Narrow Boat for hire, Bath Canal

Narrow Boat for hire, Bath Canal 59ft Narrow Boat 'Narrow Escape'
Six Berth
Bathampton, Bath, Somerset Narrow Escape
Narrow Escape is a 60′ narrow boat that can sleep up to 6 people.

The boat has everything you need for a fantastic holiday on the stunning Kennet and Avon canal. Travelling westward from Claverton it’s a gentle, scenic 2-3 hour cruise along the canal into Bath City centre or a 2-3 day jaunt joining the river into Bristol. Heading east towards Bradford on Avon there are two impressive aqueducts, a lock and some great pubs along one of the most beautiful stretche

s of canal in the County. If you really want a challenge The Caen Hill Locks near Devizes are a flight of 29 locks over a 2-mile stretch. The countryside looks so different from the wonderful viewpoint of the water and there is a potential adventure round each bend. The canals are now managed by the charity The Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the inland waterways are in the best shape they have been in for years. Narrow Escape is available for
Long weekends (Fri-Mon)
Mid-week trips (Mon-Fri)
1 or 2 week holidays
Long term bookings considered
The boat has a fully working galley area with a gas cooker, sink and fridge. The lounge is big enough for all 6 to sit comfortably around the table to eat and the table can be stowed away to make a spacious sitting area. There is a bathroom with a washbasin, toilet and shower. The foredeck is a safe area for children to sit and watch the beautiful Somerset and Wiltshire countryside glide past or to feed the ducks and swans from. The 38hp diesel engine is ample enough power to guide the boat along the Kennet & Avon canal offers good control into locks and canal-side mooring. In short, this boat has everything needed for a fantastic holiday with a difference and the recent refit provides comfort and style for your time on board.

18/12/2023

Hi everyone, it's Tony Murphy, owner of Narrow Escape holiday hire boat. This morning I had a complaint that the people currently on board were going much too fast and were then abusive when asked to slow down. I have spoken to them and ordered them to obey my instructions and slow down to tick over especially when passing moored vessels. This is only the second complaint I have had in over 6 years. I take my responsibilities very seriously and give detailed instructions and guidance to all my guests particularly regarding speed. I apologise to those who were affected earlier and I will continue to do my best to ensure this does not happen again.
Happy Christmas everyone.

Bath top lock. An unusual overnight mooring.
25/06/2023

Bath top lock. An unusual overnight mooring.

16/02/2022

Hello everyone at the People's Republic of the Inland Waterways. Can anyone please advise me if it's possible to turn a 60ft narrowboat immediately before Lock 15 at Semington at what used to be the junction with the Wilts and Berks canal? Or is the nearest winding hole the one just after Whaddon Road bridge? Thanks in advance. Tony.

08/10/2020

Hi everybody. Can anyone tell me if the east end from Thatcham to Reading is now navigable? Thanks.

30/08/2020

Since lockdown was relaxed, things have been going really well. What I don't need now is for Murphy's law to rear its ugly head.
In order to prevent that from happening, the week before last I put Narrow Escape into dry dock for a day (many thanks to Lionel Meaden and the staff at Bath Narrowboats for letting me do this at short notice.) We put on a new prop, new shaft seal unit, new engine mounts. I also did a full engine service, changed the engine oil, gearbox oil, new filters. The engine is purring. I'm really happy and totally confident. Onwards and upwards! Long live the people's republic of the Inland Waterways!

24/05/2020

Canal and River Trust are re-opening the navigation fully for private boats from 1st June. I would be interested to hear from fellow boaters whether they think that small business operators such as myself could be permitted to resume operations subject to the following conditions.
1. The boat would be deep cleaned before each hire.
2. Only same household guests would be accepted.
3. The handover procedure would be provided to guests on film, with myself present but not actually on board to answer questions and give advice.
4. For guests who need tuition in boat handling, this would be done by me standing on the gunwhale at a distance of at least 2 metres to offer guidance.
5. Strict instructions re physical distancing at locks, swing bridges and moorings would be provided.
6. All guests would be instructed to disinfect anything they have touched at locks and swing bridges after use.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Tony Murphy.

Although Narrow Escape is not able to operate until lockdown restrictions are eased (whenever that may be) I am still do...
09/05/2020

Although Narrow Escape is not able to operate until lockdown restrictions are eased (whenever that may be) I am still doing thorough engine checks, testing the electrics, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a week. Me and my sister, who is co-owner, love the boat and are determined to keep it in perfect condition until the pandemic is over. Attached is a photo of me enjoying a glass of wine after my checks today. Stay safe everybody!

16/04/2020

I was bored today and thought about taking one of my boats out for a cruise. However, this would have been irresponsible so I contented myself with sitting back with a glass of wine and reliving a couple of epic journeys I have undertaken over the past 15 years or so.

If you have time to read this, and let's face it, you have bu**er all else to do at the moment, I will recount some of my adventures to you.

About 11 years ago I needed to bring a 45 ft narrowboat from Farncombe boathouse on the river Wey to Bath. All went well until I reached the Thames. In those days I was not familiar with the Thames and I took a wrong turn. 35 minutes later I arrived at a lock. The very pleasant and cheerful lock keeper asked where I was heading. When I replied that I was heading towards Reading and then Bath, I knew there was something wrong when he doubled up and began emitting strangled gasps of laughter. Eventually he managed to say "You're going the wrong way. This is Sunbury lock. Turn round and go back to Shepperton. " I was quite grateful that he didn't add "you f....wit."
Have you ever felt like just diving in and drowning yourself?

Anyway, all then went well until I reached Devizes. Just before I set off on this journey a very dear friend of mine had died in Bath. I was determined to attend the funeral so I took with me suitable clothes and decided that wherever I was on the day of the funeral I would get a bus or train back to Bath. I was notified that the funeral would be on a Thursday so on the Wednesday evening I tied up on Devizes wharf. The following morning I showered and dressed in a black suit, white shirt, black tie and a black Italian mohair overcoat and was just about to leave the boat when there was a knock on the door. It was a BWB guy who said "You are not displaying a licence. " I explained that I did have a licence but being in transit I had not been able to display it. He checked this out and said "Ok. But can I ask why you are dressed as you are? It's somewhat unusual for a boat." I told him that I was going to a funeral. He asked "Whose funeral?" I replied "Yours." That's the fastest I have ever seen a BWB guy run.

Apart from the funeral, those were happy days. I knew little and cared even less.

If anyone is interested there is an even more epic journey from the Hertfordshire Union canal to Bath which I could recount. On that one I set a record for single handed navigation from Teddington to Reading.

Stay safe everybody and try to keep smiling.

19/03/2020

This is going to be a very difficult time for all of us. We at Narrow Escape will try to get through the crisis as best we can. I have every faith in the boating community and I know that we will all try to help each other.
If anyone who feels vulnerable or has underlying health issues and is not confident to go out, please pm me and I will be happy to come and do shopping, move your boat for you or whatever. Stay safe everybody.
Tony.

Just got home after an incredible weekend in Salamanca. Narrow Escape on tour! I went to see my beloved football club, U...
13/01/2020

Just got home after an incredible weekend in Salamanca. Narrow Escape on tour! I went to see my beloved football club, Unionistas de Salamanca, playing in the Copa del Rey (Spanish FA Cup) 2nd round against Deportivo la Coruna, who not too long ago were champions of Spain. We are a Segunda B team (3rd division).

WE WON 8-7 ON PENALTIES!!!!!!

Absolute mayhem and madness in Salamanca on Sunday afternoon and evening. I was at the centre of most of it. The draw for the 3rd round takes place tomorrow. We are guaranteed a home draw against a 1st division side. Could be Barcelona or Real Madrid! Looks like I'll be back over there next week.

01/12/2019

Narrow Escape is booked from mid December, through Christmas and New Year, to mid January. I guess there are a lot of people who would like to spend less time with their families.!!

25/08/2019

Russell Marchant, you need to get your facts straight. Whichever boat you had booked and has been cancelled due to mechanical problems, it is NOT Narrow Escape. I suggest you make this clear and apologise for aligning my reputation.
Tony Murphy, owner of Narrow Escape.

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Bathampton
Bath
BA26

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+447723611249

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