Our aim is to help people with any disability discover the joy of canal boat holidays on board one of our specially adapted canal boats – they provide all the facilities needed for an accessible holiday that everyone can enjoy and also fully participate in the experience.
If a canal boat holiday conjures up an image of genteel and leisurely hours spent gliding seamlessly along lush river banks, accompanied only by the sound of the local birds and wildlife, and a camaraderie more reminiscent of a bygone era, you won’t be disappointed. There is simply no better way to cast off your worries, silence your mobile phone, and enjoy a truly peaceful meander along the waterways. Have a picnic on board, or stop and moor up and at a riverside pub- the choice is yours.
Exercise your freedom to roam – Freedom is the trademark of a good canal boat holiday. The joy of going where you want, when you want, at a pace of your choosing, cannot be overstated in a world where everything is fast and furiously paced. Couple this with the ability for those with disabilities to fully participate in the experience, from steering the boat to helping navigate the locks, and you have a memorable and inspiring experience for all.
A quiet trip meandering along the picturesque, idyllic rivers Lee and Stort; a chance to explore the beautiful and protected Essex and Hertfordshire countryside or a journey to London, taking in a show or two – all of these are possible with a canal boat holiday from CanalAbility. Just choose the length of your holiday from a weekend break, midweek short break, or a full week, and decide where you’d like to go.
For longer holidays you can travel to London and the Grand Union Canal. Cruise through Regents Park and its zoo, or perhaps take in a show – the accommodation is free and there’s no congestion charge. If you prefer a rural idyll, visit the historic towns of Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford and the beautiful rolling countryside in-between.
Our purpose-built, fully centrally heated and accessible broad beam boats enable everyone to take a full and active part in the boating experience – all year round.
We are an award winning charity, with over 25 years experience, dedicated to providing affordable canal boat holidays and day trips for people with disabilities, their families, friends and other disability charities and community groups.
Founded as a registered charity in 1989 with the objective of providing a disability access canal boat on the river Stort, we now operate 3 fully adapted and accessible canal boats and provide boat trips and holidays to about 3000 people each year. Our users come from far and near, our furthest holidaymakers flying in from Australia, and enjoy a great experience on our boats as they explore the River Stort and the River Lee for day trips or weekend breaks, or for longer holidays you can cruise down the River Lee to London and the Grand Union Canal.
Our three purpose-built, fully centrally heated and accessible broad beam boats enable everyone to take a full and active part in the boating experience all year round. We offer day trips, cruise holidays, opportunities for volunteering and training courses.
Our mooring on the Herts / Essex border is easily accessible by road using the M11, or by mainline rail to Harlow Town railway station. We are only 12 miles from London Stansted Airport, 35 miles from Central London and 40 miles from Cambridge.
As Enable My Trip is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation we rely solely on donations and fund raising to keep our services truly free for users and providers. We are not a travel agent or trip organiser; You will need to contact the provider(s) directly to make reservations.
We strive to ensure that the details we publish on our website are as accurate as possible. If you learn of further information of interest to other users of our website then please get in touch. Please use our 'Personal Profile' form when making enquiries to accommodation providers. It has been designed to minimise any service failures on their part.
