We're on the water, building memories that last a lifetime...
We provide access to narrowboats, and RYA qualified instructor training for community and youth groups since 1987. Based in Kings Langley.
WHAT WE DO
Our narrowboats are a community resource
Boat Hire
The Trust owns two narrowboats, Dick’s Folly is 70 feet long and accommodates up to 12 people and Pickle’s Folly which is 60 feet long and accommodates up to 10 people.
RYA recognised Training Centre
Pickles Folly, our 60ft cruiser stern narrowboat, is a great platform for teaching the Inland Waterways Helmsman and Crew qualifications on the Grand Union Canal. We offer a mixture of day-long and residential courses.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
The Trust holds events and our volunteers attend various events taking one or both boats for the public to look over.
“Our annual narrowboating trip is one of the highlights of the year. During the weekend they build skills for life. They learn to work as a team opening and closing locks, learn how to drive a narrowboat and experience the calmness of life on the canal.”
Greg
Watford North Scouts
"We were looking for a new operator to hire a boat form after the previous operator of our annual canalboat trip sold their boat. Luckily, someone recommended that we try South West Herts Narrowboat Trust and their boats Dick’s Folly and Pickle’s Folly. An early site visit to the Trust’s base at Hunton Bridge confirmed that, with some changes to our operation, the boats would be fine for our purpose. We also realised that more of our leaders should be trained up with the necessary qualifications. Fortunately, the Trust provided RYA-approved training on the boats we would be hiring along the same canal that we would take the scouts on. We now have more leaders trained with plans for further leader training. On our first weekend hire in June 2024, leaders and scouts found the boats and the canal provided an excellent trip. All enjoyed the experience of operating the boats and navigating along the canal. Pickle’s Folly was the ideal boat for the scouts to operate and deploy from at locks with leaders which we found best suited our leader training. On board catering facilities ensured we were able to cook and feed our group. The positive experience was such that we have booked gain for June 2025."
Tony
Writtle Scout Troop
Book a boat today...
1
Select dates
On our website you'll find a booking calendar for each of our boats to help you check the next available dates.
2
Fill in form
Once you've found a date that works, click the 'Book a Boat' button to be taken to our booking system.
3
Pay deposit
Fill in the details, and then pay a £150 deposit to confirm the booking. Full payment is due 6 weeks before you get on the water!