When the solar is shining, there are few higher methods to discover London than by boat – however it’s not simply the sightseeing cruises on the Thames which are good for households, as we found once we tried out GoBoat with youngsters.
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You may rent one of many fleet of electrical boats from a number of totally different areas across the metropolis – for our GoBoat overview, we headed to Paddington Basin, however there’s additionally the choice of ranging from Kingston and from Canary Wharf (in addition to Birmingham in case you’re outdoors London).
As a result of whilst you would possibly assume that the Thames is the one possibility in London, there’s multiple waterway working by means of the capital, and even after many years residing within the metropolis, a cruise alongside the canals gave me a totally totally different viewpoint to get pleasure from.
GoBoat Paddington overview
With two hours behind the wheel – or somewhat, with our fingers on the tiller – we headed to the Grand Union Canal to find simply how straightforward it’s to discover by boat.
The brief reply? Very straightforward! I delegated the precise driving/captaining to my husband, who very effectively steered us from the Grand Union canal to the Regent’s canal, round barges, beneath bridges, by means of tunnels and all the way in which to the perimeters of Regent’s Park and London Zoo.
In the meantime, I nominated myself official first mate and navigator for our boating expertise.
As there’s just one route you possibly can take, one (quiet) water roundabout to barter and one stretch the place you need to cross to the other aspect of the river forward of a tunnel, that meant I largely obtained to take a seat again, take in the spring sunshine and revel in a complete new view of my residence metropolis.
As a result of whereas I’ve visited Paddington, Little Venice and Regent’s Park extra occasions than I can depend, to not point out London Zoo, I’ve by no means cruised alongside that complete stretch aboard my very own little boat.
Prime pace is round 3-4mph, so that you’ll end up being overtaken by joggers on the towpath. However half the enjoyable is slowing down, taking a deep breath and absorbing all of the sights with out feeling such as you’ve obtained to hurry.
And there are quite a lot of to identify alongside the way in which. Passing the Puppet Theatre Barge, we had a style of Little Venice – supposedly named by the poet Robert Browning, the banks are lined with narrowboats and flanked by some spectacular homes.
As you sail, maintain your eyes open to spy a plaque to the house of the second Lord’s cricket floor, in addition to some really jaw-dropping mansions as you get nearer to Regent’s Park.
First, although, comes the 249 metre lengthy Maida Hill tunnel: large sufficient for a single craft to sail by means of, it takes a number of minutes to get from one aspect by means of the darkness to the sunshine on the opposite aspect.
Loads of time to check the echoes and soar on the occasional drop of water dripping down your neck!
When you attain Regent’s Park, you’ll additionally end up crusing between two sections of London Zoo. Whereas the painted canine on one aspect of the canal had been preserving a low profile, we had an awesome view of Monkey Valley, one of many zoo’s latest areas.
Dwelling to colobus monkeys, we noticed half a dozen of those pretty black and white creatures swinging by means of the enclosure and calling to one another.
The habitat stretches 80ft up, with climbing sections coated by the netting, and the monkeys all however flying by means of the air to get from one aspect to a different – or discovering a quiet spot in a tree to settle again.
Not like the water buses which cruise on previous to Camden, having our personal self-drive boat meant we may cease to look at for a short time – not the one ones to have that concept, with a gaggle of kayakers and a small crowd on the trail as effectively.
When you do wish to get one of the best view and head inside, purchase tickets for London Zoo right here
However a visit on GoBoat with youngsters isn’t about ticking off sights and landmarks, it’s about sitting again and having enjoyable as a household, watching out for the little issues – a mandarin duck at one level, a coot constructing its nest at one other.
Carry a picnic or some snacks with you – there’s a useful little desk within the centre of the boat – and you’ll graze as you go. When you’re heading out for longer or searching for an much more memorable boating expertise, you would even carry a mini afternoon tea to have on board.
There’s no alcohol allowed for the Paddington boats although (and the captain has to remain sober on the different areas).
It’s effectively price bringing one thing comfortable to take a seat on although, or selecting one of many upgrades – Cosy Boat comes with snuggly blankets (plus some snacks and handwarmers), or there are seat-warmer cushions obtainable at Paddington – as my bum was going distinctly numb in direction of the top of our two-hour session. Even with loads of padding…
There’s a lot to see round Paddington as effectively, in case you’re seeking to spend longer within the space earlier than or after your GoBoat journey.
For starters, it’s probably the greatest locations to identify Paddington in London, together with a few statues alongside the canalside in addition to contained in the station.
Save a while to take a look at the Floating Pocket Park too, a sequence of mini inexperienced areas which bob on the water, in addition to Paddington’s uncommon bridges.
The rolling bridge is each sculpture and moveable bridge, which curls up into an octagon form, normally on Wednesday and Friday at midday and 2pm on Saturdays.
Not distant, the Fan Bridge additionally lifts, wanting like a standard fan at noon on Wednesdays and Fridays.
You’ll additionally discover a string of locations to eat and drink round Paddington Basin, from quirky bars on transformed barges to some chain eating places and cafes.
GoBoat with youngsters: must know
When you’re planning to check out GoBoat with youngsters, it’s a whole lot of enjoyable – however as you might be out on typically busy waterways with youngsters, right here’s how GoBoat works and what it’s essential know first.
How secure is GoBoat?
Life jackets are supplied for kids, together with child variations, and should be worn on board.
There are additionally grownup lifejackets obtainable within the boat itself however these aren’t obligatory. It’s very straightforward to get the hold of steering, it’s positively extra of a precaution than a necessity.
How straightforward is it to function?
You must arrive quarter-hour prematurely for a security briefing explaining how every thing works – you can even watch the video beforehand. It’s price figuring out there are not any bogs on the dock (or on the boat!) so go to these, and choose up any foods and drinks you need earlier than you get there.
Then there’s a brief take a look at drive from the GoBoat dock – within the case of Paddington, this goes up in direction of the floating park, earlier than turning again once more to move out alongside the primary canal, so if there’s something you’re unsure of, you possibly can cease in your well beyond.
There’s a map supplied and workers provides you with recommendation on the place to show round in an effort to get again in time for the top of your slot.
How lengthy do I want?
Our two-hour session gave us lengthy sufficient to get from Paddington to London Zoo earlier than having to move again. You may’t moor up alongside the way in which and boats must be returned to the beginning level.
Boats could be booked for one hour, two hours or three hours (and 4 hours from Kingston).
Charges differ however begin from £85 for one hour, £125 for 2 – it’s price reserving the longer session, particularly as you might not be capable of prolong it at busy occasions, in case you determine you need extra time on the day.
Guide your GoBoat self-drive boating expertise right here
What if my plans change?
You may rearrange the reserving or cancel to obtain a voucher as much as 48 hours forward of your sail out time. After that time, there’s no choice to rearrange.
Don’t anticipate sailings to be cancelled if it rains both: except there’s low visibility or different harmful climate circumstances, every thing will go forward rain, shine or snow!
You can too e-book by way of GetYourGuide, which has free cancellation as much as 24 hours beforehand
What number of youngsters can I carry?
The boats have area for 8 on board they usually’re dog-friendly too. There’s no minimal age both so it’s high quality for the entire household – we noticed one other group cruising previous who’d even managed to get their child’s buggy on board!
Nonetheless, the captain driving the boat should be aged 18+. You can too rent as much as three boats in a single reserving, in case you fancy heading out as a part of an enormous household group.
What shall I carry with me?
Any foods and drinks or snacks that you really want (though no alcohol on the Paddington location, restricted quantities for passengers and none for the captain elsewhere).
It’s effectively price having one thing comfortable to take a seat on, in addition to something you want for the climate circumstances – there’s no shade, so SPF, hat and sun shades if it’s a sunny day, raincoats/umbrella if it’s wet, and one thing to wrap up in if it’s cool as there’s usually a breeze on the water.
You might be able to borrow ponchos and umbrellas at no cost from GoBoat if the climate adjustments unexpectedly.
There’s nowhere to depart possessions while you choose the boat up, though there may be area within the boat itself. When you’re an enormous group, keep in mind that shall be restricted so don’t attempt to carry an excessive amount of on board although.
You can too carry decorations (though you do must take away them earlier than you permit) however no audio system are allowed on board, in case you had been planning a boating soundtrack.
And no, you possibly can’t go swimming from the boat, so go away your towels at residence!
What if we’ve issues as soon as we set off?
When you do run into hassle, assistance is at hand: there’s a telephone quantity to name on the map with GoBoat’s model of the AA cruising alongside the identical stretch of water at larger pace, to allow them to head over to assist any of the GoBoats that want them.
We ended up with some pond weed tangled across the propeller – not a significant problem however it was slowing us down, and round 5-10 minutes after calling, our rescuer appeared to untangle it in moments and ship us on our manner.
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters, together with a string of different much less well-known household actions, try my high picks
Disclosure: My journey was courtesy of GoBoat London for the needs of overview – all opinions about making an attempt GoBoat with youngsters are my very own. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photos copyright MummyTravels
