Everything’s in place for an
otterly enjoyable narrowboating holiday

Before letting the good times flow, we will send you instructions on how to get to the mooring point and on arrival we will show you around the boat explaining how everything works. We will take you out on the canal and provide tuition on boat handling, the daily maintenance required, canal etiquette and local information or advice.  Access to the boat cabin is via narrow doors and a few steep steps down into the cabin. For first time narrowboaters please note there is limited storage space for bags under the bed and each of our boats has a small wardrobe.

Due to COVID-19, we’ve stripped down on some of our non-essential luxuries such as books, magazines and games and changed our handover requirements. We’ve added hand sanitizer and hand soap to the on board amenities. Bedding and towels are provided, and we now ask our guests to bag these into the laundry bags provided before leaving the boat on return, as well as taking all your rubbish with you.

Diesel, freshly laundered bed linen and towels, buoyancy ring, fenders, boating tuition and handover certificate.

For your arrival we supply a selection of refreshments. Basic kitchen and bathroom supplies are also made available.

Not included is Otto, our mascot otter, but we do pimp him out and you can book him at just £1 for every night of your hire, all proceeds going to the International Otters Survival Fund

As our name suggests we love animals, so on Blue Otter Skipton we accept up to two pets at no additional charge. Yorkshire is a popular pet holiday destination, with numerous bridleways, footpaths and towpaths ideal for dog-walks. Kindly note that while we accept dogs on Blue Otter Skipton, we do not have any pet facilities such as food bowls, dog pillows or pet life-jackets. Please contact us directly to request permission to bring your dog before confirming your booking with our agent, Hoseasons. Due to the nature of a hire boat and common pet allergies, please note that we do not allow pets on our family-friendly boat Blue Otter Wootton Wawen.

If you intend to do any fishing, it is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure they have any necessary licence. Kindly note that for the sake of your fellow passengers’ comfort and the continued beauty of our interiors, live bait is not allowed inside the boat.

For the cyclists, we don’t have any rack-holders on the boats but you are welcome to place bikes on the bow or on the roof. Please ensure you bring locks and any protective gear.

Blue Otter Wootton Wawen is perfect for a family narrowboat holiday in Warwickshire. Children are very welcome on our boat from Wootton Wawen, with child-sized lifejackets on board, a cosy sofa bed for two and adventures to be had at Stratford butterfly farm, River boating on the river Avon, Hatton country world in Warwick and joining in the fun and adventures at Warwick Castle.

Comfortably accommodating 4 passengers, with a main bedroom and a double sofa bed in the living room, you can choose to cruise as a couple, a small family or with friends. From Hill Farm Marina in Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire, cruise South reaching Stratford upon Avon within a day.  Travel onwards towards Leamington Spa and Warwick through some of the most beautiful Warwickshire countryside and idyllic country pubs taking you over aquaducts and through tunnels with the option of the Hatton flight for those adventurous enough!

Please note for both Blue Otter narrowboats: 

No Smoking in the cabin interior, only on the outside stern and bow areas. Cigarette ends must not be thrown into the canal but collected and deposited later at public waste bins.

No Stag or Hen parties allowed on Blue Otter Boats. If on arrival the booking is a hen/stag party the boat will not be allowed out and the booking will cancelled immediately without refund.

The canals are a tight-knit and friendly community, one that is generally happy to share their advice and tips to new boaters and unfamiliar faces, ensuring you get the maximum enjoyment from the experience and areas you travel through. Likewise, they will inform us of any inappropriate behaviour observed. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed and could result in immediate cancellation of the booking at anytime during the journey. In such cases payment will not be refunded and any repeat bookings will be disregarded.