Something like this
cgi.ebay.co.uk/38ft-Springer-Working-project_W0QQitemZ260459455063QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item3ca497e257&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Barge is a sort of generic term for a narrowboat, although you can get broadbeam boats - they're less versatile.

£15k seems to be a good thumbnail for a 40/42 footer at the moment.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 20:50, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

that's the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life

( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 20:52, Reply)

Sort of an idle dream at the moment
But I've been sort of looking at moorings (there's a good mooring about a mile from my home) and sort of thinking about how easy it would be for me to put the money together in a couple of years.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 20:57, Reply)

where are you going to go?

( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 20:58, Reply)

Find a map of the UK
And find Leeds and Bradford - I live halfway between the two.

As I've posted below, you can get a long way on the UK canal network.

You can get to Liverpool on the canal I'd be moored on.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:04, Reply)

Between Leeds and Liverpool there's a canal-tunnel where you had to lie on the boat and 'walk' on the cieling with your feet.

( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:27, Reply)

That's Standedge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standedge_Tunnels

On a different canal.

Leeds-Liverpool goes up to Skipton, then down through Burnley, Blackburn and Wigan.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:45, Reply)

That's boss

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 20:58, Reply)

Isn't it just
They don't go very fast but a lot of the UK canal network is interlinked so with tenacity and patience I could get to an awful lot of places eventually.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:01, Reply)

Have you seen the canal extension in Liverpool?
The Leeds-Liverpool can technically get you to the Mersey now. Not that you would. It's gorgeous though...
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:28, Reply)