Balmy summer evenings in London are a treat at the best of times, but this spell of a scorcher we've been having means this summer feels even sweeter than most. While the world and his dog are sweating it out in a beer garden, we've got a much better idea for an evening's entertainment, taking to the canal.
Go Boat, setting sail from Paddington Basin, allows you to be your own captain, without the need for a skipper's licence. Their electric boats, resplendent with central picnic table, can take up to eight people and will see you potter along a route taking in Little Venice, London Zoo and Camden Lock.
We jumped on board on a sunny Monday evening, laden with a picnic and some fizz (alcohol is permitted on board, but there are limits to the quantity and the driver must remain sober) and after a briefing session and a turn around the basin with our guide to ensure I had the hang of it, we set sail.
Despite being a Londoner for eight years I've never made it to Little Venice. Nodding hello to the heads popping out of the houseboats we passed you can't help but love London a little bit more when viewing her from the water. At a casual 3.5 knots, around 4mph) there's ample time to take in the sights and you can't help but see the city from a different perspective when on the water, ambling along gently and really taking in the sights around you.
All of the boats are eco-friendly, made from 80 percent recycled plastic bottles, fitted with Torqeedo electric motors and sustainably sourced wood. With prices from £59 for an hour, around £7.50 per head if there is a group of eight, it's the kind of thing summer evenings were made for.
Open 7 days a week, 10am until dusk (around 9.30pm). Based at Merchant Square, Paddington.
For more information visit www.goboat.co.uk
