Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Canal Boat Holidays in the Heart of England | Clifton Cruisers
Established in 1972, Clifton Cruisers is a family-run boatyard based near Rugby, Warwickshire, offering premium canal boat holidays along England's scenic waterways. Our fleet of modern narrowboats, ranging from two to nine berths, is meticulously maintained to ensure comfort and reliability for couples, families, and groups. With decades of expertise in British waterways, we provide tailored cruising experiences, including award-winning service recognition from Hoseasons. Our boats feature high-standard amenities, pet-friendly policies, and 24/7 support for long-term rentals.Located at Clifton Wharf, we also operate the Canal Lounge at Bridge 66, offering refreshments in a picturesque setting. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our ISO-certified operations and dedication to customer satisfaction. We specialise in creating memorable journeys through remote countryside and historic landmarks, with routes designed for both novice and experienced boaters. Our team combines generational knowledge with modern innovation to deliver exceptional service, ensuring every customer enjoys the freedom and tranquillity of canal cruising.
Services
Canal Boat Hire
Narrowboat Rentals
Long Term Rentals
Pet-Friendly Boats
Canal Lounge
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Family-run since 1972 with generational expertise in British waterways
- Modern fleet maintained to high standards for comfort and reliability
- Pet-friendly policy accommodating well-behaved animals
- 24/7 assistance available for long-term rental customers
- Award-winning service recognised by industry leaders
Associations and certifications
- Hoseasons Diamond Award
What people say
Award-winning service
Well-equipped boats
Scenic routes
Pet-friendly policy
Excellent support
Services
Canal Boat Hire
Our canal boat hire service provides modern narrowboats for self-guided waterway holidays. Boats range from two to nine berths, featuring full kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations. Ideal for exploring England's scenic canals and historic landmarks.
Long Term Rentals
We offer 12-month narrowboat rentals with 24/7 support for those seeking extended canal adventures. Prices start at 1100 monthly, including insurance and maintenance. Perfect for immersive exploration of the UK's waterway network.
Pet-Friendly Boats
Selected narrowboats welcome well-behaved pets, allowing customers to bring their animals on canal holidays. Designated boats include safety features and cleaning provisions to ensure comfort for both pets and owners during waterway journeys.
Canal Lounge
Our Canal Lounge at Bridge 66 offers meals and refreshments overlooking the Oxford Canal. Serving breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea with locally sourced ingredients, this facility provides a relaxing stop for boaters and local visitors alike.
Route Planning
We provide detailed route planning support for canal holidays, including suggested itineraries from 3-day breaks to 3-week journeys. Customers receive waterway guides and navigation advice for exploring Warwickshire's countryside and historic attractions.
Questions
What sizes of narrowboats do you offer?
We offer narrowboats accommodating 2 to 9 people, with 1 to 3 bedrooms and pet-friendly options available.
Can I hire a boat for extended periods?
Yes, we provide long-term rentals up to 12 months with 24/7 support, starting at £1100 monthly including insurance.
Are pets allowed on the boats?
Yes, we welcome well-behaved pets on designated boats with prior arrangement and a small additional fee.
Do you offer route planning assistance?
We provide detailed route suggestions, waterway guides, and navigation advice for all experience levels.
Is there on-site dining available?
Our Canal Lounge at Bridge 66 serves meals and refreshments overlooking the Oxford Canal for boaters and visitors.
What safety equipment is provided?
All boats include life jackets for every passenger, with additional safety gear available upon request for river routes.
Reviews (5)
Danielle Jackson
Nov 13, 2021
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Thank you for an amazing weekend break on Alice. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the boat was gorgeous. We had such a good weekend and cannot wait to book again!
Alexandra Carr
Oct 29, 2021
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Fantastic week away on Pearlbrook. Lovely little narrowboat, even if she did like going left. Great atmosphere at the boat yard with a welcoming and fun team. Fastastic food on a Friday evening too. Disappointed we missed the elastic band fight
David Swannack
Oct 12, 2021
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Absolutely first class service. Boat was the cleanest hire boat I have ever been on, and I have been on LOTS!!! Team were extremely friendly and helpful. On collection, they we attentive and informative. On completion, they were incredibly efficient. I cannot recommend them highly enough. We will definitely be going back to Clifton Cruisers.
Jason Elders
Aug 14, 2021
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Had our first canal boat holiday with clifton cruisers last year and during our week we had a few problems with the boat which meant we didn't get to go as far as we would have liked to have gone (due to having to keep stopping ) and waiting for someone to come out to us and fix the problems. When returning the boat back on our last day we was asked to go into the office before we went home and to our shock we was offered a 4 night free holiday for the inconvenience we had. We booked up again this year and extended our holiday and paid to extra money and today was our day to have our family holiday
Peter Haynes
Jul 10, 2021
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Clifton Cruisers are excellent and very well organised. We hired the boat called Pearlbrook for 4 nights and they explained all the controls and gave us a quick lesson in steering before sending us on our way. The boat was just the right size for 2 of us and had all the equipment needed. Jacks was very pleasant to deal with and very clear with the check in and check out. Thanks to all the staff, we will be back again!
