HERBERT  WOOD HOLIDAY REVIEW⚠

I strongly advise anyone reading this review to avoid Herbert Woods at all costs. My experience has been incredibly disappointing, and it appears I am not alone in facing numerous issues The company has shown no interest in addressing any of these concerns, some of these are just basic attention to detail.  

First, the boats are tired in all aspects and, in some cases, show signs of rot. When I arrived, the mattress was prepared upside down (but we were not aware of this as it had been "prepared" for us) This lead to some of the most uncomfortable nights I've ever spent trying to sleep. Despite bringing this to Herbert Woods' attention, they dismissed my concerns without taking any responsibility - This is simple house keeping which they have failed to deliver - this leads me to question if the mattress covers were even changed between occupants. 

While the Norfolk Broads offer breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife, our overall enjoyment was severely hampered by persistent issues. The boat struggled to meet even basic power requirements (these being it even being able to light the cabin after dusk or supply any warmth ) I had reasonable expectations for our power usage, comparable to what one might expect in a caravan (a single battery can accommodate the needs for a number of nights) in the case of this boat we had three very large batteries for leisure. We had a couple of mobile devices and an iPad, which should have been manageable. However, the boat's claims of being able to run off batteries without a hookup proved to be misleading so you are a slave to its power needs - The boat has installed an invertor we never used this which is lucky as it wouldn't have been able to deliver enough output for any task.

After several days of experiencing low voltage errors and an inability to warm the boat with the "excellent warm air heater" as they claim, we were forced to call for assistance. The staff who came were unprofessional and short-tempered, which only added to our frustration. They replaced the batteries which seemed almost beyond their abilities and claimed that the new ones would also need charging ???. To make matters worse, I was told the heater would only work when the engine was running, which I know to be untrue for this specific model warm air heater - they have now told lies to us about this and I don't believe that "replacement batteries should need charging" unless removed from another craft which is also crippled with poor maintenance. 

Another significant issue was the unpleasant odor in the bedroom area, reminiscent of stagnant water or sewage. Despite the boat being "prepared" for us, this smell persisted throughout our stay, making it uncomfortable to relax or eat. When I raised this issue, I was informed that it was typical for some types of toilet, which was not acceptable. I had expected better hygiene standards, especially considering this was a paid rental.

Mooring options were far more limited than anticipated, even in the off-season. There was an overwhelming sense of urgency to reach the next mooring, which detracted from the leisurely experience we were hoping for (this shouldn't have been an issue if we had confidence in the 3x large batteries. Many beautiful areas were marked as "no mooring" or "private," making it difficult to stop and enjoy the sights. This is particularly problematic for those traveling with pets, as we were concerned about our dogs not being able to relieve themselves, they were however exemplary with their behavior.

Ultimately, my experience with Herbert Woods has been deeply unsatisfactory. The lack of accountability and care for customer concerns is alarming. If you’re considering a boating trip, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. You deserve a company that values your experience and takes your concerns seriously.