Imagine cruising gently along the beautiful Chesterfield Canal, navigating historic locks, passing through Drakeholes Tunnel and stopping at charming canal side pubs, with nothing to do but enjoy the journey together.
At Hawthorn Hideaway, our beautiful Kingfisher Narrowboat offers couples much more than a romantic place to stay.
Unlike narrowboats that remain permanently moored, Kingfisher is a fully cruising narrowboat, offering self-drive narrowboat holidays and skippered cruises through the Nottinghamshire countryside.
Whether you dream of taking the tiller yourself, relaxing while an experienced skipper handles the boat, or simply enjoying a peaceful stay beside the water, the choice is yours.
Self-Drive Narrowboat Holidays – Your Adventure, Your Pace
Have you ever dreamed of taking the tiller of a narrowboat and exploring England’s beautiful waterways together?
Our self-drive narrowboat holidays on the Chesterfield Canal give you the freedom to enjoy a traditional canal boat holiday, without needing previous boating experience.
Before arrival, we’ll send you a 35-minute training video introducing you to narrowboat handling, navigation and safety.
On the morning of your cruise, our experienced skipper will complete the necessary checks, provide practical instruction and accompany you to your first lock.
Once you’re confident and ready, your adventure begins and your skipper will depart at this point.
Cruise through peaceful countryside, watch for kingfishers darting across the water, navigate historic locks and discover picturesque villages along the way.
Stop for lunch at a canal side pub, enjoy a drink in the sunshine or find a peaceful mooring and watch the world drift by.
No busy roads, no rushing around – just the freedom to explore together.
Explore the Chesterfield Canal from Hawthorn Hideaway
Perfectly positioned beside the Chesterfield Canal near Walkeringham and Misterton, on the Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire border, Hawthorn Hideaway is a wonderful starting point for exploring this historic waterway.
From our private mooring, you can cruise in either direction, discovering beautiful countryside, traditional pubs, historic locks and charming villages.
Cruise Towards Drakeholes, Hayton and Retford
Head towards Drakeholes and enjoy one of the canal’s most memorable experiences – passing through the historic 154-yard Drakeholes Tunnel.
Continue towards Clayworth and Hayton, where you’ll find The Boat Inn, a lovely place to stop for food or refreshments during your narrowboat adventure.
Further along the canal, you’ll pass through Whitsunday Pie Lock before reaching Retford, where The Hop Pole offers another opportunity for a traditional pub stop.
The journey from Hawthorn Hideaway towards Retford takes approximately five hours, making this a wonderful adventure for couples enjoying a longer narrowboat holiday.
With overnight mooring along the route, we recommend allowing at least three nights for this experience.
The Mucky Duck at Drakeholes is another well-known canal side landmark, although it is currently closed, it is planned for re-opening. Please check for reopening updates before planning a visit.
Cruise Towards Misterton and West Stockwith
In the opposite direction, cruise through the peaceful Nottinghamshire countryside towards Misterton and West Stockwith.
This lovely stretch of the Chesterfield Canal takes you through two locks before reaching West Stockwith, where the canal meets the River Trent.
The journey takes approximately 2½ hours each way, making it ideal for couples wanting a day of narrowboat cruising during a two-night stay.
Enjoy the slower pace of life on the water, the changing scenery and the satisfaction of navigating the locks together.
Skippered Narrowboat Cruises – Sit Back and Enjoy the Journey
Love the idea of a narrowboat adventure but prefer someone else to take the tiller?
Our skippered narrowboat cruises on the Chesterfield Canal offer a wonderfully relaxing alternative.
With an experienced skipper handling Kingfisher, you can simply enjoy the journey together.
Watch the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside drift past, admire the wildlife and experience the magic of cruising along one of England’s most peaceful waterways.
Our skippered cruises towards Drakeholes are perfect for couples who want to experience life aboard a cruising narrowboat without having to drive themselves.
However if you fancy having a go, experiencing a lock, the option is there to do as much or as little as you wish.
All the romance of a narrowboat adventure, with someone else doing the driving.
A Traditional Narrowboat Holiday With a Luxury Twist
What makes a narrowboat holiday aboard Kingfisher so special?
After a day exploring the Chesterfield Canal, you can return to your own private waterside retreat at Hawthorn Hideaway.
Unlike many traditional narrowboat hire holidays, Kingfisher comes with a secluded waterside garden and romantic extras designed especially for couples.
Enjoy:
- A covered private hot tub overlooking the water.
- A heated cinema dome and outdoor cinema experience.
- A cosy log burner for romantic evenings aboard.
- A king-size bed with luxurious bedding.
- A fully equipped kitchen and modern shower room.
- A private waterside fire pit for relaxing beneath the stars.
- A deluxe breakfast hamper.
- Private sauna and aromatherapy steam cabin sessions.
After navigating locks and exploring the countryside, imagine sinking into your hot tub with a glass of bubbly as the sun sets over the canal.
Later, light the log burner, snuggle up for a movie or sit beside your fire pit watching the stars.
The adventure of a traditional narrowboat holiday, with the luxury of your own romantic hideaway waiting when you return.
Stay Moored, Self-Drive or Let Us Skipper
One of the loveliest things about Kingfisher is that you can make your break exactly what you want it to be.
Romantic Static Narrowboat Stays
Stay moored at Hawthorn Hideaway and enjoy all the romance of sleeping on the water, with your own private hot tub, cinema dome, log burner and waterside garden.
Self-Drive Narrowboat Holidays
Take the tiller and explore the Chesterfield Canal yourself, with training provided before your adventure. Perfect for couples who enjoy exploring together.
Skippered Canal Boat Cruises
Let an experienced skipper take care of the cruising while you relax, enjoy the scenery and make beautiful memories together.
For longer stays, why not combine days exploring the canal with peaceful evenings relaxing at Hawthorn Hideaway?
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Narrowboat Holidays
Can you actually cruise Kingfisher Narrowboat?
Yes! Kingfisher is a fully cruising narrowboat, not simply static accommodation. Guests can book self-drive narrowboat holidays or skippered cruises, as well as choosing to stay moored at Hawthorn Hideaway.
Do you need experience to hire Kingfisher Narrowboat?
No previous narrowboat experience is necessary for our self-drive holidays. We provide a pre-arrival training video, a practical briefing and guidance from our experienced skipper before you set off.
Can we take Kingfisher on a traditional narrowboat holiday?
Absolutely. Our self-drive option allows couples to explore the Chesterfield Canal, navigate locks, stop at canal side pubs and enjoy overnight moorings on longer stays.
Can we book a narrowboat trip with a skipper?
Yes. We offer skippered narrowboat cruises towards Drakeholes, allowing you to enjoy the canal without having to drive the boat.
How long should we stay for a narrowboat holiday?
A two-night stay is ideal for enjoying a cruise towards Drakeholes or West Stockwith. For couples wanting to travel further towards Retford and enjoy overnight mooring away from Hawthorn Hideaway, we recommend three nights or longer.
Does Kingfisher Narrowboat have a private hot tub?
Yes. Kingfisher has its own covered private hot tub within a secluded waterside garden at Hawthorn Hideaway, along with an outdoor cinema, heated cinema dome and fire pit.
Your Romantic Narrowboat Adventure Starts Here
Whether you’re looking for a self-drive narrowboat holiday in Nottinghamshire, a relaxing skippered canal cruise or a romantic narrowboat break with a private hot tub, Kingfisher offers something truly special.
Explore historic waterways, discover traditional pubs, navigate locks together and experience the freedom of life on the canal.
Then return to Hawthorn Hideaway for warm bubbles, cosy fires, cinema nights and beautiful sunsets beside the water.
Stay moored, take the tiller or let us skipper – your Chesterfield Canal adventure awaits.