Hunky Dory - Canal boat in Bath & N.E. Somerset, United Kingdom
Hunky Dory Days
- Canal boat for 2 from £137 per night (read our low price promise)
- One double sofa bed
Not suitable for children
Not suitable for pets
Overview
The canal that winds through the peaceful countryside just south of Bath is great for an afternoon stroll, but why walk when you can take the boat? When you arrive at Hunky Dory, Clare and Hibah, who renovated the boat themselves over three years of loving labour, will teach you all you need to know about piloting and canal etiquette (no license needed!) so even complete beginners will be set to sail. The essential handover will take a couple of hours, so it’s best to arrive as early as you can, then once you’re comfortable being on the water you’ll be left to your own devices but there's a handy guide to refer to if you need. Rumble down to other moorings, or set up a deck chair on the grass by the towpath and chat with passersby. There are a few good pubs within cruising distance. Clare and Hibah specially recommend the Boatman’s Breakfast at The Lock Inn, and the Bathampton Mill, closest to your original mooring, for sunshine drinks in the garden.
While there’s a joy to chugging down the canal for the day, Hunky Dory Days is a lovely place to be even when you’re moored up. Clever and colourful design in everything from the wallpaper to the Hunky Dory Days mugs make the boat a homely space. The bathroom is small, but the shower is hot and you’ll get the hang of swiveling the loo out of the way in no time! If you stay for more than a few days, the loo might need emptying too, but Clare and Hibah will talk you through that as well. Covers at both ends of the boat mean you can drive or just sit and relax in any weather, while good insulation keeps the inside warm. The kitchen has gas hobs and everything you need for cooking, as well as the all-important kettle, so you can sit out on deck with a cup of tea as the fields slide gently by.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 2 pm
- Check out: 11 am
- 2 adults 18+ are required to operate the boat
- No license is needed to learn how to cruise a narrowboat - you can be a complete beginner! Included in the price is an essential 2 hour handover, during which you will be taught everything you need to know and there's the Boat Operating Handbook on board at all times with all info you'll need to refer to at any time
- Bring a torch, non-slip deck shoes, waterproof clothing, soft bags/suitcases which are easier to store, sunglasses, sun cream and binoculars for bird watching
- A security deposit of £350 will be required; this will be held as security against any damage done to the boat during your rental. Payment must be made by or BACS transfer or Paypal and will be refunded to you at the end of the hire period once the boat has been returned and checked over
- Mobile phone signal. No WiFi
- Sleeping arrangements
- One double sofa bed
Cooking
- Gas oven, grill and hob
- Coolbox fridge
- All cooking utensils provided
- Sink for washing up
Washing
- Bespoke fitted wet room with shower pump and hot water
- Washbasin in wet room
- Toilet in wet room
- Towels, shampoo, conditioner and soap provided
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Controllable heating system
- Electric lighting
- The boat is fitted with 12V plug sockets so please don't bring any domestic appliances. A 12V hairdryer, USB adaptor and charging cables for Samsung phones and iPhones are provided
- All bed linen provided
Entertainment
- Four classic travel games, Boater's DVD and a deck of cards are all provided
- Kennet and Avon Canal Guide, Local Pub Guide books, boating literature and local guides are provided
- A Boat Cookbook is kept on board in the galley for customers to try recipes
- LED Digital TV with built in DVD player and Freeview
- DAB Digital radio
Getting there
Canal Path, Bathampton, Bath, BA2 6TN
By car
The private parking space is located a minute’s walk away and allows direct access on to the towpath where the boat is moored. There are three free standing spaces on the left-hand side facing out towards the railtrack. Please park in any of these available spaces. We will meet you here to help with any luggage and take you to the boat.
Public Transport
Bath Spa Station is 2.6 miles away away and approximately 10 mins by car. You can pick up a taxi easily immediately outside the station which costs under £10 or the owners can pick you up if you arrange with them in advance.
The nearest bus stop is Down Lane Bottom Stop and is a 1 min walk from Bathampton School and a further 10 min walk along the tow path to where the boat is moored. We can also arrange to meet by the moorings at Bathampton School if you are travelling by bus, meaning you will only have a 1 min walk. One of the advantages of Hunky Dory is the ability to move it closer to where our guests would like to meet!
Food & Drink
At Hunky Dory Days
Teas, coffee, milk and sugar. Pastries are provided for breakfast for the first night’s stay. Local ales or a bottle of wine is also provided.
Local shop
The nearest shop to the boat’s mooring is Jones Convenience Stores, 219 London Road East, BA1 7NB. The shop is 1.8 miles away and a 40min walk or 7-10 min drive. For a wider choice of goods we recommend Tesco Express, Bathwick Hill, BA2 4EN, 2 miles away towards Bath town centre and a 7-10 min drive. However, part of the fun of a boating holiday is discovering all the wonderful waterside shops along your cruise. Places like Braford on Avon also have shops very close to the canal tow path.
Pubs & restaurants
- Bathampton Mill (1.2 miles from the original mooring, however you can move the boat to a few minutes away from the towpath) - A stylish, riverside pub, bar and restaurant that boasts an expansive menu featuring a wide choice. The Mill has a really large garden for drinks in the sunshine with stunning views of the river.
- The Lock Inn (7.8 miles from the original mooring, however you can move the boat to a few minutes away from the towpath) - Owned and run by the same family since it was first opened in 1990, Dick and Jane are always warm and welcoming. The Lock Inn is Clare and Hibah's favourite stop for breakfast just before the lock. They recommend trying their self proclaimed "world famous Boatman's Breakfast as eaten by stars of stage, screen, and the world of sport too.
- The Cross Guns (7.3 miles from the original mooring, however you can move the boat to a few minutes away from the towpath) - Nestled on the canal towpath by Avoncliff station between Bath and Bradford on Avon, this 16th Century Inn has idyllic riverside pub gardens where you can enjoy a barbecue from their outdoor kitchen while enjoying panoramic views of the canal.
Activities
At Hunky Dory Days
This goes without saying when you stay on a canal boat. Enjoying cruising with full access to the Kennet and Avon Canal, one of the most beautiful stretches of UK waterways.
Places to visit
- The Kennet and Avon Canal - With an overall length of 87 miles, the Kennet and Avon runs from Bristol to the Thames in Reading. From Bristol to Bath and on to Bradford on Avon, the waterway follows the natural course of the River Avon before the canal links it to the River Kennet at Newbury, and from there to Reading on the River Thames. In all, the waterway incorporates 105 locks. The Kennet and Avon is home to some magnificent sights and sites.The famous Caen Hill locks, Maunsel Lock and Crofton Pumping Station, as well as 21 conservation sites, 14 SSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), a world heritage site and historical battlefield.
- Bath - If you head West you will reach the 6 locks leading into Bath city centre after an hour's cruise from Bathampton. This is where the Kennet and Avon Canal meets the River Avon. The canal towpath is a great way to reach Bath's main attractions such as the Ancient Roman Baths, the modern Thermae Spa, The Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey. Bath Vintage & Antiques market is held on the first and last Sunday of each month and definitely worth a trip. We would recommend booking the main tourist attractions ahead of time to avoid long queues. The gentle curves of the Kennet and Avon Canal are the perfect complement to the formal elegance of Bath's Georgian architecture, leading you on tranquil towpath walks out towards the Wiltshire Downs.
- Bradford on Avon - Bradford on Avon Wharf is where you will reach the first lock of your eastbound journey. The Wharf was once the busiest on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was split over two sites with coal delivered from the Somerset coalfields to the lower wharf. Other goods, including local cheeses, were unloaded to the upper wharf, beside the lock. This is one of Clare and Hibah's favourite places to moor up for a bite to eat and wander up the towpath to visit the medieval Tithe barn.
Meet your hosts
Meet Clare and Hibah
Hunky Dory is a 32ft luxury boutique narrowboat that provides customers with a gorgeous place to stay and gives them the ability to cruise the length of the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was originally built by Hancock and Lane in 1979 but needed major works to both the interior and exterior. Over the last few years she has been lovingly restored by Clare and Hibah. Clare used her previous experience of working as a builder and carpenter to design and refit the entire boat. This included fitting a full kitchen and units, electrics and plumbing. She even created a wetroom and seating areas to the aft and fore of the boat. They wanted the finish and design of the boat to be clean, contemporary and modern and had the intention of creating a unique and relaxing haven for couples to enjoy a romantic break. There is nothing more relaxing then waking up to birdsong on the canal and opening the curtains to look out to see passing wildlife all around. They envisaged birthday celebrations, anniversaries, proposals and honeymoons and at the start of 2018 they obtained their licence to operate as a holiday hire business and so finally their dream was complete.
Wildlife & Environment
On and around the Kennet and Avon Canal you could spot anything from ducks and dragonflies to kingfishers and water voles. The Canal and River Trust maintain the waterways and their environment team are always looking for opportunities to encourage waterway wildlife to thrive, preserving habitats and creating new ones. Just like Clare and Hibah, they believe that it is important for everyone’s wellbeing to have somewhere where they can access free open spaces and get close to wildlife no matter where they live. A handy nature spotter’s guide is available on their website.
A boating holiday forces you to be environmentally conscious as the boat is your source of all power: diesel, electricity, gas and water. The batteries charge up as you cruise meaning electrical power can be used when the engine is not running. Gas cylinders and the boat’s water tank hold a certain amount of gas and water and make you more appreciative of not leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth or leaving the gas pilot light on unnecessarily. As you need to fill up with drinking water from dedicated service points, this makes you more appreciative of your water supply and you therefore don’t use more than you have to. Conservation becomes a habit and way of life.
Our guests say...
Our first time on a long boat and it was a challenging but adventurous week break. The boat is beautiful and quirky with enough room for just the two of us. Hibah and Clare ensured we had assisted skippering and were always available if we needed them. Fresh crossiants, hot chocolate, coffee and tea already onboard to enjoy was a lovely touch. This experience was cool, we really enjoyed it and can now tick off our bucket list, we have some wonderful memories to take back with us too.
20/08/2018Natasha
We had such an awesome time. Took Hunky Dory Days for a cruise, had a pint in the local then wandered back along the canal path late at night to nothing but silence and birdsong. Met a couple of local characters who were sat outside their boats with whom we had a little great chat. Perfect Somerset evening!
Hibah and Claire were so lovely and very kind and patient in showing us how to drive the boat. They didn't leave until we felt comfortable. Would definitely recommend to anyone up for a mini adventure or trying something new.
14/05/2018Ruth, Canopy & Stars
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Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
Our first time on a long boat and it was a challenging but adventurous week break. The boat is beautiful and quirky with enough room for just the two of us. Hibah and Clare ensured we had assisted skippering and were always available if we needed them. Fresh crossiants, hot chocolate, coffee and tea already onboard to enjoy was a lovely touch. This experience was cool, we really enjoyed it and can now tick off our bucket list, we have some wonderful memories to take back with us too.
20/08/2018