There are a wide variety of boat hire companies on the River Thames offering everything from a canoe to a luxury skippered motor cruiser. Whatever time you’ve got available there’ll be a boat hire option to suit you.
How much does it cost to rent a narrowboat?
Average monthly cost of renting a narrowboat in London: £650
Sharing a houseboat with the owner can help you learn more about boat maintenance and can result in incredibly cheap rent of as little as £300 per month, but the average rental is around double this.
Can you hire a canal boat for a day?
Day hire boats can usually be booked for self drive canal trips for a day, part of a day or evening. You don’t need any boating experience or qualifications to take one out. They usually have toilet and simple cooking facilities (many people take picnics) but no sleeping accommodation.
Can anyone drive a boat on the Thames?
For most powered boats, you must have either valid Boat Safety Scheme Certification (BSSC) or, for boats up to 4 years old, a valid Declaration of Conformity made by the boat’s builder under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).
Can you hire a boat on the Thames? – Related Questions
Do I need a licence to use a boat on the Thames?
You do need a licence before you’re allowed to boat on any inland waterways in the UK, such as the Thames or the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. However, there is no need to pass a competency exam before you’re allowed to boat, as one does while learning to drive a car.
How much is a boat licence UK?
An Initial BSSC registration for a full year for a boat starts from £144.00. Note – All boats requiring a BSSC must be tested every 4 years.
How much does it cost to moor a boat on the River Thames?
The council has berths available for boats along the Thames at the Windsor Promenade. £8 for a 24 hour overnight period for boats under 40 feet. £10 for a 24 hour overnight period for boats of 40 feet and over. 2 hour free mooring – there is an area in front of Barry’s Cafe which can accommodate up to three boats.
Do I need a licence for the tidal Thames?
All filming activity (and all commercial still photography) on the tidal Thames requires a filming licence.
Can you moor anywhere on the Thames?
Base mooring at lock sites. If you keep, or mainly use, your boat on the River Thames you must have a proper base mooring. This is somewhere to put your boat when you are not cruising, such as a marina berth. If you live on your boat as your only place of residence, you need to have an approved residential mooring.
Do you need a licence to kayak on the Thames?
Do I need a licence to paddle on the Thames? If you’re paddling on the non tidal section of the river (Cricklade Bridge to Teddington) yes, you need either a non powered pleasure craft licence available from the environment agency here or join the British Canoeing here.
Can you swim in the Thames?
The PLA allows swimming to take place upriver of Putney Bridge through to Teddington. It is permitted in this area only but be reminded that it is still a busy section of the tidal Thames for leisure and recreational activities.
Do you have to pay to paddle board on the Thames?
The fee for unpowered craft and this includes any inflatable boat including any Paddleboard is £45,90 a year £20.60 per month, £10.90 per week and £5.20 per day. There is also an Explorer registration which allows you to use your Paddleboard on 15 non consecutive days at a cost of £18.00.
Can you kayak on canals UK?
If you’re kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddleboarding in England or Wales a waterway licence is required to paddle on over 5000km of waterways that are managed by the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and a number of other waterway authorities.
Do I need a licence to kayak in UK?
To simplify the answer, if you want to paddle on virtually all the inland waterways in England you will need a licence. This includes narrowboats and unpowered craft such as canoes, kayaks, dinghies, rowing boats, paddleboards, and light inflatable craft.
Who owns a river UK?
The riverbed of a tidal river (i.e. where a river meets the sea and is affected by the tide) is presumed to be owned by the Crown. However, where there is evidence that the Crown has granted rights overs the riverbed or has transferred ownership of it, this will prove the owner.
Do you need a license to paddle board on rivers?
Yes, the use of a paddleboard, or any other portable, unpowered craft on the majority of inland waterways, requires a license obtainable from the relevant authority. On Regent’s Canal, there are two license options: Short term or 30-days explorers’ license from the Canal and River Trust.
Can you take an inflatable boat on the Thames?
The fee for unpowered craft and this includes any inflatable boat including any Paddleboard, Kayak, Canoe, Dingy, Sailing Boat or Rowing Boat is £44.20 for the year expiring 31st December 2021.
Can I sup on the Thames?
Stand-up paddleboarding is a growing recreational activity on the tidal Thames. Providing you follow the Tideway Code then you may paddleboard between Teddington Lock and Putney Pier during the day.
Which side of the river should you paddle on?
Is there a correct side to pass on on canals and rivers? Ian. as a general rule you should pass left hand side to left hand side. i.e. aim to the right of the boat coming towards you, thereby going between it and the rhs bank.
Is it safe to paddle on canals?
Like with any water sports, you need to make sure safety precautions are in place for your paddle. Have everything prepared before setting off, such as first aid kit, change of clothes, map and mobile phone. If you are leading a trip on a canal, make sure everyone is wearing a suitable buoyancy aid.