Lancaster Canal
Lancaster Canal
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
326 reviews
Excellent
199
Very good
108
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Jenny
3 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Just returned from our first narrow boat holiday booked through Duck Island Boat Company and have to say it was brilliant and big thank you to Eamonn for your guidance and patience.
We were very impressed with the barge - the Legato -it was very high speck and everything you could want was on it.
Training was given and we weren’t left until we were ok and could handle the boat.
Eamonn was brilliant and patient, nothing was too much trouble for him, he was helpful and funny and he came out to us when we needed a little guidance and went out if his way to make us feel comfortable.
To be honest at the beginning of the week my other half didn’t think it was for him but by the end of the week he had changed his mind and we all would highly recommend giving it a go.
The scenery was lovely and we had so many laughs.
We would highly recommend this type of holiday and would highly recommend the Duck Island Boat Company.
We were very impressed with the barge - the Legato -it was very high speck and everything you could want was on it.
Training was given and we weren’t left until we were ok and could handle the boat.
Eamonn was brilliant and patient, nothing was too much trouble for him, he was helpful and funny and he came out to us when we needed a little guidance and went out if his way to make us feel comfortable.
To be honest at the beginning of the week my other half didn’t think it was for him but by the end of the week he had changed his mind and we all would highly recommend giving it a go.
The scenery was lovely and we had so many laughs.
We would highly recommend this type of holiday and would highly recommend the Duck Island Boat Company.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jacky m
5 contributions
Oct 2020
Just got back home after a week away as we hired the barge Glissando from Duck Island Boat Company who are based at Garstang Marina on the Lancaster Canal. The owners were Eammon and Elaine who were extremely helpful and made us feel welcome and also very safe by staying with the goverment guidlines for Covid 19. They made sure we knew how to handle the barge and how everything worked on board before we set off on our cruise. The barge was well kitted out with everything you would need for the week. There were alot of little extras such has hand soaps, moisturisers, milk, cleaning products, cloths etc. There was also a cute welcome hamper waiting on board. Glissando is a barge built with high specs and looked just as good on the inside as it did on the outside. It was a warm boat ideal for winter trips. The Lancaster canal is a beautiful lock free canal with places to stop for a meal or to visit should you wish to. There is an abundance of wild life to see. We would definitely go again.
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill Hopkins
Leyland, UK31 contributions
Sept 2020
We hired a narrow boat from Crabtree Narrow Boats at Barton Grange marina, and had a very relaxing week on the Lancaster canal. The boat was very clean and well laid out. We had excellent service from Robert and Mandy. Robert showed us around the boat and how everything worked. We were then let loose to explore the canal. The canal has many pubs and villages along side and is also lock free making cruising even better. The scenery on the northern section is wonderful with great views of the lake district fells and Morecambe bay. We also passed over the Lune viaduct, an amazing bridge carrying the canal over the river Lune.
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hobbit1769
15 contributions
Jul 2021
Just returned from a week’s trip on Glissando, one of the four boats of Duck Island. The boat itself is beautiful- kitted out to a very high standard, and lots of lovely welcoming things such as fresh flowers, toiletries, a little hamper etc. Extremely comfortable 5’ bed, unusual on a narrow boat! The galley is extremely well equipped. We elected to cook, rather than find pubs, and I turned out fillet steaks, fresh pasta, salmon en croute, full English breakfasts, fresh bread, etc with no problem at all. Elaine and Eamonn, the owners are lovely people and nothing is too much trouble for them. We found the boat extremely easy to handle, Eamonn has made a lot of changes to it and as a result this is pretty much stress free canal boating. The Lancaster canal is beautiful- we went from Garstang to Carnforth, where we made our turn, but you could go a little further North. All in all we had a terrific week, and have booked to go again in 2022. Would highly recommend for a slow paced, destressing, delightful holiday.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfcmbb
Underbarrow, UK5 contributions
Mar 2022
The Duck Island Boat Company provided us with the best fitted out boat we have ever had - and we had an exceptional weekend on the Lancaster Canal
The booking process was easy and efficient, the hand over the same, with attention to detail. The owner couldn't have done more for us. The boat had everything we could have thought of needing - very comfortable beds beautiful bathrooms and all the little odds and ends you need were provided.
The booking process was easy and efficient, the hand over the same, with attention to detail. The owner couldn't have done more for us. The boat had everything we could have thought of needing - very comfortable beds beautiful bathrooms and all the little odds and ends you need were provided.
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jade2102
Lancaster, UK383 contributions
Mar 2023
Being a Lancastrian I have spent years walking the Lancaster canal and in every season it is a lovely place to be. It is teaming with various wildlife including ducks, swans and even Kingfishers if you are luck enough to spot them.
It also provides great access to and around the town centre and other boroughs including Hest Bank, Canon and Carnforth to name but a few.
It also provides great access to and around the town centre and other boroughs including Hest Bank, Canon and Carnforth to name but a few.
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizanner2014
Wallingford, UK61 contributions
May 2021
My first time on a narrow boat which was very well fitted out and luxurious but it did not make up for the fact this is a very limited bleak part of the canal waterways. It’s lock free, with few nice villages or towns, no nice places to eat except The Royal in Bolton le Sands. Morecambe is vast run down and windswept, Galgate and Garstang have little to recommend them, except a walk to Glasson basin, with the highlight being Bolton le Sands. All in all little I would not recommend this part of the canal waterways.
Written 6 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
callumsn0na
Aberdeen, UK6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Have cruised this canal a few times now, twice with The Duck Island Boat Company. First time 6 years ago was aboard Picollo, a luxurious widebeam boat for 2. Second time was on Legato, again luxurious but this time a narrowboat that accomodated ourselves, friends and our wee dog Jack. Eamonn and Elaine are a lovely couple who welcome you and see you on your way safely. The canal is lovely, Garstang to Tewitfield is our favourite stretch. So much beauty, so many lovely places, lovely friendly welcome everywhere and lovely restaurants all over the place...so much food and too few days to try it all! I would highly recommend this laidback holiday to everyone and would most definitely recommend Eamonn and Elains Duck Island Boat Company as they are the best we have been on! (and thats been a fair few over the years). Go for it folks, you won't regret it!
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan D
United Kingdom124 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We spent a week on “Glissando” (Duck Island Boats) and she was such a well laid out high spec luxury narrowboat with everything to hand and included on board. Fresh flowers and a bottle of wine awaited our arrival.
Eamon provided an excellent briefing and handover on arrival despite the heavy rain! We enjoyed a great lock free trouble free holiday cruising the “Lanky” from Garstang to Lancaster & Morecambe Bay (great views and beach walks) and back down to Galgate Marina (great Wi-Fi on canal side moorings!) and then Barton Grange Garden Center (fabulous garden center and entertainment complex and restaurants) where we moored overnight on their visitor mooring. Eamon met us on our return to Garstang marina and the hand back was an smooth experience. Elaine processed the return of our security deposit within 2 days which we appreciated.
The Duck Island Boat Company is well run by Eamon and Elaine who are friendly and helpful in all matters narrow-boating on the lock-free Lancaster Canal in their luxury boats which are easy to handle. Thank you both for making our holiday really enjoyable!
Eamon provided an excellent briefing and handover on arrival despite the heavy rain! We enjoyed a great lock free trouble free holiday cruising the “Lanky” from Garstang to Lancaster & Morecambe Bay (great views and beach walks) and back down to Galgate Marina (great Wi-Fi on canal side moorings!) and then Barton Grange Garden Center (fabulous garden center and entertainment complex and restaurants) where we moored overnight on their visitor mooring. Eamon met us on our return to Garstang marina and the hand back was an smooth experience. Elaine processed the return of our security deposit within 2 days which we appreciated.
The Duck Island Boat Company is well run by Eamon and Elaine who are friendly and helpful in all matters narrow-boating on the lock-free Lancaster Canal in their luxury boats which are easy to handle. Thank you both for making our holiday really enjoyable!
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather KW
Birmingham, UK19 contributions
Jul 2020
Our family walked along the canal for an hour because all other places were in covid-19 lockdown and it made the trip to Lancaster very much worth it. Beautiful. There is a lovely pub along the canal called The White Cross that very kindly and enthusiastically let us use their toilets so we'll definitely visit them for lunch next time.
Written 17 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
does the site take touring caravans and small dog?
Written 3 July 2024
We are wondering how many days we should book a canal boat to travel the Lancaster Canal would 4 be enough?
Written 29 July 2022
I agree, if you just wanted to travel end-to-end, you might just do it in four days, but yes you need a good day in Lancaster, and you might want to enjoy the facilities at Barton Grange, as well as visit Garstang and perhaps walk up to the locks in the North (just beyond the navigable reach).
Written 30 July 2022
When is the best time to go on this canal? Are there nicevillages and pubs on the way?
Written 3 October 2019
Hi may is nice and quiet, Lovely villages dont miss stopping at Garstang, Also Hest bank for a stroll down to the SEA! P,S Dont go in summer if poss its difficult to find moorings hope this helps sorry for delay.
Written 17 November 2019
We are picking up a boat from Garstang Marina... does anyone have a suggested itinerary for a week long trip? Preston first, and then back up to Lancaster?
Written 9 August 2019
Galgate first lovely chip shop just under railway bridge, Also take a stroll down lock system your not allowed to take hire boats down, Second lancaster for afternoon, Third HEST bank must see lovely walk to seafront, Can also catch bus to Morecombe or even Kendal for day, Fourth Carnforth very famous for railway scene in Brief encounter, Fifth upto terminus at Tewitfield, If you plan this right you will have enough time to return to Garstang on time, Have a good one, We are back on canal next year. Ps forget heading other way not as scenic.
Written 9 August 2019
Hi can you kayak the canal ?
Written 31 July 2016
You do need a licence. See Canal and river trust site for details. Available from daily to yearly.
Written 10 August 2016
My daughter and I would like to walk the canal from Preston to Kendal, does anyone know if there is accommodation near to the canal as we reckon it would take us three days?
Written 18 July 2016
Get hold of a book called "The Complete Guide to the Lancaster Canal, Fifth Edition, priced at £6.50 (you can buy at the Canalside Craft Centre at Galgate). It contains a list of every conceivable accomodation you might require throughout the entire length of the Canal.
Written 25 October 2016
Can anyone direct me to a site which has a Lancaster Canal "Things to do, see but more importantly drink and eat" listing ? I'd like to travel the route, via canal boat, knowing I can end each day near a watering hole so to speak !
Written 20 August 2015
We've booked for a week on the Lancaster Canal in July 2016 with Crabtree Narrowboat Hire, as part of the booking they've provided a very comprehensive list showing the places to visit to eat and drink along the way, if you haven't booked your trip yet you should consider using them.
Written 23 June 2016
If travellibg the canal by boat, can we moor here for lunch/supper ? Are there facilities such as mooring rings etc ?
Written 20 August 2015
Hi yes you can. Theres a pub called The Bellflower a few minutes walk away and a little bit further and your in Garstang. Lovely place and lovely area.
Written 11 October 2015
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