It can be hard to know what to take on your luxury narrowboat holiday, especially if you’re a first timer.
You’ll be happy to hear that our stylish boats are extremely well equipped with all the facilities and amenities you’d find in a luxury boutique hotel; many more than you would find on most narrowboat holidays. From essential kitchen and bathroom items to luxury touches such as fluffy towels, dressing gowns and slippers, we’ve put hours of thought into making your trip a relaxing and memorable one.
Our luxury narrowboats have been cleverly designed by professionals to accommodate as many facilities as possible, while at the same time maximising storage so the space on board doesn’t feel cramped.
However, spending a little time thinking through what you pack will ensure a more comfortable holiday for you and your travel companions as you navigate your way along Worcestershire’s beautiful canals.
The two golden rules of packing are firstly to bring soft bags rather than hard shell cases, as they’re much easier to store once you’ve unpacked. Secondly, check our inventory page to see what’s already available on the boat for you. You might be surprised at some of the things you see on the list.
In this blog, we’ve put together some useful tips to help you prepare for your unique getaway. However, the most important things to remember on your narrowboat holiday in Worcestershire are a sense of humour, a willingness to learn new skills and, above all, a commitment to embrace rest and relaxation.
Clothing
Whatever the time of year, the great British weather can be changeable, so bring clothes for all eventualities on your narrowboat holiday in Worcestershire. A couple of warm jumpers are useful as evenings can get chilly, especially if you’re enjoying a relaxing drink out on the deck as the sun goes down. We provide ponchos to keep you dry, but it’s also a good idea to being a waterproof coat and wellies.
Casual clothes are best, as your canal boat holiday will be a very relaxed affair. Indeed, things can get a little wet and muddy, especially when you’re working the locks.
Most canal side pubs and restaurants are very laid back with a casual dress code, however if you plan to splash out at a fancy bar or restaurant make sure you have a smart outfit with you.
We provide a small ironing board and iron, but crease-free clothing is advisable. You might like a break from day-to-day chores anyway.
Safety items
It’s essential to bring some non-slip shoes, preferably without laces, for when you’re out on the deck. Thick gloves, such as gardening gloves, are also useful for doing jobs around the narrowboat and manoeuvring heavy locks.
We provide a torch on board the narrowboat, but it’s a good idea to have one or two spares. You could while away hours enjoying the peace and staring at stars in the beautiful Worcestershire skies, but it can get very dark out in the countryside.
Leisure items
Your luxury narrowboat holiday in Worcestershire is all about rest and relaxation. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the activities that you don’t usually have time to do.
You’ll see an abundance of interesting birds, animals and plants along the canals, so bring some wildlife identification books and binoculars to fully appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. You could also bring a camera, or drawing or painting supplies to capture those peaceful moments.
We supply a selection of board games, as well as unlimited wifi. Your SMART TV will provide all the major channels and enable access to any Netflix or Amazon Prime Accounts you may have. For music we provide state of the art Bluetooth speakers. However, if there’s something you particularly love, then bring it along. This is the time to finally finish that novel that’s been sitting next to your bed for months.
Food and drink
We provide many of the basic food items you’ll need on your luxury narrowboat holiday, including a starter pack of tea, coffee, sugar and spices, along with environmentally friendly kitchen essentials like cleaning materials, bin liners and cloths. It’s useful to bring tin foil or cling film to help with food storage, as well as everyday food you’ll need during your canal boat holiday. Space is limited on board, so try to remove as much unnecessary packaging as possible before you arrive.
Don’t forget you might buy things along the way; there are plenty of wonderful local delicacies available at the many farmers’ markets and independent shops that you’ll pass on your journey. What could be better than a relaxing al fresco feast in the sunshine after a day of exploring?
Personal items
You won’t need to bring shampoo, conditioner or body lotions, as they’re all provided on board your luxury narrowboat. You’ll also be given plenty of loo roll, as well as a hairdryer and straighteners so you can step onto the deck in style.
Any additional toiletries you bring should be environmentally friendly, as your wastewater will be emptied into the canal. Bring suncream and insect repellent for the summer months. It’s also a good idea to have a basic first aid kit.
Enquire about your luxury narrowboat holiday now
If you’re planning a unique luxury holiday on a narrowboat, we’d love to hear from you.
Our luxury narrowboats are available to hire for a special trip with all the home comforts you need, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday in style.