Frequently Asked Questions

When you book with us we send you our hirers’ manual which is specific to our stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal and our holiday routes from Devizes. We also recommend the Boater’s Video by The Canal and River Trust , available on You Tube for general boating advice.

We provide training for all holiday and day hirers when you arrive: we show you through your boat, and teach you how to operate and steer the boat. For holiday boat hirers we also run through lock operation to ensure that if and when you reach your first lock (several hours away) you should not feel daunted!

We are at Devizes Wharf - SN10 1EB. Follow brown tourist signs in Devizes to the “Wharf Centre” Long Stay Car Park. We are moored behind the Wharf Theatre.

Follow this link for our boat location White Horse Boats on Google Maps

Please do not come to Burbage Wharf. Your boat is based at, and will be ready for you to board from, Devizes Wharf.

We hire our narrowboats eastwards from Devizes towards and through the Vale of Pewsey and Kennet Valley as far as Newbury. We do not allow our boats to cruise westwards down the Caen Hill Locks. See our Routes page for route details. Dayhire will only reach All Cannings, Weekend Breaks will reach Wootton Rivers or Crofton Top Lock, Midweek Breaks will reach Bedwyn or Hungerford, and a Week’s Holiday will reach Hungerford or Newbury. Please note that the first named place is our recommended limit of cruising for a relaxing time afloat, the last named place will involve longer hours of boating which uses more fuel and leaves less time to relax and visit places along the way.

The maximum speed on the canal is 4 mph (a brisk walking pace), but in practice, you travel at a speed that does not create a breaking wash i.e. waves against the banks. You should slow down to tick-over speed when passing moored boats. Plan an average speed of 3 mph then add 15 minutes for each lock and swing bridge: you can thus calculate how far you can travel.

STOPPAGES and NAVIGATION RESTRICTIONS: Sometimes things occur and the Canal & Rivers Trust may have to carry out emergency repairs on sections of the canal or locks. This may cause interruptions to our normal routes and guide times for cruising. We will do everything possible to ensure that your holiday is still great, although this may mean that you need to take a different route than planned. We will make you aware as soon as possible to help your planning, and keep you updated as things change.

If you would like to cruise for 2 or more weeks please email us to discuss longer holidays with White Horse Boats. If you are considering a longer term hire of a month or more then perhaps Long Term Narrowboat Hire may interest you.

Once you’ve unloaded your belongings onto the boat you have three options:-

PUBLIC ‘Pay & Display’ parking adjacent to the Wharf (behind the Police Station). This is convenient as it is close to the boats and, whilst unsecured, is directly behind Devizes Police Station. Note that you will need to pay for this using your mobile/cards if you are paying for more than one day.

FREE on-street parking available near the wharf. Least secure option & subject to availability on the day: we are unable to advise where you might find a space.

Please note that all cars are parked at owners risk and we are unable to accept any repsonsibility for vehiocles or tyheir contents whilst parked.

Our boats have all that you will need to go cruising, from diesel and gas, to a well equipped kitchen with fridge, gas cooker, pots & pans, tea pot and cafetière, cutlery, crockery and glasses. A first aid kit is also kept on board. We supply kitchen cleaning kit.

Our holiday boats also include bedding bed linen, but not towels, (towels are provided for inbound foreign guests).

Here are some useful suggestions:

Clothes…. casual, some warm, and mostly comfortable depending on the time of year. Each cabin has a small wardrobe with limited hanging space. Just think about what you would normally wear when in a pub/ restaurant along your route AND that you are on an outdoor holiday using the unsurfaced towpath as the usual access.

Suitcases: we recommend that you pack your belongings in soft bags/holdalls, as hard suitcases are often hard to store out of the way. However, many people put these back in their car once unpacked.

Outdoor Wear: bring waterproofs (coat and possibly trousers), an umbrella or rain hat, a sun hat and layers of clothing to cope with all weathers so that your holiday isn’t spoilt by being under-prepared.

Footwear: walking boots or wellies, deck/non slip comfy shoes, and slippers for indoors (the tow-path can become very muddy and we’d like you to have comfy cosy feet onboard!).

Insect repellent and sun cream… and after-sun: the sun is stronger when you are on the water.

Torch/ Flashlight/ Mobile Phone: you may go to the pub in daylight but it might be dark when you return.

Board games, books, and cards: canal holidays are a great way to spend quality time together. Forget the telly and tablets – play games instead! Canals are excellent places to relax with a good book.

DVDs - You may like to bring a few films to watch on the TV - or you can plug your phone in to the HDMI/USB slots

Here are links to the websites for some of the pubs, cafes and restaurants along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Devizes to Newbury. Please check opening and food service times to avoid disappointment! (The pubs listed by White Horse Boats have not sponsored us, have no financial connection with us, and our listing them is not intended as a specific recommendation).

There are also many pubs and restaurants in Devizes, Hungerford and Newbury - too many to list here!

The Bridge Inn HORTON

The Crown Inn BISHOPS CANNINGS

The Kings Arms ALL CANNINGS

The Barge Inn HONEYSTREET

Honeystreet Mill Cafe HONEYSTREET

The Waterfront PEWSEY WHARF

The Royal Oak WOOTTON RIVERS

The Three Tuns GREAT BEDWYN

The Pelican FROXFIELD

The Dundas Arms KINTBURY

The Red House MARSH BENHAM

All boats have full central heating, and also feature an airing cupboard which is warm when the boat engine or central heating are running. (Please don’t put your chocolate or beer in here!).

Because your route is very rural, there are very few canal side shops. We strongly recommend that you set off well stocked.

You can bring your supplies with you, or use the local supermarkets nearby in Devizes. Alternatively we are happy for you to book an online delivery to Devizes Wharf , but please ensure the delivery is between after 2pm, (you DO need to be there to receive it).

Many people make good use of the great pubs along or near the canal. All the kitchens on our narrowboats have ample storage, with a standard under counter fridge-freezer. We also feature a large under-seat store in the Dinette of our 4-6 berth boats, which is ideal for cool goods (e.g. fruit and veg, beer, wine, etc.).

We provide buoyancy aids for all under 16s and non swimmers. Under 3’s are generally too small for a buoyancy aid - we strongly advise you bring a set of child reins for this age group. For babies we do not recommend that you bring a large travel cot, unless you intend it to occupy one of the 2ft wide berths - a carry-crib/cot would be best. Doors can be locked at front and back to keep very young children safe indoors. A folding buggy is very useful for shore visits/ at locks.

Please note we are unable to supply cot sides or travel cots.

HOLIDAY HIRE: Yes of course, and your first pet is completely free. In fact, this holiday is perfect for your doggie friends. If you need to bring more than one, then we charge an additional £25. Please also bear in mind you may need to bring something for your pet to sleep on and that we would expect the boat to be left just as clean as when you boarded: we do, however, make an extra charge for any work involved in clearing up pet hairs on carpets or beds, mess, or any scratch/chew damage.

DAYHIRE: Yes dogs love the dayboats, up to 4 dogs FREE (more than 4 may restrict space). Bring a dog towel. We do, however, charge for any extra work involved in clearing up pet mess, or any damage. Please do not allow your dogs on the cushioned seating.

Our boats are fully insured with public liability of up to £5 Million. We do not provide cancellation insurance, so you may wish to take out your own holiday insurance to cover cancellation, personal accident and loss of personal effects. Please read our Terms & Conditions carefully – insurance does NOT cover any damage caused to the sterngear or driveline by ropes falling around the propellor or by the boat being ‘cilled’ in a lock i.e rudder bent/ broken. Any losses or damage to the boats inventory including lost windlasses or mooring pins are NOT included in insurance and would be chargeable to you

Yes - all except AMEX and Diners

All of our boats are fully compliant with the Hireboat requirements of the Boat Safety Scheme: onboard there are both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The gas system is tested annually and certificated.

Full safety training will be given when you arrive onto the boat, before you are allowed to set off.

For dayboats you should expect to spend the first 1/2hr of your hire being trained (no locks so only boating/ mooring training required).

For holiday boats expect to spend the first 1/2hr after you’ve loaded your possessions onto the boat to be throroughly shown through the boat and all of its operating systems, incluidng routine daily engine checks etc. You will then spend up to a further 1/2 hour, depending on previous boating experience, to be taught the rudiments of safe and courteous boating, including use of swing bridges, locks etc: please be assured that we will not leave you until we are happy that you can handle the boat safely and confidently. When you book you will be sent a link to watch the Boaters Safety short film and (for holiday hirers) you will receive our specially created Hirer’s Manual.

For the safety of your party and of other boat users, and for the security and safety of our boats, these are now fitted with satellite tracking (GPS) to monitor your position and speed.

Occasionally the Canal and River Trust may have reason to close or restrict navigation. This is usually in the winter season when we do not operate but occasionally an unforeseen incident occurs in the main boating season. This is not something that we can control, and we cannot be held liable for any incovenience this may cause, but we will do all we can to keep you informed and help with any resulting changes of crusing plans where we can.

The locks at Wootton Rivers and Crofton are open daily from 09.30 to 15.30 - we recommend last access to either flight of locks not later than 13.30 to ensure you can exit the other end. If you wish to do both flights of locks in a day we recommend that you do need to be ready to start one flight or the other when they first open each day.

The Canal and River Trust have a useful information page so any stoppages can be checked. (make sure you select Kennet & Avon Canal and the date of your holiday when checking!)

Please refer first to the troubleshooting section of the Hirers Manual. If you’re still stuck, call us on our 24hr emergency phone number (supplied when you arrive); we will do all we can to help you as promptly as circumstances permit.

You can moor anywhere along the towpath unless signs tell you otherwise, and it is FREE. You cannot moor next to a lock or swing bridge, or a water point, unless you are using it. Nor can you moor opposite winding holes/ turning points, nor on signed Private Moorings. Some places e.g. The Bridge Inn at Horton, have their own offside moorings, but generally you should ask before you moor overnight at these places.

Dayhire includes all fuel & gas used – there are no extras.

Holiday hire: you will have a full water tank, empty toilet tanks and sufficient cooking gas and fuel when you join the boat. You will need to top-up with fresh water daily (the tank holds in excess of 140 gallons). This is explained to you in the handover. Please ensure that you refill the water tank on the last full day of your holiday. Fuel is an extra, charged at the end of your holiday and deducted from your fuel/ security deposit. Typically you will expect to use between 20 and 40ltrs of fuel for a short break, or 50-100 litres of fuel on a full week. Careful, gentle boating will reduce fuel consumption to the lower of these figures! Use of central heating will increase fuel consumption slightly.

If you are cruising for a longer holiday (10 days or more), then you will need to pump-out the waste tanks at your cost, usually once per week. Typically this will cost £20 per toilet. We will explain how and where to do this during your training.

Our boats are self drive hire (viz. ‘Bare Boat Charter’). We do not offer skippered cruises.

For insurance/ safety reasons we do not offer solo (i.e one person) hire.

To hire a boat you and at least one other member of you party must be 18 or over. We are not insured to accept one adult with any under 18s on any hire: there must be at least two persons over 18 with the boat when boating (e.g one steering, one doing the locks/bridges).

Only the hirer may steer the boat unsupervised. All other members of the crew including children must be under the supervision of the hirer when underway.

Our boats have central heating, cooker, fridge, toilet, shower, Freeview TV and both USB & 240V sockets. Please charge as many items as you can using the USB socket as it saves the boat batteries vs. 240V. An onboard inverter is suitable for your own appliances e.g. hairdryer up to 1600W and is avilable by day only - it cannot be used overnight. Please be respectful of your neighbours if using audio equipment; sound travels across water very effectively.

Our holiday boats have 240V onboard in the rear of the dinette only: you can plug-in to the standard British three pin sockets during the day. However, at night, the boat’s domestic battery could go flat with appliances left on charge overnight. We don’t have the battery capacity to guarantee health dependency appliances (e.g. Breathing Machines) will remain working overnight: as such we cannot accept any booking where a life-dependant requirement for overnight 240V supply is necessary for the above reasons.

You can bring your own electronic equipment but please be aware of a 1600W maximum power limit, so please check that your hairdryer is less powerful than this otherwise it will not work!

Our dayboats do not have 240V power but do have a 12V USB and cigar style socket onboard - for phone charging or powering a coolbox.

Traditionally, engines have been noisy to the steerer/ people on the stern deck because a) the engines were slow revving and ‘thumped’ and b) the exhaust simply had a standard old-style car silencer on them. This has meant that a reasonably quiet conversation on the stern deck was not possible.

By super-silent we mean that there is a ‘hospital silencer’ i.e. a large muffler on the exhaust system which, coupled with a modern higher revving smoother engine, means that when boating there is generally more noise from the wake or wash of the boat at the stern than from the engine and that a perfectly civilised conversation can take place.

Of course no diesel-powered craft will ever be entirely silent but we, and our many satisfied customers, believe that we’ve made the boats as quiet as is sensibly possible.

Fishing rods are welcome, however, you must have a valid rod licence and keep clear of other boats. Live bait must not be brought onto or used from the boat!

Bikes are welcome but will need to be stored on the roof so please bring a protective blanket for the roof and any locks for security purposes. We recommend a maximum of 4 bikes.

Canoes and Paddleboards are great fun on the canal and can also be carried on the roof (maximum 2 please). Please note you should have an appropriate BCU Licence to use the canoes on the canal. Once again please bring a protective blanket and locks for security purposes. Please ensure you bring your own lifejacket worn when using your canoe/ paddleboard. Canoes/ paddleboards must NOT be towed by the narrowboat nor share any locks with powered boats.

Devizes to Westminster canoe race:

The famous annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race starts from Devizes Wharf every Good Friday and Easter Saturday. It is very busy on these dates but is an amazing atmosphere and spectacle! Don’t worry, it doesn’t affect your boating holiday, other than our operating a special loading and unloading procedure with a courtesy shuttle to the Rugby Club car park if you are returning on Good Friday, to get your luggage back to your car(s).

If you’ve got another question, please email us - we may even add it to this FAQ section!

We will not accept any booking where the use of a sleep apnoeas machine or oxygen are required. This is because our batteries will not support the use of such a machine overnight. Please, do not book if one of your party suffers from this condition, becasue we will regrettably have to cancel your booking with no refund if you arrive with such equipment.