A FAMILY-RUN canal holiday business near Chester has been named as the Shropshire Union & Llangollen Canals’ number one hire base.

Chas Hardern Narrowboats is a small family-run hire base in Beeston, Tarporley. Run by Chas and Lindsay Hardern, the business is located on the Shropshire Union canal just a few miles from Hurleston Junction, the gateway to the Llangollen Canal.

Their location allows easy access to a range of routes including the Cheshire Ring, Four Counties Ring and the Llangollen Canal with its World Famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

A recent ranking of UK canal boat hire bases from Roam&Roost Canal Boat Holidays, saw Chas Hardern Narrowboats coming in at position 1 for hire bases along the Shropshire Union & Llangollen Canals, outranking 21 other holiday hire bases.

(Image: Chas Hardern Narrowboats)

James Anelay co-founded of Roam&Roost said: “The Shropshire Union & Llangollen canal have to be up there as one of the top holiday locations on the UK waterways and I’m pleased to see Chas Hardern top the list.

“Chas has worked tirelessly on the waterways since 1971 at the age of just 17. Friendly, happy faces eagerly sharing their love of the waterways through fantastic holiday hire I think sums them up pretty well, and this number one spot is well deserved.”

Chas purchased his first boat, Chiltern, a camping boat in 1971 with the help of his parents. After success with the camping boats Chas and his parents – particularly his mother Dorothy - grew the fleet into a more conventional hire fleet taking up the lease of the historic Beeston Castle Wharf.

The business now has seven boats available for hire, each sleeping up to six people.

Lindsay Hardern Directory of Chas Hardern Narrowboats says: “A boating holiday is a wonderful experience for the whole family, you have the freedom to to do as much or as little as you want. Long boating days enjoying the countryside or tying up and exploring the local area.

"There is something for everyone. We provide an individual service with excellent instruction which includes being accompanied through your first lock and shown how to turn your boat in a winding hole.”

Chas Hardern Narrowboats still have some limited availability for summer holiday hires with prices starting at £800 for four people for one week.

More information on UK canal boat holiday pricing is available on Roam & Roost’s website.