we were under the impression that the route we were taking was gently breaking us in - we started with 11 locks !!!!! this is far too many to go through on first day and all being novices
Customer Services
ABC Boat Hire
11 months ago
Thank you so much for sharing your experience — we really appreciate your honesty and the time you took to provide such detailed feedback. We're glad to hear you had an enjoyable weekend overall, but we're genuinely sorry that some aspects of the trip fell short of expectations.
We understand how important it is to feel confident and well-prepared before setting off, especially for first-time boaters. It’s clear that the induction didn’t provide the level of guidance you needed, and we’re sorry for the confusion around the manual and the lack of practical instruction, particularly around boat handling and tying up. That’s something we’ll be reviewing closely to ensure future guests feel more supported from the start.Your suggestion about waterproofs is a great one — we’re glad they came in handy! And we completely understand how starting with 11 locks on day one could feel overwhelming, especially for a crew of novices. We’ll take this on board when advising future guests about route planning.
Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback. We’re really pleased you still managed to enjoy the weekend, and we hope we’ll have the chance to welcome you back for a smoother and even more enjoyable experience next time.
Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
Date of purchase: 06/06/2025
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Mark Davies
Feefo Verified
1 year ago
Your recent holiday on Swift - Biscutate Swift from Wrenbury
A canal holiday to Llangollen is something we have wanted to do and we weren't disappointed.
Customer Services
ABC Boat Hire
1 year ago
Thank you for your review! We're so glad you enjoyed your canal holiday to Llangollen and had a great experience with ABC. We appreciate your patience with the waste tank issue and are glad our team could resolve it efficiently. Your recommendation means a lot, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted that you had such a fantastic day out and that our team, tuition, and well-equipped boat made it a perfect experience. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
The boat was immaculately clean and tidy. The staff were friendly and the Engineer explained very clearly how to operate the boat
Customer Services
ABC Boat Hire
1 year ago
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you found the boat immaculately clean and that our team made you feel so welcome. It's wonderful to know that the engineer’s guidance helped make your first narrowboat experience smooth and relaxing. Creating memorable family days out is exactly what we strive for, so reading your feedback truly makes our day. We hope to welcome you back aboard for another adventure in the future!
Date of purchase: 08/06/2025
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Robert Simpson
Feefo Verified
1 year ago
Your recent holiday on Plover - Pied Plover from Blackwater Meadow Marina
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted that you had such a wonderful holiday and that our team’s service and support helped make it special. It’s always a joy to hear that our guests have had a lovely experience. We’d love to welcome you back for another relaxing adventure soon!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased that we could accommodate the change for your Dad's special day, and it's fantastic to hear that our team made the experience smooth and enjoyable. From the warm welcome to the thorough briefing, we love making every trip as stress-free as possible—especially for first-time boaters! We're delighted that you, your Dad, and your dogs had such a great time out on the water. No locks, just pure relaxation! We hope to welcome you all back for another adventure in the future!"
Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We're so pleased to hear you had a great day out and that our team and the boat made a positive impression. It's wonderful to know you found everything clean and thoughtfully prepared.
We really appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable trip!
Date of purchase: 08/06/2025
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Simon Hickey
Feefo Verified
Newton Abbot
1 year ago
Your recent holiday on Lark - Arabian Lark from Hilperton
Very happy with the organisation of our hire. Loved the boat.
Customer Services
ABC Boat Hire
1 year ago
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you found the boat well-equipped and comfortable, and that our team made your experience even better with friendly service and helpful information. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed your time with us, and we’d love to welcome you back for another great adventure on the water!
Date of purchase: 02/06/2025
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Trusted Customer
Feefo Verified
1 year ago
Day Boat Hire from Blackwater Meadow Marina - Lazy Days
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased to hear that the greeting and tuition set you up for a great day out, and that our team’s support made your experience even smoother. We always aim to be as helpful and understanding as possible, so it’s fantastic to know that our Blackwater Marina could assist you. We hope to welcome you back for another enjoyable trip in the future!
Date of purchase: 08/06/2025
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Kit Duffy
Feefo Verified
1 year ago
Your recent holiday on Swift - African Swift from Hilperton
I was on the Kennet and Avon canal about six years ago and was shocked at the proliferation of house boats and frankly, slum boats, from Hilperton to Bath. The many moored boats created a number of...
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Customer Services
ABC Boat Hire
1 year ago
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that our team’s good humor and helpfulness made your arrival smooth and enjoyable. It’s great to know that the thorough briefing set you up for a successful journey, and that everything was handled efficiently upon your return. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another fantastic trip in the future! We appreciate your concerns regarding the Kennet and Avon and would encourage customers to report any issues to the Canal and River Trust.
The canals and rivers of England, Scotland and Wales stretch for over 2000 miles through some of the finest countryside imaginable. At ABC Boat Hire we have 16 start locations throughout the waterway network, from Falkirk in Scotland to Hilperton in Wiltshire, offering the widest choice of self-drive boat hire and narrowboat holidays.
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We verify that reviews are from genuine customers by matching them to a sale or transaction. People are only invited to leave a review after purchasing from the business.
The canals and rivers of England, Scotland and Wales stretch for over 2000 miles through some of the finest countryside imaginable. At ABC Boat Hire we have 16 start locations throughout the waterway network, from Falkirk in Scotland to Hilperton in Wiltshire, offering the widest choice of self-drive boat hire and narrowboat holidays.