Ten Reasons to book with Foxhangers

1. We care about giving value for money.

We constantly check ourselves against other boat companies and we are always very competitively priced.  Almost all our bookings are booked directly with us, so we don’t pass on the booking agent fees to you. This typically makes our price at least 10% cheaper than most of our competitors, who rely on booking agents for their booking.

We firmly believe we give the best value for money on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The hire price includes not only your tuition but car parking, bed linen and towels, fuel for cooking and more. Read our article to find out what’s included in the price, what’s onboard and what to bring with you.

2. We care about our business which is independently family owned and run.

The first generation of Fletchers, Thomas and Leslie arrived at Foxhangers in 1954 with their son Colin and his wife Cynthia.  Colin and Cynthia started offering Bed and Breakfast holidays in 1974, later developing the camping and the self catering site . In 1997, their son Russell Fletcher, co founded Foxhangers Canal Holidays with just one narrowboat. Russell is now the sole owner and Managing Director, with a fleet of 18 narrowboats all built in our own workshops. Despite the expansion and an experienced management team, Russell is still very much at the helm. You can read more about the history of Foxhangers which goes back to the year 1798 here.

3. We care about customer service.

All our staff are hand picked, receive the best training and are carefully monitored. You will see this from your initial enquiry, to your reception on arrival, throughout your holiday and on your return.

4. We care about our boats which are all handcrafted in our workshops by our own highly skilled staff.

We do not use “sponsored boats” or build them“ production line” style. Instead we tailor them to the needs of hirers based on customer feedback. For example, our two newest silver fox class boats Wily Fox and Lazy Fox are both reverse layout because customers told us they would prefer the helmsman to be less isolated. Many hirers have commented that our Silver Fleet are more akin to private boats than hire boats. We have also just launched our first luxury boat Darwins Fox. We use our 20 years experience to build bespoke narrowboats for private customers.

5. We care about your time.

We recognise how busy people are so our website makes online booking easy, with“real time” availability, boat layouts, virtual tours and a FAQ section. However, if you prefer to speak to someone before you book or if you just prefer to book in person, our friendly bookings team will be delighted to help you. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–5pm. 01380 827808

6. We care about your safety.

All our hirers receive a British Marine Federation approved tuition which is included in the price of your holiday. We also include buoyancy aid hire and have a buoyancy aid policy.

7. We care about you and your crew.

We welcome many different types of holidaymaker here. Whether you are looking for a short break or a long holiday, whether you are a large group, a family, a dog owner or a couple looking for a romantic break, we will have the right boat for you. Our fleet consists of  boats small enough for two and large enough for up to nine.

8.We care about the environment and our holidays are environmentally friendly.

Read the Foxhangers Canal Holidays environmental policy to discover how environmentally friendly our holidays are.

9. We care about helping you plan your trip.

Our website has a comprehensive guide to the Kennet & Avon Canal.  Both our office staff and our handover staff are happy to give advice on where to go and what to see before and during your holiday. You will also receive a comprehensive information pack once your balance is paid and you can watch the online tutorials here.

10. We care about our location.

We are very proud of our location; of the beautiful countryside and wildlife and the many historical landmarks and attractions. If you are planning a trip or would like to see what’s along the canal you can view our canal map.