Accessible Boating

Accessible Boating is a charity that operates fully accessible canal boats and is well worth a visit. We arrived to a warm welcome, parked next to the boat. It is no longer possible to just hire the boat without 2 volunteers so you get a fully supported trip

I have just spent a great week on the Basingstoke Canal on Madam Butterfly ! a 19.2 metre narrowboat.The boat was fully accessible for me with a lift at both the front and back which got me down below,it is fitted with a hospital bed,portable loo and accessible shower and lowered sink.There is enough room at the back of the boat to sit for 4 persons and for you to steer if possible,there is plenty of accessible pubs along the canal if you want to get off the boat via a ramp.At least 2 other able bodied people must be on board with you not including your carer if you have one.It really is a nice peaceful way to spend a week away especially if you have good weather which we did.There was also room for my powerchair down below.

We selected this canal boat because it was the only one near us where we could have it to ourselves for the day. It was a day out with my husband and 4 personal assistants. We understood that we wouldn’t be able to use the accessible toilet when we hired it and had previous experience of a narrow boat. I’d say that the room was just enough for our group and access up/down and in and off was fine for me in myvoowere chair. We had a lovely briefing to familiarise ourselves with the boat and spent five lovely hours gently going down the canal.