Explore our Canal History
crest narrowboats
A Narrowboat Holiday with Llangollen Canals Favourite Holiday Hire Company.
Coronavirus update – Due to the current situation, we have had to postpone taking bookings for the months of March and April. As we hear more from the government this might extend to later months. We shall contact customers who have bookings with us in March and April to transfer their holiday dates to the same period next year
Why Choose Crest Narrowboats? Why Choose Crest Narrowboats?
Certainly all of our hirers at Crest Narrowboats, on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, want to go over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We are ideally situated between the Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts for canal boat holidays on the English and Welsh Canals. Therefore, we know we have something for everybody.
Crest Narrowboats are a family run canal narrowboat hire business with some members having over 50 years experience in canal boat holiday hire fleet management. For instance, we have 3 generations involved at the moment. Dorothy’s history has been traced back to her great great grandfather, Joseph Allmark (1820-1886), whose employment was in 1861 a charcoal boatman. In other words, boating has been in our blood for over 150 years!
Firstly, with our great staff, knowledge and location we are certain you will love your break with us. Secondly, if you are new to canal boat holidays then you will be in good hands when you hire a canal boat from Crest Narrowboats. Even more, on arrival, all are given fully comprehensive training and easy to understand instruction that is in accord with the British Marine Federation’s Handover Procedure.
Above all, we want you to enjoy your time with us at Crest Narrowboats.
We are proud to provide a unique way to explore Britain’s beautiful countryside. In addition to being based on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, our luxury canal boats are renowned for their elegant and contemporary design. They are built to the highest standards to deliver an enjoyable and comfortable experience for all. Enjoy a new kind of holiday that allows you to be the Captain of your own ‘ship’. Wake up to a beautiful new view each morning among iconic landmarks. However you want to get way from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, relax among friends and family.
With Crest Narrowboats you can choose a holiday to suit you with flexible dates from a three-night short canal break to a 3 week+ holiday. Furthermore, as we are ideally situated on the Llangollen Canal, even with a short break you would have time to cruise over both Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts. Additionally, on this short break route, you would cruise through two tunnels, Llangollen (and Ellesmere, depending on hours cruising). All of our narrowboats are fully heated so you can enjoy the waterways in early spring right through to late autumn. We offer a variety of narrowboats to hire that sleep from two up to eight people.
In short, no previous canal boating experience is necessary with a Crest Narrowboat holiday. Full instruction will be given on your arrival at the marina. Our British Marine Federation accredited teams will talk you through the canal boat – all you need to know about locks, tunnels and aqueducts plus provide info and tips on the best places to moor up and eat.
Finally, we also have a 24-hour phone line with a free call-out service for emergencies.
A Family run company with over 50 years experience
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
As seen on telly
Tim and Pru
The nations favourites return to where they had their honeymoon on the Llangollen Canal. You can still see it here.
Canals: the making of a nation
Liz McIvor explores the canals after post war neglect, becoming places of tranquility for boating holidays
Celebrity 5 go barging
Nigel Havers, Debbie McGee, Lorraine Chase and Simon Callow with Crest Narrowboats on the Llangollen Canal
You and your family
Why not be the stars of your own holiday video, with drone footage while you're on the aqueducts