Canal Boat Hire FAQ

Please see https://www.kateboats.co.uk/coronovirus/

Please take out travel insurance as soon as you book, even if you regard this as “just a UK trip” – why would I need it? Our terms and conditions state that you will lose your deposit if you cancel. If you cancel within 6 weeks of your trip, with your balance paid you will lose the full amount.

While it is unusual, we have a number of customers each year that have to cancel for completely unexpected reasons, from their own health, to that of others, to flooded houses. While we are sympathetic to the issues, equally we find that it is difficult to fill a late cancellation, and even on a popular week the boat may stay unbooked. Travel insurance is designed to help.

I have no connection with the money saving expert, but have always found their site useful, so I offer:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/

• We do not provide towels (except for overseas visitors) – Please bring towels!
• Our Narrowboats are designed to give plenty of storage for everything you bring with you.
• Try to bring soft bags rather than suitcases as they are easier to store.
• Waterproof clothing and a large golfing umbrella may be something to consider due to the unpredictability of the British weather.
• Sunglasses and sun cream, especially for little ones.
• Rubber soled or nonslip shoes or trainers are a must.
• A hat or cap as the sun can be quite bright.
• Some gloves for working the locks. And hand cream for same.
• Slippers or warm socks.
• A torch, for coming back from the pub in the dark.
• Mobile phone and charger. There are normal 3 pin plugs aboard.
• Some DVDs as reception can be hit and miss. Perhaps some CDs and books.
• Some games or cards for that special Family Time.
• A camera or binoculars for those wildlife surprises.
• Air freshener may be helpful for close quarters.
• Food and Snacks, tea, coffee milk etc. Sometimes its exciting to find those waterside shops and pubs along the way. At least one “store cupboard” dinner, in case you don’t make the pub.
• Shopping can be ordered from your favourite shop and delivered to the Boatyard on the morning of your arrival.
• Wine would be better in a box, (and you get more of it) than bottles.
• A few extra toilet rolls.
• The water in the taps is fresh but will need topping up every day, so some bottled water may be useful.
• We can also supply life jackets and pet buoyancy aids if requested.
• If you are bringing a pet – Pet food, lead, collar, old towels, (just in case). Beds, poo bags – you will need to “pick up”!

When you arrive with us to collect your boat we will have fully prepared it for you. Diesel topped up, gas bottles refreshed, toilet tanks emptied. It will have been cleaned internally and externally, engine serviced, all aspects of the internal workings for the boat checked, and any repairs needed carried out. This all takes time, and we want to make sure it is all ready for you. In order to do this we need the boat back from the previous hirer in good time.

We have parking available at both bases, we may need to keep your car keys whilst you are out on the boat.

Kate Boats, The Boatyard, Nelson Lane, Warwick CV34 5JB

Directions to Kate Boats at Warwick

(BUT FOR CLARITY ALL BOATS THIS YEAR WILL BE RUNNING FROM STOCKTON)

From M40: Exit M40 at J15 and follow the A46 north towards Coventry.Take the 2nd exit, about 4 miles from M40, signposted to Leek Wootton & Hill Wootton (B4115). At the roundabout, take the 4th exit (A429) to Warwick…

From M1 South: Exit M1 at J17 onto M45 towards Coventry. Continuefor 16 miles on M45 and then A45 to the A46. Take the A46 exit southt owards Warwick. After 6 miles, take the A429 exit south to Warwick…

From M1 North: Exit M1 at J21, and follow the M69 south towardsCoventry. After 16 miles proceed onto A46, and follow A46 signs around Coventry towards Warwick and Stratford. 6 miles after leaving A45 at Coventry, take the A429 exit south to Warwick…

From M6: Exit M6 at J2 onto A46 south, and follow A46 signs around Coventry towards Warwick and Stratford. 6 miles after leaving A45 at Coventry, take the A429 exit south to Warwick……

from A46 junction, after about 1 mile, proceed ahead at the roundabout on the outskirts of Warwick. Continue up the hill for 400 yards, passing the BP Petrol station, and crossing the canal bridge, and take the first left into Nelson Lane (adjacent to the 30 speed limit signs).Kate Boats is just 50 yards on the left.

Stockton Top Marina, Rugby Road, Stockton CV47 8HN

Directions to Kate Boats at Stockton (CV47 8HN)

From M40: Exit M40 at J12, and follow the B4451 north towards Southam. Enter Southam, and turn right at the first roundabout onto the A425. At the next round aboutturn left on the Southam bypass, proceed ahead at the following roundabout. And turn right at the next roundabout onto the A426 towards Rugby. Kate Boats is located on Blue Lias Industrial Estate, about 2 miles from the roundabout

From M1 South: Exit M1 at J16 onto A45 towards Daventry. Continue around the Daventry bypass, and turn left onto the A425 towards Southam. Approaching Southam, turn right on the Southam Bypass, following the signs to A426 Rugby. Turn right at the next roundabout onto the A426 towards Rugby. Kate Boats is located on Blue Lias Industrial Estate, about 2 miles from the roundabout.

From M1 North: Exit M1 at J21, and follow the M69 south towards Coventry. After 16 miles proceed onto A46, and follow A46 signs to the A45. At the roundabout, turn left onto the A45 towards Rugby, then after 300 yards take the exit to the A423 toSoutham. On the outskirts of Southam, enter the roundabout and take the first exit onto the A426 towards Rugby. Kate Boats is located on the Blue Lias Industrial Estate, about 2 miles from the roundabout.

From M6: Exit M6 at J2 onto A46 south, and follow A46 signs to the A45. At theroundabout, turn left onto the A45 towards Rugby, then after 300 yards, take the exit to the A423 to Southam. On the outskirts of Southam enter the roundabout and take the first exit onto the A426 towards Rugby. Kate Boats is located on Blue Lias Industrial Estate, about 2 miles from the roundabout.

Please see https://www.kateboats.co.uk/coronovirus/

Please see https://www.kateboats.co.uk/coronovirus/

Please take out travel insurance as soon as you book, even if you regard this as “just a UK trip” – why would I need it? Our terms and conditions state that you will lose your deposit if you cancel. If you cancel within 6 weeks of your trip, with your balance paid you will lose the full amount.

While it is unusual, we have a number of customers each year that have to cancel for completely unexpected reasons, from their own health, to that of others, to flooded houses. While we are sympathetic to the issues, equally we find that it is difficult to fill a late cancellation, and even on a popular week the boat may stay unbooked. Travel insurance is designed to help.

I have no connection with the money saving expert, but have always found their site useful, so I offer:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/