Customer Reviews

Such a fantastic way to spend a winter weekend, aboard Grand Cru and visiting the sites of Bath. The barge was lovely and cozy when we arrived with the fire going great guns, we almost didn’t want to leave but had a table booked for dinner in town. Pete is a laid back lovely guy who explains what you need to know about the boat and then leaves you to it, but is only a phone call away Hopefully see you again.
Gail & Kevin, Glasgow

Hired la "Grand Cru" from Friday to Sunday. Turned out to be one of the best weekend breaks I have had in years. Beats airport security cues and budget airlines, hands-down.
D. Joyce - Wapping, London

Last December I spent my birthday weekend on Grand Cru with my partner. We had a wonderful romantic time. Peter Brown gave us a big welcome and explained everything to us in great detail. We did not feel rushed. The canal boat was well equipped, very clean and the fridge was stocked up. The wood burning stove and central heating kept us warm and cosy. Peter Brown reassured us that he was at hand if we had any difficulties but we didn't have any!!!!! I highly recommend this for an amazing weekend break on the Avon Canal.
Mrs. Davies - Wimbledon, London

Muy apto para familias - cerca al centro de Bath, precio razonable comparade con dos habitaciones de hotel bueno - pero con la ventaja de tener espacio muy amplio privado (casi 17 metros de largo por 3 y pico) - los niños felices por el simple hecho de estar en un barco genial en vez de una habitacion aburrida. Desayuno muy bueno - si los hijos no dan todo de comer a los patos y cisnes.... La calefacción funciona bien - pero la chimenea tiene más gracia. El sistema este no me deja dar más que 3 estrellas porque soy novato y no de fiar, pero merece más...

Roughly translated- Highly recommended for familes, reasonable price compared to two rooms in an average hotel - but with the advantage of a large private space as the boat measures 50 x 10 ft. Kids happy just because they're in an interesrting boat instead of a boring hotel room. A generous breakfast - unless the kids feed it all to the local ducks and swans... The central heating works well, but the log fire is more fun. The GoogleMaps review system doesn't let me give more than 3 stars because I'm an un-trustworthy novice, but Grand Cru deserves more

Richard - Barcelona, Spain

Nothing was too much trouble. We were given a warm welcome, luxurious accommodation, a well stocked fridge and a great day out.
Mrs. Cordall - St. Pierre du Bois, Guernsey

We booked the Grand Cru Cru on the B+B basis early in 2007. The group took the train across from London to Bath. Peter was there to meet us as promised on arrival and transfer us to the Grand Cru. The transfer took less than 10 minutes. On first impressions the boat looked huge! To be honest it needed to be to accommodate the 6 "larger athletes" in our group! It still came as a bit of a shock for us townies that the boat had central heating and a wood burning stove, both of which worked really well. The bathroom was very small but functional. The boat was berthed close to the town centre so it was only minutes from many of the tourist attractions (pubs) that Bath has on offer. The boat was stocked as promised with drinking and breakfast goodies, all of which were well received. The kitchen was immaculate and well equipped. It was certainly good fun tucking into coffee and bacon banjos whilst negotiating the locks and watching the world go bye on a Sunday morning (prior to going to the pub) I'm not sure if the size of the craft hindered our boating ability, but navigating the barge up the river is certainly more difficult than it looks. We resorted to watching Peter drive whilst quaffing red wine, which was a win win for everyone!For a bunch of barge first timers the experience was first class. We would have no hesitation in recommending a break on the Grand Cru for those seeking something different for a weekend away.

Mr. Heakins - Canary Wharf, London

We all had a wonderful time on the canal boat. We would all come again and
have recommended it to a few of our friends. We had the trip on the boat
which was a wonderful day. It beat a B/B any time.

B. Crumpton - Essex

Needed to write & let you know what a wonderful stay we all had, so cosy & comfortable. We all loved every minute & you joining us to take us out along the river with your friendly & expert manner was a bonus we will always remember. We will be visiting again.

The Stevens - Essex

Thank you so much for such a terrific time. In fact, of all the places we travelled in the UK, the Canal Boat was by far the highlight for myself and Tim. I really cannot give you any criticisms as the facilities on the boat were absolutely fine and the trip to the pub was definitely a great deal of fun for my husband and dad who attempted the locks. Really Peter, you have such a lovely product to offer and I only hope that more international travellers' take up your canal boat holiday as a brilliant way to see Bath. It's fun and exciting, yet relaxing and tranquil. Ten out of 10 from our side! Thank you for your hospitality and helpfulness. Keep us updated when you buy another boat. We will certainly punt you to all our friends in SA! Keep well and stay in touch.

Lauren Spencer - Durban, South Africa

Hi Pete, Just to say we had a great weekend on your marvellous houseboat this weekend. All four of us agreed that it was perfect in every way and there was nothing that could have improved it. It was a great location, brilliant accommodation, and welcoming personal service from you. Attention to detail was spot on. We loved it! and hope to return.

Christine, Tracey, Juliet & Jude - Worthing

Thanks so Much!

We had a terrific time & the boat was a home away from home. If you ever decide to travel to the US feel welcome to call us!

Sage, Katie & John - U.S.A

Hi Peter
Just wanted to write and say thank you for letting us stay on your boat and especially the trip up the canal, which we really enjoyed! Hopefully we will come again and have been telling all our friends about it! We're still working on Jo and Steve to try to persuade them to buy a boat and they even went for a walk at the weekend on the canal at Oxford to have a look!
Oh and being a dreadful sceptic I couldn't help just checking on the origins of the word wharf and this is what I've discovered,( In a book on word origins not just on the internet!)
Etymology of wharf "The word comes from the Old English hwearf, meaning "bank" or "shore", and its plural is either wharfs, or, especially in American English, wharves; collectively a group of these is referred to as a wharfing or wharfage. "Wharfage" also refers to a fee ports impose on ships against the amount of cargo handled there. It has been suggested that wharf actually is an acronym for ware-house at river front, but this is a backronym, spread around as a fact by "tour guides" on Thames river boats."
..and now those on the Kennet and Avon Canal!
However I did also check out where plasticine first came from and where it was made and your story checked out so I guess it's one all for now!

Best Wishes, Sarah - U.K.