We were delighted to be sent this video made by one of our wonderful guests. It highlights the special moments and memories a trip down the Mon & Brec Canal on a Beacon Park Boats narrowboat can create.

Customer Video 2024

Highlights of a Beacon Park Boats holiday

We're pleased to announce, after many months of research, planning and teamwork, that our new map of the canal and all that it has to offer is available as a free digital download and as a printed version for every guest that books a canal holiday with us.

We've created the map to help you get the most out of your holiday while you explore the picturesque Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The aim is to show you that this beautiful canal offers much to explore at a leisurely pace, rather than feeling the need to rush to either end of the waterway.

As well as benefitting our guests, we hope the map will be of use to other canal boaters, walkers, runners, cyclists, canoeists and everyone who enjoys spending time on or alongside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. 

To help you plan your trip, the guide provides narrowboat cruising times between villages and moorings based on cruising at 1 mile per hour, along with suggestions of places of interest along the way. We have also included our top recommendations, highlighted with pink coloured cards. These suggest places to eat, local walks from the canal, wild swimming spots and exciting days out from the canal.

Beacon Park Boats is positioned almost halfway along the canal just outside the village of Llangattock, which makes it the perfect location from which to explore the area in either a weekend, mid-week break, or ideally a full week break or longer. The locks and tunnels are concentrated together heading from our wharf towards Brecon, making this canal perfect for the newcomer as well as the more experienced boater, as it is possible to take a more relaxed cruise heading towards Newport, without encountering any locks, if that is your preference. 

We will send a printed copy of the map when guests book with us as part of the welcome pack once final balances have been settled; So you'll have plenty of time to plan your trip. The digital version is free for anyone to download from our website via the 'Plan your trip' page (look for the 'Map & canal guide' section).

New Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal map

Our new Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal map, activity planner and exploration guide

We were delighted to be featured in the recently published book 'Family Adventures: How to adventure with babies and children' by author Bex Band. Bex and the family took a holiday on our boat Falcon and in the below extract she discusses her stay on the Mon & Brec.

We’d lost our biggest champion. Cooper, my nephew (age six), had been bragging for weeks to anyone who would listen that he was being taken on a cruise. In reality, we were hiring a canal boat for a mid-week break in Wales for the October half term. We’d stuck with the word ‘cruise’ for now, though, happy that one of the three kids we were taking was so enthused by our adventure plans, even if not entirely accurate.

Cooper's enthusiasm had plummeted with just an hour to go before we reached Llangatock, where we’d be collecting our boat from Brecon Park Boats (www.beaconparkboats.com). His constant ‘are we there yet’ enquiries had been replaced by ‘I want to go home’.

‘You don’t want to go on the cruise? It’ll be really cool! You get to steer the boat! You’re going to be a pirate!’ I desperately tried to get some of his earlier enthusiasm back.

The journey began to unravel. Dulcie, my niece aged eight, kept declaring she was hungry, despite devouring three bowls of porridge and a slice of toast just an hour ago. Rivi, aged two, was angrily demanding her dummy.

‘But you’ve got a dummy in your mouth’

When we arrived at Brecon Park Boats, the fleet of neatly painted green boats was lined up, and the car park was a flurry of activity with holidaymakers unloading their cars and snapping pictures. We had a warm welcome and were given a large trolley to fill and load our luggage before heading down to the pontoon to find our boat.

Cooper had now switched from asking every five minutes to go home to running between the boat and our car, screaming, ‘I think that massive boat is ours!!’ (‘Ok, great - but stay away from the water,’) Dulcie asked if she could go to the boat shop opposite the pontoon (‘yes - but don’t touch anything, and we aren’t buying anything!’), and Rivi was running and jumping in circles making monkey sounds. She had no idea why the excitement levels of the older kids had suddenly rocketed, but that wasn’t going to stop her. (‘Just hold my hand please Rivi and watch for cars!’).

I think I preferred the grumpy demands. This was the part of the trip I’d been most stressed about. Before setting off, we had to unload all our stuff onto the boat, watch an instructional video on how to use the boat, get the kids fitted out with life vests and then have a short ‘driving lesson’. We’d been warned it would take at least an hour, and as neither Gil nor I had driven a canal boat before, we were anxious to make sure we learnt everything we needed to.

We had a plan, however. We got the kids on board and seated in the salon (practically blindfolding them on the way, so we didn’t trigger the ‘which bed is mine’ debate); Gil whipped out his laptop and started playing a film. I threw a handful of snacks at them and was grateful when one of the staff members gave each a carton of juice.

Gil went about watching the introduction video while I unpacked our mountain of luggage. As instructed, we’d used soft bags (mostly supermarket ‘bags for life’) as storage on the boat was limited to small awkward spaces. It was the first time I could take the boat properly. It was stunning. The owner of Brecon Park Boats said the Orient Express had inspired the design of Falcon, our boat, and I could see the influence immediately with the wooden finish, brass fixtures, and quaint lamps fixed to the corridor side of beds.

At the back of the boat was the tiller (for steering), and on one side, four steps (watch your head!) to take you into the belly of the boat. On the left was a long corridor (I had to stoop slightly while walking down it, although it was perfectly spacious for the kids). Three double beds were permanently set up on the right-hand side, one after the other. They came with bedding and were already set up. Between the beds were two bathrooms (with a sink, flushing toilet and shower - hot water heated by the onboard heater or engine) and two narrow wardrobes for storage; the doors also opened to create a partition between the beds for privacy.

At the front of the boat was a fully equipped kitchen and, on the other side of the ‘galley’ two padded seating areas facing each other - in between, you could make a table appear magically or could even turn the area into a fourth bed if needed. Beyond that, two doors open to a small outdoor space.

Throughout the boat, many windows were pouring in natural light. There were also a lot of buttons everywhere. Remote control blinds, lights, heaters, important-looking engine buttons, and even to make a hidden TV appear in the seating area (I’m already dreading the hundred times I’m going to have to say ‘don’t press the buttons!’). 

I feel excited about spending the next few days self-contained on this boat. This was awesome; I’ve always dreamed of living on a boat. 

Before long, we were having our very-fast driving lesson and the instructor was hoping off our boat onto the shore before waving us off. We’re on our own! The boat was relatively easy to drive, chugging along at around two to two and a half miles per hour, using the big tiller at the back to steer. Still, we both feel anxious that we’ve been left alone so quickly. Surely there’s more to learn? What if we crash the thing?

By now, the situation in the galley was critical - the kids were hungry, and we were past dinner time. It was also starting to get dark. Gil took over driving while I sprinted between teary kids, cooking dinner in an unfamiliar kitchen (easy meal - pizza and salad) and helping Gil on deck as he steered us into the first mooring spot he could find. We double/triple-checked we’ve tied the boat tight enough.

I’d imagined cosying up on the first night, enjoying some of the complimentary sport and chocolate left out for our arrival, but that didn’t happen. We feed the gang and get them clean (enough) and ready for bed. The older two share the bed at the back, with us in the middle and Rivi in the bed closest to the galley so we can hear her in the evening if she wakes. I realise a bed guard would have been helpful, but instead, we fashioned a bumper using pillows and rolled-up towels. She’s happy enough in her snug. Not long after, I’m ready to hit the sack myself. The last few hours had been pretty full on, and I was questioning if bringing three children to a confined space on the water was such a great idea…

The ocean, diving and marine life are passions that Gil and I share. While Rivi is far too young to be introduced to diving (you’ve got to be at least ten years old), it’s important for us that she grows up knowing water. While pools are great for confidence and swimming skills, it doesn’t compare to natural water. In these spaces, be it a lake, a river or the beach, I’m often at my happiest and can feel an instant connection to nature.

Despite our love of the water and that we are both Divemasters and hold sailing qualifications, being on the water with children made us nervous. We don’t do regular paddling sports, so put canoeing, kayaking or SUPing out of the equation for now, which is how we settled on a canal boat adventure.

There are over 2,100 miles of canal networks in the UK (rivers are the work of nature while canals are artificial, built to carry goods by boat), now mainly used for pleasure and recreation. Other than fleeting memories of watching Rosie and Jim, I knew very little about canal boating, so I was surprised to find many hire boat companies available. Most of them allowed children to join and actively promoted their trips as the perfect family adventure.

In terms of safety, it seemed ideal. The boat was steady and slow, and the water still and calm. Except for locks, of course - devices used to help raise or lower boats. Getting through a lock can take ten to twenty minutes, more if there’s a queue, and some stretches on canals had hundreds of them to navigate. But not on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, where we would be cruising. We were instantly attracted to the fact that there were very few locks.

Our initial plan had been to take a route that required us to go through five locks (any way you take is there and back, so that would have been ten locks in total over the trip); there are only a few places along the canal where you can turn the boat, so once you’ve committed to a route, we would have had no choice but to get through them all. On the first day, though, I asked Gil if we could re-think our plan to do any locks. I could see he was disappointed, and I was a bit as well, but he agreed with my logic. It takes a minimum of two people to manoeuvre the boat through the locks. The older kids might have been OK to get involved with the task but doing it with a toddler also thrown in was going to be stressful.

So plan B it was. A medium-paced no-lock route there and back. That plan lasted until the first evening when we swiftly dropped to plan C….let’s do the shortest route possible. When adventuring with kids, there’s no greater lesson than realising less is more!

I was pleased when I woke up on day one feeling considerably more relaxed than the night before. It had been a restful night's sleep; to our surprise, all three children had slept without disruption. I enjoyed the snug feeling of being in our cosy bed, knowing we were on the water tucked by the quiet and dark canal side.

I was at the tiller starting on day one. Doing the shortest route, we had about five hours of driving a day, allowing time to moor over lunch and give us all a break and time for Gil and me actually to see each other. With just two adults on board, it meant we were always switched on. One would be driving the boat, and the other would be tending to the children and sorting meals. My captain experience lasted about an hour before I called for Gil and asked if he wanted to take over. Steering was not my forte. I’d already bumped the sides twice (our driving instructor told us hitting the side was ok but not other boats), and each time a canal boat appeared heading our way, my stress levels would rise as I pictured myself causing a crash and sinking us both. Thankfully Gil enjoyed the task much more than I did and was able to work out how to keep the boat straight. That suited me just fine; I was happy to potter about in the kitchen and with the kids.

It didn’t take long to slot into a routine on the canal. We’d set off early while I made breakfast for everyone. After tidying up, the children were free to play with their toys. They’d each brought a bag of toys and crafts. We’d then get them all outside (lifejackets on), either helping Gil with steering or just walking on the canal side, keeping up with the boat. Dulcie was tasked with reporting the number on each bridge we passed and then working out where we were on the map. Cooper was a self-appointed fisherman. He spent many an hour sat at the front of the boat with his long stick ‘fishing’.

‘I caught a fish, I caught a fish!!’ he yelled with so much excitement one afternoon that I was worried he’d topple over and fall in. He’d come across a dead floating fish. Dragging that poor fish along in the water provided him and his sister with another hour of entertainment (I refused to let him bring it into the boat, to their great disappointment).

Each day we’d have to fill up our water tank at one of the water points. This was a chance for everyone to have a proper runaround, and I’d keep the children busy by playing 10 Seconds. And I’d succumb to putting on a film each afternoon for an hour. I hated using screens when escaping them was one of the biggest reasons we went on adventures, but preparing dinner and mooring the boat with grouchy children was enough to tip even the most patient of carers over the edge.

I loved the pace of life on the boat. Pootling along at a gentle place in a tunnel of nature, there was always wildlife to spot and friendly dog walkers to chat with as they passed by. On day one, we were all dressed by mid-morning. We didn’t even bother getting out of our pyjamas by the last day. We’d throw our coats and wellies over the top when going outside. When the children went to bed (surprisingly tired at the end of each day despite the slow pace), Gil and I would cosy up in the salon with a drink, fantasising about living on a boat one day.

Our break on Falcon had been an excellent little family adventure. A lazy, relaxing break suitable for all ages. We said our goodbyes to Falcon and piled into the cars with bruised heads (Gil was the only one who managed to go the whole time without bumping his head even once); some great family memories and lots of promises to return to canal boating one day.

When choosing a canal boat holiday as a family, pay attention to the route options available, especially regarding the number of locks you need to pass. Caen Hill Locks and its 29 back-to-back locks may sound fun on paper, but it would probably be exhausting if trying to boat through it with young children!

Pack all your items in soft bags to make them easier to store on the boat. Take plenty of food with you. Some routes have cafes and pubs you can eat at, so make a food plan in advance. Get each child to pack a bag of toys and crafts.

We both felt our adventure would have been more enjoyable if we’d had another adult or shared the experience with another family. The spare pair of adult hands would have made all the difference with splitting steering, cooking and kid-watching duties, leaving more time for sitting and soaking up the views.

If taking a toddler or baby, I’d suggest packing a sling. When mooring, filling up water tanks or helping with complex steering manoeuvres, you can safely throw them on your back and still have your hands free to carry out tasks.

Try and engage your children in boating by giving them tasks. This could be keeping track of navigation and noting the numbers on the bridge you pass, helping with steering, assisting with mooring the boat and tying the ropes or attaching the hose for filling the tank.

Set rules from the start. The most important one is not going on deck without telling an adult and always wearing a life vest when outside. We also laid down rules to help keep the boat organised; shoes and coats had a place, and toys needed to be put away after use. A small space like the boat gets messy very quickly if everyone isn’t helping to keep it tidy.

Get your children into the habit of waving to passers-by. It’s a friendly game which they all loved that led to many interesting chats with strangers.

Beacon Park Boats featured in 'Family Adventures: How to adventure with babies and children'

We were delighted to be featured in this month's issue of Towpath Talk (https://www.towpathtalk.co.uk/), with a wonderful write up of our cruiser Drake.

Visit this link to view the full April 2024 issue.

Drake featured in Towpath Talk

Embarking on a narrowboat holiday offers a unique opportunity to explore the serene waterways at a leisurely pace, and for pet owners, it’s a chance to share this tranquil experience with their furry companions. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal provides an ideal setting for a pet-friendly adventure. Here’s why bringing all the family, including your pets, along on a narrowboat holiday is a fantastic idea, and how you can make the most of it.

Why Narrowboat Holidays are Great for Pets

New Scenery Every Day: Your pets, especially dogs, will love the changing landscapes and the new scents that come with a different mooring spot each night. The diverse flora and fauna along canal paths can stimulate a pet’s senses and encourage physical activity and help with mental stimulation. 

Exercise and Exploration: With miles of towpaths to walk, your pets can enjoy plenty of exercise and the excitement of exploring new territories. If well behaved it can follow you while you cruise the canal, or you can walk with your dog as you're only travelling at a slow walking pace. 

Bonding Time: Walking or playing by the canal can be a bonding experience for pets and their owners. It’s a chance to spend quality time together away from the distractions of daily life.

Pet-Friendly Amenities: We offer boats equipped with pet essentials, ensuring a comfortable stay for your pets.

Preparing for a Pet-Friendly Narrowboat Holiday

Choose the Right Boat: Ensure that the narrowboat you select is the right one for you. All of our boats (except Robin) are pet friendly and we accommodate up to two dogs, have a look at each boat and its layouts to ensure you pick the correct one for you and your companions. We would generally advise that you book a boat bigger than your party size to accommodate your pets as well as their beds. 

Pack the Essentials: Bring all the necessary items your pet will need, such as food, bowls, leads, a bed and any medications.

Safety First: Consider a pet life jacket, especially for dogs, to keep them safe near water. On request we can provide these for you.

Familiarise Your Pet with the Boat: Allow your pet to explore the narrowboat to get accustomed to their new environment.

Keep Pets Off Furniture: To maintain cleanliness and respect the boat, train your pets to stay off the furniture. Although to ensure an enjoyable experience for all our guests (pet lovers or not!) we also have 5* cleaning standards.

Be Mindful of Wildlife: The canals are home to various wildlife; ensure your pets do not disturb the natural habitat.

Exploring the Canals with Your Four-Legged Friends 

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, located in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, is a prime example of a pet-friendly destination for narrowboat holidays. With only a few locks to navigate, it offers a peaceful journey through picturesque countryside and quaint villages, perfect for a relaxing break with your pets.

And if you weren't looking for a longer holiday, and instead a day trip, we also have a fleet of electric day boats which you can take your pet on as well!

A narrowboat holiday with pets is not just a rural getaway; it’s an enriching experience that strengthens the bond between you and your animal companions. It’s a shared adventure filled with new discoveries and the joy of the great outdoors. So, next time you’re planning a holiday, consider a narrowboat journey with us at Beacon Park Boats—it might just be the paw-fect choice for you and your pets.

(By the way this was written by Jam the Beacon Park Boats cat so you know you can trust it! See you on the wharf!)

Pets on the Mon & Brec | Pet friendly holidays in Wales

Pets and holiday narrowboats: a purr-fect combination

Narrowboat holidays are all about relaxation - giving you the time and space to decompress and enjoy a special break with loved ones. With this in mind, what better way to unwind than with a leisurely drink or bite to eat in a countryside pub? Whether you’re visiting in the summer and can sit out and soak up the sun and surroundings in a beer garden or you’re visiting in the winter and you can cosy up by the fire, there is a joy to be had in every season.

What’s more is the Monmouth & Breconshire Canal boasts a large number of these stops dotted throughout the route provided by Beacon Park Boats, proving the Mon & Brec really is one of the best canal routes for pubs in the UK.

See below for a rundown of our favourite picks for pub choices we have on the Mon & Brec and their distance from the canal.

Three Horse Shoes - Groesffordd, a 10 minute walk from the canal

This lovely village pub and restaurant serves gastro-pub style dishes as well as classic fish and chips. There is a beer garden with beach huts that can seat 8, these can be booked for al fresco dining with beautiful views.

Horse Shoe Inn - Llangattock, a 10 minute walk from our base

A charming and traditional pub, chef Raymond Hinds serves up Authentic Jamaican Street food as well as homecooked Welsh dishes that everyone needs to try.

The Vine Tree - Llangattock, a 15 minute walk from our base

This 19th century coaching inn offers wonderful food, with both inside and outside dining available.

The Crown - Pantygelli, a 10 minute taxi ride from the canal

A thriving pub and restaurant, visit here for a delicious Sunday lunch and enjoy the quiet surroundings with mountain views nearby.

The Angel Hotel - Abergavenny, a 40 minute walk from the canal

A luxurious 4 star hotel located in the centre of Abergavenny. Providing a warm, friendly environment in a truly residential setting. Book ahead for a memorable dining experience and the award winning afternoon tea service.

Horseshoe Inn - Mamhilad, a 30 minute walk from the canal

A delightful local pub which prides itself on its pub food and ambience. The menu is created from local ingredients by their chefs.

Horse & Jockey - Pontypool, a 20 minute walk from the canal

This lovely restored pub has a fantastic beer garden, surrounded by open and picturesque fields. There is a wide selection of food and drink and they host occasional events!

But that’s not all, there’s a host of other great pubs on the route. These include;

The Wellington - Brecon, a 10 minute walk from the canal

Coach & Horses - Llangynidr, on the canalside

The Red Lion - Llangynidr, a 20 minute walk from the canal

Beaufort Arms - Gilwern, a 5 minute walk from the canal

The Towpath Inn - Gilwern, on the canalside

Tafarn Y Bont - Govilon, a 5 minute walk from the canal

Goose & Cuckoo Inn - Llanover - a 40 minute walk (with a steep hill) from the canal

Goytre Arms - Goytre, a 20 minute walk from the canal

Open Hearth - Pontypool, on the canalside

Also, the good news for those that are only with us on the canal for a day on one of our day boats is that both directions available, either North or South, offer a fabulous pub at the end of each of their routes before you turn back for our base. With both the Coach & Horses at Llangynidr in the North and The Towpath Inn at Gilwern in the South right on the canalside for your enjoyment.

Just a tip from us though - call ahead to make sure you’ve got a table booked, with these pubs a popular destination during the busier periods on the canal!

The best pub spots on the Mon & Brec Canal | Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal pubs

The best pub spots on the Mon & Brec Canal

‘We’ve got a very busy weekend ahead, it’s good to see the sun out, blue sky and we look forward to welcoming our visitors’ - Alasdair Kirkpatrick (Owner)

If you’ve visited us before you’ll know just how beautiful the scenery is here on the canal. 

As we come into Spring life begins to blossom into colour right before our eyes giving us that warm, welcoming feeling - one that lets us know it’s the beginning of a new season for us here at Beacon Park Boats.

The preparation has been completed, our fleet is in the water and we’re all set to have you adventuring across the Brecon Beacons in one of our 20 luxury narrowboats, each with their own unique character and design, all of which you can find here.

Like cooking? Harrier has a particularly well-equipped kitchen area, complimented by a large front deck perfect for al fresco dining. Maybe you’re looking to cosy-up? Buzzard has its own king size bed, surround sound system and seating on the front and back decks. Whatever you’re looking for out of your holiday this year, we have a boat sitting in our dock right now waiting for an adventure across the Brecon Beacons and Monmouthshire.

The Beacon Park Boats team has worked hard over the winter months to bring our fleet back to new, repainting, new floors, maintenance and some extra love they deserve. We want to be able to provide our customers with the absolute best experience we can give, now it’s over to you to make the most of it. 

There are so many simple pleasures to be found along the canal as well as various festivals and events happening in the surrounding area, we’re excited for you to get stuck in.

If you’re local to the area you’ll know the canal itself has had some major work done in recent months - nothing short of a major civil-engineering task - as well as a number of fallen trees, but you’ll be glad to hear the disruption has come to an end and the ‘Mon and Brec’ is back to its former glory. A big thanks to everyone who helped make that happen!

It’s all happening now…

Repairing canals is a major civil-engineering task, as we have witnessed from Beacon Park Boats’ base in Llangattock.  

The Canal and River Trust (CRT) have been building a dam across the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal just North of our basin to dig out and repair a culvert into which water has been leaking.  It’s not an urgent job but part of a planned series of maintenance tasks carried out each winter.

First, the engineers must construct an access across neighbouring fields to get to the canal.  Then they put signs out to warn people that the canal is closed.  Then, boards are inserted under a bridge to seal the canal at one end.  After that, a dam is built across the canal with 200 tonnes of rock and huge plastic sheets.  The water is pumped out, and the fish are removed.  Then, and only then, can work begin on the culvert.

And how much does work like this cost?  “It’s expensive,” one of the engineers tells us. “Put it this way; you could buy a house for the sort of money we are spending here.”  But the money is well spent: “We are repairing the canal for the future, guarding against future problems, and we have a chance to re-clay (line with clay) a section of the canal which may not have been re-clayed for hundreds of years.”

Beacon Park Boats’ owner, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, said: “It’s fascinating to see, and the scale of work required pays tribute to the engineers and labourers who carved the canal out of the sides of the Usk Valley over 200 years ago.  There were no diggers and earthmovers then.  It must have been the most monumental task.”  

If you need to get to us, fear not; the boathouse remains open throughout this work and If you want to come and enjoy the engineering masterpiece which is the Mon and Brec Canal, book a narrowboat holiday with Beacon Park Boats at www.beaconparkboats.com or a day trip on an electric hire boat at www.beaconparkdayboats.co.uk

Getting the canal ready for the new season

Spring 2022 and the reopening of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to hire boats may seem a long way off right now, but if last year was anything to go by, we have reasons to be optimistic.

In January 2021, we were in full Covic lockdown; when it lifted the demand for luxury self-contained accommodation and staycations soared.  Many of our guests tried canal boating for the first time, and a lot of them said they would come back.  We expect the trend to holiday at home to continue, as visitors seek out self-catering rather than catered accommodation, in the UK rather than abroad, for a safe and Covid-Secure getaway.

At Beacon Park Boats we are “Good to Go”, which means we take all reasonable steps to ensure your boat is deep-cleaned and fully sanitised before you get on it.  All our boats have everything you could need for a completely self-contained holiday, from hot and cold running water, fully equipped kitchens, comfortable beds with luxury bedding, hot showers and one even has a bath.  Our video here will show you what a canal boat holiday on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is like.

Throughout the pandemic, Wales has had tighter Coronavirus restrictions than England, meaning we were first to lift last time.  The canal side pubs and restaurants take social distancing and cleaning seriously too.  Watch this video to see how we earned the Good to Go certification last year.

With a choice of 19 luxury boats, we have vessels to suit groups of different sizes and ages and we are pet friendly, too.  This means you can holiday with your entire family if you want to. All our boats are easy to operate, and you will receive full instruction, too.  

If a day trip is more to your liking, you can choose from a range of electric day boats, canoes and a pedal boat, for silent cruising close to nature.

Looking forward to 2022 at Beacon Park Boats

Wishing all our customers, staff, suppliers, and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Beacon Park Boats. 

Merry Christmas

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Music Video)

2022 Calendar

Beacon Park Boats' 20th season is coming to an end, so we've dug out some old newspaper clippings and interviews to remind ourselves how far we have come in the past two decades. It has not been an easy journey, through an epidemic, a canal closure, and a pandemic.  We thank our customers for sticking with us through thick and thin. 

In 2001, Alasdair saw an opportunity in a newspaper to take over a boat hire business named Beacon Park Boats; he quit his stable job to start a new adventure. Shortly afterwards, the foot-and-mouth epidemic closed the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to visitors, and Beacon Park Boats lost 50 percent of its customers. Despite this nightmare start, Alasdair was still confident and determined that "this business will succeed".

In 2007, the canal was breached and closed for structural repairs, meaning Beacon Park Boats was once again forced to shut up shop for 18 months. However, despite having 158 customers from across the globe to re-book, Alasdair and the team overcame another hurdle and reopened fully in 2009. 

Six years later, Beacon Park Boats had set their sights on building a new boathouse in Llangattock (they had been operating out of Llanfoist since 2001, which doubled as their home). As the planning application explains; “As the business has expanded, so have the canal boat sizes and it is now impossible for the company to expand at the current site.”

They had started with a fleet of 10 narrowboats, but Alasdair had been designing and building new ones over the years, growing the fleet to 20 luxury barges. Many of the ideas had come from customer feedback, and all are unique in layout and fittings. Wren, for instance, offers a luxury walk-through shower and a specially-designed open-plan layout for two. Owl provides a built-in hot tub and four-poster bed.  Harrier is a barge with a roll-top bath, showcasing the advancement in canal boats over the past decades. 

Despite the businesses ever-growing success, and with Alasdair still recovering from a major stroke in 2018, spring 2020 brought yet another challenge to overcome with a global pandemic and multiple extended lockdowns in the UK. In a BBC Radio Wales programme hosted by Gareth Lewis, Alasdair explained the complexities and hurdles the pandemic was imposing on the business "The lockdowns were devastating, with all of our boats tied up for three months,” Alasdair said. Even when the restrictions eased, overseas customers, who make up between 20-25% of bookings, were still nervous about travelling. But Alasdair remained positive, and thanks to a boost in local customers from within Wales, he hoped to "put this awful year behind us and look forward to a very busy season next year".

And so, we have. We have been taking on customer feedback, striving to improve our boats and create a better holiday experience onboard. This past year, we introduced our new 8-berth boat Falcon, the longest and most ambitious boat built on the canal. In addition, we've started work on our new boat, the Weekender, which we look forward to sharing with you next year.

Twenty seasons later, the goal of creating a thriving business has paid off. We've had a fantastic season welcoming customers new and old after the pandemic, and we look forward to what the next decade will bring – and we're ready for any challenge. Watch our video for more and book for next year!

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