Andersen Boats
Andersen Boats
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view

About
Canal boating is for anyone who just want to do something completely different from the everyday world.
Andersen Boats is a family run business in Middlewich for 40 years with one of the best starting points for a range of amazing canal holiday options across England & Wales. We offer shorter and longer breaks, so you can take a short weekend away or a long 2 week tour of our beautiful canals.
Relax with family and friends, while discovering the hidden sights of England and Wales from our amazing canals. Give us a call or visit our website to find out more and book your next adventure!
Middlewich, Cheshire, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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(37 reviews)
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5.0
429 reviews
Excellent
408
Very good
16
Average
1
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Cindy B
19 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Andersen Narrow Boats are beautiful, sturdy, sparkling clean, and in the lovely town of Middlewich. Their website is easy to use, prices great, and communication swift. This was our second time to use them (all the way from Texas) and we'll likely do so again. It's easy to fly into Manchester, Uber to Middlewich, get a hotel and enjoy the local pubs the day before. On the rental morning you can drop your luggage with them and easily walk to local stores for provisions. They give exceptional lessons and provide a wonderful information binder to answer any further questions you might have as well as a phone number if needed. They are a warm and welcoming company we encourage you to use!
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian H
Rochester, UK37 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We hired the Fjord Emperor for a week sailing on the Llangollen Canal. This was the first time the six of us in our party had hired a narrow boat and we wondered how it would go. We were looked after from the moment we got there from the trolleys to get our luggage and provisions to the boat, to the tour from Bill showing us everything we needed to now for our time on board. We were then supported by Terry to get through our first three locks which are close together and next to the boat yard. We headed off with a booklet showing us the route, and a folder with essential information we can refer to. This included a mobile number in case we had an issue. The scenery was stunning and the locks were easier than we thought. We shared out the duties from steering to lock duties to cooking and even the rain couldn’t dampen our enjoyment. We did have an issue requiring a call to Terry and he came out to us within 30 minutes to fix the pump in the shower and empty the bilge pump which had taken in a lot of water. A further call to Terry meant we arranged a stop on the way back to empty the toilets. Overall we had a brilliant time and couldn’t fault the support we had from the team at Anderson’s.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen E
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
The boat was clean, tidy and well equipped for an enjoyable holiday cruising. The staff were very friendly and helpful with excellent customer service. 5/5
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom R
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Couples
Brilliant service and an excellent holiday made possible by the awesome boats provided.
Did a 7 day trip from middlewich to Llangollen, everything explained well and boat was very well supplied with everything you need.
Did a 7 day trip from middlewich to Llangollen, everything explained well and boat was very well supplied with everything you need.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PMSchloss
40 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We just completed our second three-week narrowboat hire through Andersen Boats of Middlewich. Our first charter was in 2019 when we set off with no prior canal-boating experience, traveling the Cheshire and legendary Llangollen routes. Anderson made it easy and the entire experience both flawless and extraordinary. For our 2023 journey we traveled the “Four Counties Ring”. Again, honors go to Andersen for providing a clean and well maintained vessel at a very reasonable price.
Piloting a narrowboat in England is a real “hidden gem”. One gets to see “the real England“ and meet the friendliest people, while traveling the countryside at a pace that allows one to “smell the roses“. Our 62 foot boat, Fjord Empress, comfortably accommodated four adults and was both our transportation and our “hotel“
We highly recommend the experience, and we highly recommend Andersen Boats in Middlewich!
Piloting a narrowboat in England is a real “hidden gem”. One gets to see “the real England“ and meet the friendliest people, while traveling the countryside at a pace that allows one to “smell the roses“. Our 62 foot boat, Fjord Empress, comfortably accommodated four adults and was both our transportation and our “hotel“
We highly recommend the experience, and we highly recommend Andersen Boats in Middlewich!
Written 5 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailBlazer51461
2 contributions
Apr 2023
Our first experience on a Canal boat, we hired “Tana Fjord” boat for a week, which was excellent, everything was clearly explained to us by Terry, who along with his colleague took us through the first three locks, which are close to Andersen boat yard.
Wonderful experience, throughly enjoyed, will definitely hire again.
Wonderful experience, throughly enjoyed, will definitely hire again.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue A
26 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We had a fantastic week from start to finish! Boat company service was efficient and friendly, the boat was really well laid out and equipped
We had some beautiful moorings, couldn't have been luckier with the weather either. We went as far as Chirk and the whole route was so peaceful and beautiful. Some great friendly volunteers on the flights too. A really lovely holiday. We've been holidaying on narrow boats for years and this was one of the best!
We had some beautiful moorings, couldn't have been luckier with the weather either. We went as far as Chirk and the whole route was so peaceful and beautiful. Some great friendly volunteers on the flights too. A really lovely holiday. We've been holidaying on narrow boats for years and this was one of the best!
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva F
Liverpool, UK2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Had a week on Fjord Contessa very modern central heating tv etc but so uncomfortable, shower difficult to get and out of, toilet needed to stand on stool . low leather chairs by tv also uncomfortable, dining table just a lift up flat with high folding stools also uncomfortable.
Bed awful. Was glad to get home have hired boats before and not had this experience. Some of the locks were leaking and cracked and badly maintained also canal overgrown in places. The paddles yon the locks were very hard to work many people complaining.
Bed awful. Was glad to get home have hired boats before and not had this experience. Some of the locks were leaking and cracked and badly maintained also canal overgrown in places. The paddles yon the locks were very hard to work many people complaining.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Di Carter
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
Beautiful excellent boats. Well equipped. Friendly and helpful staff. We would definitely use again. Easy location, plenty of parking and even trolleys available to get your luggage and bar to the boat.
Fabulous canal system too.
Thank you
Fabulous canal system too.
Thank you
Written 16 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Superfastfox
Dubai, United Arab Emirates359 contributions
Aug 2022
Had a great holiday on the Fjord Contessa, thoroughly recommended. Great pick up from Anderson boats their team was nice and friendly and gave a detailed explanation on all systems before departure. The boat was easy to operate, neat, clean, tidy, and in excellent condition. Fuel Included in Price!
Written 8 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, what would you like to know about this attraction?
Do you have anything available for 3 /4/5 /7 nights around the last week of July for 5 adults ?
Anne Sadler 0785 579 3206
mlr0driguezp
Bogota, Colombia
Hi. We are going to visit Holmes Chapel for a day and I want to know if it’s posible to take a trip for just a couple of hours?
christine r
United Kingdom14 contributions
Not for a couple of hours but day boats hire . You would have to ring them to make sure .
donosh
Cambridge, UK1 contribution
Is it possible to go across to the Llangollen viaduct and back with a four day hire. 4 senior citizens with no experience
Andersen_Boats
Middlewich, UK3 contributions
Hi,
Sorry for the delayed reply... The Llangollen canal requires a minimum of 7 nights with about 8.5 - 9 hours travel per day, during the summer months.
Thanks,
The Andersen Boats Team
Sue H
Cranleigh, UK2 contributions
Can we get to Chirk and back in 3 days
Gill4442016
Isle of Wight, UK10 contributions
We did fairly long days and no way would you get to Chirk and back unless than 5 or 6 days
Judith G
Victoria, Canada28 contributions
I would like to know if anyone has used a cpap machine on a narrowboat.
angiemccullagh
Seattle, Washington1 contribution
I would love to do a day trip, but I'm prone to seasickness. Are they boats quite steady and the canals calm?
leasuretaker
UK69 contributions
Hi
We found the boat was very steady. My partner suffers from sea sickness and he was fine
Have a good trip
joffre t
Winsford, UK26 contributions
What days are the Andersen boat trips available and at what cost?
Nick T
Warrington, UK70 contributions
Their website has full details. We hired for 7 days but people were going out for up to 14 days. They don't hire out in winter though as far as I can see so only from March. I worked out the cost at about 120 notes a day.
joffre t
Winsford, UK26 contributions
What days are the Andersen day trips available and at what cost?
Icemaiden51
Runcorn, UK
We are pensioners and not very agile. Is this trip accessable? My husband has a terminal illness and would like to go on a canal ride soon is that possible?
Micbow
Felixstowe, UK1 contribution
I agree with above answers about handling and locks. If you can get someone who is reasonably nimble to go with you,there are a number of places that have small day boats that could be possible solutions. But, you'd want to hire those on a stretch of canal that has no locks. Close to you are Heritage Narrowboats @ Scholar Green. They are on a lockfree stretch.
Even closer to you at the Anderton Boat Lift, there is a trip boat that takes clients on a boat from the Trent & Mersey canal down the boat lift on to the River Weaver, and back up again. I reckon they are used to those with ability issues. There are similar trip boats at Llangollen which are horse drawn.If you liked that, then perhaps try a dayboat. For a longer trip If you could get another couple to go with you, the Monmouth and Brecon canal only has 6 locks on it and they can be avoided by hiring from one of the companies below the locks.
To start with try Anderton Boat Lift, there's loads to look at there, as well as the trip boat.