We have two small boats, Ashford (2 berth) and Norwood (4 berth). These boats were fitted out Blisworth in 1998, and make an ideal base for couples and families to explore an attractive stretch of the Grand Union canal.

The boats are available for short breaks and longer holidays, starting and ending on Friday or Monday. Hire times are from 3pm on the start day to 10am on the finish day. If you have not hired a boat before, we will give you full tuition and take you through the first lock or two. We can provide buoyancy aids for children (and adults). Pets are welcome, for a small extra charge of £15, providing they are well supervised and do not leave paw prints!

There is a good choice of routes from Pitstone, and we will be pleased to advise you if you need any help in deciding where to go. We can also send you maps and guides in advance of your holiday.

The boats are powered by a quiet diesel engine, with electric start and single lever control. Power is supplied from 12V batteries, and there is a limited supply of 240V (max 300W) for mobile phone charging. The boats have a large water storage tank, and carry an ample supply of gas and diesel for two weeks cruising. The boats have current Safety Certificates and Gas Safety Records.

There is a plentiful supply of hot water and a modern vitreous china fresh water flush toilet on each boat. The galleys have a full-sized cooker with oven and grill, stainless steel sink and large fridge. There is plenty of worksurface, storage space for food, and a full inventory of crockery, cutlery, glasses and cooking utensils.

Each bed is equipped with a mattress, duvet, pillow and blanket, and fresh linen is supplied. Tea-towels and a kitchen hand towel are also provided.

Check our Prices now. We look forward to welcoming you to Pitstone.

	Ashford is a 42ft, 2 berth boat with a fixed double bed in the rear cabin, and seating with removable table in the front saloon. Other features: Gas central heating, Stereo radio cassette, Colour TV, 240V (max 300W) available and a Leyland 1500 engine Television and radio reception can be affected by your location.

	Norwood is a 47ft, 4 berth boat with a dinette that converts to a double bed in the front saloon. The back cabin can either have two singles or a permanent double bed. Other features: Gas central heating, Stereo radio cassette, Colour TV, 240V (max 300W) available and a Leyland 1800 engine Television and radio reception can be affected by your location.

Prices for 2008 start from just £515 per week, £310 for a 3 day short break. Discounts are available for longer periods.

There are no extras apart from the charge for pets. Hire fees include VAT, fuel, gas, bedding, linen, car parking and buoyancy aids if required. The only additional (optional) costs are for cancellation insurance, damage waiver and special licences (e.g. River Thames).

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

Discounts

Second and subsequent weeks are charged at 15% off the published week price. 10/11 day holidays are charged at the relevant weekly price plus 50% for the second week.

For each empty bed on Norwood, deduct £10 for a short break, or £20 for a week.

Both boats are available for weekly or short break hire. The hire period starts at 3.00pm on either Friday or Monday. Short breaks are from Friday to Monday or from Monday to Friday. Weekly hire is from Friday to Friday or Monday to Monday. Boats must be vacated no later than 10.00am on the last day of the hire period. Weekly and Short break hire may be combined to give hire periods of 10/11 days or two weeks.

Short break to Aylesbury: 16 miles, 36 locks

A short distance and two wide locks from Pitstone is Marsworth junction, the start of the Aylesbury Arm. The arm has narrow locks, starting with a staircase pair, which take the canal down into the county town of Buckinghamshire. This stretch of canal is peaceful and remote, with lovely views of the Chiltern Hills.

Short break to Leighton Buzzard: 14 miles, 18 locks

Going north from Pitstone, the canal descends from the Chiltern Hills through wide locks, increasingly spaced out. This is a pretty stretch, with views of the Whipsnade Lion from the Slapton area. There are moorings at the town bridge in Leighton Buzzard, or below the next (Leighton) lock is the Globe, a most attractive canalside hostelry.

Short break to Berkhamsted: 16 miles, 34 locks

This route goes south from Pitstone up and over the summit of the Chilterns near Tring. The locks are wide, but it is an exciting route, passing the nature reserve reservoirs at Marsworth, going through the leafy Tring cutting, and emerging at Cowroast to start the descent into the London basin. Berkhamsted is a bustling commuter town with a ruined castle.

Week to Braunston: 104 miles, 72 locks

This route goes through Leighton Buzzard and on to Milton Keynes, where the canal skirts round the city. There are two aqueducts, one new, one old. Cosgrove, Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth are important canalside villages, and Braunston is a busy canal crossroads, where the Grand Union and Oxford canals meet. The tunnels at Blisworth and Braunston are amongst the longest in the country.

Week to Uxbridge: 60 miles, 108 locks

This is an energetic cruise, as the route takes you over the Chiltern summit at Tring, and down the long descent into London. The wide locks are at regular intervals all the way, as the canal passes through Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Rickmansworth and Harefield. Despite the proximity of towns, roads and the railway, much of the route is attractive, and it is always interesting. It may be a daunting climb back up, but everything will look different on the return journey.

Thames circuit: 240 miles, 170 locks

The Thames ring can be navigated in a fortnight, but it would be a more relaxed cruise if you have longer. It is a cruise of contrasting waterways - the wide Grand Union, the majestic River Thames and the narrow southern Oxford canal. We suggest that you start by going south to Brentford, where you must navigate a short stretch of tidal water to reach the non-tidal Thames, which will take you up to Oxford to join the canal again. An additional licence is required for the Thames.

Reservations and Deposits

Please telephone us first to make sure that the boat you have chosen is still available. We can then provisionally hold your booking for seven days. A firm booking is not made until we have received and acknowledged your completed booking form and deposit.

Balance of Total Cost

The balance of the total cost is due 28 days before the start of your holiday. You will be invoiced in good time for this.

Cancellation

If you cancel your booking more than 42 days ahead of your holiday, you will forfeit only your deposit. After this date you will be liable for the full amount, unless we can re-let the boat. Cancellation insurance is available, see below.

Late Bookings

If you book less than 28 days before the start of your holiday, you must send the full amount with your booking form. If you book less than seven days in advance, please pay with cash or card on arrival at Pitstone.

Security Deposit / Damage Waiver

We do require either a security deposit (£100) to set against any loss or damage to the boat, late return or extra cleaning, or the payment of a damage waiver (£25) which removes your liability for all except malicious damage, sill damage and late return. The damage waiver should be paid with the final balance. The security deposit should be paid by cheque on arrival at Pitstone, and this cheque will not be banked unless we need to make any deductions.

Cancellation Insurance

We are able to offer cancellation insurance through Travellers Protection Services Limited (www.tpstravelinsurance.com). The policy gives you peace of mind if your holiday has to be unavoidably cancelled due to a cause beyond your control. A leaflet detailing the scheme can be supplied on request.

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This page was updated on 10 June 2007
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