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Discover the English Waterways


The Ultimate Getaway Experience

Dragonfly Canal Cruises

We offer private, 3, 6, and 13 night scenic cruises aboard our bespoke narrowboat for discerning and international explorers

A World Apart


The origins of the English canal system predate the Declaration of Independence in 1776, offering a secluded window into a tranquil realm of leafy waterways that has been largely forgotten by the modern world.

Conveniently Located


We are conveniently located just an hour away from London by train and 10 minutes from the M1 and M6 highways. Consider adding a delightful canal experience to your European vacation itinerary.

Private & Flexible


Offering 3 and 6-night cruise options.  Unlike other hotel boat companies, our trips are  charters for one couple only. You will never be asked to share your experience with other guests. 

All Inclusive


Our cruises offer a complete and indulgent experience. We select locally sourced ingredients for our all-inclusive dining. Our diverse menus feature British cuisine with a delightful twist, international fusion dishes, or, if you prefer, all-American favorites.

Our boat has one double cabin at the rear, and additional sleeping is available on the double sofa bed in the saloon.  Our trips are most suited for couples, or for adventurous single travellers who want to get away on their own for a few days.  Guests should be active and mobile as narrow boats are not 'accessible'.  You must be able to climb steep steps and be comfortable around water.

Welcome Aboard!

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your European sight-seeing adventure and immerse yourself in a few days of pure relaxation and tranquility.


Go beyond the traditional tourist spots like museums, art galleries, and historic monuments, and delve deeper into the English countryside with a truly exceptional experience.

Our guests come from all over the world and are of all ages.  There are many reasons to choose a Dragonfly Canal Cruise.

This is the boat we are using until the end of June, 2024.  Pictures of our newly refurbished 54 foot boat will be posted as soon as the boat is ready!

You Deserve a Relaxing and Authentic Vacation Experience

Our Story

When Teresa and I go on holiday we try to find unique experiences that help us to connect with the place we’re visiting. Whether that’s a small Ryokan in Japan, a family vineyard in France, or a hilltop resort in Jamaica, we enjoy a touch of class with a personal touch. We also don’t like to rush around from museum to museum, city to city, but like to take our time settling into a place.


So when we returned to England after 25 years abroad, we thought about opening a small guest house or boutique restaurant. We finally decided on a narrow boat that would allow us to provide the sort of personal service that we ourselves love to receive, while enjoying the amazing English canals.

What We Offer

The East Midlands is a beautiful part of the country, with low, rolling hills that open up to surprising vistas, and winding, tree-lined canals that delve into cavernous tunnels.  Traditionally, the Midlands were the heart of the canal system, bringing together the industry and raw materials of the North, and transporting them to London and the rest of the World.


Cruises

3- and 6-night cruises are available, starting on a day of your choice.  All cruises leave from North Kilworth Marina.  Cruises board early afternoon, and return mid  afternoon of the last day.


  • North towards Foxton Locks, Market Harborough and Leicester
  • South to Braunston Junction and the London-Birmingham Grand Union Canal. 


Walking Holidays

Our cruises can be used as a base for a walking holiday.  Walk the tow path, or explore Englands historic and ancient footpaths.  When walking was the most common form of transport, public rights of way linked every town and village.  Even today, these paths cut straight lines across fields, through woodland, and over rivers and canals.  Dragonfly guests are able to walk the countryside during the day and rejoin the boat for the night as we progress around the chosen route.


What to Expect

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These pictures are of the boat we are using up until the end of June 2024.  We are in the process of buying a completely refurbished 54 foot boat and will update the pictures as soon as we have them!


We are sure you'll love our new boat as much as we do!

The Cruising Experience


Start Your Day.  Wake up in your own time,  help yourself to a continental breakfast of cereals, pastries, meats, and cheeses or fry up a cooked breakfast.


Morning Cruise. Your skipper will rejoin the boat and get under way.  Relax in the boat or on the deck, walk alongside on the tow path, or help on the locks. We’ll stop along the way for the occasional sight-seeing.


Lunch. We’ll find a nice spot to moor up and enjoy a light luncheon.


Afternoon Cruise. We resume our lazy meander through the waterways, visiting local attractions.


Evening Mooring. Cocktails and aperitifs are served while dinner is being prepared.


Dinner Is Served.  Three course dining is served in the cabin or on the foredeck.  After dinner you'll have the boat entirely to yourself.


Turning In.  Spend the rest of the evening relaxing on board reading, watching TV, or take an evening stroll along the tow path before retiring to your cabin for the night.

Our new boat, DRAGONFLY, has a  double bed (about 4 foot 6 inches / 1.4m wide) in the rear, and a sofa that folds down into a double bed in the saloon.  The diagram is not exactly to scale, but will give you an idea of what to expect.

The Dining Experience


Paul, your skipper and chef,  trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London.   The cuisine is modern British, drawing inspiration from foraged plants and premium local ingredients.  Reflecting our years in the US and Asia, dishes are punctuated with Thai, Chinese, Cajun, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. We use local, fresh ingredients, and prepare your meals on board daily.  Our goal is to provide a standard equivalent to a good bistro or higher, but not necessarily fine dining.


Our charter cruises are all-inclusive of food and alcohol.


Select from a menu before your trip starts.


We stock wines and beers that pair with our menus.


Mixers, Cocktails and Mocktails from around the world, which you are welcome to enjoy while we are cruising or moored.


Review from our inaugural cruise in May 2024

Hi there,


We are from Australia and have been to the UK a number of times, but wanted this time something easy and different.


We chose Paul - Dragonfly Hotel Boat - our Skipper, Chef, and Host - Amazing person who always served 3 course meals - be it breakfast lunch and dinner.  Paul then left the long boat and returned 8am next morning and another day begins.


Summary up - 4 days on a long boat is just wonderful - the scenery, laid back times - and then OMG: On a long boat, food cooked and served by Paul is 5 Star.


Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.


~ Jennie and Pete

A 2-Week walking holiday around the warwickshire Ring

A slightly unusual trip that I did for  that took a lot of planning, Penny, Jean, and Jane were looking for a way to walk the Warwickshire Ring, which is 100 miles of towpath, and 92 locks.  It was an absolute delight to host these three Canadian 'Magpies' for a two-week trip on one of the hire boats we used before buying our own boat Dragonfly.

A Much More Exciting Experience Than Expected


We (three) Canadian women(in our 70s) are putting this on our Bucket Lists to immediately stroke off with BIG SMILES on our faces as we remember the laughs, the challenges and the sumptuous food !!!


It wasn’t as we’d imagined. It was better! The skills patiently taught showed us we weren’t too old to learn and that we had the needed strength. Now we know how to set locks with windlasses, spot good mooring locations, start /run the boat engine, use ropes and knots techniques to moor, and one of us learned to steer the boat on occasion.


Paul – You’re on par with any of the Michelin Guide chefs. The delicious food served in gorgeous presentations on beautiful linen tablecloths made us feel special and pampered with fine dining at its best.


Our Best Wishes to you Paul and to your kind, helpful wife Teresa. You both worked hard to make this holiday among our BEST and MOST UNUSUAL. And you MORE THAN SUCCEEDED !


The PJs (ie Penny, Jean & Jane) aka The Three Magpies


2024 Cruise Prices

Every hotel boat company is different, based on the type of boat, number of berths, and host style. 
We only book single parties - the price is for the whole boat, so you'll be on your own with no other guests to contend with.

Our boat sleeps 2 people comfortably, or 3 at a pinch on a double sofa-bed. 
Note that the beds are relatively small by domestic standards.

3 Nights

£2,900

6 Nights

£4,900

2024 AVAILABILITY

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Booking Enquiry

Please check above for availability.  Provide as much detail of your plans as you are able to, and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.

Website Booking Enquiry

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