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A boating holiday is a smaller and more personal alternative to a cruise holiday.
If you are concerned that your needs will not be fully met on a larger cruise line, consider one of these boating holidays specially organised for people with a disability.
Boats for the Handicapped, 31 Burns Avenue, Church Croockham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 6DN, phone: 01252 622 520. Madam Butterfly is a purpose-built seven berth canal boat for people with a disability and their companions. The boat is equipped with hydraulic lifts at bow and stern, power assisted steering and hoists for a shower/WC and over one bed. Also, a day boat with access for six wheelchairs is available.
The Bruce Charitable Trust (www.brucetrust.org.uk), PO Box 21, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 9YY, phone: 01672 515 498, fax: 01672 516 441, email: bct@brewhaha.demon.co.uk. Operates four specially designed, purpose-built boats, all equipped with a hydraulic lift, access ramps and specially designed toilet areas. Two bases enable groups to cruise the whole length of the canal between Reading and Bath. Training is given to group leaders if required.
The Bruce Wake Charity, Ayston, Oakham, Rutland, Leicestershire LE15 9AE, phone: 01572 822 183. Operates the Charlotte, a 69ft narrowboat designed for a wheelchair user and family with berths for up to seven or eight. It has two hydraulic lifts, a hoist over the bed and a spacious WC/shower area. A second narrowboat, Alice, will have the same features as "Charlotte", but is marginally smaller at 62ft. Both boats are based at Upton-upon-Severn between Tewkesbury and Worcester.
Calvert Trust Keswick (www.calvert-trust.org.uk), Little Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4QD, phone and minicom: 017687 72254, fax: 017687 71920, email: calvert.keswick@dial.pipex.com. The Trust offers various sailing courses, as well as outdoor parties.
Disabled Afloat Riverboats Trust, Diocesan Office, 4 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LR, phone: 01452 410 022, fax: 01452 308 324. The Riverboat is designed specifically to provide holidays to schools, colleges, units, homes and centres for people with a disability. Accommodation is provided for up to twelve people with a maximum of five wheelchairs. Full wheelchair access to all facilities. The Riverboat cruises the Severn and Avon Rivers and the Gloucester/Sharpness Canal.
Docklands Canal Boat Trust, St John's Centre, Albert Road, London E16 2JB, phone: 020 7511 2911. The Trust operates MV Challenge, based on the Lee and Stort Canal. A full-time skipper is employed and there are bunks for up to 10 people. A lift is installed. Bookings for up to one, two and five days are taken between May and the end of September.
Erincurrach Cruising, Blaney, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, phone: 028 6864 1737, fax: 028 6864 1734. The Cuchulain is a fully wheelchair accessible cruiser on Lough Erne, a 50 mile long waterway. There is a ramp to the level main saloon and a lift to the lower cabin, toilet and galley and a hydraulic helm seat. Accommodation for up to six people, including two wheelchair users. The length of the stays are from three, four, seven or 14 nights. Transfers from local airports can be arranged.
Jubilee Sailing Trust (www.jst.org.uk), Hazel Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 7GB, phone: 023 8044 9108, email: info@jst.org.uk. The Trust has two tall ships, the Lord Nelson and Tenacious. Voyages range from four to ten days and are open to anyone over 16 years old, with or without nautical experience. People with physical disabilities serve as crew alongside an equal number of able-bodied men and women on all voyages. In addition to the permanent crew of eight, which includes the medical purser (RGN), there are berths for a doctor and four watchleaders - those who have sailed with the Jubilee Sailing Trust and have been recommended by the permanent crew. In total there are 40 voyage crew.
The Lyneal Trust (www.lyneal-trust.org.uk), The Shirehall, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND, phone: 01743 251 000. The Trust has facilities for disabled people to have water-based holidays on the Llangollen Canal. The Shropshire Lass is a purpose-designed canal cruiser with berths for eight people. There is access to all parts of the boat for wheelchair users and it has a purpose sized shower and WC, lift and hydraulic steering. The boat is based at Lyneal Wharf, near Ellesmere, where there is a clubroom, kitchen and showers and two bungalows providing accommodation for up to 16 people. The boat and land-based accommodation have been designed to suit groups of different sizes. The Trust also has a second purpose-built canal boat, which is available for day trips.
Nancy Oldfield Trust, Irstead Road, Neatishead, Norwich NR12 8BJ, phone: 01692 630572. The Trust offers water-based activities and training for people with disabilities on the Norfolk Broads. Activities include sailing, canoeing, fishing, bird watching and cruising. Visitors are welcome on a day or residential basis. Accommodation is in an adapted bungalow for 10 or afloat for up to eight people. Families and groups of four to eight taken on sailing weekends.
Peter-le-Marchant Trust, Canalside Moorings, Beeches Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2NS, phone: 01509 265590. The Trust provides free day trips and short holidays on inland waterways for disabled people. The Trust has two broad-beam canal boats based at Loughborough fitted with hydraulic lifts, showers and WCs, telephone and resuscitation equipment. These can be used by up to ten people for short holidays and 26 people for day trips. Also at Loughborough, Melody, sleeping five, can be hired by families or small groups with a seriously ill or disabled member, as can a six berth cruiser, New Venture, based on the Norfolk Broads.
Reach Out Projects, Diocesan Education Centre, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4PJ, phone: 01707 335968, fax: 01707 373089. The Project has four canal boats, two self-steered narrowboats with 12 berths and two wide-beamed boats with skippers, based at Hemel Hempstead on the Grand Union Canal. Three of the boats are wheelchair accessible. They are available for day, weekend and weekly hire by voluntary organisations and families with disabled members.
Reklaw Boat Project, 1a Bootham, York YO30 7BN, phone: 01904 644649. The Reklaw, originally a sand dredger, has been converted for use by groups of up to eight including four wheelchair users, for short holidays from its base at York on Yorkshire rivers and canals. Equipment includes a lift and accessible WC. Self-catering, but a Skipper is provided.
Roecliffe Manor Cheshire Home, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8TN, phone: 01509 890855. The Red Feather is a 60ft narrow boat specially adapted for safe independent use by parties including people with a disability. Guide dogs are accepted. Can accommodate up to two wheelchairs. Facilities include a hoist and adapted shower. Six berth (two doubles, two singles). Full training given.
Ro-Ro Sailing Project, 64 Hambledon Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7UB, phone: 023 9225 4254, email: rohohq@aol.com. The Verity K is a cruising yacht designed for wheelchair users and their companions. It has an integral ramped gangplank, cabins for up to five people, a lift to the saloon and an accessible toilet and shower. Available on charter or by joining a group.
RYA Sailability, Fieldfare Trust, The Stables, Blindburn Hall, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 3HE, phone: 01434 230464. A catamaran featuring accessible toilet, galley and cabins, toggle steering and independent wheelchair access aboard via a passerelle. Regional management groups in the North, North West, Midlands, South and South West will advise on sailing programmes, availability and charter.
Stockport Canalboat Trust, c/o Mr Warwick Royle, 2 Fishers Bridge, Hayfield, High Peak, SK22 2JZ, phone: 01663 742796. The Trust operates a narrow boat, New Horizons, based at Marple, at the junction of the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. New Horizons can take up to eight passengers and is equipped to take families and small groups that include disabled people. It has a lift, an adapted toilet and shower area, and a raised foredeck. The Trust provides a skipper and crew and passengers are encouraged to take as full a part in the operation of the boat as possible. Can also be booked by the day, full or half-day trips.
Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust, Oakfield, Pentre Coed, Ellesmere SY12 9EA, phone: 01691 690322. The Trust has two narrowboats, both adapted for disabled people, based at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal. The Millie is available for holidays for up to six people. The Glas y Dorlan is available for day trips for groups of up to 12. Early booking required. Skipper provided.
Wirral Community Narrow Boat Trust, The Boat Museum, 1 South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW, phone: 0151 357 1783, email: s.larmour@charity.vfree.com. The Rainbow's End is equipped for groups of up to ten disabled people for overnight and residential cruises on Shropshire Union, Trent and Mersey and Llangollen Canals. It is equipped with a lift, adapted toilet and shower. A second boat, Kaleidoscope, without a shower is available for day trips for up to 12 people.
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