Frequently Asked Questions

Our boats are 60 ft and 62 ft long which can seem a bit daunting at first.  Once you pick up the few basic rules it is very easy to manoeuvre. We will provide full instruction on the handling and steering of the narrowboat.  There is a manual onboard if you need to clarify anything and we are available at any time if you need any assistance. We will accompany you through the first lock, which is around 15 minutes cruising from our base, giving guidance on the boat handling and the correct lock procedures.

Anyone!  Hiring a narrowboat provides great enjoyment for couples, families and groups of friends. It is a great opportunity to enjoy life at a slower pace and visit places without the frustration of traffic jams and parking problems. Children enjoy the freedom of outdoor life and can participate by operating locks and can even have a go at steering under adult supervision.  We would recommend that children wear buoyancy aids and are supervised at all times.  You will need to bring a travel cot for babies.

No problem! We are here to answer any questions you have, we have introduced lots of people to narrowboating – and they come back!  You are welcome to view the boats prior to booking; please call first so we can make sure someone is available to show you around. 

If you don’t feel confident or would prefer just to sit back and relax on the boat why not hire an experienced skipper?  Our skipper is available for half a day, a full day or for your entire break.  They will be available at a time to suit you between 9 am – 4 pm and can work with you to ensure your break is enjoyable and stress free.  Our skippered service can be tailored to your needs and includes:

Join you for a time that suits you

Explain how the boat works, teach you how to use ropes and mooring stakes

Steer the boat or offer guidance if you prefer to steer it yourself

Take the boat through the locks or provided assistance as required

Stop wherever you wish to moor for the night and leave you safely moored up to enjoy the rest of your time as you wish  

Suggest where the best mooring locations are,  recommend pubs/restaurants, make table reservations for you and ensure you have enough time to reach your destination

For bookings over one day the skipper can also bring you any groceries you may need

Please check for availability when booking your holiday.   A skipper accompanying you for half a day will cost £50 and a full day is £100.

As well as enjoying the tranquility of the river there are many places to stop and explore. Guildford, Godalming, Farncombe and Weybridge provide lots of shopping opportunities and the cinema in Guildford has its own mooring where you can also access the many shops, pubs and restaurants.  In Guildford you can visit the theatre, museums, churches and Guildford Castle set in its very attractive grounds.  The Spectrum leisure centre is within walking distance which has swimming, ice skating and 10-pin bowling.  Further afield, you can reach RHS Wisley Gardens, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Legoland and Thorpe Park.  Why not try fishing (not available from March to June) or look out for ducks, swans and kingfishers.  In the evening moor up at a pub, take advantage of the board games provided, or have a cosy night in watching a DVD or the included Netflix programmes.

All boats will be filled with diesel and water, although we will demonstrate how to refill the water tank which you will need to do at various water points along the route.  The diesel should be enough for one week’s cruising, for longer hire periods we will advise you on refuelling.  Whilst the water is fine for boiling and cooking we would advise bringing bottled water for drinking as we can’t guarantee the previous hirer’s have used the correct procedure when filling the water tank.

We have returning customers who have allergies so Box of Delights is a smoke free and pet free boat.  Due to the restricted space on a narrowboat we only allow small, well behaved dogs on Portland – please check with us first if you are considering bringing your dog.

You can moor anywhere on the towpath side of the River Wey for free, except for lock waiting areas, turning points or where there are signs that advise you otherwise.  There are mooring spaces outside all the waterside pubs on the Wey.  Most of the moorings on the Thames are free but please check for signage regarding the length of time you can moor and any applicable charges.  There are visitor moorings right outside Hampton Court Palace, the first 24 hours are free of charge, there is a small mooring charge for some parts of Windsor and Henley on Thames.

You can fish from the boat (a licence is required which is available online from www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing). Please do not use live bait on the boat.  Closed fishing season is from March to June.

Our boats are licenced to cruise the River Wey.  Please let us know if you intend to explore other waterways and we can advise on whether additional licences are required.

We have full insurance cover against any damage to the boat.  However, you will need to purchase personal travel insurance for everyone in your party, which should include cancellation, personal accident and loss of personal items.

We have an inverter onboard so you can use 12 volt and there are 240v sockets.  There is a shaver point and a hairdryer is provided.  You can bring your own items but please check with us first.

• Bedding: Duvets, pillows, pillowcases, duvet covers and sheets
• Kitchen equipment: Gas oven, grill and hob, microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle, caffetiere, all cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils
• Entertainment: Wi-fi, Smart TV with Freeview channels and Netflix (please note reception can be poor on the water and when travelling you may need to retune, please refer to TV instruction booklet), DVD player, radio, board games, Google Assistant hub (on Portland)
• Safety equipment: Smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, First aid kit, fire blanket, fire extinguishers, life ring, buoyancy aids
• Hardware: Boarding plank, pole, lock keys, mooring spikes, hammer, hosepipe, ropes
• Bathroom: Tiled shower, vanity sink with storage, electric flush toilet, towels, hairdryer, toilet rolls, selection of toiletries

View the full inventory here.

Casual, warm and comfortable clothing, non slip footwear.  The weather can be colder on the water and waterproofs are recommended.  Umbrellas are supplied on the boat.

Provide us with a list of provisions (payable on arrival) and we will ensure it will be on board for your departure.  Or you can get your groceries delivered from Asda, Ocado, Tesco, or Sainsburys and we will store them for your arrival.  There are many places on route where you can stop and replenish your supplies.