About Us

Welcome to CanalAbility! We are a charity with over 25 years experience, dedicated to providing affordable day trips for people with disabilities, their families, friends and other disability charities and community groups.

Founded as a registered charity in 1989 with the objective of providing a disability access canal boat on the river Stort, we now operate 2 fully adapted and accessible canal boats and provide boat trips to about 3000 people each year. Our users come from far and near, and enjoy a great experience on our boats as they explore the River Stort for 4 hour day trips.

Our two purpose-built, fully centrally heated and accessible broad beam boats enable everyone to take a full and active part in the boating experience all year round. We offer 4 hour day trips, opportunities for volunteering and training courses.

Our mooring on the Herts / Essex border is easily accessible by road using the M11, or by mainline rail to Harlow Town railway station. We are only 12 miles from London Stansted Airport, 35 miles from Central London and 40 miles from Cambridge.

As a ‘not for profit’ charity we depend on donations, grants and sponsorship in order to keep our charges to users as low as possible. We also rely greatly on a large team of volunteers to skipper and crew our day trips and to supplement the work of our staff.

As an accredited training centre, we are able to provide training which leads to a nationally recognised certificate.