Private Skippered and Crewed Historic Narrow Boat Hire in Yorkshire – Your Cruise, Your Way With Best Yorkshire Boating
Step aboard Apollo, our beautifully preserved historic working narrow boat, and enjoy a wonderfully different day out on Yorkshire’s waterways. Available for bespoke private hire, Apollo comes with a friendly crew and experienced skipper, so you can simply turn up, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a relaxed family get-together, organising a team day out, or just fancy doing something a bit special with friends, your cruise is completely tailored to you. Drift along at an easy pace through some of Yorkshire’s most characterful canals and let the day unfold your way.
🍴 Bring Your Own Feast
All our private hires are bring your own food and drink — including alcohol — so you can pack a picnic, bubbles, BBQ bits, or your favourite local treats. Think grazing boards, fizz on the water, or a proper canalside spread with friends.
⚓ Pub or BBQ Stops? Yes Please.
Want to moor up at a canalside pub for lunch or a cheeky pint? We can plan that. Prefer to stop somewhere scenic for a relaxed BBQ by the water? That works too. Your skipper will help plan the perfect route and stopping spots to suit your group and your vibe.
🚪 Have a Go at the Boating
Feel like being captain for a bit? You’re welcome to have a go at the tiller under guidance and learn how a traditional narrow boat handles. You can also get involved with operating canal locks along the way — a hands-on part of canal life that’s always more fun than people expect!
Of course, if you’d rather just sit back and watch the world float by, that’s absolutely fine too. This is your cruise: hands-on or horizontal.
As Apollo glides along, you’ll also hear snippets of Yorkshire’s canal history and working boat traditions — a little heritage sprinkled into a very laid-back day.
Private Hire Rates
⚓ £400 – 4 Hour Private Cruise
⚓ £600 – 8 Hour Private Cruise
Perfect for celebrations, reunions, relaxed hen or stag dos, team outings, or simply a brilliant day out with good people, good food, and gentle countryside views — Apollo offers a charming, unhurried way to experience Yorkshire from the water.
Book your trip
Up to 12 passengers allowed. | An 8 hour or more day trip can be booked. | For half day, customisation or any other questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call or email.
Call 07799041700 or email john@yorkshireboating.com to enquire about hire for leisure, holiday or business.