It's now time to start thinking about a Spring or Summer holiday on Britain’s wonderful River Thames or the UK’s stunningly beautiful canals.  The weather is often beautiful and you are spoiled for choice on places to visit and rivers and canals to explore.  It’s a fabulous holiday for the whole family – the children can get involved in spotting otters or kingfishers and helping the grown-ups with the lock gates and paddles, while the grown-ups can anticipate mooring up outside a favourite pub for that special evening. If you just want to sit and relax as your boat glides along some of Britain’s best scenery then this is the holiday for you as well. The boats are well appointed and fully equipped and you can self cater or splash out on pub meals – and why not?

To help you to decide, the River Thames Guide and Canal Guide have some special offers for you to consider.

College Cruisers are based in the lovely old city of Oxford which you
can visit as well as exploring the River Thames and the South Oxford Canal.  Visit their own website at www.collegecruisers.com or telephone 01865 554343.
If you wish to confirm a booking, they need a deposit of £150 with the balance due one month before your holiday).

Please advise card no. expiry date and 3 digit security no. on the signature strip on back of card, using the secure part of the web site address They will need your address to enable them to send a confirmation package. Please note pickup time is 14.30 hours, and drop off at 09.30 a.m. or at agreed times in between.
They offer 25% discount on all Monday-Friday breaks booked before 31st January 2012.

Navigator Holidays are based on the upper River Thames at Radcot Bridge between Oxford and Lechlade. They are a family-run narrowboat company dedicated to providing relaxing family holidays in boats of the highest quality. From their hire base you can explore the Thames, Oxford and the Kennet & Avon Canals where you will encounter beautiful, tranquil and unspoilt scenery.
To get a 10% discount when you book online enter the promotional code RTearlybird
Contact Navigator Holidays Ltd on Tel: 01793 702043
Book online at: www.navigatorholidays.com

Another terrific holiday centre on the River Thames is Caversham Boats at Reading. They have holiday hire cruisers with 2-12 berths, and narrowboats with 2-10 berths (winter cruising available) and their boats are also available for short breaks and weekly hire.
Contact them on wicks@cavershamboatservices.co.uk
Or go to the website www.cavershamboatservices.co.uk

Calmer Cruising at Marlow have the Sancerre a deluxe 60ft by 11 ft traditional-style cruiser for self-hire on the River Thames and adjoining canals. Featuring full-size double beds, two bathrooms, a fully-fitted kitchen with granite worktops and large lounge, living areas are relaxed and spacious for up to six people comfortably. Central heating and a wood burner keep it cosy, and the large rear deck is ideal for alfresco dining. Cruise in superior style through the historic town of Windsor to Hampton Court, and visit the charming Thames towns and villages. The boat is easy to manoeuvre and instruction will be given as required. The River Thames, with its large locks, is the perfect operating environment for a boat. 
Contact details: Email: info@calmercruising.co.uk
Website: www.calmercruising.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0)7582 118155.

Boating Holiday Rentals have two bases. The first is on River Thames at Windsor and the other on the Trent and Mersey Canal at Willington Derbyshire. 
Their Cruisers are based at Windsor Marina, 3 miles from Windsor itself, and allow you to explore the Thames in a way you never thought possible. It is an area rich in pubs, fantastic restaurants, quiet country villages, an abundance of wildlife, museums and areas of historic importance and attractions right on the doorstep of Windsor itself.

Their boats can accommodate up to 6 persons at any one time, providing a variety everyone can enjoy. whether you are looking for a quiet cruise on the Thames for a week or two, or just a few days.

Their Narrowboats are based at Mercia Marina located between the bustling village of Willington and the picturesque village of Findern. Narrowboating is the perfect way to explore the Trent and Mersey Canal, which has something for everyone, from the wonderful potteries to the Trent Washlands - why not take in a brewery or two at the nearby town of Burton on Trent? Their fleet of four, six and 8 berth Narrowboats are ideal for those looking to enjoy the British countryside at its very best. Contact them at www.boatingholidayrentals.co.uk or tel: 01926 844249.

FOR ALL BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY THEY WILL BE OFFERING A 10% DISCOUNT!

Cotswold Boat Hire are a small, family run company based on the River Thames in the scenic Cotswolds operating from The Trout Inn Lechlade at the head of navigation on the Thames.
They have 2-6 berth cruisers with maximum flexibility of breaks/start days available. Their website www.cotswoldboat.co.uk gives info on layout plans and prices of their boats.  Smaller boats and Day Cruisers also available, hourly/half days and by the day (Please quote RTG BH January 2012 ). 
Bookings/Enquiries: Tel. 01793 727 083:  Email: info@cotswoldboat.co.uk
 Mobile: 0794 6655730 (Same day enquiries only)

Contact address:19 Berton Close Blunsdon, Swindon, Wiltshire SN26 7BE

© Article Editor- Jeannette Briggs – Spring 2012.