U.K. Boating

ACCESSIBLE BOATING

Accessible Boating Association (ABA), a Charity managed by unpaid volunteers, invites disabled people and those with mobility or socialising difficulties to enjoy day trips or longer cruises with carers, family and friends on our two specially-equipped boats on the Basingstoke Canal from Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham, Hampshire, UK. The Basingstoke Canal, often hailed as one of the most beautiful canals in England, is navigable for 32 miles from just beyond King John’s Castle in the West to the junction with the Wey Navigation in the East. From Greywell it is 14 miles to the first of 29 locks at Ash, which is well out of range for a day trip from Odiham.

Cruises on the Basingstoke Canal in our well-equipped 7-berth Madam Butterfly give an opportunity for families or groups with members who require our special facilities to enjoy a restful meander over several days along one of the more attractive canals in England with access to adjacent food and shopping areas along your route. A 2-night short break gives time to reach Mytchett and return through one lock at Ash. Or you can take it easy and just visit Fleet. A week’s holiday perhaps allows you to reach Woking and return via flights of locks.

“MB” is a cruising boat equipped with a hospital bed and other facilities to allow able-bodied carers, friends and family to accompany those with mobility problems on cruises along the Basingstoke Canal. Madam Butterfly offers sleeping accommodation for up to 7 people. When under way, there must always be 2 able-bodied people acting as crew in addition to carers. The maximum number on board at any time, including any visitors, must not exceed 12. Wheelchair access to the boat is via a dismountable gang plank onto the rear deck. The front and rear decks have safety rails and are large enough for a wheelchair when cruising. Hydraulic lifts fore and aft give ready access to the cabin and front deck for those in wheelchairs. There is ample storage, a gas cooker, electric refrigerator, accessible shower and toilet, central heating and a dining area. Kitchen equipment, china, cutlery and glasses are provided, as is bed linen. Fuel is included in the price.

Onboard Facilities:

• Wheelchair access to the boat is via a dismountable gang plank onto the rear deck
• Front and rear decks have safety rails and are large enough for a wheelchair 
• Hydraulic lifts fore and aft give ready access to the cabin and front deck
• Central heating throughout
• Adjustable hospital bed, 4 single bunks & a double bed settee
• Accessible shower, wheeled shower chair and 2 pin razor socket
• Separate accessible W.C
• An electric mobile hoist can be provided if required
• Kitchen area has a gas cooker, hob, sink, refrigerator, china, cutlery & glasses
• Main cabin has a TV, radio/CD player, double sofa bed, USB & 12v charging sockets
• Dining area
• 230v supply at up to 600 watts is available to charge wheelchair batteries
• Assistance dogs welcome, pets only via prior arrangement
• Bed linen Life jackets & fuel included

Please find below some reviews from Euan’s Guide:

Accessible Boating with Disabled Access – Oldham – Euan’s Guide

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BRUCE BOATS

Bruce Boats, part of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, is a charity dedicated to providing canal holidays, day trips and training for people with any form of disability or who are disadvantaged in any way. We also have a narrow boat dedicated to community group hire and training. You can learn to self-drive a boat for a week or more and explore the attractions of this famous canal. Families, care homes and Rotary groups often hire a fully crewed boat for a day trips with groups of up to 12.

Our boats are based on the beautiful Kennet and Avon Canal in Great Bedwyn, between Hungerford and Marlborough.  From here, you are perfectly placed to travel towards Devizes or towards Newbury. With a two-week hire you can also travel down the famous Caen Hill Flight to Bath. As well as weekly hire for families and care groups, we are also able to offer day trips for up to twelve people. Day trips last from 10am to 4pm and are fully crewed by our trained, volunteer crew. You just provide up to 12 passengers and the catering!

Each boat has similar equipment but a unique interior to suit a wide range of needs. We have a fleet of four wide-beam, fully accessible boats. Hannah sleeps 12. Diana sleeps 10. Rebecca sleeps 8 and Rachel sleeps 6. Our fleet of wide-beam canal boats provide lots of space for wheelchair users. Our boats are fully accessible, they have full size kitchen, accessible showers and toilet facilities, hospital bed (Rebecca) and have excellent visibility both inside and out, so you are assured of enjoying all that the canal has to offer. Our boats have boarding ramps and electrically operated lifts to enable safe and easy access for you to enjoy all that the canal experience can offer.

Onboard facilities:

• Wheelchair access to the boat via a dismountable gang plank onto the stern deck
• Front and rear decks have safety rails and are large enough for a wheelchair 
• Hydraulic lifts fore and aft give ready access to the cabin and front deck
• Central heating throughout
• Adjustable hospital bed on Rebecca, others have lowered bunks
• Spacious wet rooms and showers, fresh water flushing accessible toilets
• Disability equipment can be provided including a transfer hoist & a shower chair
• Hannah & Rebecca can be controlled via a joystick
• Kitchen areas have a gas cooker, hob, sink, refrigerator & small microwave
• Lounge area with single or double sofa beds, dining table
• Life jackets provided

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CANALABILITY

Welcome to CanalAbility! We are an award winning charity dedicated to providing the facilities for disabled people and people with special needs to enjoy boating on the river on our specially adapted canal boats. Freedom is the trademark of a good canal boat holiday. The joy of going where you want, when you want, at a pace of your choosing, cannot be overstated in a world where everything is fast and furiously paced. Couple this with the ability for those with disabilities to fully participate in the experience, from steering the boat to helping navigate the locks, and you have a memorable and inspiring experience for all. There is simply no better way to cast off your worries, silence your mobile phone, and enjoy a truly peaceful meander along the waterways. Have a picnic on board, or stop and moor up and at a riverside pub- the choice is yours.

Have a day out or a weekend break and enjoy a great experience exploring the Rivers Stort and Lee, through the Essex and Hertfordshire countryside. Have a go at steering and changing the locks, or just relax, watch the wildlife and the world go by. For longer holidays you can travel to London and the Grand Union Canal. Cruise through Regents Park and its zoo or perhaps take in a show – the accommodation is free and there’s no congestion charge. If you prefer a rural idyll visit the historic towns of Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford and the beautiful rolling countryside in-between. Our three purpose-built, fully centrally heated and accessible broad beam boats enable everyone to take a full and active part in the boating experience all year round.

Our holiday boat Red Watch is fully adapted to allow everyone to participate in the boating experience and we have updated our Skipper training to adhere to the latest Government guidelines so you’ll soon be steering like a master as you are trained on your actual trip. Red Watch has a wet room, disability toilet, ramps & lifts to enable access via wheelchair and for people with impaired mobility, hoist points, and fully equipped galleys to prepare your own meals, or you can stop off at several nearby pubs and restaurants or, bring your own picnic to enjoy as you cruise along.

Onboard Facilities:

• Wheelchair access to the boat is via a dismountable gang plank onto the bow deck
• Front deck has safety rails and is large enough for a wheelchair 
• Hydraulic bow lift gives ready access to the cabin and front deck
• Central heating throughout
• Four main sleeping compartments, one bunk is specially adapted
• Accessible wet room with wheel in shower, shower stool, accessible sink & W.C
• Separate toilet with wash basin & W.C
• An electric mobile hoist can be provided if required
• Kitchen area has a gas cooker, hob, sink, fridge, freezer, china, cutlery & glasses
• Main cabin has a double sofa bed, dining table
• 12v charging sockets
• 230v power supply is available to charge wheelchair batteries
• Life jackets provided

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WATERWAYS EXPERIENCES

We are a registered charity and operate three large canal boats from a beautifully landscaped boatyard on the Grand Union Canal just to the south of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.  Our mission is to promote well-being by providing affordable canal boat trips particularly for the disadvantaged.   As well as day trips all year round, we provide very special holidays for teenagers with learning difficulties or other disadvantages. We aim to make these holidays free of charge for both participants and volunteers.  For this we depend on the generosity of several sponsors, each contributing the full cost of the holiday for everyone on board. 

Each summer, we supplement our regular programme of day trips with some very special residential holidays for small numbers of disadvantaged young people. Holidays are usually for a full week and we journey along the Grand Union Canal from our Hemel Hempstead boat base towards London or Milton Keynes and back again. We use our 12 berth boats Sheldrake 2 and Close Shave and have a crew/support team of six with six young people for whom this is a great adventure.  Amongst the support team are at least a couple of people in the same age group as the participants. We call these holidays ‘Enables’, for the simple reason that their unique benefit is enabling youngsters with physical or learning difficulties to do more for themselves and others than they are used to.

Our three beautiful spacious wide-beam boats were all designed to provide great access for the less mobile.  They have ramps and lifts and plenty of turning space for wheelchairs.  They all feature well equipped kitchens for self-catering use, with fridge, cooker, kettles, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils, lounges with plenty of seats and tables, disabled bathroom including shower, toilet and wash basin, additional toilet and hand basin, efficient central heating and panoramic windows. Sheldrake 2 and Close Shave are family-friendly boats, easy to steer and there’s space to sit outside when the weather’s good. There are plenty of windows that look onto the canal so you can see what’s happening outside whatever the weather. Each boat can each take up to 12 passengers on day trips.   For  residential trips  up to 10 can  be accommodated  plus 2 crew members.   There are 6 bunk beds and day time seating converts to 5 single beds.  A camp bed is carried for the twelfth person.

Onboard Facilities:

• Wheelchair access to the boat is via a hinged gang plank onto the front deck
• Hydraulic lift gives ready access to the cabin
• Central heating throughout
• There are 6 bunk beds and day time seating converts to 5 single beds
• Disabled bathroom including shower, toilet and wash basin
• Additional toilet and hand basin
• A mobile hoist can be provided if required
• Kitchen area has a gas cooker, hob, sink, fridge, microwave, kettle, crockery & cutlery
• Main cabin has single sofa beds, a music system & dining table
• 230v power supply is available to charge wheelchair batteries
• Towels & life jackets provided
• Boats come with a skipper & 2 or 3 crew