The main agencies are Blakes and Hoseasons, although most of the individual boatyards are now on the internet, and you might get a better deal if you contact them directly.

You are allowed to drive the boat yourself and you don't need any kind of permit. If you haven't driven one before, the boatyard will give you a quick lesson when you pick up the boat - it's very easy.

Some of the boatyards don't allow all-male or all-female groups (i.e. no stag/hen parties).

This answer is for the UK's inland waterways, i.e. canals, lakes and smallish rivers. The boatyards don't allow you to take this kind of boat on large rivers (such as the lower reaches of the Thames) or out to sea.

Insurance is usually included in the price of rental. Fuel is often extra. If you're having the boat for more than about a week then you may need to pay to have the sewage/waste-water tank pumped out (there are lots of boatyards that provide this service). Mooring is sometimes free (e.g. at the side of a field) and sometimes you have to pay (e.g. at the side of a pub).

The main agencies are Blakes and Hoseasons, although most of the individual boatyards are now on the internet, and you might get a better deal if you contact them directly. Google 'boatyard' plus the region or the name of the waterway that you're interested in.

You are allowed to drive the boat yourself and you don't need any kind of permit. If you haven't driven one before, the boatyard will give you a quick lesson when you pick up the boat - it's very easy.

Some of the boatyards don't allow all-male or all-female adult groups (i.e. no stag/hen parties).

This answer is for the UK's inland waterways, i.e. canals, lakes and smallish rivers. The boatyards don't allow you to take this kind of boat on large rivers (such as the lower reaches of the Thames) or out to sea.

Insurance is usually included in the price of rental. Fuel is often extra. If you're having the boat for more than about a week then you may need to pay to have the sewage/waste-water tank pumped out (there are lots of boatyards that provide this service). Mooring is sometimes free (e.g. at the side of a field) and sometimes you have to pay (e.g. at the side of a pub).

The main agencies are Blakes and Hoseasons, although most of the individual boatyards are now on the internet, and you might get a better deal if you contact them directly.

You are allowed to drive the boat yourself and you don't need any kind of permit. If you haven't driven one before, the boatyard will give you a quick lesson when you pick up the boat - it's very easy.

Some of the boatyards don't allow all-male or all-female groups (i.e. no stag/hen parties).

(This answer is for inland waterways).

The main agencies are Blakes and Hoseasons, although most of the individual boatyards are now on the internet, and you might get a better deal if you contact them directly.

You are allowed to drive the boat yourself and you don't need any kind of permit. If you haven't driven one before, the boatyard will give you a quick lesson when you pick up the boat - it's very easy.

Some of the boatyards don't allow all-male or all-female groups (i.e. no stag/hen parties).

This answer is for the UK's inland waterways, i.e. canals, lakes and smallish rivers. The boatyards don't allow you to take this kind of boat on large rivers (such as the lower reaches of the Thames) or out to sea.

Insurance is usually included in the price of rental. Fuel is often extra. If you're having the boat for more than about a week then you may need to pay to have the sewage/waste-water tank pumped out (there are lots of boatyards that provide this service). Mooring is sometimes free (e.g. at the side of a field) and sometimes you have to pay (e.g. at the side of a pub).