ABC Boat Hire, Alvechurch: Address, Phone Number, ABC Boat Hire Reviews: 4.5/5
ABC Boat Hire
ABC Boat Hire
4.5
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4.5
337 reviews
Excellent
274
Very good
43
Average
9
Poor
6
Terrible
5
dotty951
Sheffield, UK19 contributions
Apr 2022
At the end of April we enjoyed a very happy family weekend on the Red Breasted Goose. Staff at the Alvechurch marina couldn't have been more helpful and the 7 of us were soon able to set off on a sunny afternoon along the Birmingham & Worcestershire canal. This break was originally booked for 2020, so it was great to be able to have the opportunity at last for three generations of the family to spend time together. It was good for us all to relax in the sunshine and watch as the countryside gently slid past with fresh greenery and lots of bluebells. The younger members of the party especially enjoyed being able to stop the traffic to open a swing bridge and facing up to the challenge of turning a 69' narrowboat in a 70' winding hole and the senior member (81 years old) was happy to take a couple of turns at the tiller.
Well worth waiting two years for!
Well worth waiting two years for!
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RL021298
North Wales, UK10 contributions
May 2022
Perfect 4 day cruise for 4 people on a 49ft boat from Lowesmoor marina around the Droitwich Ring.
ABC staff were excellent and providing a full explanation of what to do and where to go etc so we set off on a clockwise route out of the marina.
The weather was perfect and our first stop at the Camp Inn we enjoyed a drink listening to some local live music along with a resident peacock and geese!
We would highly recommend this route for a short weekend break or similar as its the perfect balance of duration with locks and pubs etc along the way without being busy.
All in all and excellent long weekend with thanks to all the staff.
ABC staff were excellent and providing a full explanation of what to do and where to go etc so we set off on a clockwise route out of the marina.
The weather was perfect and our first stop at the Camp Inn we enjoyed a drink listening to some local live music along with a resident peacock and geese!
We would highly recommend this route for a short weekend break or similar as its the perfect balance of duration with locks and pubs etc along the way without being busy.
All in all and excellent long weekend with thanks to all the staff.
Written 17 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
johnbetts9
Offenham, UK45 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Fantastic 4day break from Gayton marina to Milton Keynes and back .
Staff were excellent from start to finish.
Instructions were made easy to understand and demonstrated very well. The boat was spotlessly clean with enough kitchen wear . Beds were very comfortable. Showers were adequate and hot . please don’t expect a power shower experience .
We had 4 adults and 2 teens and we managed very well over the 4 days. We were very lucky with the weather so didn’t need to use the provided waterproofs except going through the bills worth tunnel. Plenty of places on route for food and drinks .
Overall excellent service throughout
Many thanks
Staff were excellent from start to finish.
Instructions were made easy to understand and demonstrated very well. The boat was spotlessly clean with enough kitchen wear . Beds were very comfortable. Showers were adequate and hot . please don’t expect a power shower experience .
We had 4 adults and 2 teens and we managed very well over the 4 days. We were very lucky with the weather so didn’t need to use the provided waterproofs except going through the bills worth tunnel. Plenty of places on route for food and drinks .
Overall excellent service throughout
Many thanks
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MaraRafiki
Stratford on Avon104 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
We had a brilliant day on board. The boat was warmed up ready for our arrival. The check in process was quick and easy, and Simon, the Technician showed us all we needed to know in just a few minutes. With on board tea/coffee making supplied, an easy to use heads,and saloon heating the boat had everything we needed. The engine was quiet and easy to use. We had a great day. Thank you ABC.
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lorna R
4 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Fantastic holiday - boat as was advertised and more - staff very helpful at Hilperton Marina - out 1st time on a canal boat and couldn’t have been happier with everything - amazing holiday - boat we hired was great - had a little problem with a water leak from pump and engineer out to remedy within the hour - perfect and highly recommend
Written 27 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
scfcboy
Bridgend, UK18 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Nice boat and friendly staff. Hired the boat for four nights and travelled from Alvechurch to Gas street basin in Birmingham and back. Nice relaxing break. However this was spoilt somewhat with the cost of fuel used for about a twenty mile round trip. Over £90 was spent on Diesel and Red diesel at that - the fuel costs are eyewatering to say the least and cannot be climate friendly at those prices. Will not be using that company again that is for sure!!
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sheeerab
London, UK6 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Husband, my sister and I, took my elderly parents for a 3 nighter from Gailey marina and we had a wonderful time!
The boat, the Rodulf, had everything you need for a weekend trip and was well appointed.
We stopped at a couple of pubs along the way and had decent meals; the Hartley at Wheaton and the 3 hammers golf club bistro which also had good decent food.
Apart from the wonderful, thrilling and sometimes terrifying experience of driving the boat, what made the trip so enjoyable was all the staff; the abc staff at Gailey we’re so heart warmingly fabulous that we want to go there again, also the staff we met at the golf club and later at the 1911 cafe. Plus, all the other boaters we met on the way, just a great experience.
Thank you abc boat hire.
The boat, the Rodulf, had everything you need for a weekend trip and was well appointed.
We stopped at a couple of pubs along the way and had decent meals; the Hartley at Wheaton and the 3 hammers golf club bistro which also had good decent food.
Apart from the wonderful, thrilling and sometimes terrifying experience of driving the boat, what made the trip so enjoyable was all the staff; the abc staff at Gailey we’re so heart warmingly fabulous that we want to go there again, also the staff we met at the golf club and later at the 1911 cafe. Plus, all the other boaters we met on the way, just a great experience.
Thank you abc boat hire.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Richard
World1 contribution
Aug 2021
Hired a boat through ABC Boat HIre for a week from Gailey Marina. Boat clean and tidy, but engine noise very intrusive when driving, due to very outdated installation. Not really the quiet relaxing way to enjoy the coutryside you hope for on a canal trip. More like having a London bus follow you round for seven days. Most marina staff friendly and professional, but sadly one very off-hand and unwelcoming, and one yelling crude abuse across the canal at a mate on the opposite bank. Not cheap either at £2400.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
André
Bristol, UK85 contributions
May 2021
Finally, as Covid restriction are lifted, we get a chance to do something with a difference. ABC Boat Hire were fantastic from the start, great communication, reassurances of their Covid policies and very helpful, as we were first-timers in the Canal Boat Hire world.
Their advice on directions and managing locks was second to none and our hand over / boat run through by our Engineer was delivered perfectly. We’ll be back for sure, probably for a little longer and see how far we can get from Hilperton Marina. Thank you for a FABULOUS day.
Their advice on directions and managing locks was second to none and our hand over / boat run through by our Engineer was delivered perfectly. We’ll be back for sure, probably for a little longer and see how far we can get from Hilperton Marina. Thank you for a FABULOUS day.
Written 29 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tokyo brit
London, UK43 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Just come back from a lovely three night narrow boat trip with ABC. The staff at the marina (Worcester) couldn't have been more helpful, and the company have made various changes to their briefing procedure, cleaning regime etc. to accommodate customers in the midst of COVID. Our boat was well-equipped, clean and comfortable, and the trip was the perfect way to enjoy the English countryside (easy to forget the troubles of the world at the moment, which was much needed!). Despite being first-timers, we had no problems operating the boat and making use of things like the central heating because everything is fully explained in the check in/ briefing. Just make sure you're paying attention at the marina before you set off and read up a little on what to expect from a narrow boat holiday before you rock up (obviously!). We would definitely consider using ABC again but would like a longer break next time!
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tastebudsandtravels
Bristol, UK77 contributions
Does the robin have electric on board to plug in a kettle or cool box?
CATWOMAN1973
Cwm Frwd Oer, UK96 contributions
No I done believe so
Lee M
2 contributions
Do you go on the boats with staff or are you on your own ?
William R
Stafford, UK981 contributions
Those who have hired the boat provide the "crew" themselves. This is not a problem, and god instruction is provided for hirers. No locks are I have hired a "day boat" for a 6 hour cruise; this will allow you to see whether or not a narrowboat holiday is for you.
Carlamarie M
Essex, UK3 contributions
Would it be ok to take a 3 month baby on board?
MairiM
Insch, UK54 contributions
Depends which canal you choose. If you choose Falkirk to Edinburgh (Union Canal), the locks are all manned and you get help. The baby could surely be left down below long enough for mooring and casting of, which are the only time you need two people. If not, the person steering could have the baby in a sling. I think the gentle motion might encourage the baby to do a lot of sleeping.
I probably wouldn’t recommend going on trips where there are many locks. Locks won’t wait and the baby won’t wait to be fed either.
Good luck.
Mary
Colraine
Chelsea, MI
Do any canal boats come with someone to pilot the boat?
louise_chadwick
Salford, United Kingdom2 contributions
only ones that are day trips. Many you do yourself, its easy and so much fun. And you get training before you set of anyway. And they also do lock training, just incase .
Joanna M
Birmingham, UK4 contributions
Do you have to have any experience to steer them or does someone else do that on a day trip
windsorsmom
Raleigh, NC253 contributions
You will be given a quick tutorial and a few basic lessons. You might want to go on line and watch the videos on it. Unless you have a nasty wind, the boats are not too difficult to maneuver. Also check your route. There might be locks and bridges which require some attention. As a novice, you might want to avoid a canal that has a lot of these. Honestly, it is SO fun. Please try it.
carlaf0ster
Brighton, UK
We are looking to hire a day boat from Aldermaston Wharf and the Hey Day is only available. The website hasn't got many photos, can anyone tell me what this boat is like and is it suitable/safe for a 4 year old?
louise_chadwick
Salford, United Kingdom2 contributions
children get fully equip with life jackets etc. and should not go on deck without an adult.
my kids at the time were only 3 & 5 and they loved it.
Helena T
Cannock, UK
Can you take it out for a day
katharinehatlady
Watford, UK18 contributions
Yes At Goytre Marina, they do day hire boats.
Pierre L
Bordeaux, France
Going on an ABC Boat Hire this July. My husband and I plus 3 teenage boys (15 and 2 18 yr olds). Which route would you recommend the most? Llangollen or Chester? We have the 7 day trip. Thanks for all the suggestions you can provide :)
happyperson52
Belfast, UK11 contributions
My hubby is 6ft 5 would there be enough headroom/height room for him
louise_chadwick
Salford, United Kingdom2 contributions
headroom is quite good, he would have to crouch going up the stairs though. But I think that's something we all have to do.
Frequently Asked Questions about ABC Boat Hire
- Hotels near ABC Boat Hire:
- (1.00 km) Woodlands Bed & Breakfast
- (4.11 km) Premier Inn Redditch North (A441) hotel
- (4.43 km) Old Rose & Crown Hotel
- (3.49 km) Westmead Hotel
- (9.45 km) Woodbrooke
- Restaurants near ABC Boat Hire:
- (0.16 km) The Weighbridge
- (0.48 km) The Crown Inn
- (1.01 km) The New Dilshad
- (0.98 km) Cafe Morso
- (1.96 km) Constance Wallace Tea Room