If you're considering a canal boat holiday for the first time then you may be interested in learning about some of the basics.

Canal boats come in various sizes, with the largest being suitable for up to 12 people. You don't need 12 people to act as a crew though - in fact, it's perfectly possible for a couple to crew a boat. If you are intending on having a small number of people on the boat, you might want to consider opting for a route that will involve less locks.

Some canals benefit from having locks that you don't have to operate. This is an ideal situation if you want to see plenty of the route, without having to work too hard. If you're looking for a more challenging, active holiday then you might want to seek a canal with numerous locks.

You don't need any previous experience in order to drive a boat - there's no test to pass and you don't require any sort of certificate. When you arrive to hire the vessel, you'll find that the hire company will explain the basics. It's then over to you!

But what about if you're not keen on doing all the work? Well, in that case, you might wish to consider alternative options.

Some companies run hotel boats, enabling you to relax while someone else steers (and even provides you with meals!)

There is a speed limit on canals of 4 miles per hour and you need to remember to allow time for operating locks too, when considering the distance that you will travel. Depending upon how active you're feeling, you might expect to be on the move for anything up to 7 hours per day. Although there are usually plenty of excuses to keep stopping!