What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 6pm

The Purple Boat - Narrowboat Hire

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Shardlow
The Purple Boat - Narrowboat Hire

Hire The Purple Boat narrowboat for your self-catering holiday on along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Pet friendly
Free car parking

12/06/2026

The Purple Boat is based in Shardlow, a small village full of rich canal history.

It became an Inland Port during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially after the construction of the Trent and Mersey Canal (where you begin your journey)!

Shardlow is one of 4 Heritage Inland Ports and one of 14 Heritage Harbours in the Uk.

The swans come every year to raise their cygnets and love to swim gracefully up and down the canal 🦢💦

10/06/2026

Katie and Jenson modelling our doggy life jackets! 🐶🐾

Katie wears a small and Jenson wears a large - we welcome all furry friends and want to make sure they stay safe and happy when on The Purple Boat 💜🐕

09/06/2026

Some amazing photos taken by guests of the boat!
It’s always great to see our boaters have a lovely time 🥰💜

27/05/2026

Finishing touches on the boat are complete! To smarten her up we have blacked the hull of the boat 🛥️ 💜

We still have some availability for this year so make sure to book before the season is over 🌟

10/05/2026

The Purple Boat is ready for her first hire! With her lovely new paint job from JD Narrowboats at Dobsons of Shardlow she is looking as purple as ever 💜🎨🫟
We have also added extra padding and new covers to the beds in the front cabin to enhance comfort, the front cabin can be either made up as 2 single beds or 1 king size bed 🛏️

To book your holiday this summer visit our website: www.thepurpleboat.co.uk

09/05/2026

The Purple Boat is back from being painted by JD Narrowboats at Dobsons of Shardlow and how amazing does she look! She has been given back her vibrancy and is as purple as ever 💜

05/05/2026

Amazing signwriting done by Claire! We chose the same design that was on before originally painted by Claire’s farther! 💜🎨

30/04/2026

Project Purple is almost complete and doesn’t she look fantastic! 💜
The Purple Boat has been the same colour since it was first built over 40 years ago, it’s a great family tradition started by my grandmother.
JD Narrowboats at Dobsons of Shardlow are doing an amazing job of bringing her vibrancy back! 🌟

23/04/2026

Update: Project Purple 🫟💜

The Purple Boat is no longer purple! JD Narrowboats at Dobsons of Shardlow have spot primed and put 3 coats of primer on the cabin, next step is to sand it all down!
Not long now until she is back to her iconic purple! 🥰💜

21/04/2026

Ever wondered how our curtian poles stay so shiny? It’s brasso! 💛
While The Purple Boat is being painted I’ve been polishing the poles and the brackets they sit in.
We love to make sure everyone has the best experience, even down to the smallest details! 💜

Address

Shardlow

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 6pm
Sunday	9am - 6pm

Website

https://www.thepurpleboat.co.uk/

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