Luxury
Narrowboat Hire from
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Valley Cruises canalboat hire, canalboat
rental, narrowboat hire or narrow boat hire.
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Different names,
but the excellence of our luxury narrowboat hire holidays is the
same!
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Access Statement for Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises |
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Introduction
Canal Boat holidays are enjoyed by many people with
special requirements, or who are less mobile. For
reasons of safety, at least two of the party will need
to be active enough to operate the boat and locks. These
people do not need to have experience on canal boats as
full instruction is given at the start of every cruise.
Pre-Arrival
We can be contacted by telephone on 02476 393333, by
fax on 02476 393928 or by email on
enquiries@valleycruises.co.uk
We have information regarding our hire fleet available
on our web site and our brochures. Our access statement
is available on our web site and we can post a written
copy to you upon request, including large font versions.
If you find the web site difficult to read please refer
to the RNIB website
www.rnib.org.uk which contains information about how
to access the web using different technologies. We are
happy to give information and answer any questions over
the telephone, by fax or email.
Our marina is situated at the end of half a mile (0.8
kms) of unmade road which slopes at various angles up to
20 degrees. There is no signage to indicate the turning
onto this track and, because it is an unnamed road, it
is not always indicated on satellite navigation systems.
Directions are sent to all guests, which we highly
recommend are followed. Directions can also be sent by
post or email to all other visitors upon request. The
unmade road is very difficult to walk along if you have
mobility problems or if you are using a pushchair or
wheelchair. Although it can be easily driven down, it
cannot be accessed by very low vehicles such as sports
cars and is challenging for very large vehicles over 7.5
tons (7,620 kg).
Our nearest town is Nuneaton. The town centre and bus
station is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away, whilst the railway
station is 2 miles (3.2 km). There is a shop-mobility
scheme in Nuneaton open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to
4pm. There are also ten Radar toilets. Buses do not come
down the road to the marina but there are taxis
available from both the bus and railway stations, or
book with Crystal Cars on 02476 386000 or J.B. Taxis
07930 567181. Groceries may be ordered for delivery to
the marina from Sainsburys at
www.sainsburys.co.uk . We are happy to load these
onto your boat for you. Likewise someone is always
available to help you load your possessions. Please ask
at reception if you need assistance.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
Our free, gravelled car park is 328 yards (300 metres)
away from the boats. There are 2 designated spaces per
boat crew although more spaces are usually available by
prior arrangement. Cars may be parked so that rear
access is available. The whole marina is fenced and the
access gate is locked over night from 6 pm to 7am. The
gate may be unlocked during these times by prior
arrangement or upon telephone request. There is an
unloading / dropping off point 5.5 yards (5 m) from
reception and our shop and 11 yards (10 m) from the
boats. This is also gravelled and is directly adjacent
to an uncovered brick pathway with no dropped kerb. This
is 63 inches (160 cms) wide at its narrowest point and
slopes down at an angle of 10 degrees to reception.
Access to the boats is via 10 steps which are 39 inches
(100 cms) wide, 20 inches (50 cms) deep and 6 inches
(15cm) in height, and an uncovered brick pathway 39
inches (100 cms) wide with no dropped kerb. There is an
alternate set of 4 steps 48 inches (122 cms) wide, 20
inches (50 cms) deep and 7 inches (17 cms) in height.
The steps can be avoided by means of a sloping grass
bank.
The easiest way to board the boats is from the side of
the rear deck by means of a pontoon This is a wooden
structure over the water which is 26 inches (66 cms)
wide. Boats can also be moored to allow access from a
much wider gravelled area next to the canal. Assistance
to and onto the boats and/ or to reception is always
available upon request.
Dog bowls are available outside the building. All dogs
are welcome inside the building and on the boats (more
than two dogs by arrangement).
Our telephone number is not displayed externally but
is on all communication that is sent to guests.
Correspondence can be in large font on request. Signage
at the marina is by means of written word. Most crews
embark and disembark during daylight hours. At night the
building containing the reception, shop and toilets and
the area immediately around it are well light. Access to
the boats, the car park and signage is less well lit but
torches are available if needed. The interiors of the
boats are very well lit.
Main Entrance and Reception
Upon arrival the person who booked the cruise will be
asked some questions in order that the receptionist can
complete the crew's paperwork. This is usually done at
reception but can just as easily be done standing
outside, seated at our picnic table, in the guest's car
etc. Reception consists of one small office which is
made of brick, wood and glass and has spot lighting.
There is a desk which is 35 inches (90 cms) high and a
counter to one side which is 43 inches (110 cms) high.
The majority of remaining floor space takes the form of
a 43 inch (110 cms) by 43 inch (110 cm) square area in
front of the desk. Access is via one side hung door,
leading straight from the outside pathway, which has no
step or doormat and is 35 inches (90 cm) wide. Written
signage on the door states 'Reception Excellence Afloat
at Valley Cruises'. There is no fixed seating in
reception but a stool or deck chair can be made
available on request. There are no loop systems
installed. A pad and pen can be made available on
arrival. Written information at reception is in various
sized fonts but all information can be, and usually is,
passed on verbally. Reception is usually open between 8
or 9 am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. It will open outside
of these hours upon request, if you are delayed by
traffic for example. Please telephone if your expected
arrival time is likely to change.
All dogs are welcome in reception. Water bowls are
provided for them outside and there is some half acre
(2000 square metres) of private land around the marina
where they can be taken for a walk. However, please do
keep all dogs on a lead and clean up after them. Guests
are required to provide their own bedding and food for
their dogs and to keep them off the furniture on the
boats.
You will be handed one set of keys for your boat's
engine and doors once you embark. We are not able to
provide duplicate / spare keys.
If you are a visitor to the marina, whether or not you
have an appointment, you will be offered a tour of the
facilities and the boats. However, more time can usually
be spent with visitors who are expected.
Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc
There are no public halls, stairs, landings or
corridors inside the building. The public areas consist
of reception, the shop and the two WCs all of which are
accessed from outside the building via one door each as
described.
Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc
There are no public sitting rooms, lounges or lobbies
within the building.
Public WCs
There is one ladies and one gentlemens WC. These are
in the main building but are only accessible from doors
outside on the opposite side of the building from
reception. Access is 11 yards
(10 m) away from reception via a brick pathway which is
level with no steps and is 43 inches (110 cms) wide at
its narrowest point. Each WC is accessed via one side
hung door which is 29 inches (73 cms) wide. There is one
step up which is 1.5 inches (4 cms) high. The WCs are 37
inches (93 cms) by 71 inches (180 cms) and contain a
normal sized toilet and small hand basin with standard
hot and cold taps. The floor is bricked, providing a
flat but not smooth surface. There are no special
disabled nor baby changing facilities at the marina.
Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Bar area, Take Away &
Cafe
There is no cafe at Springwood Haven but tea, coffee
and water are available free of charge from reception
and cold drinks, ice cream and biscuits are for sale in
the shop. There is no where available to sit and eat
inside but there is a picnic table and chairs outside.
Laundry
Not available.
Shop
The shop and chandlery is directly next to reception.
It is made of brick, wood and glass and has spot
lighting. The counter is 43 inches (110 cm) high and the
goods are largely displayed on shelves of various
heights. The remaining floor space covers an area of
approximately 20 foot (6 m) by 12 foot (3.5 m). Access
is via one side hung door, leading straight from the
outside pathway, which has no step and is 35 inches (90
cm) wide. There is no fixed seating in the shop but a
stool or deck chair can be made available on request and
there are steps to offices upstairs which may be sat
upon. There are no loop systems installed. A pad and pen
can be made available on arrival. The shop is usually
open between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Saturday.
All dogs are welcome in the shop.
Boats - Narrow Boats
Many of our boats are of differing designs and have
different dimensions. The following is a general summary
of the facilities they offer. Please telephone for the
exact dimensions and details of your chosen boat. A boat
plan for each boat is available in our brochure and on
our web site, which will indicate the layout of each
boat, but is not to scale.
Upon your arrival the boats will be in our marina,
normally next to a pontoon with their rear decks at the
near end of the pontoon and their front decks at the far
end of the pontoon. On very busy days you may need to
access your boat via the back deck of a neighbouring
boat. We can ensure that your boats are next to a
pontoon if this is requested beforehand.
Decks
Our boats have three different types of back decks or
sterns as can been seen in our brochure or web site.
With traditional sterns the gap between the shore and
the boat is up to 16 inches (40 cms) with a step up of
about 1 inch (3 cms). With semi traditional sterns the
gap between the shore and the boat is up to 8 inches (20
cms) with a step up of about 2 inches (5 cms) and a step
down of 6 inches (15 cm) . On cruiser sterns the gap
between the shore and the boat is up to 1 inch (3 cms)
with a step up of about 2 inches (5 cm) and a step down
of 7 inches (15 cm). Because the gap is smallest on the
cruiser sterns these are easiest to access.
Your can also access the boats by the front deck. Four
of our boats have the front deck covered by a canopy
which is held in place by press studs and zips. The
canopy can be opened up completely and rolled up to roof
height where it is held in place by straps. The step up
to the top of the gunwale from the shore is
approximately 12 inches (29 cms). The gunwale (which is
usually stepped over) is 3.5 inches (9 cms) wide. The
step down into the well of the boat is between 2 foot
(60 cm) and 3 foot (1 m) below gunwale height. There are
one or two steps down at the height of approximately 12
inches (29 cms) to 18 inches (46 cm).
Access into the boats
There are doors to the front and rear of the boats.
The rear doors are between 19 inches (48cms) and 23
inches (58cms) wide and lead to 3 to 6 steps down to the
cabin. They are steepest on the 58 and 60 foot boats and
most accessible on the 70 foot boats. The front doors
are 21 inches (53 cms) wide. There are 1 or 2 steps down
into the boat, no more than 11 inches (28 cm) deep and
11 inches (28 cm) wide per step.
Corridors and internal doors
The corridors throughout are of a width of 19 inches
(48 cms) to 22 inches (55 cms) and are usually at one
side of the boat. The internal doors are side hung and
are 19 inches (48 cms) wide. There are no steps inside
the boats. Often rooms link directly with each other.
Rooms tend to be 6 4 (193 cms) wide.
Headroom
The boats normally have an interior height of at least
6 3 (1.9m) in the centre of the boat and 6 2 (1.88m)
at the side.
Beds
Most double beds are 4 foot (1.22m) wide and 6 4
(1.93m) long. The double beds in the rear cabins of the
58 foot boats are 4' 6 (1.37m) wide and 6 4 (1.93m)
long. The double bed on Elan Valley is 4 foot (1.22m)
wide and 6' 2 (1.88m) long. Single beds are 2 foot
(61cms) wide and 6 4 (1.93m) long except for upper
bunk beds which are 19 inches (48 cm) wide . Beds are 19
inches (48 cm) from the floor except for the upper bunk
beds which are 47 inches (120 cm) high. Cot sides are
available. All boats built before 2007 have interior
sprung mattresses. Some beds on boats built after this
date have the new type of memory foam mattress. Because
of the limited floor space on all boats, travel cots
tend not to fit. Cot sides are available for single beds
for infants instead. Waterproof underlay and suitable
bedding must be provided for guests who are under two
years of age.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are either accessed by a door from the
corridor or from a door in an adjacent bedroom. There is
a shower, basin and toilet in this area. On some boats
the shower is within a bath area, the side of which is
21 inches (53 cm) high. These showers are more spacious,
as are showers on boats built after 2007. Other showers
tend to be smaller than would normally be expected on
shore based accommodation.
Galleys
Work surfaces are at a height of 36 inches (91 cm) and
the two stations are at least 19 inches (48 cm) apart.
All kitchens have a four ring gas hob, cooker and
fridge. The fridges are very reliable and are suitable
for storing medication. Some boats have a microwave. All
boats have one kettle which must be heated on the hob.
Saloons
All boats have a colour television with a remote
control in the saloon. All boats have enough seating for
each crew member by means of sofas and armchairs, mostly
with arms, and bench seating, stools or folding chairs,
with no arms, along with a table on every boat of a
suitable size for the crew.
Floors
Cabin and some saloon floors are laid with short pile
carpet. Bathroom and kitchen areas and some saloons are
laid with slip resistant laminate.
Heating
This is provided by thermostatically controlled
radiators.
Lighting
There is lighting at the front deck of all boats.
Interior lighting is either spot lighting or florescent
and additional wall mounted lights. All berths have a
reading light that can be turned on and off whilst in
bed.
Information
Aboard each boat is a skipper's manual with written
instruction and photographs describing boat operation.
There is also a Boater's Handbook and DVD giving
additional information about boats and the waterways.
Tourist information is also provided by means of written
and pictorial literature.
Nebulisers
If you need to use a nebuliser, please let us know
before you start your holiday so that we can advise you.
We are able to provide a 240 volt supply through the use
of an inverter. This is supplied from batteries that are
charged by running the engine. It is reliant on the
engine being run for a sufficient amount of time each
day and is not as reliable as shore based electricity
supplies.
Pet Free Boats
We do not operate pet free boats, but all boats that
have had pets aboard are thoroughly cleaned twice over.
Additional Information
The building and the boats have smoke alarms with
flashing lights and are equipped with the regulation
amount of fire extinguishers/ blankets. The assembly
point upon evacuation is beside the 'Dogs must be kept
on a lead' sign on the main driveway to the building.
There is a qualified First Aider at the marina.
No smoking is allowed anywhere within the building.
Smoking is allowed in the grounds and aboard the boats.
Mobile telephones work very well from the marina,
however the signal on the canal is notoriously
temperamental. Crews are advised to have at least two
mobile phones that operate from different networks. All
emergency telephone numbers are in the Skipper's Manual
aboard each boat.
Address: Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises
Springwood Haven
Mancetter Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV10 0RZ
Telephone: 02476 393333
Fax: 02476 393928
Email:
enquiries@valleycruises.co.uk
Website:
www.valleycruises.co.uk
Hours of operation: 8 or 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday
Emergency number: 02476 393333
Future Plans
Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises do not currently
operate any boats that are specially adapted for
wheelchair users or for those with severely restricted
mobility. In this case we would advise you to contact
the Community Boat Association on 0845 0510649 or
www.national-cba.co.uk whose members operate boats
with these facilities.
Contact Telephone and Email Address
We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve
if you have any comments please phone 02476393333 or
email
enquiries@valleycruises.co.uk
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Excellence Afloat
at Valley Cruises
Springwood
Haven
Mancetter Rd
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV10 0RZ
Telephone 024 76
393333
Fax 02476 393928
email
enquiries@valleycruises.co.uk
canal
holidays
from Valley Cruises |
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