Had the great pleasure of using the boat on 24th May 2026. We were met and greeted by Steve who was a great help with all the instructions and safety measures needed. Luckily the weather was great, the hottest day of the year up to then. There were three of us and we thoroughly enjoyed our day chugging along the canal for 7 hours. We stopped off at a pub and the ice cream outlet along the journey. Very relaxing and enjoyable. The boat was easier to manoeuvre than I expected. In all a great day out and hopefully will be back in the future. Thanks very much to Steve for all your help.

Hi Geoff, many thanks for such a great day detailing a perfect day out aboard Mirlees from start to finish. We all very much look forward to welcoming you all aboard again very soon. Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats. Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

We had a family day out on the Miralees narrow boat and what a lovely day it was. The boat was ready when we arrived and it was fine and kitted out with all the essentials needed for the day. Steve gave us a great instruction/safety chat before setting off. Just bring your food and you will have a great day.

Hi George, many thanks for a great review. We do pride ourselves in our boat handover procedures with special regard not only to safety throughout your day on board but also make you feel confident on handling the boat whatever previous experience you may have. See you all again soon. Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

What an amazing day out with the family. We had a fantastic day, the boat was spotless and had everything we needed. Steve was so helpful and thorough, we had a fantastic day can’t wait to book again, would highly recommend.

Hi Lisa, thank you very much for your kind words and we all look forward to welcoming you all on board again sometime soon. Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

Hi there,

Thank you for getting in touch – I’m very happy to share some feedback following our trip yesterday (March 30th 2026).

We had an absolutely fantastic day on board Mirlees. There were 10 of us celebrating my wife’s birthday, and it couldn’t have worked out better. The boat was spot on – clean, comfortable, and really well equipped – everything we needed for a relaxing and enjoyable day on the canal.

Even though the weather didn’t exactly roll out the sunshine (a bit overcast and chilly!), we came prepared and it certainly didn’t dampen the experience. In fact, it just added to the charm of the day.

We cruised around the Chorley area and stopped off for lunch at The Spinners Arms in Cowling, which was excellent and a great addition to the trip.

All in all, it was a brilliant day out and great value for money. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to others and will definitely consider booking again in the future.

Thanks again for helping make the celebration such a memorable one.

Best regards,
William.

Hi William, first of all apologies for no replying to your great review sooner. I am pleased that you all had a great day, despite the weather, and that the venues along the way only added to your great experience overall. We often find that sometimes people fear that if the weather isn't looking favourable for the day then they fear it will spoil it but pretty much every time they still come back with big smiles and happy memories that they can all share for a long time afterwards. Looking forward to welcoming you all back sometime to celebrate another special occasion or just for a last minute day out. Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

The boat was clean and well maintained. The skipper was knowledgable and made everyone very comfortable. The only difficulty we had was getting on and off the boat at lunch time to access the local eatery. This was due reduced mobility of our party (Low VI and elderly). Today’s canal boat trip was a truly joyful experience. The gentle pace of the water, the sounds of birdsong and lapping waves, and the fresh autumn air created a calming and memorable outing for everyone. Laughter and conversation filled the boat as the group enjoyed the peaceful journey together, sharing stories and soaking in the relaxing atmosphere. It was a day filled with connection, warmth, and appreciation for the simple pleasures of being out on the water.

Thank you Alison

Lucien @ Ellerbeck Narrowboats

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