There's no better way to escape the rigours of London life than taking a relaxing trip along the canal on a slow-moving narrowboat.

What's more, you don't even need to go far to do it. Willowtree Narrowboat Trips are based at Willowtree Marina, Yeading, and offer trips along a 13-mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal.

Their traditional narrowboat, Wind in the Willows, has been based at Willowtree Marina for four years. She undertakes public trips on certain days and can be hired privately the rest of the time.

The 70 foot boat, built in 1969 in the Midlands, has always been a passenger boat. At the beginning of her career she was called Jay Cee and worked from the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham. At this time, she even had a dance floor!

Newly named Wisheart, she was later moved to Coventry, and the dancefloor was removed when she finally came south to London and got her present name.

Between Easter and October, regular public trips leave at 11.30am and 3.30pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and on Wednesday evenings between May and September.

A variety of catering can also be pre-booked, and includes a cold carvery on the Sunday lunchtime trip, cream teas on the afternoon cruise and a fish and chip supper on Wednesday evenings.

Wind in the Willows can also be privately booked for various functions all year round, and catering is provided at an extra price per person. It's a great idea for an unusual birthday, work or anniversary celebration.

Prices start at £100 for an hour, and schools and youth clubs receive reduced rates. Catering starts at £2.75 per person for light meals and goes up to £8.75 per person for the barbecue menu. A child's birthday party trip including food, balloons and minders starts at £130.

A skipper is in charge, but Willowtree also have a self-drive boat, Ratty, which can be hired for the day from £85.

On a trip from Willowtree, you'll be travelling on the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal, which was built in 1797 and links Bull Bridge to the Paddington Basin.

You'll pass Northolt, Greenford and Perivale, and a commentary gives an interesting history of the canal's contribution to industry.

This stretch was used to transport coal and brick into the capital, and the waterfronts in Hayes, Yiewsley and West Drayton were once dominated by brick kilns.

Today, the canalside is largely green and tree-lined. The banks are a haven for wildlife, with coots, herons and even cormorants to be seen along the way.

Lucky travellers with their eyes peeled may even spot kingfishers in Northolt and the terrapins which bask in the sun at Horsenden Hill!

WHERE: Willowtree Narrowboat Trips are at Willowtree Marina, West Quay Drive, Yeading, off the A312 Hayes by-pass. Bus E6 stops nearby.

COST: Public trips start at £4.95 for adults and £3.75 for children, not including catering. Private 'trip and food' packages start at £100. Call 020 8841 2100 for full details.