Explore our Canal History

crest narrowboats

Escape the hustle and bustle and explore North Wales at your own pace.

A Family run narrowboat hire company
with over 50 years experience

Canal boat hire Special Offers

Get 20% off your booking for March or April arrivals! Offer ends March 10. Book now!

Crest Narrowboats is a family run canal boat hire business providing narrowboat holidays in the North Wales region. With a good selection of canal boats to hire that suit all budgets and requirements, we are confident that you will enjoy your time spent exploring the tranquil Llangollen Canal and beyond. Above all, we pride ourselves on providing a top quality service and barges that are in excellent condition.

We have a wide variety of boats to suit every need and budget, so you can be rest assured that you’ll find the perfect vessel for your canal boat hire holiday. Whether you’re looking for a short trip to explore the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct or a week’s hire taking a leisurely trip down towards Whitchurch, we have a boat that’s perfect for you. We are ideally situated between the Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts for canal boat holidays on the English and Welsh Canals.

All of our canal boats are regularly maintained & serviced to the highest standards, they’re equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday, and our experienced and friendly staff are always on hand to help with any questions you may have.

Not sure of what you can accomplish in a short trip or a week? Take a look at our Routes page. Want to know more about the areas on the Llangollen Canal? Have a look at our Places of Interest page! For more information about our boats and what to expect on a Crest canal boat hire, or to make a booking, take a look around our website or contact us via email or telephone. We hope to hear from you soon!

Fun on the Llangollen Canal

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This was our first time doing a narrowboat cruise and I’m so glad we went with Crest. Their tutorial got us underway quickly and the staff was friendly, cheerful and patient. Located in Chirk means you have easy access to the spectacular Llangollen Canal! Again, we’ve only gone on one trip but everyone we talked to said this trip was the one to do. Go in one direction and you have farms, fields, grazing cattle and sheep and small villages. Go in the other direction and you’re in the Welsh highlands, headed for the spectacular Pontylssomething Aqueduct. (I can’t spell Welsh words very well).

Jeff H

First time and definitely won’t be our last time!

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This was our first experience on a canal boat and it definately won’t be our last! We arrived at Chirk Marina and was warmly greeted by the staff there. After a quick tour and demonstration we were on our way. We decided on a route with the destination being Ellesmere. We decided on this route as with travelling with children the experience of crossing the aqueduct, chirk tunnel and the 2 locks made the experience more of an adventure!
We travelled on the Cadi Fach which is a 4-6 berth boat. The boat was well equipped with all the necessities for our weekend away. The boat itself was immaculately clean and well presented with all matching furnishings. I would definately recommend Crest Narrowboats and look forward to booking again with you next year!
Thank you Dorothy and all staff

Natasha B

Our 1st narrowboat holiday – amazing!

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My parents, doggo and I hired the narrowboat β€œAngharad” for our first canal adventure. We picked up the boat (it was clean, tidy and ready to go) and were given a walkthrough of the vessel and some instruction afloat, this was done by Chris who was very helpful and entertaining.
The canal was amazing, with picturesque countryside views, tunnels, locks, bridges and aqueducts. A brilliant introduction to canal holidays – now we want to go again!
Thank you to Crest Narrowboats for being so welcoming!

Sam D

Family Break

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Really pleasurable experience, would not hesitate to recommend.

We began our experience on a Saturday, our boat, Dinas Bran, was ready for us nice and early to begin our trip. The staff at the Marina were so helpful, they went above and beyond and it really helped our trip.

The boat itself was more than adequate for 6 people, everything on board that you could possibly need.

We would recommend this experience to those with young or older children, there is plenty to do for everyone. The run from Chirk to Ellesmere has some delightful views and you can’t beat going over the aqueduct

James

Really Good Experience

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Our first narrowboat experience and the staff at Crest were excellent. Boat was in good condition, no mechanical issues at all. Allowed us to pick up the boat early and get on the water. Great introduction and walk round at pickup along with a short cruise where the staff member came with us and made sure we knew how to turn the boat. Llangollen canal has a bit of everything for a first timer. Two viaducts, tunnels, and a couple of locks. The advice to head to Ellesmere first before attempting Llangollen is well worth following as some practice before navigating the narrows was very useful. Also by heading for Llangollen later in the week we seemed to miss the worst of the traffic. Would highly recommend Crest!

Andrew H

Can’t wait

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Perfect Stunning! A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all. The staff are all absolute stars. Once again thank you Crest Narrowboats!! We’ll be back

Mrs Parker

Clean and tidy

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Clean and fit upon arrival – very good. Paul gave a thorough orientation – Thank you – ideal for the beginner

Kim

Something different

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Beautifully appointed. Good central heating. Good lighting. Nice size. Clean!! Its a great boat

John W

Fun

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What a fun craft, verbal and written instructions were thorough and effective. We quickly became adequate in operating the vehicle, but now there is less paint on the hull!!

R D

Lovely

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Lovely condition and fresh looking. Staff always helpful and friendly by email, phone and face to face

S Moel

Loved it!

Very nice layout, comfortable bed and chairs. Lovely boat, clean linen and towels. TV signal dodgy which is understandable

J R

Great!!!

At handover, pleasant staff and good instruction. Like the modern easy living style

James Deer

Have you been on one of our boats? Leave us a review here!

Routes

How much time have you got? Stay on the Llangollen Canal or go further afield with the Montgomery, Shropshire, 4 Counties or Cheshire ring.

Our Boats

We have a selection of boats, from 2 berth for romantic getaways, 4 to 6 berths for families and 6 to 8 berths for larger families or parties.

our canal boat hires As seen IN MEDIA

KARA AND NATE

Take a virtual journey with Kara and Nate down the stunning Llangollen Canal. Click the link to watch their captivating three-day trip and find out why this should be on your bucket list.

Canals: the making of a nation

Liz McIvor explores the canals after post war neglect, becoming places of tranquillity for narrow boat holidays.

Celebrity 5 go barging

Nigel Havers, Debbie McGee, Lorraine Chase and Simon Callow with Crest Narrowboats on the Llangollen Canal.

TIM AND PRU

The nations favourites return to where they had their honeymoon on the Llangollen Canal. You can still see it here.

Crest Narrowboats