We hired the narrowboat on September 3rd, the weather was a bit iffy , but it certainly didn’t spoil our day celebrating a couple of 70th birthdays. We were made welcome, and well informed of all we needed to know for our trip. After a couple of hours we moored up, and took a short walk to The Top Lock where eight of us enjoyed a very good lunch, we had prebooked. On our return the sun came out and we took full advantage, sitting out.
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a ‘different’ day out to spend with family or friends.
Thank you Ellerbecknarrowboats for a great experience.

Thank you so much, Christine, for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that the weather didn’t dampen your celebrations and that you all had a memorable day aboard. It’s wonderful to know the 70th birthdays were marked with good company, a scenic cruise, and a well-earned lunch at The Top Lock—great choice!We’re especially glad you felt welcomed and well-informed before setting off. That’s exactly the experience we aim to provide, and it means a lot to hear it reflected in your kind words.Thanks again for recommending us—it’s the best compliment we could ask for. We’d love to welcome you back anytime for another special day out with family or friends.Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

Great day out celebrating my husbands birthday. Everyone enjoyed it. Great service from Lucien and Steve.

Thanks so much, Margie! It was a real pleasure to be part of your husband’s birthday celebration, and we’re thrilled to hear everyone had a great time. Steve and I really enjoyed helping make the day special for you all. Hope we get to welcome you back again soon for another memorable outing!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

what a great day out for the whole family (4 grandparents mom and dad 4 yr old alfie, aunty lee and leo the dog.
Booking was easy (but look well ahead - its very popular) and on the day Lucian made sure we knew what we needed to know and had everything we needed to be safe and confident on the canal. We set off about 10am and got back just after 4pm and enjoyed every minute exploring beautiful countryside on our doorstep but rarely seen from this perspective. Enjoyed a lovely picnic by the side of the locks at Johnsons hillock and enjoyed the relaxing gentle cruising all day. Alfie was in his element spotting ducks and swans and herons and even a kingfisher. Its a great way to spend a full day with the family. And make sure you stop off at Fredericks ice cream shop for the icing on the cake. Thanks for a great day Lucian!!

Absolutely loved reading this, Paul—thank you so much for sharing such a warm and vivid account of your day! It was a real pleasure welcoming your whole crew aboard: four generations, Alfie’s boundless enthusiasm, and even Leo the dog made it a proper family adventure.I’m thrilled to hear the booking process went smoothly and that you all felt confident setting off. The canal really does offer a fresh perspective on the countryside, and Johnsons Hillock is a perfect spot for a picnic—especially with a kingfisher making a guest appearance! Alfie clearly has a keen eye for wildlife.And yes, Fredericks is always a winner to round off the day—hard to beat ice cream after a gentle cruise.Thanks again for choosing to spend your day with us. You brought great energy, and I’m so glad it was a memorable experience for everyone. Hope to welcome you all back again soon!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We had a wonderful day on the narrow boat. Family of 10, this is the second time we behave hired this boat. It is so relaxing. We were greeted by Stephen on arrival, who gave us all the information and guidance we needed. Ellerbeck are a great company to deal with. Book it, you won't regret it.

Absolutely lovely to hear from you, Mandy — thank you so much for sharing your experience!It means a lot that your family chose to return for a second trip aboard the narrowboat, and we’re thrilled it was just as relaxing and enjoyable as before. Stephen will be chuffed to hear your kind words — he takes great pride in making sure everyone feels confident and cared for from the moment they arrive.We’re delighted that Ellerbeck continues to be a company you trust and enjoy dealing with. Your recommendation is the highest compliment, and we truly appreciate it.Here’s to many more peaceful days on the water with your crew of ten — you’re always welcome aboard!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We had a lovely day on the Mirlees, with our family from Germany, going along the canal . The weather was kind to us and no rain this time.
The boat is well equipped with everything we needed.
We have recommended Ellerbeck to friends and family.

Thanks so much, Neil — what a pleasure to read your review! We're thrilled to hear you had a lovely day out on Mirlees, especially with family visiting from Germany. Sounds like the canal cruise gave you the perfect mix of scenery and serenity, and we're glad the weather played along for once!It’s great to know the boat had everything you needed — we try to make sure it’s well-stocked so guests can just relax and enjoy the journey. And your recommendation to friends and family means the world to us. Thank you for helping spread the word!Hope we’ll see you again soon for another peaceful day on the water.Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

Blessed by glorious weather our party of ten had yet another cracking day out with Ellerbeck Narrowboats. This is our fourth or fifth hire with them. We picked up a clean and well presented boat. It is a pleasurable experience with them. Thanks to for a lovely time.

Thank you so much, Alan! We're thrilled to hear your group had another cracking day out with us—and blessed with glorious weather too, what a bonus! It means a lot that you've chosen Ellerbeck Narrowboats time and again, and we're glad the boat met your expectations for cleanliness and presentation. It's always a pleasure to welcome you aboard, and we look forward to making your next trip just as memorable. Thanks again for your kind words and continued support!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We had a wonderful family day on the narrow boat. On arrival we were greeted by Lucien who gave us a detailed talk on safety and navigation procedures. The boat was clean and comfortable and we had a lovely day excepting for an illness onboard, which Lucien helped us to sort out. Sadly our day was cut short but we will definitely be back to do it again without the drama. Thank you once again.

Thank you so much, Gary, for your kind words and for choosing to spend your family day with us. It was a pleasure welcoming you all aboard, and I’m really glad to hear that the safety briefing and setup helped you feel confident navigating the boat.I’m sorry the day took an unexpected turn with the illness onboard, but I’m relieved we were able to manage it together and ensure everyone was safe.It means a lot that you’re keen to return—next time, we’ll aim for smooth sailing all the way through! Looking forward to welcoming you back for a drama-free adventure on the water.Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

Another great day out on the canal.
Thank you Lucien for your thorough briefing and help.
Easy navigation along the very quiet canal up to Wigan.
Lovely countryside and wildlife.
Boat clean and well prepared.
Thank you once again.

Thank you so much, Gerard — it was a real pleasure to have you aboard again! I'm glad the canal was peaceful and the wildlife made an appearance to add to the charm. It’s great to hear the boat met your expectations and that the journey up to Wigan was smooth sailing. Your kind words mean a lot, and I’m always here to make sure your day out is as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. Looking forward to welcoming you back for another adventure soon!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We had a lovely day on the boat, the safety briefing was very informative. It was a family occasion & we all had a wonderful time, there was plenty of cups, plates, cutlery etc & even a kettle to have a lovely brew.
We would definitely recommend ellerbeck narrow boats, we had a fantastic time & will definitely be returning. Thank you so much

Thank you so much, Ian! We're thrilled to hear you and your family had such a lovely day out on the boat. It’s great to know the safety briefing helped everyone feel confident and relaxed, and that the little touches—like the kettle for a proper brew—made the experience even more enjoyable.We really appreciate your kind words and recommendation. It means a lot to us that you had a fantastic time, and we’ll be looking forward to welcoming you back aboard again soon!Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We came to Ellerbeck narrowboats for our first ever boat hire on Saturday and would highly recommend!
Thank you to Steve who explained everything and showed us what to do and gave us the confidence to enjoy our day on the blue boat!
The canal was really quiet which was good for us 1st timers. Only 2 boats passed us 1 of which was the red hire boat.
Can't wait to come back 🙂 thanks again for a great day.

Hi Kim, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear that your first boating experience was such a success—and that the blue boat helped make it a memorable one. Steve will be chuffed to know his guidance gave you the confidence to enjoy the day with ease.It’s great that the canal was peaceful for your maiden voyage—sounds like the timing was just right! We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back for another adventure.Thanks again for choosing Ellerbeck Narrowboats and for sharing your kind words.Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats