Day Hire

Day Hire

Our fleet of Self Steer Day Boats are built to provide the ideal day out for families and friends. The canal serving our marina is the Grand Union and it is at its most picturesque where it climbs up into the Chilterns Hills from Pitstone Wharf through Marsworth to Tring.

Whilst we have no desire to spoil your day out we must advise you that drink/driving limitations are the same for road vehicles and canal/river craft. This includes persons working locks as well as those steering the boat.

Routes

North

You can steer north where the canal soon becomes very rural and remote with the Dunstable Downs as a backdrop. There is a swing bridge just after leaving the boatyard and the locks are generally more isolated than those to the south.

Slapton Lock is a reasonably easy destination to achieve, even for a novice crew.

South

You can cruise South through the village of Marsworth and can continue to Bulbourne by using the locks to climb to the summit level near Tring. You will be alongside the wonderful Marsworth reservoirs with an abundance of wildlife, particularly birdlife. An interesting option is to turn off at Marsworth onto the Aylesbury arm. You won’t have time to reach Aylesbury but you will experience some great rural scenes on your trip. You may care to bring a picnic meal or use the pubs at Marsworth, Bulbourne or at Wilstone on the Aylesbury arm.

2013 Prices

All prices in the table below are in pounds (£) sterling.

Summer Season (31st March – 27th October inc.)

  • Weekends and bank holidays £185.00
  • Weekdays £155.00

Winter Season (28th October– 29th March)

  • Weekends £135.00
  • Weekdays £125.00
  • During the winter season we also offer a half day rate at £70.00 on weekdays and £80.00 on weekends – subject to availability.

Availability

Our boats are available from 9.30am to 5.30pm during the Summer months and 9.30am to 4.30pm (or sunset if earlier) during the Winter months, they can be booked by telephone on our booking number +44 (0) 1296 661920.

Bookings

Please telephone first to check availability. A non refundable deposit of £50 made payable to Grebe Canal Cruises Ltd. will secure your booking. The balance can be paid in advance or on the day of hire.

Catering

The Waterside Café, also located at Pitstone Wharf, can ease your preparation worries and supply freshly made sandwiches for your day out. The cafe is not part of our business but they can be contacted via the link to Pitstone Wharf on our home page.

Damage Deposit

A separate £50 cash damage deposit must be left with us on the day of hire. This deposit is an insurance excess and a guarantee against damage to or late return of the boat. The boat will be checked when you get back to Pitstone Wharf, and your deposit returned immediately, provided that there is no damage or breakages and that you return on time. We will charge £25 per hour (or part thereof) for return after the appointed time.

Dogs

We welcome dogs on our Dayboats, and on any of our cruises that do not involve food, however they must be kept on a lead when around the car park and boatyard, due to the abundance of tame and much loved wildlife.

Life Jackets

We provide free life jackets in both child and adult sizes to anybody that hires one of our Dayboats.