May is going to be an exciting month here at Beacon Park Boats as we await the delivery of the steel shell for our new narrowboat, Swan.

The steel shell is being built by Colecraft Engineering in Warwickshire. She’ll arrive on a low loader and be craned off and into the canal. Following this she’ll be towed to our wharf, where she’ll be lifted out of the water on our own specially designed trailer and into our workshop for building and painting.

The boat will be delivered as a bare shell with nothing inside, so our team of in house carpenters, engineers and painters will get to work on it - ready for you by March 2027. Here’s some artist renders of the planned interior:

All our boats are made with 10mm thick bottom steel plate - with the sides folded 40 degrees to form chines to allow you to moor closer to the bank compared to normal boats, which have square edges. The sides are made from 6mm steel and the roof, 4mm steel. The window apertures are pre-cut out by the builder. Each boat has a welded in bow thruster tube and engine frames to take our Shire 40 engines which are now installed across our fleet of twenty narrowboats.

We will keep you updated on Swan's build progress throughout this year, on our Instagram and via our mailing list. If you are visiting us anytime soon please let us know and we’ll be very happy to show you our progress in the workshop.

It would also be remiss of us not to point out that you can book your stay aboard Swan for 2027 right now - be a part of Swan's first season on the canal!

Swan takes shape

Take a look at how the development of the latest boat in our five star fleet - Swan - is getting on, as May signals another step forward.

Let me introduce you to our latest boat within the Beacon Park Boats fleet called Swan. To be launched March next year.

SWAN 2027

This boat boasts many unique features, namely she offers the maximum separation between her two 5ft double ensuite cabins. The front cabin has been designed with two primary features, firstly it's ideal for couples who need to get out either side of the bed to visit the bathroom. Secondly, you can have a lie-in surrounded by windows allowing you to view the Beacon Beacons while drinking coffee in bed from your nearby machine.

This cabin has independent heating to keep you warm regardless of the weather.

In addition to this, you can open your pair of balcony doors and step out onto the covered front deck, to enjoy the views and be closer to nature and the sunshine. In the middle of Swan you will find our only open plan kitchen, diner and lounge area with moveable furniture, allowing rearrangement according to your mood and whether you want to dine or sit in front of the wood burning stove.

At the rear of the boat, similar to Drake, you will find a set of easy access stairs to the front deck. 

So that is Swan, with her ensuite double cabins at her either end and moveable furniture in the middle.

Available to book from March 2027 - enjoy the uniqueness of being amongst the very first to take Swan out on the Mon & Brec Canal for a holiday!

Introducing Swan

We're delighted to share with you all the details from the latest boat set to join our fleet - Swan. Book your holiday aboard this luxury canal boat for 2027!

Looking for a Christmas present this year which will gift an experience rather than simply a product? With this in mind we're delighted to offer Beacon Park Boats gift vouchers!

Available to purchase to put towards any of our holiday offerings - from dayboat trips to static houseboat stays in the winter to canal exploring holidays in the spring, summer and autumn.

Get in touch with us via email - enquiries@beaconparkboats.com - or by calling the office - +44 (0)1873 858277 - and we can get your voucher sent out to the address of your choosing.

Beacon Park Boats gift vouchers - a perfect festive gift

Looking for a Christmas present this year which will gift an experience rather than simply a product? We're delighted to offer Beacon Park Boats gift vouchers!

We at Beacon Park Boats are so proud that so many of our guests trust us with their holidays when they are sometimes travelling halfway across the world to reach us! We are delighted therefore when their trips turn out to be so memorable and so special. 

With this in mind we thought we'd share the below video from one of our guests who visited us from Nova Scotia in Canada - over 2,500 miles away!

Wales Narrow Boat Adventure Part 1 | 7 Days on the Brecon Canal with Beacon Park Boats

A transatlantic perspective on a Beacon Park Boats holiday

Take a look at how a few of our guests from Canada enjoyed their time on the Mon & Brec Canal - navigating bridges and locks, with a pub or two in between!

This year is the 225th anniversary of the 'Brecon Canal' - the predecessor to the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal - and we at Beacon Park Boats are delighted to do our bit in celebrating this historic waterway.

As part of the planned activities to mark the occasion, we have been delighted to be able to provide glorious illustrations from our friend the late Michael Blackmore of the canal. Take a look at Michael's work via the 'Brecon Canal 225 celebrations' link below and look out for further news around the Brecon Canal 225 celebrations to follow.

Brecon Canal 225

It's the 225th anniversary of the construction of the Brecon Canal and we at Beacon Park Boats are delighted to take part in the 'Brecon Canal 225' celebrations

We believe a canal holiday is about getting away from it all in the wilds of the Brecon Beacons National Park but...

We also understand that sometimes you need to be able to take that call or you'd like to enhance your trip with the ability to watch your favourite TV shows or films while cruising. Introducing Starlink - enhancing onboard internet speeds during your stay on the canal.

With this in mind, we've launched our latest offer - with each holiday booked for 2026 receiving free Starlink access for their stay. Book now to take advantage of this great offer!

Free Starlink for 2026 holidays

Remain as connected to the outside world as you'd like with free Starlink access during your 2026 holiday on the Mon & Brec Canal.

You're intrigued by the idea of a canal boat (and why wouldn't you be!) but it all seems a bit overwhelming when it comes to choosing which boat - they're all 5 star canal boats, packed with luxurious features, but which is right for me?

We understand this is common for guests looking to book their first canal boat holiday with us. So with that in mind we've created this handy video where our founder Alasdair takes you through each of the boats in our fleet and helps you decide which boat floats your boat!

BPB CHOOSE YOUR BOAT

Of course, as Alasdair says himself in the video, we're more than happy to guide you through the process or answer any questions you may have on the phone or in person. It's our passion so it's never a problem!

Choosing a boat - where to start?

Check out this handy video guide from our founder Alasdair, as he takes you through our fleet, their features and which might be perfect for your next holiday.

Here at Beacon Park Boats we are lucky enough to have some fantastic restaurants close by, so we have crafted the perfect weekend of cruising for lovers of food and fine dining (with some helping hands from Beacon Park Boats along the way!).

For your first special meal we recommend The Walnut Tree which is situated just 2 miles outside the town of Abergavenny. The Walnut Tree is a well-deserved Michelin-starred restaurant. We will arrange a taxi to pick you up from Gilwern and take you to The Walnut Tree and also a taxi for your return journey.

On Saturday morning, enjoy a relaxed start to the day on your boat with a gentle walk around the village of Gilwern. For lunch you could eat at The Towpath Inn, which is very close to where your boat will be moored. The Towpath Inn has both lovely inside seating and also outside seating for al fresco dining. They make excellent Naples-style dough pizzas, cooked in their outdoor oven.

On Saturday afternoon cruise your boat to Llanfoist which will take around two hours, and turn around in the turning area outside Llanfoist wharf house so that you are facing the right way for cruising on Sunday. On Saturday night we will arrange a taxi to pick you up and take you to the beautiful Angel Hotel in Abergavenny for your Saturday night meal. We will of course arrange a taxi back to Llanfoist wharf for you at the end of the night. Or you could walk back if you prefer as it is only a 40 minute walk.

On Sunday if you start cruising back to our wharf in Llangattock at about 9am, you will make it in time for a taxi ride to the Three Horseshoes Inn in Groesffordd for a delicious Sunday Lunch with stunning views of Pen-y-fan mountain. Afterwards you could take a stroll along the canal towpath and across the beautiful Brynich Aqueduct, which is just a 15 minute walk from The Three Horsehoes Inn. We will then arrange a taxi to take you back to your boat for your final sleep onboard.

Luxurious Food & Luxurious Cruising

Michelin-starred food and a world class waterway - what more could you want? Beacon Park Boats can even arrange your taxis for you.

There is nothing that gives us more pride at Beacon Park Boats than knowing our guests have had a wonderful time aboard one of our boats. It's why we get out of bed each morning with a smile on our face and strive to deliver the best experience possible for our holidayers, who we often come to know as our friends over many visits and many years.

A perfect example of this pride is reflected in a much cherished recent review we received from Lisa and Wayne Harries who visited us all the way from Australia!

"Our week aboard the beautiful Wren was the best holiday we have ever had. We loved learning all the ropes (literally) and loved, loved, loved meeting the lock volunteers including Bernard and Paul and the Beacon Park Boats Team who sent us off and welcomed us home. Thank you engineer Tom and also Alasdair, owner of Beacon Park Boats. We plan to recommend Beacon Parks Boats to everyone we know in Australia. Thank you for an incredible experience."

Thank you Lisa and Wayne for your very kind words and we are delighted your time on the Mon & Brec aboard Wren was everything you hoped it would be!

They were also kind enough to supply these photos from their trip:

"The Best Holiday We've Ever Had"

We know that a family holiday is often not complete without man's best friend in attendance and Beacon Park Boats has provided happy holidays for hundreds of our furry friends over the years (along with their owners too of course!).

We also appreciate that often there are a number of questions which need answered ahead of your trip to ensure you and your pooch are well prepared for your upcoming stay on the Mon & Brec. With that in mind we've pulled together these 'four-legged FAQs' with the most common queries we receive from guests:

🐾 "How do we let you know we'll be bringing our dog?"

When using our handy boat search functionality on our website there is an area to specify if/how many pets you would like to bring on your holiday?

You can bring two dogs (or pets) on your holiday, with all of our boats large enough to accommodate them. There may be an allowance made for more in the case of particularly small breeds - please get in touch with the office before booking if you'd like to discuss further.

🐾 "How much does it cost to bring my dogs on our holiday?"

All dogs (or pets) stay aboard for FREE! 

🐾 "What are the toilet arrangements for our pets?"

We ask that owners bring all toilet supplies for their dogs. We do provide a dog towel to wipe muddy paws, but everything else we ask you to supply. For example, please bring dog poo bags - these can be disposed of in the dog waste bins along the canal.

🐾 "Is my dog allowed on the furniture aboard the boat?"

We kindly ask that you do not allow pets on the furniture at any time and bring any dog beds, blankets or other items with you to make their stay as comfortable as possible. This is with respect to our other guests who perhaps may have allergies or are simply not so much doggy devotees!

We hope the above answers some of the questions you may have prior (or between) booking your stays with us, and if you had any further questions please do not hesitate to let us know and we'd be more than happy to provide answers to those questions.

FAQs for our Four-Legged Friends

Introducing Coot, our most advanced narrowboat yet. At first glance, it might not look too different but that’s the beauty of it. The real magic lies beneath the surface.

This hybrid-engine boat combines sleek design with cutting-edge technology. Look a little closer (or listen carefully!) and you’ll spot the stylish solar panels on the roof and you won’t hear the usual chug of a diesel engine. Instead, you’ll enjoy peaceful, silent cruising with zero exhaust smoke. Win-win!

Coot is perfect for anyone who wants the environmental benefits of electric travel, but with the reassurance of diesel backup for longer cruising days. You won’t need to worry about running out of power or inconvenient charging stops, just switch to diesel and keep going.

Step inside and you’ll find a beautifully finished interior, just as luxurious and welcoming as the rest of the Beacon Park Boats fleet.

Coot features a modern all-electric Neff oven and stove, powered by a high-capacity battery pack, perfect for cooking up a storm on board.

And when the evenings turn cool, the wood-fired log burner keeps things cosy.

So if you’re looking to cruise the canal in comfort, style and with a clear environmental conscience, Coot is ready and waiting.

A few dates of 3, 4, 7 and 10 night holidays are still available this year!

Coot – Not Your Average Canal Boat (But Then, Ours Never Are!)

Hybrid-powered and whisper-quiet, Coot is perfect for green getaways. Enjoy comfort and scenic cruising with sustainability provided by Beacon Park Boats.

Coot – not your average canal boat (but then, ours never are!)

Many of our guests tell us that walks along the canal are one of the most pleasurable parts of their holiday and it’s no surprise really when you see all that the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal has to offer.

The canal is a perfect way to explore the diverse scenery of the local area, the views are quite simply stunning. The straight and level paths are perfect for bikes, pushchairs and people that have mobility issues. What could be better than strolling along with varying scenes from ancient forests to rolling hills without having to navigate steep inclines, declines or changing terrain?

Nature lovers will be spoilt for choice as the wildlife along the canal is vast and varied. Birds are plentiful, ducks, kingfishers, buzzards, red kite, swans, herons and rumour has it an osprey! (and not just the Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kite, Heron & Osprey amongst our fleet!) You will notice many bird watchers along the way.

There are stoats, foxes, otters, water voles and bats as the forestry alongside the canal not only looks beautiful but provides the habitat needed for these mammals to thrive. We were quite shocked to see the stoat creep along the dock at Beacon Park Boats one sunny spring day!

Butterflies and dragonflies are common along the banks of the canal and can be seen dancing across the flowers that are dotted along the towpath throughout the warmer months of the year.  

The wildflowers range from lady smock, cowslips, and bluebells. Huge rhododendrons bring splashes of bright purple to the otherwise bright green banks. Speaking of the bright green banks, with the ferns and varied tree varieties that grace the canal you sometimes get the feel that you are on the edge of a wild jungle, not in South Wales! There's also a giant redwood tree which is quite hard to miss.

If you are interested in history then there is something for you too! There are so many great historical sights along the canal that are still standing and that's without the actual canal itself. These places may have been converted or are remains now but with a bit of imagination you can be transported back in time to the hustle and bustle of a busy working canal at the heart of South Wales’ industries.

The South Wales Valleys were blessed with raw materials like iron ore, coal, timber and limestone. Transporting these heavy goods was expensive and slow by packhorse. When demand rapidly grew for these goods a group of wealthy businessmen started plans to build a canal. This was in 1792, and as they say, the rest is history!

By 1794 construction on the canal began and vast numbers of locals became workmen. They were called “navigators” as they were building a navigation. This was soon to be shortened to “navvies”

The canal became a vital part of these industries and networks of tramroads and buildings were built around this essential part of the infrastructure.

There are countless points of interest along the canal such as Llangynidr Locks, Goytre Wharf, Llanfoist Wharf, The Ashford Tunnel and Brynich Aqueduct to name but a few. We highly recommend the book 200 years of The Monmouthshire and The Brecknock & Abergavenny Canals, available to purchase from us at Beacon Park Boats if you want to know more and delve into the history of the canal in depth.  

There is something about the canal that somehow magically slows the pace of life and immerses you in a calming and tranquil environment. What better place to get some gentle exercise whatever your fitness level and take in some spectacular views, marvel at the local wildlife and get to know the rich history of the area.

And what could be better than doing all of this with the added joy of a luxury canal boat to explore in and retreat to after a perfect day of immersing yourself in your interests with loved ones or friends.

Take a look at our fleet of five star boats or pick a date and see what we have to offer.

Brecon Beacons Walks | Best Walks in Brecon Beacons National Park

Discover the best walks during your canal holiday with Beacon Park Boats - with breathtaking scenery & historical landmarks right on your doorstep (or towpath!)

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