It is the final day of the narrowboat hire season, and the last of our customers returned this morning after a year like few others.

March saw us emerging from lockdown straight into staycations as people rushed to find self-contained luxury accommodation in the beautiful Brecon Beacons.  And the team of engineers, cleaners, housekeepers, and office staff were up to the challenge, turning round up to 20 boats a week as well as day boats every day.

Beacon Park Boats’ owner, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, said: “To say we have been busy would be something of an understatement.  The only people we are missing are our guests from overseas, but we look forward to welcoming them back next year.”

The happiest looking people on the deck were Mark and Sam, the two on-call engineers, who won’t have to stand by for boaters calls at evenings and weekends.  But for the rest of the staff, there is a chance to repair and refurbish the boats ready for Christmas and New Year, when we have ten boats available for an extraordinary Festive Season. And the two eight-seater day boats are available for hire until Christmas, too.

There was an added poignancy this morning because this is Beacon Park Boats’ 20th Season.  In November, we will have a special look-back over two decades of boating with Beacon, which have seen an epidemic in the Brecon Beacons, a Global Pandemic, breaches of the canal, as well as thousands of successful holidays.

Take a look at our video below as we welcomed back the last boat of the season.

But don't worry the next season is right around the corner! While of course we also remain open for houseboat visitors in the winter months.

Season End at Beacon Park Boats

We have had a great season at Beacon Park Boats in 2021.  We launched our longest boat, Falcon, and she proved to be a huge success, cruising the entire length of the canal, including the latest stretch to open to Five Locks in the South.  We have had fantastic customer feedback from all our narrowboats and have loved seeing your happy holiday pictures.  We have also most enjoyed meeting all our fabulous customers, most of which have rebooked already for 2022, a big thank you!

The day boats have been fully booked all summer, and the eight-seaters continue to be available throughout autumn and the winter months.  As the leaves sink, the canal will turn crystal clear, and you can take in the changing colours and vistas across to the distant, sometimes snow-sprinkled mountains.

To end the year with a bang, we have decided to OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS! The canal is fully open allowing you to cruise the canal's entire length at your leisure. It's the first time in 20 years that we have been able to open for the Festive Season.  All boats will be festively decorated, with a bottle of chilling prosecco to get the celebrations underway. 

We have ten boats to choose from, though some are already booked. They all have central heating and hot water; some have log burners and chimneys for Santa to come down (though we hear he is pretty resourceful on boats without real fires).  All our boats are dog friendly and all kitchens are fully equipped to cook your Christmas dinner.

We have boats that can sleep groups of two to eight people; book more than one boat, and you can bring your whole Christmas party to Wales! You can choose from two dates: The Christmas break runs from Monday 20th December until 27th December, and the New Year break runs from Monday 27th December until 3rd January.

As we are law-abiding citizens, we encourage our customers to stay safe and not drink-drive. Moor instead outside your favourite pub, have a drink and a short walk home.

We still have our two-berth boats, Wren, Hobby, and Kingfisher and bigger berth boats, Merlin, Mallard, Condor, and Falcon, available for both dates, the 20th, and 27th December.

Last year, we were all told to stay at home with government restrictions; this year, we have the fantastic opportunity, whilst still staying safe, to cruise the canal at the quietest, and some would say, most peaceful and scenic time of year.

Should the government decide that we have to stay at home again, no worries, we will refund you your money.

We Are Open For Christmas

We care about the environment at Beacon Park Boats: we are surrounded by the beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park, so why wouldn't we?

Our environmental credentials start at the boathouse, heated by a highly efficient biomass boiler, fed by sustainably-grown timber. 

Our hybrid boat, Coot, has solar panels, a low-energy induction hob, efficient LED lighting and a hybrid diesel/electric engine, so you can cruise in near silence on battery power. The conventional engine only kicks in if you run out of battery power.

All the rest of our boats use tried and tested, highly efficient, low-revving, low-emission diesel engines. They can push the boat through the water at a comfortable 2.5 mph at little more than tick-over, minimising the use of fuel and carbon emissions too. 

Our fleet of day boats all have electric engines and, if you want to go zero emissions, you can hire our cycle boat or canoe instead.

Whenever we refurbish a boat, we look to upgrade to eco-friendly solutions. Our newest boat, Falcon, is a case in point: her woodwork is Lignia, a sustainable alternative to Walnut, she has LED lighting throughout, and her hull is painted in epoxy paint, meaning she does not have to be repainted so often, reducing our consumption of materials. 

If you want to find out more about our hybrid boat, Coot, please watch this video.

Ecological Boat Building at Beacon Park

Schools are going back: book a peaceful parents' day out with Beacon Park Day Boats. 

As the long summer holidays come to an end, it could be the moment for parents or grandparents to breathe a sigh of relief, enjoy the fresh air, a pub lunch and the spectacular scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park aboard one of our dayboats.

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is regarded by many as one of the most picturesque waterways in the UK. When exploring nature, few places can offer such an experience of beauty and serenity mixed into one. Our electric dayboats, canoes or cycle boat provide many ways to enjoy it.  And with schools going back, it will be quieter now than during the busy summer holidays.

We offer six-seater electric boats, accommodating four adults, two small children, and a dog.  Or our eight-seater boats accommodate up to six adults, two small children and two small dogs.

Our boats are all easy to drive, and we will provide a comprehensive health and safety briefing beforehand to ensure you have the best possible experience. In addition, we offer life jackets in a range of sizes for children who remain, non-swimmers and even for your dog.

·   The electric dayboats operate with a simple throttle and steering wheel.  Children are welcome to steer if an adult supervises them.

·   The water is very still, meaning you will have a smooth and safe ride on both our dayboats.

·   If the weather turns inclement, don't worry! All our electric dayboats have rain covers.

Because they are so quiet, our electric boats are a great way to get close to the wildlife which lives on and around the waterway. 

Head North from our boathouse in Llangattock; you can stop and picnic in the beautiful countryside or stop at the Coach and Horses pub at Llangyndir. Head South, enjoy views over Usk Valley and stop at the Towpath Inn at Gilwern. Both serve a great range of food, real ales or even a well-deserved gin and tonic, all in the space of a few hours.  Be quick, and you could get back in time to greet the kids home from school.

If you are looking for gentle exercise, why not try our canoes or our cycle boat made for two? Both offer an entirely eco-friendly experience as they are human-powered, as well as a healthy way to enjoy the stunning views from the canal. 

Both the canoe and the cycle boat are easy to use, making them a brilliant choice for all ages. The canoe is a traditional open canoe with space for two and room for a child. Our cycle boat sits two people pedalling facing each other. Could it be the perfect date?

Schools are going back ...and relax!

The “Gareth Edwards’ Great Welsh Adventure” TV series returned to Beacon Park Boats this week. The Welsh Rugby Union legend and his wife, Maureen, were back on the waters of the Mon & Brec Canal, filming another installment of their BBC programme, which last aired in Autumn 2019. This time, Beacon Park Boats owner, Alasdair Kirkpatrick welcomed them aboard Buzzard, one of our luxury four-birth boats for a cruise through the Llangynidr locks.

A Welsh Rugby Legend Returns Aboard

Changeover days are the busiest of all at the boathouse. Wander along the canal near Beacon Park Boats early on a Friday, Saturday and or Monday morning, and you will see lines of green and gold boats moored up, ready to come in.  A few hours later, you will see the same boats, spotlessly clean leaving the yard at the start of new adventures on the beautiful Mon and Brec Canal.  It’s all hands-on and below desks for the whole day!

Holidaymakers returning from successful trips on the beautiful Mon and Brec Canal come in at around 9am, full of stories. We must get their boats, sometimes up to 10 of them, ready for new adventurers arriving from 2.30pm. 

There are 10 hard-working cleaners at Beacon Park Boats, led by Amanda.  They are responsible for the inside of the boats, which are wiped and sprayed from top to bottom using alcohol-based and Milton sanitisers to ensure you have a safe and secure holiday.  All the bedding is changed for crisp new sheets, dishes washed, pillows plumped, and flowers arranged.  Any faults reported to us or spotted by the cleaners are then fixed by the engineers, and the outside of the boats are jet washed and the brasses polished.

“Sometimes it looks like a swarm of insects has descended on our boats,” says Alasdair Kirkpatrick, owner of Beacon Park Boats, “many of our cleaners have been working here for years, and the whole process is like a well-oiled machine.  We are fortunate to have the staff we do. If there is a particularly tricky problem to resolve, it can feel a bit touch-and-go whether we will be ready for the new arrivals, but we all pull together, and with very few exceptions, we get there.”

After 2.30 pm, we greet excited new arrivals, who are all met and shown to their boats to watch a handover DVD and be given a safety brief before being shown how to operate their vessel. Then, after a short, guided trip down the canal, they are on their way.

“Changeover days are very satisfying for us at Beacon Park Boats because they are book-ended by happy customers; returning holidaymakers who’ve had a great time, and new adventurers looking to explore the Brecon Beacons on one of our luxury narrowboats.  It’s always great to see returning customers, some of whom have been become great friends, particularly after the challenging year we have had.  It feels like we are starting new adventures with them three times a week.

This season, we are introducing two innovations.  First, each boat will have a card with the name of the cleaner who’s looked after your boat.  Second, each boat will shortly have a notebook where you can note any comments, faults, or suggestions of places to walk or to eat along the canal, so great experiences can be shared with others.

Our Busiest Days at Beacon Park Boats

Canal Boating can be the perfect holiday for you and your four-legged friends. Beacon Park Boats is open to all, so why not bring them along so they can enjoy all that the Monmouth and Brecon canal has to offer? 

The towpath alone provides a great space to walk your pooch, with access to many wide-open spaces, a variety of unique wildlife and places to explore. As Alasdair Kirkpatrick, owner of Beacon Park Boats says: “A boating holiday is a great holiday for you and your dog. We don’t charge for your dog, and we even provide you with a dog towel and a biscuit on arrival!”

Recently returned from their trip aboard Kite, the Crockett family brought along their border terrier, Ralph. “Ralph's had a fantastic time, we all have,” said his owner, “he enjoyed it all; the nature along the banks is fantastic.” 

As you can see in the images, Beacon Park Boats have had many a satisfied canine aboard our 20 boats, each boat having plenty of room to fit all manner of dogs, from Chihuahua to Saint Bernard.

The Brecon Beacons National Park, through which the Mon and Brec Canal runs, offers hundreds of miles of scenic walks, with the vast majority of pubs along the canal being dog friendly.  “There are walks to suit dogs of all ages and abilities,” said Alasdair.

Next time you’re planning a visit aboard our narrowboats or our dayboats, consider bringing yours along. And in case you are not a doggie person, all our boats are cleaned thoroughly, so you would never know a dog has been there.

To hire/book one of our boats, please go to our website beaconparkboats.com where you can browse our fleet of self-contained, dog-friendly canal boats. 

Click on the image below to watch this short video.

Dog friendly canal boat holidays UK

Canal boating: a dog-friendly holiday!

Falcon is our first eight-berth boat and the biggest on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.  She boasts three luxury double cabins and a panoramic lounge at the front with an electronic slide-out bed which converts into a fourth. We've added a demisting feature to these windows, so the wrap-around views of the fantastic scenery are clear to see, even in chillier weather.

She had entered the boathouse over a year ago as a shell, and now, fully fitted out with bespoke joinery, a brand new engine, electrics, kitchen, two showers and 5ft sprung mattresses, she was ready to come out again.  Skylights added to the roof increased her height, and the slope at the back of the boathouse didn't help. "Do you ever wonder about your calculations at a time like this?" Alasdair was asked, "Not at all!" he replied, which a nervous laugh.  But with a combination of a specially made 6-tonne boat trailer, which can raise or lower at the hitch end, we managed to get the bow clear, and out she came.  It took several attempts to navigate the car park and past the corner of the building, but eventually, the 20-tonne boat made it to the water's edge.

It was a proud moment for Beacon Park Boats' owner, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, who toasted the new narrowboat and thanked the staff for all their hard work. And today, Falcon sets off on her first journey to explore the wonders of the Mon and Brec Canal. 

Falcon is 60'11" (18.59m) long and 8'6" (2.6m) wide and has a maximum headroom of 6'3" (1.93m).  She is the perfect vessel for families or larger groups (when restrictions allow) to spend time together.

The tightest squeeze: launching Falcon

We design and build every boat we operate at Beacon Park Boats because we believe our customers enjoy holidaying aboard bespoke hand-crafted vessels which are something out of the ordinary. 

Beacon Park Boats Owner, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, says: “We are so used to shopping online or at a superstore and buying whatever is available immediately. It’s easy, but we end up with the same product as everyone else. We don’t build the Ikea of narrowboats here, instead we lovingly build unique and beautiful boats of the highest quality.”

We don't want the 'Ikea of narrowboats', so we build our own!

Read all about Beacon Park Boats in the February edition of Waterways World Magazine.  

We had the WW team here at Beacon to look round two of our favourite boats, Owl and Coot and their verdict was glowing: they are "Something Special." You can read the full review at www.waterwaysworld.com or on the images below.

Rave review for Beacon Park Boats from Waterways World

The colours of autumn are at their most vivid around now and there is no better way to see them than cruising peacefully along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal on one of our luxury narrowboats.  And if you live in Wales you can get 33% off the cost of a canal boat holiday between the 9th and the 13th of November.

This is your chance to take in the stunning scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park resplendent in the golden, orange and red hues of the season. Stop overnight in your own self-contained mobile accommodation and watch the sun set, wonder at the stars and wake up to the morning mist (known in Wales as ‘Dragon’s Breath’) as it settles in the valley below.

BBC Countryfile said the Mon and Brec was one of the best places to enjoy the fall and we have to agree with them. Autumn along the canal is a sight to behold, the warm colours reflecting off the still waterways is a truly magical experience. But there are only a few days left before the oak, beech and chestnut trees drop their leaves and winter will be upon us. 

There’s still plenty of wildlife to see on the canal; you’ll often be escorted by a flock of mallard ducks and can see herons or even a kingfisher if you are lucky. This is particularly true with our hybrid boat Coot, which can cruise silently on battery power, slipping almost invisibly through the calm waters.

Our boats offer everything you could need to enjoy a short break; with full cooking facilities, central heating, hot shower (or bath on Harrier), and comfy bed. Cruise the waterways and wake up to a different view every morning. 

The air is so clear at this time of year, you can see for miles. Sections of the canal between our base at Llangattock near Crickhowell and Brecon are elevated and run high above the Usk Valley, offering far-reaching views of the Black Mountains. The Brecon Beacons are also an International Dark Skies Reserve, one of only sixteen in the world, making it the perfect place for stargazing.

We’re certified “Good to Go” meaning we’re doing everything we possibly can to keep you safe by offering Coronavirus Secure Holidays. So if you’re from Wales and looking for a great escape in Wales, give us a call and take advantage of a fantastic late autumn deal with Beacon Park Boats.

Call us now on 01873 858277 or visit our website at www.beaconparkboats.com

Take in the colours of Autumn with Beacon Park Boats

1. Luxury staycation away from the crowds

Christmas 2020 is certainly going to be unlike any other so why not set aside your usual plans and start a new tradition. A 5-star narrowboat break on the tranquil Monmouthshire & Brecon canal in Wales guarantees you a relaxing holiday in glorious surroundings, with plenty of space for everyone.

Moor up without another boat in sight, and have the splendid views of the Beacon Beacons National Park all to yourself. Sleeping up to seven people, our well-insulated, centrally-heated narrowboats have beds with luxurious sprung mattresses, crisp white linen, duvets and Welsh woollen blankets.

Some also have a wood burner or log-effect gas fire for that extra cosy touch in the lounge. The shower rooms are immaculate with a constant supply of hot water, fluffy white towels and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Some boats have ensuite shower rooms, Heron has a luxurious wet room with his and her basins, and Harrier has a roll-top slipper bath. Designer fabrics, handmade furniture, wooden  flooring, granite worktops and chic light fittings complete the picture. We have designed and built each narrowboat to be unique. We love them all. Which one do you like best?

Your narrowboat has a high-spec kitchen with a full-size cooker and fridge, microwave, coffee machine, Dualit toaster, and every gadget you could possibly need to cook and serve a superb festive meal. Pots and pans include a steamer and roasting tins, other useful utensils include a garlic press, and, off course, there's a corkscrew/bottle opener.

In our nearest town, Crickhowell - winner of the Great British High Street Awards 2018 - you'll find a superb range of independent shops including butchers, bakers, grocers, off licence, bookshops and a department store. Order your celebratory food in advance and collect it on your way here. There may even be chance for some last minute gift shopping. 

If you're looking for a fairytale hideaway for just the two of you, we have a delightful selection of narrowboats. Wren has a curvy theme and an open-plan design, with a log-effect gas fire, walk-through shower and an oval kingsize bed. In Kingfisher there's a kingsize bed, and you'll find two leather armchairs, a log-effect gas fire, mood lighting and surround sound system in the lounge. Heron's double bed is located in the forward cabin with large picture windows and French doors onto the deck. The stylish metal bed glides to the side to provide a wider walkway during the day, and there's a double shower in the wet room. Harrier's delights include double-ended roll-top bath, 5ft half-tester bed, and cosy wood-burning stove in the lounge, while Owl is particularly special, with a 4-poster bed and on-deck hut-tub!

If you're a dog lover, you'll certainly want to spend the festive season with your best friend. Dogs are very welcome on all our narrowboats, and we do not charge extra for them to come on holiday! We even supply a towel for your dog so you can wipe their paws, after exploring the canal towpath or the surrounding mountains.

In our experience, some dogs enjoy sitting on deck watching the world go by as you cruise along, others like to walk along the towpath, alongside the boat. And, if you don't have a dog, you'll be pleased to know that our cleaning regime is so thorough, we're pretty sure you'd never know that a dog had been on board.

We think the fastest way to slow down this Christmas is to spend time by water, and the Monmouthshire & Brecon is a must because it's considered to be the UK's prettiest canal. Families will enjoy the boating experience and the welcome fresh air. There's the chance for all ages and abilities to help out - whether that's operating the locks, choosing where to moor or making a cup of tea for the helmsman (who's steering the boat). You'll discover time to play games, time to enjoy meals together, and time to make new memories. And, of course, it's a far greener holiday than jetting off overseas. For the ultimate green boating break, choose Coot - our 5-star eco-friendly hybrid-electric narrowboat.

Situated within the Brecon Beacons National Park and Blaenavon World Heritage Site, the Mon & Brec canal is rich in heritage and wildlife. There's no end of choice for your Boxing Day or New Year's Day walk - whether you fancy a short stroll along the towpath, or a challenging hike up to a peak such as Table Mountain, above Crickhowell.

Your narrowboat will have a festive touch, with a Christmas tree and decorations, and there'll be a bottle of fizz chilling in the fridge when you arrive. You can simply relax and enjoy a festive season with a difference.

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