week aboard Arthur Owl. Superb hosts got us underway with a full handover, so we put at complete ease to get us underway. Catherine was in constant contact with us helping us with out route planning and guidance. The advance information was exceptional. We started our holiday 6 miles from home and as soon as we got on the canal we could have been anywhere in the UK going through beautiful countryside transporting us away. Arthur Owl gave us 5* star accommodation . There was everything you could possibly want for on board, real home from home with a comfortable bed and luxury bathroom. A lovely experience and Catherine made the whole experience feel very personal and kept patience with us , her challenging guests !!
Highly recommend”
This review was copied from TripAdvisor
Derek S – Sep 20
“We have just returned from our week break on Arthur Owl narrowboat. We decided to do the Stourport Ring which was amazing. Cafwin Cruises is perfectly based at Droitwich Marina so there are a number of options of where you can cruise. We have had a number of narrowboat holidays in the UK and would definitely say Arthur Owl is the best boat we have stayed on, just stunning inside and out. Everything you could possibly require during your holiday. We had so many compliments on the boat during our journey. If you have never been narrowboating before and dream of giving it a go then you can rest assured that Catherine will give a very detailed handover telling all you need to know to get you on the move. She will accompany you during the first part of your holiday taking you through the first 3 locks and only when you have the confidence to do so, she send you on your way.
Paul Langdell – Aug 20
“We had a holiday booked for last week with Cafwin Cruises. Unfortunately due to the situation with Covid-19, we had to cancel. Catherine gave us alternative dates but sadly they were unsuitable. Even though we didn’t get to enjoy the boat, Catherine was very helpful and gave us the full deposit back without any questions.
Peter Muggleton – Aug 20
“Having had the absolute pleasure of staying on beautiful Arthur Owl just before the world went into this crazy unknown territory. I cannot praise enough the work that Catherine puts in to making sure your stay is nothing but utter comfort and ease. Catherine worked so hard in putting together a route suitable for the length of our stay which was fantastic as we were complete novices. We were so impressed with how much thought and detail had gone into making the boat so wonderfully comfortable and so well equipped (they really have thought of everything). Must admit we were a little nervous at the thought of being in control of such a magnificent 57 ft boat, however Catherine instantly put us right at ease with helping us through the first three locks and first stretch of canal. Cafwin cruises gets a 5 star rating from us and we very much look forward to spending time on Arthur Owl in future for another fantastic adventure on the canal.
Saphire Collins – Feb 20
“Beautiful narrowboat with gorgeous interior design. Highly recommend 😊💗 All the little touches make it stand out “
Karen Colin York Daniels – Sep 19
“We loved our first week on Arthur Owl so much that we came back a month later and loved it even more! Once again, Catherine couldn’t have been more helpful and the boat was immaculate as always. It’s a great feeling cruising along knowing you’re on the best boat on the water! Can’t recommend Cafwin Cruises highly enough.“
Debbie Welsh – Aug 19
“Thank you Catherine for entrusting your beloved Arthur Owl to us for our first ever narrow-boating adventure last week.
He is very handsome indeed inside and out and was much admired by lots of lovely families we met along our journey.
Thank you for being so lovely and patient with us with your detailed induction and for all the written information and maps available for us on board to refer to, which enabled us to feel totally confident when we sailed away from you!
We didn’t see one fellow narrowboat along our chosen route – the Droitwich Circle – that compared in any way to Arthur Owl. Everything inside Arthur Owl is so tastefully decorated Catherine and absolutely 5*. We had everything to hand we could possibly have needed and the welcome pack you left for us was so kind and generous.
Murphy wasn’t too pleased we left him behind though and we missed him but he would definitely have wanted to be a bit naughty – only being four months old – and as it happens it would have been a bit hot for him last week but we hope to bring him with us on our next trip on Arthur Owl.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you Catherine – many thanks from the four of us – we had some great laughs – even a couple of mishaps – moored up in some lovely places and found some great restaurants along our route.
A great time was had by all. Thank you from Heather and family xx”
Heather Graham – Aug 19
“My wife Maggie, myself and dog, Grace, hired this lovely vessel at the end of Jun early Jul and we would like to say what a great boat she is; superbly equipped with wonderful double bed and real shower plus all mod cons. Truly a boutique narrowboat experience with the nearest thing to owning your own boat. I was cleaning and making her look pretty because we were proud to be on her. Had some great comments from other boat owners. Catherine was very attentive and the boat was superbly presented. We are now considering booking her for next year for an extended trip. Cheers Martin, Maggie and Grace.“
Martin Cole – Jul 19
“We had a fabulous time on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful boat for cruising the canals from Droitwich Spa. We were lucky with the weather so made the most of the seating area outside, making ourselves at home with the table and umbrella provided. Inside the boat is well equipped and super cosy should the weather not be so kind, with a sofa and food stools to chill out on. Catherine has put lots of thought into ensuring her guests are comfortable and this is definitely shown in the bathroom with a shower better than ours at home! We had several people ask us about Arthur Owl on our travels and even did a couple of ‘tours’ for some experienced boaters (this was our first trip) and they were very impressed with the quality and finish. Looking forward to our next cruise already.“
Lee Collins – Jul 19
“Just back from a few days on the canal. Beautiful boat and wonderful service and attention to detail. Will be doing it again.“
Bryan Jones – Jul 19
“My wife Maggie and I, along with Grace the dog, hired this lovely boat at the end June 2019 and would like to say what a great vessel she is . Brand new and superbly equipped with a comfortable double bed and real shower etc etc . A truly boutique narrow boat and the nearest thing you will get to your own boat. We cruised down to Worcester up the Severn and the Droitwich Canal and found some lovely secluded spots to moor, plus some great pubs to re-hydrate in. We loved the boat so much we have booked her for an extended trip next year . Martin &Maggie”
Review copied from TripAdvisor
Martin & Maggie Cole – Jun 19
“We’ve just had the most amazing week on Arthur Owl despite some typically English rainy summer weather. The boat is absolutely stunning and has everything you need for a holiday on the water. Catherine couldn’t have made the whole experience easier and her thorough handover ensured we were totally familiar with Arthur. Definitely 10/10 and we’ll be back!“
Mark Welsh – Jun 19
“Such a beautiful boat, Catherine has thought of every little detail to make this holiday a most enjoyable one. Based in a stunning area with many interesting places to explore we enjoyed every minute of our holiday as a family of four staying in this luxury boat. Many people commented on how lucky we were to have a boat with a quiet engine – yet another detail. The children enjoyed getting involved with locks and other mechanical duties as well as being able to squirrel away and watch a DVD in the warmth in the evenings. We enjoyed cooking on board with all the facilities we are used to at home making it a totally relaxing experience. Thank you Catherine for helping us make memories to cherish.“
Katie Yardley – Jun 19
“A floating boutique hotel.From start to finish a truly magical experience. Catherine is a great communicator who quickly answered all our questions prior to the trip. Upon arrival we were met by Catherine who introduced us to her brand new floating palace. The interior really is special and would put many a boutique hotel room to shame. The layout is carefully thought out with plenty of relaxing space, together with a fully equipped kitchen. We found storage space everywhere with all the fixtures and fittings of the highest quality. The boat engine is fitted with a fantastic silencer which meant conversation was easy on the large aft seating section. This area had enough room for a removable table and parasol (all supplied). Catherine gave us detailed maps and suggested itineraries, all of which made our holiday even more special. We had a wonderful time on an amazing boat. We shall be booking again for next year.”
Mike Drennan – May 19
“Great modern style boat with absolutely everything you need to have a great holiday. Lovely owners giving a fantastic service. Should be called 5 Star Boating Holidays!”,
David Staines – May 19
“Outstanding service from start to finish: friendly, informative and good value.”
Nick Chambers – Apr 19
“Catherine, Thank you for the lovely holiday on the beautiful Arthur Owl! The boat is wonderfully fitted out with top notch equipment and decor…and your instruction in both driving the boat and operating the locks was spot on….best of luck in your first season….I’m sure you’ll have many happy clients who will all be keen to come back again and again!”
Sarah Bowen – Apr 19
“We had a lovely time spend on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful spotless boat. Catherine, Lewis and Hannah were so kind and helpful and even the wind did not spoil our time out.”
Louise Richards – Mar 19
“As novice narrow boaters, we were apprehensive about learning everything for our trip. Our fears were soon allayed by Catherine who gave us a full run down of the workings of the boat, and fully supervised us through the first set of locks, both on managing the lock mechanism and handling the boat. She was calm and patient and ensured that we were going to have a safe and enjoyable time.
We were expecting a well equipped boat from the descriptions, however, were blown away when we got inside. Everything had been thought of, from the full kitchen complete with coffee machine, dishwasher, microwave and every utensil you could need to prepare hearty meals. The living area complete with TV, DVD, Bose speaker and large sofa was very cosy area in which to relax following a day out in the fresh air. There was ample storage for the large amount of clothes we had taken along to account for all types of weather. The fully fitted shower room with fabulous multi jet shower, we would never have imagined would be found on a boat. Fluffy towels and bathrobes helped to provide a very chilled time. Then to the luxurious bed which was very spacious and comfy.
We were unfortunate with the weather which meant our original route was not available due to the high water levels on the Severn. Catherine advised us on an alternative which was possible in the time we had. There was plenty of literature and maps providing information on places of interest along the way.
Thank you so much for providing an enjoyable first trip on the canals – we are now converts!”
Wendy Sterrit – Mar 19
“We had a brilliant time of Arthur Owl last week; what a beautifully done boat to the highest standard. Catherine and her family were extremely helpful and couldn’t have done more to make sure everything was ok. I can’t wait to return soon. Many thanks for making my first experience on a narrowboat so enjoyable.”
Nicole Webber – Mar 19
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
We are just back from an amazing week onboard the lovely Arthur Owl nothing can prepare you for how amazing this boat actually is and when it is said that you have everything you need. You really do have everything. We brought far to much stuff just in case. Turns out all we needed was any food and drink we needed and our clothes. The lovely little welcome pack was very much appreciated. We will definitely be recommending and hopefully one day we can return and maybe do an even bigger route.
Dani A – Aug 22
What do you get if you take a luxury apartment, put in on a boat and cruise the historic waterways of England?
You get Arthur Owl.
We have just taken Arthur up to the top of the longest lock flight in England and back and had a great time.
Arthur is beautifully fitted out with every imaginable comfort and then some you couldn’t imagine. The interior is superb and tasteful, the galley has everything – including a dishwasher(!), the lounge area has a lifetimes worth of videos and a sumptuous sofa that converts to an extra bed. The shower, unbelievable outside of a 5* hotel. Is the TV in the bedroom with netflix a step too far!
The boat has a huge set of storage tanks so no ‘range anxiety’, and is even equipped with bow thrusters for truly lazy cruising.
Not cruised before? no worries, unlike many of the large rental companies, Arthur comes with a complete, hands on, training session.
With central heating and lots of snugly blankets this is not just a summer trip. We will be back -maybe on Arthur’s younger brother- hy-bred Ollie.
David P – Oct 22
Even before we arrived, Catherine the owner, was very helpful. This continued in person with an informative induction putting us at ease and giving us the confidence to drive and navigate the boat.
The luxury boutique boat Arthur Owl is charming & comfortable and had absolutely everything we needed.
No need to bring bedding, toiletries ,towels, it is all provided and of very high quality.
We could go on and on about the great holiday we had, everything was just perfect and the cherry on the top is all the attention to detail from Catherine, you can just see the great pride she has taken in her business and does it does look like its definitely out of love or passion, her boat was by far the best out of any we passed or moored up next to.
We would not hesitate to go back for a second holiday with Cafwin cruises, in fact we probably wont be going anywhere else.
The attention to detail and the cleanliness of the boat Arthur Owl is definitely 5 Star afloat.end!
Tina Smith – Aug 22
We had an amazing week on Arthur Owl. It was our first experience of narrowboating and Catherine made the whole process so easy and straightforward. There was masses of information, instructions, maps, online videos and we felt at ease from the outset. Catherine’s pre-set itineraries give you confidence when embarking on your journey, and were incredibly welcome.
The boat is beautiful – a real ’boutique’ feel with every home comfort you could wish for. It was very spacious with an extremely comfy bed, together with lots of amenities and little special touches included. The boat got some admiring glances and comments during our week away, and it felt like a real home from home.
Thank you for a most wonderful time, Catherine – we have recommended you to so many people since our trip, and we really hope to be able to find the time next year to do it all again!
Karen Bastock – Jun 22
Wonderful week away onboard Ollie Owl. Dog friendly holiday on a special narrowboat. Service second to none, with a complete and thorough handover from Catherine, who also stayed in touch via WhatsApp during our stay. Beautiful electric boat that was a home from home. Would definitely recommend!
Ruth Benson – Jul 22
Cafwin boats are special. They have hire boats that you’d love to own and keep for yourself, just beautiful and luxurious in every respect. We’ve just had a very relaxing week on Electric Ollie Owl, a family of two adults, two teenagers and a spaniel. Plenty of space for all of us and lots to see and do around Droitwich. Worcester and the River Severn are fabulous.
The electric drive system is an experience, super quiet and relaxing to to cruise. It’s also extremely manouverable and user friendly.
I’d recommend Catherine and her boats to anyone, but please leave space in the schedule for us to book up again in 2023.
Cheers Ian
Ian Furmidge – Aug 22
Just returned home after a wonderful two week holiday on the lovely Arthur Owl. When we boarded Arthur Owl we definitely weren’t disappointed, he was even more beautiful then we had imagined. As seasoned holiday boaters, we tend to choose to do full on busy routes with many locks and full days cruising. We appreciated the comforts of having a proper sofa and the lovely big comfy bed at the end of the day. These comforts also made the odd quieter, shorter days a lot easier to relax too. Arthur Owl really does have everything you could possibly need. We would just like to say a big thank you to Catherine for making this possible and to John.
Bryan Coaley – Jun 22
Best ever hire boat — and best ever hire boat experience
I’ve been hiring narrowboats for several years from an alphabet soup of companies, and I thought I knew ‘the ropes’. Yet hiring Ollie Owl from Catherine at Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays has utterly spoiled me and my family. Ollie is beautifully appointed, with every amenity described in the extensive information online (though, honestly, the pictures and information don’t do her justice!) Everything you could possibly need is aboard this boutique boat (if it isn’t then Catherine is the most responsive host I’ve ever met). The serial hybrid system was better than I had imagined — gliding along in exhaust-free near-silence is bliss. Though understanding the tech side isn’t required, I got obsessed with learning about the solar capacities, monitoring, and other technical logistics. Ollie is also a larger boat than I’m used to, but after my week aboard all my fears (including wind) were gone…she handles beautifully even in 20mph gusts(!) This was also an ideal holiday to share with my two teenagers, for whom it was a first ever narrowboat experience. On a personal note, both Catherine and John were amazing throughout the hire experience, providing just enough advice to give me confidence without spoiling any surprises. We all felt as cared for and valued as Cafwin’s fleet of lovely boats!
Hawley Montgomery-Downs – Jun 22
After an extensive safety, familiarisation and operating session, we set off on our two week trip around the Stourport Ring on Arthur Owl. The first night we had the most wonderful sleep since we arrived from Australia, with the mattress and pillows far more comfortable than any of the hotels we stayed in and even more so than our mattress at home! The level of luxury afforded in Cafwin’s brochures are not exaggerated and we saw no other narrowboat in our time on the canals that even came close to a Cafwin Cruises boat. Arthur attracted a lot of attention whilst we cruised the canals with people stopping to admire him and some people had a tour around him. We even had a CRT volunteer take his photo; he is certainly a celebrity in these parts.
Catherine was amazing supplying everything we needed and setting up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch whilst we were cruising and providing us the peace of mind we needed as first time boaters. I would not hesitate to recommend Cafwin Cruises for any future holidays.
Sian & Alistair Anderson – May 22
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
“Just returned from 4 days on Arthur Owl , apart from being probably the hottest week of the year what with the luxury facilities on board and the amazing waterfall shower we survived , this was a new venture for us and we couldn’t recommend Cafwin Cruises enough with their help and tuition throughout our stay, highly recommended “
Angela Dobson – Jul 21
“I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic week we have had.
Family time is so very rare these days with a 17 year old, but Luc loved it. Apparently, it ranks in the top 3 holidays ever !!! (and we have had a couple of good uns…..).
This holiday has been on my bucket list since the dawn of time, and now I can tick it off.
Arthur Owl is a beautifully appointed boat and we feel very privileged to have spent a week on him. You truly have covered everything that one could think of for home comforts.
We have booked again for 2022.”
David Evans – Aug 21
“We first hired “Arthur Owl” from Cafwin cruises in August of 2020.
The boat was extremely comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on her. So much so, that on our return, we immediately booked two weeks in June 2021.
Well, what luck! The weather was glorious for virtually all of the two weeks.
A great time was had exploring the River Severn and the Gloucester- Sharpness canal.
We have no hesitation at all in recommending Cafwin Cruises. Catherine was always on hand to deal with any queries we had. Indeed, she was a pleasure to deal with and no doubt, we will be hiring from her again.
Robin Gulliver – Jun 21
“Having just returned from a 3 week cruise on Arthur Owl, we would like to say what a fantastic boat he is and how well turned out he is .
We have hired him before and knew what to expect and also the very high standard of equipment and comfort on board and would thoroughly recommend him ( and Catherine ) as fine hosts .
I have said this before but for us it’s the nearest thing you get to owning your own narrowboat and a joy to be admired by other waterway users.
Catherine is very attentive and ,as we discovered when a “little” problem occurred , very prompt in sorting things out so we can only suggest you that you experience this marvellous boat . We took her on a “ leisurely” cruise on the Avon ring via the River Severn and thoroughly enjoyed it and even managed to complete the Tardebegge lock flight in 3.15 hrs ( with help from volunteers ) .
You will not be dissapointed.
Martin & Maggie Cole and Grace the dog – 6 Jul 21
“I haven’t booked a cruise with Cafwin but we have our own boat and I met Catherine at the marina today. She initially helped us to moor up whilst suffering the strong winds that were doing their best to blow our boat elsewhere. We then got chatting and I saw the quality of the impressive narrowboat ‘Arthur Owl’: a beautifully presented and maintained boutique standard craft, that Catherine was putting the finishing touches to for the next lucky guest. It was immaculate. I can also say that Catherine is so enthusiastic about her customer service that you cannot fail to have an excellent time aboard. So why am I writing this if not a customer? Because Catherine offered us her much needed help at that time and she is clearly a first class individual to have the good fortune to meet. Her friendly professional nature was so apparent that she deserves an independent ‘shout out’ and I feel that I can fully guide you in her direction for a care free and enjoyable holiday afloat. Best wishes to all.”
Marco Blanko – 3 May 21
“Wow, what a great week spent on Canal Boat “Arthur Owl”. Julie and I wanted to thank Catherine and the staff at Cafwin Cruises for a fantastic holiday. The Canal boat was superb with all the things you would expect from home, dishwasher, large comfortable bed, rainfall shower etc. Everything was spotlessly clean and kept like new, even scratches on the hull caused when entering the locks are touched up before each hire. Catherine was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish and even set up a WhatsApp group so we could ask her question quickly whilst on holiday. We will be back again and than you Cafwin Cruises.”
Kevin Peggs – 2 Jun 21
“We originally booked a two week trip in November last year. We were confident in the measures that Catherine had put in place for COVID safety – she took swift and clear action. Unfortunately lockdown prevented us going, but Catherine was in touch straight away and offered us various options, including a refund. We decided to re-book a week this Easter. However, with the uncertainties, arrival of a new grandchild and fact that we haven’t been vaccinated yet we decided to cancel last month. We’re also getting our own boat and so didn’t want to defer to later in the year. Catherine was very understanding and instantly refunded everything but the deposit and once she had re-booked the boat she refunded our deposit as well.
say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time…..”
Liz & Jake Turner – Mar 21
“On previous walks along the towpath, we had chatted to people who were enjoying their festive break on a canal boat. We started to dream of doing the same …..Next thing we knew Catherine was welcoming us (with appropriate social distancing !) on board and introducing us to her boutique canal boat Arthur Owl. This was made all the easier by Catherine’s thorough and professional pre – trip preparations. And what a delight Arthur Owl is with his well – equipped galley (including a generous wine rack), an intimate dining area and a relaxing lounge area with even a Christmas tree in the corner. Then there is an invigorating shower and a cosy master bedroom. Having been shown the ropes (so to speak) we got off to a good start motoring along the canals and starting to negotiate the locks with ease. The first night we moored up and after an evening of wining & dining on board we let Arthur rock us slowly to sleep. We had one of the best nights’ sleep ever. Another night we moored up under a clear sky with a full moon for another dinner on board. Then on New Year’s Eve we moored up for some more wining & dining and ended up watching a splendid display of fireworks over the local village. Looking back, the long evenings on board were lovely and warm with plenty of time for one or two (but who’s counting) drinks and some romantic dinners. On the other hand, the days were short, bright and cold but dry and so good for canaling and doing some walking. So we found some time off the boat to walk the towpaths and forage for some food – albeit from a local M&S !!! Along the way we saw a heron, a kingfisher and even a solitary fox trotting back home across a nearby field. The trip exceeded expectations but it ended all too soon when it was time to say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time ….”
Mike Martin – Jan 21
“We originally booked Arthur Owl for 2 weeks over November/December. Unfortunately, the second lockdown scuppered our plans, but Catharine is super friendly and immediately offered us either a full refund, or credit for another holiday.
Katrina Ash – Dec 20
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“Would thoroughly recommend Cafwin and their lovely boat Arthur Owl – If it’s not the best hire boat on the waterways it’s definitely in the running.
Steve Gray – Oct 20
“We have just had a fantastic week aboard Arthur Owl. Superb hosts got us underway with a full handover, so we put at complete ease to get us underway. Catherine was in constant contact with us helping us with out route planning and guidance. The advance information was exceptional. We started our holiday 6 miles from home and as soon as we got on the canal we could have been anywhere in the UK going through beautiful countryside transporting us away. Arthur Owl gave us 5* star accommodation . There was everything you could possibly want for on board, real home from home with a comfortable bed and luxury bathroom. A lovely experience and Catherine made the whole experience feel very personal and kept patience with us , her challenging guests !!
Highly recommend”
This review was copied from TripAdvisor
Derek S – Sep 20
“We have just returned from our week break on Arthur Owl narrowboat. We decided to do the Stourport Ring which was amazing. Cafwin Cruises is perfectly based at Droitwich Marina so there are a number of options of where you can cruise. We have had a number of narrowboat holidays in the UK and would definitely say Arthur Owl is the best boat we have stayed on, just stunning inside and out. Everything you could possibly require during your holiday. We had so many compliments on the boat during our journey. If you have never been narrowboating before and dream of giving it a go then you can rest assured that Catherine will give a very detailed handover telling all you need to know to get you on the move. She will accompany you during the first part of your holiday taking you through the first 3 locks and only when you have the confidence to do so, she send you on your way.
Paul Langdell – Aug 20
“We had a holiday booked for last week with Cafwin Cruises. Unfortunately due to the situation with Covid-19, we had to cancel. Catherine gave us alternative dates but sadly they were unsuitable. Even though we didn’t get to enjoy the boat, Catherine was very helpful and gave us the full deposit back without any questions.
Peter Muggleton – Aug 20
“Having had the absolute pleasure of staying on beautiful Arthur Owl just before the world went into this crazy unknown territory. I cannot praise enough the work that Catherine puts in to making sure your stay is nothing but utter comfort and ease. Catherine worked so hard in putting together a route suitable for the length of our stay which was fantastic as we were complete novices. We were so impressed with how much thought and detail had gone into making the boat so wonderfully comfortable and so well equipped (they really have thought of everything). Must admit we were a little nervous at the thought of being in control of such a magnificent 57 ft boat, however Catherine instantly put us right at ease with helping us through the first three locks and first stretch of canal. Cafwin cruises gets a 5 star rating from us and we very much look forward to spending time on Arthur Owl in future for another fantastic adventure on the canal.
Saphire Collins – Feb 20
“Beautiful narrowboat with gorgeous interior design. Highly recommend 😊💗 All the little touches make it stand out “
Karen Colin York Daniels – Sep 19
“We loved our first week on Arthur Owl so much that we came back a month later and loved it even more! Once again, Catherine couldn’t have been more helpful and the boat was immaculate as always. It’s a great feeling cruising along knowing you’re on the best boat on the water! Can’t recommend Cafwin Cruises highly enough.“
Debbie Welsh – Aug 19
“Thank you Catherine for entrusting your beloved Arthur Owl to us for our first ever narrow-boating adventure last week.
He is very handsome indeed inside and out and was much admired by lots of lovely families we met along our journey.
Thank you for being so lovely and patient with us with your detailed induction and for all the written information and maps available for us on board to refer to, which enabled us to feel totally confident when we sailed away from you!
We didn’t see one fellow narrowboat along our chosen route – the Droitwich Circle – that compared in any way to Arthur Owl. Everything inside Arthur Owl is so tastefully decorated Catherine and absolutely 5*. We had everything to hand we could possibly have needed and the welcome pack you left for us was so kind and generous.
Murphy wasn’t too pleased we left him behind though and we missed him but he would definitely have wanted to be a bit naughty – only being four months old – and as it happens it would have been a bit hot for him last week but we hope to bring him with us on our next trip on Arthur Owl.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you Catherine – many thanks from the four of us – we had some great laughs – even a couple of mishaps – moored up in some lovely places and found some great restaurants along our route.
A great time was had by all. Thank you from Heather and family xx”
Heather Graham – Aug 19
“My wife Maggie, myself and dog, Grace, hired this lovely vessel at the end of Jun early Jul and we would like to say what a great boat she is; superbly equipped with wonderful double bed and real shower plus all mod cons. Truly a boutique narrowboat experience with the nearest thing to owning your own boat. I was cleaning and making her look pretty because we were proud to be on her. Had some great comments from other boat owners. Catherine was very attentive and the boat was superbly presented. We are now considering booking her for next year for an extended trip. Cheers Martin, Maggie and Grace.“
Martin Cole – Jul 19
“We had a fabulous time on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful boat for cruising the canals from Droitwich Spa. We were lucky with the weather so made the most of the seating area outside, making ourselves at home with the table and umbrella provided. Inside the boat is well equipped and super cosy should the weather not be so kind, with a sofa and food stools to chill out on. Catherine has put lots of thought into ensuring her guests are comfortable and this is definitely shown in the bathroom with a shower better than ours at home! We had several people ask us about Arthur Owl on our travels and even did a couple of ‘tours’ for some experienced boaters (this was our first trip) and they were very impressed with the quality and finish. Looking forward to our next cruise already.“
Lee Collins – Jul 19
“Just back from a few days on the canal. Beautiful boat and wonderful service and attention to detail. Will be doing it again.“
Bryan Jones – Jul 19
“My wife Maggie and I, along with Grace the dog, hired this lovely boat at the end June 2019 and would like to say what a great vessel she is . Brand new and superbly equipped with a comfortable double bed and real shower etc etc . A truly boutique narrow boat and the nearest thing you will get to your own boat. We cruised down to Worcester up the Severn and the Droitwich Canal and found some lovely secluded spots to moor, plus some great pubs to re-hydrate in. We loved the boat so much we have booked her for an extended trip next year . Martin &Maggie”
Review copied from TripAdvisor
Martin & Maggie Cole – Jun 19
“We’ve just had the most amazing week on Arthur Owl despite some typically English rainy summer weather. The boat is absolutely stunning and has everything you need for a holiday on the water. Catherine couldn’t have made the whole experience easier and her thorough handover ensured we were totally familiar with Arthur. Definitely 10/10 and we’ll be back!“
Mark Welsh – Jun 19
“Such a beautiful boat, Catherine has thought of every little detail to make this holiday a most enjoyable one. Based in a stunning area with many interesting places to explore we enjoyed every minute of our holiday as a family of four staying in this luxury boat. Many people commented on how lucky we were to have a boat with a quiet engine – yet another detail. The children enjoyed getting involved with locks and other mechanical duties as well as being able to squirrel away and watch a DVD in the warmth in the evenings. We enjoyed cooking on board with all the facilities we are used to at home making it a totally relaxing experience. Thank you Catherine for helping us make memories to cherish.“
Katie Yardley – Jun 19
“A floating boutique hotel.From start to finish a truly magical experience. Catherine is a great communicator who quickly answered all our questions prior to the trip. Upon arrival we were met by Catherine who introduced us to her brand new floating palace. The interior really is special and would put many a boutique hotel room to shame. The layout is carefully thought out with plenty of relaxing space, together with a fully equipped kitchen. We found storage space everywhere with all the fixtures and fittings of the highest quality. The boat engine is fitted with a fantastic silencer which meant conversation was easy on the large aft seating section. This area had enough room for a removable table and parasol (all supplied). Catherine gave us detailed maps and suggested itineraries, all of which made our holiday even more special. We had a wonderful time on an amazing boat. We shall be booking again for next year.”
Mike Drennan – May 19
“Great modern style boat with absolutely everything you need to have a great holiday. Lovely owners giving a fantastic service. Should be called 5 Star Boating Holidays!”,
David Staines – May 19
“Outstanding service from start to finish: friendly, informative and good value.”
Nick Chambers – Apr 19
“Catherine, Thank you for the lovely holiday on the beautiful Arthur Owl! The boat is wonderfully fitted out with top notch equipment and decor…and your instruction in both driving the boat and operating the locks was spot on….best of luck in your first season….I’m sure you’ll have many happy clients who will all be keen to come back again and again!”
Sarah Bowen – Apr 19
“We had a lovely time spend on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful spotless boat. Catherine, Lewis and Hannah were so kind and helpful and even the wind did not spoil our time out.”
Louise Richards – Mar 19
“As novice narrow boaters, we were apprehensive about learning everything for our trip. Our fears were soon allayed by Catherine who gave us a full run down of the workings of the boat, and fully supervised us through the first set of locks, both on managing the lock mechanism and handling the boat. She was calm and patient and ensured that we were going to have a safe and enjoyable time.
We were expecting a well equipped boat from the descriptions, however, were blown away when we got inside. Everything had been thought of, from the full kitchen complete with coffee machine, dishwasher, microwave and every utensil you could need to prepare hearty meals. The living area complete with TV, DVD, Bose speaker and large sofa was very cosy area in which to relax following a day out in the fresh air. There was ample storage for the large amount of clothes we had taken along to account for all types of weather. The fully fitted shower room with fabulous multi jet shower, we would never have imagined would be found on a boat. Fluffy towels and bathrobes helped to provide a very chilled time. Then to the luxurious bed which was very spacious and comfy.
We were unfortunate with the weather which meant our original route was not available due to the high water levels on the Severn. Catherine advised us on an alternative which was possible in the time we had. There was plenty of literature and maps providing information on places of interest along the way.
Thank you so much for providing an enjoyable first trip on the canals – we are now converts!”
Wendy Sterrit – Mar 19
“We had a brilliant time of Arthur Owl last week; what a beautifully done boat to the highest standard. Catherine and her family were extremely helpful and couldn’t have done more to make sure everything was ok. I can’t wait to return soon. Many thanks for making my first experience on a narrowboat so enjoyable.”
Nicole Webber – Mar 19
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
We are just back from an amazing week onboard the lovely Arthur Owl nothing can prepare you for how amazing this boat actually is and when it is said that you have everything you need. You really do have everything. We brought far to much stuff just in case. Turns out all we needed was any food and drink we needed and our clothes. The lovely little welcome pack was very much appreciated. We will definitely be recommending and hopefully one day we can return and maybe do an even bigger route.
Dani A – Aug 22
What do you get if you take a luxury apartment, put in on a boat and cruise the historic waterways of England?
You get Arthur Owl.
We have just taken Arthur up to the top of the longest lock flight in England and back and had a great time.
Arthur is beautifully fitted out with every imaginable comfort and then some you couldn’t imagine. The interior is superb and tasteful, the galley has everything – including a dishwasher(!), the lounge area has a lifetimes worth of videos and a sumptuous sofa that converts to an extra bed. The shower, unbelievable outside of a 5* hotel. Is the TV in the bedroom with netflix a step too far!
The boat has a huge set of storage tanks so no ‘range anxiety’, and is even equipped with bow thrusters for truly lazy cruising.
Not cruised before? no worries, unlike many of the large rental companies, Arthur comes with a complete, hands on, training session.
With central heating and lots of snugly blankets this is not just a summer trip. We will be back -maybe on Arthur’s younger brother- hy-bred Ollie.
David P – Oct 22
Even before we arrived, Catherine the owner, was very helpful. This continued in person with an informative induction putting us at ease and giving us the confidence to drive and navigate the boat.
The luxury boutique boat Arthur Owl is charming & comfortable and had absolutely everything we needed.
No need to bring bedding, toiletries ,towels, it is all provided and of very high quality.
We could go on and on about the great holiday we had, everything was just perfect and the cherry on the top is all the attention to detail from Catherine, you can just see the great pride she has taken in her business and does it does look like its definitely out of love or passion, her boat was by far the best out of any we passed or moored up next to.
We would not hesitate to go back for a second holiday with Cafwin cruises, in fact we probably wont be going anywhere else.
The attention to detail and the cleanliness of the boat Arthur Owl is definitely 5 Star afloat.end!
Tina Smith – Aug 22
We had an amazing week on Arthur Owl. It was our first experience of narrowboating and Catherine made the whole process so easy and straightforward. There was masses of information, instructions, maps, online videos and we felt at ease from the outset. Catherine’s pre-set itineraries give you confidence when embarking on your journey, and were incredibly welcome.
The boat is beautiful – a real ’boutique’ feel with every home comfort you could wish for. It was very spacious with an extremely comfy bed, together with lots of amenities and little special touches included. The boat got some admiring glances and comments during our week away, and it felt like a real home from home.
Thank you for a most wonderful time, Catherine – we have recommended you to so many people since our trip, and we really hope to be able to find the time next year to do it all again!
Karen Bastock – Jun 22
Wonderful week away onboard Ollie Owl. Dog friendly holiday on a special narrowboat. Service second to none, with a complete and thorough handover from Catherine, who also stayed in touch via WhatsApp during our stay. Beautiful electric boat that was a home from home. Would definitely recommend!
Ruth Benson – Jul 22
Cafwin boats are special. They have hire boats that you’d love to own and keep for yourself, just beautiful and luxurious in every respect. We’ve just had a very relaxing week on Electric Ollie Owl, a family of two adults, two teenagers and a spaniel. Plenty of space for all of us and lots to see and do around Droitwich. Worcester and the River Severn are fabulous.
The electric drive system is an experience, super quiet and relaxing to to cruise. It’s also extremely manouverable and user friendly.
I’d recommend Catherine and her boats to anyone, but please leave space in the schedule for us to book up again in 2023.
Cheers Ian
Ian Furmidge – Aug 22
Just returned home after a wonderful two week holiday on the lovely Arthur Owl. When we boarded Arthur Owl we definitely weren’t disappointed, he was even more beautiful then we had imagined. As seasoned holiday boaters, we tend to choose to do full on busy routes with many locks and full days cruising. We appreciated the comforts of having a proper sofa and the lovely big comfy bed at the end of the day. These comforts also made the odd quieter, shorter days a lot easier to relax too. Arthur Owl really does have everything you could possibly need. We would just like to say a big thank you to Catherine for making this possible and to John.
Bryan Coaley – Jun 22
Best ever hire boat — and best ever hire boat experience
I’ve been hiring narrowboats for several years from an alphabet soup of companies, and I thought I knew ‘the ropes’. Yet hiring Ollie Owl from Catherine at Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays has utterly spoiled me and my family. Ollie is beautifully appointed, with every amenity described in the extensive information online (though, honestly, the pictures and information don’t do her justice!) Everything you could possibly need is aboard this boutique boat (if it isn’t then Catherine is the most responsive host I’ve ever met). The serial hybrid system was better than I had imagined — gliding along in exhaust-free near-silence is bliss. Though understanding the tech side isn’t required, I got obsessed with learning about the solar capacities, monitoring, and other technical logistics. Ollie is also a larger boat than I’m used to, but after my week aboard all my fears (including wind) were gone…she handles beautifully even in 20mph gusts(!) This was also an ideal holiday to share with my two teenagers, for whom it was a first ever narrowboat experience. On a personal note, both Catherine and John were amazing throughout the hire experience, providing just enough advice to give me confidence without spoiling any surprises. We all felt as cared for and valued as Cafwin’s fleet of lovely boats!
Hawley Montgomery-Downs – Jun 22
After an extensive safety, familiarisation and operating session, we set off on our two week trip around the Stourport Ring on Arthur Owl. The first night we had the most wonderful sleep since we arrived from Australia, with the mattress and pillows far more comfortable than any of the hotels we stayed in and even more so than our mattress at home! The level of luxury afforded in Cafwin’s brochures are not exaggerated and we saw no other narrowboat in our time on the canals that even came close to a Cafwin Cruises boat. Arthur attracted a lot of attention whilst we cruised the canals with people stopping to admire him and some people had a tour around him. We even had a CRT volunteer take his photo; he is certainly a celebrity in these parts.
Catherine was amazing supplying everything we needed and setting up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch whilst we were cruising and providing us the peace of mind we needed as first time boaters. I would not hesitate to recommend Cafwin Cruises for any future holidays.
Sian & Alistair Anderson – May 22
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21
“Just returned from 4 days on Arthur Owl , apart from being probably the hottest week of the year what with the luxury facilities on board and the amazing waterfall shower we survived , this was a new venture for us and we couldn’t recommend Cafwin Cruises enough with their help and tuition throughout our stay, highly recommended “
Angela Dobson – Jul 21
“I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic week we have had.
Family time is so very rare these days with a 17 year old, but Luc loved it. Apparently, it ranks in the top 3 holidays ever !!! (and we have had a couple of good uns…..).
This holiday has been on my bucket list since the dawn of time, and now I can tick it off.
Arthur Owl is a beautifully appointed boat and we feel very privileged to have spent a week on him. You truly have covered everything that one could think of for home comforts.
We have booked again for 2022.”
David Evans – Aug 21
“We first hired “Arthur Owl” from Cafwin cruises in August of 2020.
The boat was extremely comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on her. So much so, that on our return, we immediately booked two weeks in June 2021.
Well, what luck! The weather was glorious for virtually all of the two weeks.
A great time was had exploring the River Severn and the Gloucester- Sharpness canal.
We have no hesitation at all in recommending Cafwin Cruises. Catherine was always on hand to deal with any queries we had. Indeed, she was a pleasure to deal with and no doubt, we will be hiring from her again.
Robin Gulliver – Jun 21
“Having just returned from a 3 week cruise on Arthur Owl, we would like to say what a fantastic boat he is and how well turned out he is .
We have hired him before and knew what to expect and also the very high standard of equipment and comfort on board and would thoroughly recommend him ( and Catherine ) as fine hosts .
I have said this before but for us it’s the nearest thing you get to owning your own narrowboat and a joy to be admired by other waterway users.
Catherine is very attentive and ,as we discovered when a “little” problem occurred , very prompt in sorting things out so we can only suggest you that you experience this marvellous boat . We took her on a “ leisurely” cruise on the Avon ring via the River Severn and thoroughly enjoyed it and even managed to complete the Tardebegge lock flight in 3.15 hrs ( with help from volunteers ) .
You will not be dissapointed.
Martin & Maggie Cole and Grace the dog – 6 Jul 21
“I haven’t booked a cruise with Cafwin but we have our own boat and I met Catherine at the marina today. She initially helped us to moor up whilst suffering the strong winds that were doing their best to blow our boat elsewhere. We then got chatting and I saw the quality of the impressive narrowboat ‘Arthur Owl’: a beautifully presented and maintained boutique standard craft, that Catherine was putting the finishing touches to for the next lucky guest. It was immaculate. I can also say that Catherine is so enthusiastic about her customer service that you cannot fail to have an excellent time aboard. So why am I writing this if not a customer? Because Catherine offered us her much needed help at that time and she is clearly a first class individual to have the good fortune to meet. Her friendly professional nature was so apparent that she deserves an independent ‘shout out’ and I feel that I can fully guide you in her direction for a care free and enjoyable holiday afloat. Best wishes to all.”
Marco Blanko – 3 May 21
“Wow, what a great week spent on Canal Boat “Arthur Owl”. Julie and I wanted to thank Catherine and the staff at Cafwin Cruises for a fantastic holiday. The Canal boat was superb with all the things you would expect from home, dishwasher, large comfortable bed, rainfall shower etc. Everything was spotlessly clean and kept like new, even scratches on the hull caused when entering the locks are touched up before each hire. Catherine was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish and even set up a WhatsApp group so we could ask her question quickly whilst on holiday. We will be back again and than you Cafwin Cruises.”
Kevin Peggs – 2 Jun 21
“We originally booked a two week trip in November last year. We were confident in the measures that Catherine had put in place for COVID safety – she took swift and clear action. Unfortunately lockdown prevented us going, but Catherine was in touch straight away and offered us various options, including a refund. We decided to re-book a week this Easter. However, with the uncertainties, arrival of a new grandchild and fact that we haven’t been vaccinated yet we decided to cancel last month. We’re also getting our own boat and so didn’t want to defer to later in the year. Catherine was very understanding and instantly refunded everything but the deposit and once she had re-booked the boat she refunded our deposit as well.
say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time…..”
Liz & Jake Turner – Mar 21
“On previous walks along the towpath, we had chatted to people who were enjoying their festive break on a canal boat. We started to dream of doing the same …..Next thing we knew Catherine was welcoming us (with appropriate social distancing !) on board and introducing us to her boutique canal boat Arthur Owl. This was made all the easier by Catherine’s thorough and professional pre – trip preparations. And what a delight Arthur Owl is with his well – equipped galley (including a generous wine rack), an intimate dining area and a relaxing lounge area with even a Christmas tree in the corner. Then there is an invigorating shower and a cosy master bedroom. Having been shown the ropes (so to speak) we got off to a good start motoring along the canals and starting to negotiate the locks with ease. The first night we moored up and after an evening of wining & dining on board we let Arthur rock us slowly to sleep. We had one of the best nights’ sleep ever. Another night we moored up under a clear sky with a full moon for another dinner on board. Then on New Year’s Eve we moored up for some more wining & dining and ended up watching a splendid display of fireworks over the local village. Looking back, the long evenings on board were lovely and warm with plenty of time for one or two (but who’s counting) drinks and some romantic dinners. On the other hand, the days were short, bright and cold but dry and so good for canaling and doing some walking. So we found some time off the boat to walk the towpaths and forage for some food – albeit from a local M&S !!! Along the way we saw a heron, a kingfisher and even a solitary fox trotting back home across a nearby field. The trip exceeded expectations but it ended all too soon when it was time to say ‘au revoir’ to Arthur Owl and hand him back to Catherine. With happy hearts and lots of fond memories we exchanged fond farewells and good wishes for a healthy, happy new year. Here’s to our next time ….”
Mike Martin – Jan 21
“We originally booked Arthur Owl for 2 weeks over November/December. Unfortunately, the second lockdown scuppered our plans, but Catharine is super friendly and immediately offered us either a full refund, or credit for another holiday.
Katrina Ash – Dec 20
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“Would thoroughly recommend Cafwin and their lovely boat Arthur Owl – If it’s not the best hire boat on the waterways it’s definitely in the running.
Steve Gray – Oct 20
“We have just had a fantastic week aboard Arthur Owl. Superb hosts got us underway with a full handover, so we put at complete ease to get us underway. Catherine was in constant contact with us helping us with out route planning and guidance. The advance information was exceptional. We started our holiday 6 miles from home and as soon as we got on the canal we could have been anywhere in the UK going through beautiful countryside transporting us away. Arthur Owl gave us 5* star accommodation . There was everything you could possibly want for on board, real home from home with a comfortable bed and luxury bathroom. A lovely experience and Catherine made the whole experience feel very personal and kept patience with us , her challenging guests !!
Highly recommend”
This review was copied from TripAdvisor
Derek S – Sep 20
“We have just returned from our week break on Arthur Owl narrowboat. We decided to do the Stourport Ring which was amazing. Cafwin Cruises is perfectly based at Droitwich Marina so there are a number of options of where you can cruise. We have had a number of narrowboat holidays in the UK and would definitely say Arthur Owl is the best boat we have stayed on, just stunning inside and out. Everything you could possibly require during your holiday. We had so many compliments on the boat during our journey. If you have never been narrowboating before and dream of giving it a go then you can rest assured that Catherine will give a very detailed handover telling all you need to know to get you on the move. She will accompany you during the first part of your holiday taking you through the first 3 locks and only when you have the confidence to do so, she send you on your way.
Paul Langdell – Aug 20
“We had a holiday booked for last week with Cafwin Cruises. Unfortunately due to the situation with Covid-19, we had to cancel. Catherine gave us alternative dates but sadly they were unsuitable. Even though we didn’t get to enjoy the boat, Catherine was very helpful and gave us the full deposit back without any questions.
Peter Muggleton – Aug 20
“Having had the absolute pleasure of staying on beautiful Arthur Owl just before the world went into this crazy unknown territory. I cannot praise enough the work that Catherine puts in to making sure your stay is nothing but utter comfort and ease. Catherine worked so hard in putting together a route suitable for the length of our stay which was fantastic as we were complete novices. We were so impressed with how much thought and detail had gone into making the boat so wonderfully comfortable and so well equipped (they really have thought of everything). Must admit we were a little nervous at the thought of being in control of such a magnificent 57 ft boat, however Catherine instantly put us right at ease with helping us through the first three locks and first stretch of canal. Cafwin cruises gets a 5 star rating from us and we very much look forward to spending time on Arthur Owl in future for another fantastic adventure on the canal.
Saphire Collins – Feb 20
“Beautiful narrowboat with gorgeous interior design. Highly recommend 😊💗 All the little touches make it stand out “
Karen Colin York Daniels – Sep 19
“We loved our first week on Arthur Owl so much that we came back a month later and loved it even more! Once again, Catherine couldn’t have been more helpful and the boat was immaculate as always. It’s a great feeling cruising along knowing you’re on the best boat on the water! Can’t recommend Cafwin Cruises highly enough.“
Debbie Welsh – Aug 19
“Thank you Catherine for entrusting your beloved Arthur Owl to us for our first ever narrow-boating adventure last week.
He is very handsome indeed inside and out and was much admired by lots of lovely families we met along our journey.
Thank you for being so lovely and patient with us with your detailed induction and for all the written information and maps available for us on board to refer to, which enabled us to feel totally confident when we sailed away from you!
We didn’t see one fellow narrowboat along our chosen route – the Droitwich Circle – that compared in any way to Arthur Owl. Everything inside Arthur Owl is so tastefully decorated Catherine and absolutely 5*. We had everything to hand we could possibly have needed and the welcome pack you left for us was so kind and generous.
Murphy wasn’t too pleased we left him behind though and we missed him but he would definitely have wanted to be a bit naughty – only being four months old – and as it happens it would have been a bit hot for him last week but we hope to bring him with us on our next trip on Arthur Owl.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you Catherine – many thanks from the four of us – we had some great laughs – even a couple of mishaps – moored up in some lovely places and found some great restaurants along our route.
A great time was had by all. Thank you from Heather and family xx”
Heather Graham – Aug 19
“My wife Maggie, myself and dog, Grace, hired this lovely vessel at the end of Jun early Jul and we would like to say what a great boat she is; superbly equipped with wonderful double bed and real shower plus all mod cons. Truly a boutique narrowboat experience with the nearest thing to owning your own boat. I was cleaning and making her look pretty because we were proud to be on her. Had some great comments from other boat owners. Catherine was very attentive and the boat was superbly presented. We are now considering booking her for next year for an extended trip. Cheers Martin, Maggie and Grace.“
Martin Cole – Jul 19
“We had a fabulous time on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful boat for cruising the canals from Droitwich Spa. We were lucky with the weather so made the most of the seating area outside, making ourselves at home with the table and umbrella provided. Inside the boat is well equipped and super cosy should the weather not be so kind, with a sofa and food stools to chill out on. Catherine has put lots of thought into ensuring her guests are comfortable and this is definitely shown in the bathroom with a shower better than ours at home! We had several people ask us about Arthur Owl on our travels and even did a couple of ‘tours’ for some experienced boaters (this was our first trip) and they were very impressed with the quality and finish. Looking forward to our next cruise already.“
Lee Collins – Jul 19
“Just back from a few days on the canal. Beautiful boat and wonderful service and attention to detail. Will be doing it again.“
Bryan Jones – Jul 19
“My wife Maggie and I, along with Grace the dog, hired this lovely boat at the end June 2019 and would like to say what a great vessel she is . Brand new and superbly equipped with a comfortable double bed and real shower etc etc . A truly boutique narrow boat and the nearest thing you will get to your own boat. We cruised down to Worcester up the Severn and the Droitwich Canal and found some lovely secluded spots to moor, plus some great pubs to re-hydrate in. We loved the boat so much we have booked her for an extended trip next year . Martin &Maggie”
Review copied from TripAdvisor
Martin & Maggie Cole – Jun 19
“We’ve just had the most amazing week on Arthur Owl despite some typically English rainy summer weather. The boat is absolutely stunning and has everything you need for a holiday on the water. Catherine couldn’t have made the whole experience easier and her thorough handover ensured we were totally familiar with Arthur. Definitely 10/10 and we’ll be back!“
Mark Welsh – Jun 19
“Such a beautiful boat, Catherine has thought of every little detail to make this holiday a most enjoyable one. Based in a stunning area with many interesting places to explore we enjoyed every minute of our holiday as a family of four staying in this luxury boat. Many people commented on how lucky we were to have a boat with a quiet engine – yet another detail. The children enjoyed getting involved with locks and other mechanical duties as well as being able to squirrel away and watch a DVD in the warmth in the evenings. We enjoyed cooking on board with all the facilities we are used to at home making it a totally relaxing experience. Thank you Catherine for helping us make memories to cherish.“
Katie Yardley – Jun 19
“A floating boutique hotel.From start to finish a truly magical experience. Catherine is a great communicator who quickly answered all our questions prior to the trip. Upon arrival we were met by Catherine who introduced us to her brand new floating palace. The interior really is special and would put many a boutique hotel room to shame. The layout is carefully thought out with plenty of relaxing space, together with a fully equipped kitchen. We found storage space everywhere with all the fixtures and fittings of the highest quality. The boat engine is fitted with a fantastic silencer which meant conversation was easy on the large aft seating section. This area had enough room for a removable table and parasol (all supplied). Catherine gave us detailed maps and suggested itineraries, all of which made our holiday even more special. We had a wonderful time on an amazing boat. We shall be booking again for next year.”
Mike Drennan – May 19
“Great modern style boat with absolutely everything you need to have a great holiday. Lovely owners giving a fantastic service. Should be called 5 Star Boating Holidays!”,
David Staines – May 19
“Outstanding service from start to finish: friendly, informative and good value.”
Nick Chambers – Apr 19
“Catherine, Thank you for the lovely holiday on the beautiful Arthur Owl! The boat is wonderfully fitted out with top notch equipment and decor…and your instruction in both driving the boat and operating the locks was spot on….best of luck in your first season….I’m sure you’ll have many happy clients who will all be keen to come back again and again!”
Sarah Bowen – Apr 19
“We had a lovely time spend on Arthur Owl; such a beautiful spotless boat. Catherine, Lewis and Hannah were so kind and helpful and even the wind did not spoil our time out.”
Louise Richards – Mar 19
“As novice narrow boaters, we were apprehensive about learning everything for our trip. Our fears were soon allayed by Catherine who gave us a full run down of the workings of the boat, and fully supervised us through the first set of locks, both on managing the lock mechanism and handling the boat. She was calm and patient and ensured that we were going to have a safe and enjoyable time.
We were expecting a well equipped boat from the descriptions, however, were blown away when we got inside. Everything had been thought of, from the full kitchen complete with coffee machine, dishwasher, microwave and every utensil you could need to prepare hearty meals. The living area complete with TV, DVD, Bose speaker and large sofa was very cosy area in which to relax following a day out in the fresh air. There was ample storage for the large amount of clothes we had taken along to account for all types of weather. The fully fitted shower room with fabulous multi jet shower, we would never have imagined would be found on a boat. Fluffy towels and bathrobes helped to provide a very chilled time. Then to the luxurious bed which was very spacious and comfy.
We were unfortunate with the weather which meant our original route was not available due to the high water levels on the Severn. Catherine advised us on an alternative which was possible in the time we had. There was plenty of literature and maps providing information on places of interest along the way.
Thank you so much for providing an enjoyable first trip on the canals – we are now converts!”
Wendy Sterrit – Mar 19
“We had a brilliant time of Arthur Owl last week; what a beautifully done boat to the highest standard. Catherine and her family were extremely helpful and couldn’t have done more to make sure everything was ok. I can’t wait to return soon. Many thanks for making my first experience on a narrowboat so enjoyable.”
Nicole Webber – Mar 19
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
“We had a wonderful few days on Arthur Owl. Catherine and her team were very professional and helpful from our initial enquiry through to our ‘check out’. The boat was superbly prepared and clean with clear operating instructions. Catherine was a very good coach and took us through the first 3 locks so we could operate Arthur Owl safely. The boat is tastefully furnished (the website photos don’t do it justice) – by far the best boat on the canal during our break. We also appreciated the extra food and drink ‘pack’ . We managed to complete the c. 30×2 Tardebigge locks up and down in one day and slept very well that night! We would thoroughly recommend – thank you“
Noa & Richard Phelps – Oct 20
“Thank you so much for your wonderful counsel. I will check out all of the links that you forwarded. Much, much appreciated. Your advice and recommendations are truly appreciated.
If I can ever convince friends to hire a narrowboat, Cafwin cruises will be at the top of my list. Your service to a potential customer has been off the charts refreshing. Indeed I’m not used to it!
Thank you so much for the emails. Really, really grateful.”
Charlie Pellett – Jan 21
Thank you Cafwin Cruises for an utterly fabulous week!
Ollie Owl is the newest addition to Cafwin Cruises’ little fleet of narrowboats. He’s a fantastic innovation and an absolute beaut! Ollie is easily the most comfortable boat we’ve hired – and the first on which we (both of us!) slept soundly every night, thanks to the high spec double bed and luxurious bedding. Indeed he’s high spec throughout and very well kitted out with all the equipment and utensils you could wish for – from complete kitchenware through reliable wifi to fleecy dressing gowns.
Most important for us were his innovative environmental credentials. Ollie’s an electric-powered boat with HVO back-up (planned). The first such hire boat on the English canal system. And what a wonderful difference it made! No more dirty fumes or diesel contaminating the water – and no more noise! Cruising along on electric power was super quiet, which seemed to be much appreciated by other boaters, walkers, fishermen and the local wildlife.
As Ollie’s very first guests we were delighted to canal-test the tech. Cafwin’s Catherine and Ortomarine the boat maker were very attentive and quick to tackle a few small teething issues remotely, as they arose, so our holiday continued with no interruptions and little tweaks to raise our comfort levels even higher.
Ollie handles very well indeed – we took him through a variety of locks, swing bridges, winding holes and tunnels on the midland canals – he performed beautifully in all of them. The comprehensive canal map kindly provided by Catherine was a fab addition – really helpful for route planning and topping up the water tank.
WiFi worked well and the smart TV too – hardly used though as we spent most of our time outside, enjoying great weather and lovely surroundings.
Sarah Thomas de Benitez – Mar 22
“We hired Arthur Owl for 2 weeks in August/September. This was our 10th canal boat trip so we’re fairly familiar with boating. Arthur Owl was recommended to us by a private boater that we met last year. Honestly, it did not disappoint. Everything from start to finish was spot on.
Stuart Axson – Sep 21