Grand Union Narrowboats

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Reviews

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  Lauran West

  We have just returned from a lovely long weekend away on the Grand Union Canal in the lovely Knotweed. We were a large party of 7 and the boat was beautiful inside and out and suited our every need. Steve and his crew went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time and great tuition. Even providing a wonderful gift and balloons as it was a birthday celebration. Highly recommended. We will definitely be returning!!

  18-05-2023
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  Ann Murphy

  This was our first time on a Narrowboat holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Steve and his team were very helpful showing us the ropes, and helping us through the first locks. The boat was very comfortable and warm. Would recommend puchasing the waterways guide book from Steve, this was very useful on planning our route. Would definately recommend Grand Union Narrowboat Holidays to anyone thinking of giving it a go.

  18-05-2023
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  Oz Mandius

  Best holiday experience. I’ve been all over the world, and have stayed in some fantastic places but none of them beats a week on the canals with Grand Union Narrowboats. Steve and his team were just excellent, we pumped them for information and they never stopped giving. The pre-cruise instruction was brilliant, and the chaperoned cruise was just right as well as the move through the first locks. Always full of advice and contactable throughout the holiday GU Narrowboats would be hard to beat. Next stop sell the house, buy a narrowboat, disappear.

  18-05-2023
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  Luke Jostins-Dean

  We just finished an amazing week-long holiday on the Grand Union in a boat rented from this company. It cost less than we were expecting (partly because we went out of season), but the quality of the service and the boat were very high. The boatyard in Weedon is in a great position, a day or so south to the lovely canal village of Stoke Bruerne (with a canal museum and lots of pubs), and a couple of days NW up to Braunston, with beautiful countryside all around, and many historic locks, tunnels, mills etc nearby. We just did a few days up and a few days down, but Weedon is also well positioned for longer adventures that look very attractive (a three-week trip could take you down to London, along the Thames and back up the Oxford canal, or North up and around the Birmingham ring, etc etc). We rented Jimsonweed, a 6-berth narrowboat. It was much more luxurious than other boats we have used in the past, with two toilets, a good shower, comfy beds, and lots of storage space (3 cupboards and 8 draws total). It had great central heating too, which made staying on the canal in April comfortable even when it went below freezing outside, and had a little airing cupboard above the boiler which came in handy. Everything you need in the kitchen too - reasonably sized fridge-freezer, toaster, microwave, gas oven with hob and grill, lots of pots and pans, baking tray etc. You can cook proper meals very easily. Steve and his company provide the sort of set-up on the boat that you'd get in a good AirBnB or holiday rental - clean towels on all the beds, a fully equipped kitchen with washing up liquid ready and a cafetiere for fresh coffee, teabags and a pint of milk in the fridge, fresh flowers on the table, boardgames on the shelf, etc. They also provide training in steering, mooring, locks etc, so it's a good place to start even if you are a complete beginner. It really does require almost no preparation - just make a booking, and all you need to think about is bringing food (and maybe a canal map or guidebook), other than that you just follow the instructions in the emails they send. There are also none of the hidden charges you sometimes get from rental companies. Everything was included, including the diesel (used for fuel and for heating), and car parking (they didn't even complain when we brought two cars, when we wouldn't have been surprised if they had charged us for the second one). If you stay on the canals you also don't have to pay any fees, pay for mooring, etc. I would absolutely recommend this company to anyone who is thinking about taking a canal boating holiday.

  18-04-2023
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  MrFerreltip

  Steve and his fantastic team at Grand union canal boats Weedon, have again come out 10/10 for our family holiday on Londonweed. This is the second time in two years we have chosen Grandunion canalboats last year we chose Jimsonweed which was fantastic. This years boat was amazing and extremely well appointed both internally and externally. We were very grateful for the lovely flowers , wine and Easter eggs which where on board as we arrived. 10/10 for quality and customer satisfaction. 👌

  18-04-2023
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  Richard Litchfield

  Great holiday would recommend for experienced or beginner. Steve and his team couldn't be more welcoming or helpful

  18-04-2023
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  Rachel Devenny

  We had a wonderful week staying on narrowboat ‘Ragweed’! Steve and the team at Grand Union Narrowboats were super friendly and helpful - Steve even took time away from his evening, weekend and family to help us with a minor problem we encountered. Ragweed is a 5* boat - well equipped, cosy, warm shower, a proper bed! The finishing touches were very much appreciated - quality blackout curtains, fresh flowers and even a pint of milk, tea, coffee and a bottle of wine to welcome us onboard :-) We travelled from Weedon to Leighton Buzzard and really enjoyed the experience of cruising through Blisworth Tunnel! There were plenty of canal-side pubs to stop at and some really lovely picturesque spots to stop at overnight. We’d highly recommend a narrowboat holiday Grand Union Narrowboats, with Steve and his team - we’ll certainly be back!

  18-04-2023
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  J P

  Spent a perfect weekend cruising down to Cosgrove and back. Couldn't recommend enough.

  18-04-2023
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  Roger Allen

  My wife and I are from Buffalo, New York in the States and with two close friends we hired the 70' Narrow boat 'Tassleweed' from Steve Furniss at Grand Union a few months prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic with its serious travel restrictions. Three years later we actually boarded the boat for our two week adventure on the amazing canals of the UK. I gave this review a 5 star rating but honestly feel that Steve and crew should get many more stars than that. There were no unhappy surprises for us at any stage of our long distance transactions, despite the craziness of the pandemic. Typical of Steve, right after we completed the low key sign in, he very kindly went out of his way to cart us off to the grocery for provisions at the beginning of our Narrow boating trip. He patiently explained every part of the boat's operation and went along with us for the first two locks to make sure we understood the locking process. The boat was well appointed, fully prepared for us, and made for a very comfortable traveling home from which to explore the English heart land at a leisurely pace. Every one we met along the canals was equally friendly, helpful and happy to be sharing the fun of being on the canal. At the end of the trip Steve also helped us solve our transportation problems so that we arrived at our hotel near the airport for the flight back with as little stress as possible. I highly recommend Steve Furniss and Grand Union Narrow Boats for great service and an excellent holiday adventure.

  18-10-2022
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  Nick Kenworthy

  This was the first time in a narrowbboat for myself and my wife. We were absolute beginners and Steve and company made sure we had a great experience. On day 1 they walked us through all aspects of the boat and when we were ready to go they took us down the canal for 45 minutes and made sure we were comfortable steering, stopping.and starting. We were then left to our own devices for the remainder of the evening. The following day we were given a meeting point before the locks. They again held our hands through the first two locks and then left us to the rest of the holiday. We came back as experts (ish). We had so much fun and would definitely use them again. We had a 45ft boat which is 3 birth for the two of us. Linen, bedding and towels are all provided. We even had a complimentary bottle of wine and tea and coffee. There is a small fridge and gas cooker and well appointed utensils. To be honest, we had no plans to cook. Our intention was to eat breakfast and lunch snacks on board and to eat at pubs in the evening. We achieved this goal and stopped at many nice pubs.. As beginners we were recommended to go south from Weedon as there are 7 locks a big tunnel and some good pubs. We got as far as Milton Keynes and back in 4 days. Everyone speaks to you going down the canals. You meet many characters, so my wife definitely got her 10,000 words in each day. At night we moored at the more secluded locations as we like the peace, quiet and wildlife. There are many pubs either on the canal or a short walk. My only comment would be, if you intend to cook make sure you take some food with you. There weren't many shops where you could buy snacks or supplies. Villages are small when heading south so you might get one pub and school. Stoke Bruerne is a lovely stopping off point and the narrow boat museum is a must see. I forgot to mention that boats are fully fuelled and watered but you need to fill up with fresh water every day. We bought the map book from Steve at £17 and this gives you everything you need to know and see on your travels. Good for other locations as well. I had to drag the wife off the boat, she didn't want to go back home. Which is a good sign. My only top tip is to take a couple of camping chairs because if you want to sit on the canal bank you might want something. Steve can also provide these if you ask.

  18-08-2022