Drifters, an organisation promoting narrowboat holidays in Britain, is adding new vessels to its fleet for 2023.
Britain has a 3,000-mile inland waterways network which is used for transport as well as recreational boating. Around 1,000 miles of the network can be used for holiday hire narrowboats, according to Drifters, an organisation representing different hire companies. From 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, customers can choose from around 550 crafts, and new boats will be added to its fleet for hire in 2023.
Drifters recently revealed details of some of their new vessels, fully equipped with central heating, hot water, kitchens, showers, and flushing toilets. One addition to the fleet is Lyra, a 47ft boat for up to four people, which will be available to hire from the Falkirk base on the Scottish Lowlands canal from March next year. Lyra, a Princess Signature Class boat, will have a permanent double bed in the forward cabin and an option to convert the dining area into a double or single bed. The new Signature Class fleet has larger kitchen areas, more worktop space, a microwave, and multiple USB charging points.
Travellers who need more space might be attracted by Hemplow, which will navigate from Braunston on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire. This new 69ft narrowboat for up to eight people will have three double bedrooms, two toilets, two bathrooms and a large saloon area with a dining section that can be converted into an extra double bed. The craft also has a semi trad rear deck which provides a seating area which can be enclosed with doors, and holidaymakers can use this boat for a short trip from Braunston to travel up the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and back.
From April next year, Onyx will be available to hire from the base at Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire. This 60ft cruiser stern will have a reverse layout – with the galley at the rear and the main sleeping areas in the middle and the front of the boat. The boat will feature two shower/toilet rooms, full central heating, a galley and flexible accommodation in two cabins, ranging from two doubles to four singles. The dinette area can be converted into a double bed and on a short break from Whixall, boaters can travel to Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District.
