Name: Kennet Horse Boat Company
Rating: 5.0

Kennet Horse Boat Company

1-90 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Kennet Horse Boat Company offers a unique and relaxing way to explore the Kennet and Avon Canal in Berkshire. Based in Kintbury near Hungerford, it specialises in traditional horse-drawn boat trips and self-drive narrowboat hire. With scenic countryside views and a gentle pace of travel, it’s a memorable experience for families, couples and groups.

Visitors can enjoy two to three-hour public horse-drawn barge trips powered by cross-Shire horses Monty and Drummer, operating from Easter to September. There’s also self-drive day hire on the 30ft narrowboat Cygnet, suitable for up to eight people, complete with seating area, galley kitchen and onboard toilet. For something different, Wild Glamping is available in shepherd’s huts set within 10 acres of Berkshire pastureland near Newbury.

Public horse-drawn trips cost £21.00 for two hours, £24.00 for two and a half hours and £28.00 for three hours, with seniors and children receiving £1.00 discount, and a family ticket (two adults and two children) priced at £74.00 for the two-hour trip. Narrowboat day hire ranges from £230 to £260 depending on season and day, while Wild Glamping starts from £75 per night for up to four people.

With classic barges, friendly horses and peaceful canal scenery, the experience is both traditional and relaxing. It’s ideal for birthdays, special occasions, family outings or simply enjoying the countryside at a slower pace. Kennet Horse Boat Company offers a charming blend of heritage, comfort and outdoor adventure.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Horse-drawn boat trips: Our public horse-drawn trips on the Kennet and Avon Canal last from two to three hours and we can operate from Easter to the end of September. You can just hop on if we have any spare seats – but it’s best to book in advance so that you guarantee reserved seats. A trip on our horse-drawn barge is a popular destination for many coach parties touring the area.
Self-drive narrowboat day-hire: A group of up to eight people can enjoy the freedom of the Kennet and Avon canal with self-drive day-hire on our traditional style 9m (30ft) narrowboat, Cygnet, which is built to a very high specification. Everyone gets a great view, the main passenger area can be opened up to enjoy the fresh air, and there is a toilet on board for your comfort. It is available to hire most of the year.
Wild Glamping: Glampsite set in 10 acres of pastureland near Newbury in Berkshire. A 15-minute drive to Hungerford, Greenham Common and Highclere Castle. Shepherd’s hut heated by wood burner; exclusive use of shower hut. Sitting pretty on a 10-acre Berkshire field near Newbury, Hamstead Huts offers up cosy, shepherd’s hut accommodation, all beautifully kitted out with stylish furnishings and a wood burner to keep everyone nice and warm on cooler days.

Facilities

On board facilities include

Large open sided fore deck with roll down waterproof screens.
Seating for up to 8 people with large dining table.
Fully fitted galley.
Sink with hot & cold water.
4 Burner cooker with grill and oven.
Electric refrigerator.
Kettle supplied.
Crockery, cutlery, cups/mugs, pots/pans and tea-towels/hand towels as required – we do not have a dishwasher/washing machine on board to sterilise these items between hires.
Cloakroom with domestic style flushing toilet with hot and cold water.
Background heating via radiators for chilly days.

What to see

Kennet Valley: Our horse-drawn barge is a wide-beam passenger trip boat, purpose built-in 1976. She operates from Kintbury and is 20.4m (67ft) long by 3m (10ft) wide. Powered solely by the 1hp towing action of the horse, she carries a maximum of 53 to 64 passengers, depending on the type of trip.
Cygnet: Based at Kintbury, our self-steer narrow boat, Cygnet, is available almost all year round for self-drive day-hire. It is a traditionally styled 9m (30ft) boat built to a very high specification, offering maximum comfort and safety for up to eight people. Everyone gets a great view, the main passenger area can be opened up to enjoy the fresh air, and there is a toilet on board for your comfort.
Our horses: Adults and children alike adore our cross-Shire horses, Monty and Drummer, who are the pride and symbol of our business. Monty ‘The Star’ a Welsh Cob Shire Cross joined us in 2012. Now fully grown, he has matured into a great worker. He is our senior horse and a pleasure to work with. Our new arrival in 2016 is a young Clydesdale Cobb Cross. He has shown a good working temperament during his ‘on the job’ training.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Public Trips

2 hours: £21.00 (Seniors/Children: £20.00)
2.5 hours: £24.00 (Seniors/Children: £23.00)
3 hours: £28.00 (Seniors/Children: £27.00)
Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, 2-hour trips only): £74.00

Narrowboat Day-hire

Low season (Mon–Fri): £230 (April & May / September & October)
Low season (Sat, Sun & Bank Hols): £250 (April & May / September & October)
High season (Mon–Fri): £240 (June, July & August)
High season (Sat, Sun & Bank Hols): £260 (June, July & August)

Wild Glamping

From £75 (for 1 night, 4 people)

Pricing URL: https://kennet-horse-boat.co.uk/self-drive-day-hire/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Getting together on Cygnet is a terrific way to celebrate a birthday or special event, entertain the kids and grandparents, carry out team building or just have a very different and memorable day out.

Contact the venue for timing information.

Address: Kennet Horse Boat Company

Post Code: RG17 9UY

Council: West Berkshire

County: Berkshire