Yorkshire narrow boat hire


Cruise the canals around London, moor in historic Bath, Oxford or Chester. May 3, 2023 · Our narrowboats for hire range in size from boats for five, up to nine people. Just the cruise or Taste of Yorkshire. Layout 2. A one way trip from Leeds to Liverpool takes at least a week with plenty of exercise from the 93 wide locks, two weeks Top and bottom bunks have vinyl-covered foam cushions with duvets as above. Alternatively, hire a narrowboat for a relaxing weekend or midweek short break, perfect for couples families and groups of friends. 11th May 5pm and 7pm cruises available. Canal boats, also known as narrowboats (and sometimes referred to as barges or longboats) are very easy to drive and offer a truly unique family holiday. This site is designed to give you a taste of the options that a narrowboat hire holiday can offer, featuring some of the most experienced narrowboat hire companies in the UK. Info@penninecruisers. Gloucester. Since taking over the existing business from L & L Cruisers in Heath Charnock near Chorley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in April 2008, Ellerbeck Narrowboats offers daily canal boat hire aboard it’s three 30ft steel narrowboats. The Dalesman is a 57-foot long narrowboat that was built specifically for passenger use. The counties are the names of the boats, not where they start from! Click the map for routes, and the boat for details. Due to COVID-19, we've stripped down on some of our non-essential luxuries such as books, magazines and 14 Jun 2024 - Houseboat for £95. Thank you. Boats for any size crew. Don’t worry – it’s really not hard to become a Day Boat captain! Our luxury Day Boats come equipped with four burners, grill cooker, a whistling kettle, sink, flushing toilets, speakers and comfy seats. You, your family or friends can afford to kick back and relax as you enjoy watching Britain's most Short breaks. Looking for a unique and relaxing holiday! At Yorkshire Narrowboats we offer marvelous narrow boat holidays down the stunning waters of the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation. Closed now. Nottingham Narrow Boat Project offer hire on the River Trent from Nottingham. West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the north of England, with a population of over 2 million people. more. Boat Hire. Hot drinks or squash included but you are welcome to bring your own drinks or picnics. From £1,010. 00. Book your narrow boat holiday on this website. Canal boat hire in Northern England on Yorkshire canals for narrow boating holidays starting Friday or Monday. A holiday on board one of Pennine Cruisers narrow boats includes a top class and specially built boat…. Enjoy this site, and enjoy planning a fantastic Yorkshire canal holiday. cruises@gmail. The Huddersfield Narrow is freely available from either end up to points some way below each side of the summit - Lock 32W and Uppermill. Beautifully built and carefully maintained for a memorable boating holiday. Extra adult see prices page. If you would like to host a birthday party, staff outing, school trip or anniversary celebration etc with a difference this could be for you! For further details or to book please contact Richard: Email ripon. Our fleet of barges can accommodate a variety of groups from cozy canal boats for a couples get away with king size beds to 10 person boats ideal for families with children or larger groups. A Unique Holiday. 79 miles 79 locks 45 hours. Run by Jeanette and Andy, a husband and wife team with salt water sailing in their blood, they offer week-long breaks and short getaways on any one of their three vessels: MollyMoo, JessicaBoo and NemoNoo. Details within this site give options of 11 different start locations throughout the UK and a wide variety of narrowboat layouts to choose from. Key Features: Short breaks and longer from Sowerby Bridge. Two bedrooms plus convertible saloon. Superb scenery, friendly, helpful staff at silsden boats especially Paul Great lad who took us to the first bridge to 6. Bramblewick canal boats. Or send us an email. 30 minute scheduled trips or 2/3/4 hour cruises along the Grantham Canal. With 16 starting locations across the waterway network and canal boat sizes to accommodate 2 to 12 people. All our holidays start from Fenny Compton, Warwickshire, allowing you to explore the heart of England, access is to the Oxford Canal (south and north) and the Grand Union. Between these points traffic is controlled to limit demands on water and staff time. We are a family boatyard and hire fleet in Yorkshire. Berths: Berths: one fixed double or two fixed singles, plus saloon convertible to double or two singles. Damage Waiver: Included in price. You, your family or friends can afford to kick back and relax as you enjoy watching Britain's most Boatfinder chart. Price £47,500. Layout 4 Four singles plus saloon convertible to one double or two singles. Our main base is in the historic, beautifully restored canal basin at Sowerby Bridge, built as the interchange between the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Rochdale Canal. We were drawn to the Skipton area by the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside and because the Leeds Liverpool canal is so quiet and For Further Information Call 07969 901383. Top bunks may be fitted over these if required. Prices start from £25 for a group of up to 10 passengers. An independent hire base on the Yorkshire Waterways, The Boat Co North started with a hire boat, Emily, needing a new custodian. The second way to cross the Pennines twice, by the Rochdale and the Leeds & Liverpool. We offer short breaks (3-6 nights), full weeks (7 nights) and 2 week (14 night) cruises. If you need any further information about canal boat holidays or hiring a narrowboat please feel free to email, enquiries@kateboats. scenic. We offer contemporary narrowboats for private charter, self-drive cruise holidays or static stays. Yorkshire canal holidays: boat hire visiting scenic Pennine canals and rivers. Jun 3, 2024 · There’s a great choice of hire boat firms on the 127 miles of the scenic Leeds & Liverpool canal, on the Lancashire side, the summit level and on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Use this chart to see which boats have the right combination of double and single berths for your party. We also have 3 elite level luxury boats within the fleet launched new between 2021 and 2022. What makes our boat trips the best? Some people say it’s how peaceful they feel as we drift by the lush green Yorkshire Dales on our gentle canal cruises. Location: Alvechurch Marina Virtual tour For narrowboat holiday bookings and the best of canal boat hire telephone 01926 492 968 or email enquiries@kateboats. Online Booking & Avliability Cruiser Boat Holidays on UK waterways. Modern and spacious narrowboat and wide beam barge hire – from 2 to 12 berths. On the Lancashire side, the architecture gradually changes to red brick as you approach Manchester, with its Jun 3, 2024 · There’s a great choice of hire boat firms on the 127 miles of the scenic Leeds & Liverpool canal, on the Lancashire side, the summit level and on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines. Stay on a modern narrow boat while you explore Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales. Length: 54ft. Ripon Scenic Cruises offers narrowboat cruises on the Ripon Canal. Click to see all about our holiday boats for hire . The ultimate in slowing down: take this route if you just want to switch off. Our small fleet of boats are built and fitted out by ourselves at our boat yard in Braunston Pennine - 12 berth narrowboat. Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. An inverter provides 230v AC, to power any of your own normal mains appliances up to 1000 watts. There are real contrasts between the urban centres (some newly regenerated, and some waiting for that), and the Pennine crossings, which have some of the most striking scenery on the waterways. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths. About The Boat Co North. Explore Yorkshire's rivers, and cross the backbone of England through an endless variety of West Riding town and countryside. The master bedroom has a fixed double bed or two fixed singles with sprung mattresses, drawers and storage under, a wardrobe, airing cupboard and wet locker. When you find the boat you want, click 'Book this holiday now' and you can pay your deposit or hold for 48 hours - or ring 01422 832712. Luxury Canal boat holiday hire by bearBOATING. 01756 795 478. Passage over the summit and through Standedge Tunnel is available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and must be booked (0303 Weekend and bank holiday hire. Please telephone us on 01756 795478 or send use our enquiry form to request more detail. Travel from Edinburgh via the stunning Falkirk Wheel. Spread out in great comfort on this craftsman-built boat. Double beds are about 4’ wide, and most lower-level singles about 2’. Day Boat hire includes a short tuition on handling and safety and all you need to know for your day out. Its design allows a considerable degree of comfort and facilities. The semi-traditional back end has seating. Canal boat holiday routes for novices & experienced boaters. Our historic boatyard at Lower Heyford has facilities for almost any repair work or servicing you may need, from Elsan disposal to dry docking, steelwork, painting, and boat-fitting services. We provide full boat handling training and accompany you through the first locks. At Bramblewick canal boats we want to offer a luxurious space for you and your family to enjoy a day out on the canal waters. Write a review. Relax on our holidays to Skipton. Boating Holidays – Narrow Boats and Hotel Boats. Treat yourself to a relaxing and scenic cruise along the Rochdale canal in the heart of the Calder Valley with our all female Length: 48ft. Book now. uk. com. Top bunks are narrower, and are all removable when not required, leaving a wide single berth. Oxford. Book 2024 and 2025 holidays now with amazing savings! We offer the widest range of canal narrow boats in the UK. Pennine Cruisers of Skipton – A family run About. All boats have radio CD and TV/DVD. Enjoy the wonderful waterways, hire by hour or full day. From Barnoldswick, from 17 April 2023 to 2 October 2023. All our boats have Flushing Toilets, full sized cooker, central heating, 240v electric, and mobile wifi. 2 Guests. The front cockpit has seats either side. We can discuss suitability of boats, advise on availability There are dividing doors in the corridor. Day hire canal boats, self-drive canal boats and day hire narrowboats on canals and rivers throughout the UK. The middle trans-Pennine canal, is only 33 miles long, but packs in a lot of locks! It was fully reopened in 2002. "Boatique" holidays by bearBOATING on the Leeds Liverpool Canal. This will let you have a great day out for the family or a party of friends, and get the feel of a narrowboat on the water. More about this boat. 30am-4pm. Oct 26, 2022 · Let one of the many boat trips around our waterways take the strain. Sep 1, 2023 · The Hire Base. Key Features: Short breaks or weeks from Sowerby Bridge, Friday or Monday start. Our office and wet dock are in a canal warehouse which was in use before the French Revolution. We understand all about family canal holidays. One toilet. Jun 1, 2018 · An escape from the everyday. Blue Otter Skipton is a 50ft narrowboat for couples. Mar 5, 2023 · Standedge Tunnel, West Yorkshire. So with Shire Cruisers you get the quality and support in depth to enable you to have a truly memorable boating holiday. Silsden Boats. 8 million people. . The boat travels along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, passing through picturesque towns and Length: 56ft. Knaresborough Boats - Blenkhorn's. With over 30 years of running boat trips, we’ve helped put the fun back into planning the perfect day out. We provide bed guards on request for children. Prices start at £99 for a day boat for up to 10 people. Sample route from Sowerby Bridge. All beds are 6’ 3” or longer. Use this form to check availability. Cast off and leave your cares behind with a canal boat holiday from ABC Boat Hire. By Broadsboy21. The River Aire and River Calder both flow through West Yorkshire, and the county is also home to a number of reservoirs. And our wide beam boats offer flexible accommodation for up to eight people, with en-suite bedrooms, spacious lounges and even wood burning stoves. John, the skipper at The Boat Co North, has had his own boat since May 13, 2024 · Pennine Cruisers at on the Leeds & Liverpool at Skipton in the beautiful Yorkshire Pennines have day hire boats which can take up to 10 passengers. Set off through Barnoldswick, a Yorkshire town summarily transferred to Lancashire in 1974, then we’ll escort you through the three locks at Greenberfield. Wide choice of narrowboat hire locations and canal boat holiday destinations. Mar 17, 2024 · Swinton Lock Activity Centre has an accessible boat for hire on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation. A really good narrowboat canal holiday or day trip depends on a lot Our boats are inspected and graded by independent experts from VisitBrtain, and our handover scheme is audited by the British Marine Federation. Mar 16, 2016 · With the Leeds & Liverpool Canal celebrating its 200th birthday this year, and a new pop-up base established at Ashton-under-Lyne, we’ve put together our Top 6 Yorkshire holidays for 2016. 21 Day Trip. Search over 2000 canal holiday options and book online at best prices any time. Radio CD player with 4 speakers, and colour TV/DVD. Radio CD player, colour TV/DVD. Luxury narrowboats for hire – year round waterway holidays and breaks in the Yorkshire Dales… Airton ~ 6 Berth ~ 57Ft Cruiser Style Narrow Boat Airton has the kitchen & living area at the rear of the boat, the living area converts into a double bed. About. 19 Coach Street , Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1LH. These areas cover a large chunk of the North of England, and are home to roughly 5. Passage over the summit and through Standedge Tunnel is available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and must be booked (0303 For the lock enthusiasts the award winning Thorpe locks are part of an (optional) 23 lock climb in just one mile, including 2 double staircases and 2 triples! Restoration progress – 12 miles of the Chesterfield Canal have been restored along with 37 locks and 11 bridges and 2 new marinas have been built. At 127 miles, with 93 locks and two tunnels What makes our boat trips the best? Some people say it’s how peaceful they feel as we drift by the lush green Yorkshire Dales on our gentle canal cruises. For experienced boaters. Flexible holiday booking, no hidden costs. Stop at the Cross Keys at East Marton and enjoy a good meal in lively company. The Boat Co North. Three Shires Boat - Grantham Canal Society. Nothing compares to cruising the inland waterways through unchanged glorious landscapes at Drifters is made up of nine professional canal boat holiday operators, handpicked because they uphold the highest standards. Based in Leeds, UK at Castleton Mill, we’re here to make your next holiday extraordinary. Key Features: Short breaks or weeks, Friday or Monday start. co. With over 550 narrowboats for hire from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales, Drifters offers the choice of hundreds of narrowboat holiday routes and destinations. Berths: Fixed berths for four people, plus saloon convertible to double or two singles. Raised dinette and settee with table. Length: 42ft. John, the skipper at The Boat Co North, has had his own boat since Leeds & Liverpool. £ 170 per day. 20 miles 32 locks 16 hours. A really good narrowboat canal holiday or day trip depends on a lot The Huddersfield Narrow is freely available from either end up to points some way below each side of the summit - Lock 32W and Uppermill. Incredible Yorkshire is made up of four counties: North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. Cruise through the Yorkshire Dales along the Leeds Liverpool canal. Use the links below to learn more about what you could experience when you hire a Pennine Cruisers narrow boat. Don’t forget too that you can change the view from your self-catering accommodation minute by minute, by choosing a canal cruiser. Everyone can enjoy their first boating holiday in Yorkshire. The narrow boats are all easy to use and Length 56ft Berths 4+4. We are here to help you find a new home for your narrowboat in the best location on the inland waterways map! We are located on the […] Our Brokerage is open 7 days a week. Microwave. 185 miles 215 locks 115 hours. All our boats are narrow boats, built for life on the canals. Length 56ft Berths 4+4. One way cruising between Apperley Bridge and Barnoldswick via Skipton. Oxford Canal Rose Narrowboats on the Oxford Canal near Rugby have Rosette, a tug style narrowboat with galley and toilet, available for self-drive day trips for up to 12 people. 230 volt service. Explore the Pennine canals on a beautifully appointed narrow boat or barge. With full training before you set sail. All trips private to your group on our award winning Three Shires narrowboat. Static hire plus the addition of self drive or skippered hire available. Modern, Luxurious Narrowboats. From the bustling city of Leeds, to trendy Hebden Bridge and classy York the Yorkshire waterways are also a great way to explore the versatile countryside, villages, towns and cities of “Gods Here is a list of everything that is included in the standard prices: Toiletry's- yes, go on, you can pinch those, but that's the only thing! Thanks for submitting! Luxury narrowboats in the heart of Yorkshire available for Self-drive hire holidays and unique over night stays. Explore the UK and create your very own canal boat weekend adventure! Call us on +44 (0)1527 575115 or email our team at holiday@black-prince. Out & Back Boat, Friday or Monday start. Blue Otter is just 4 years old and moored in the centre of town, cl Union Canal Carriers is a family run hire boat company celebrating 55 years in business. Boating holidays on Pennine canals and Yorkshire rivers. We were on a three-day break with Bearboating – a luxury canal boat hire company based in Yorkshire. We have one way trips and adventures to challenge you - or places to simply unwind. 5hrs, through a lock. Luxury Widebeam and Narrowboat Hire. Stop the world and get off and come onboard lovely Gracie, a traditional narrowboat. Secure this break from £150. There is seating for 3 people, with a square table and two matching foldable chairs for an alfresco dining option. Cruise the spectacular Yorkshire Dales in one of our luxurious 57' long narrowboats. May 7, 2019 · The Short and Sweet. T&C: Click here. Read More…. uk or Tel 01283 585718 if you prefer to book in person. 1 night stay available: 6th, 23rd, June. The county is divided into five districts: Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, and Wakefield. Narrowboats are unique, as well as the most gentle way to travel. West Yorkshire , The Calder and Hebble, Altofts, Castleford. Taking a canal boat trip into Standedge Tunnel One Way boat hire The boat on this page can do one way routes. Sleeps 2 adults and is pet friendly! For Further Information Call 07969 901383. The UK canal network offers over 3,000 miles of historic Welcome to Hebden Bridge Cruises. Jul 10, 2019 · These are the best boats to hire as they are more affordable than the boats further down the river. The master bedroom has a fixed double. But everyone agrees it’s the efforts of our thoughtful crew that bring them back. 5. Depending on the class of boat hired, we also have King-Sized beds with comfortable mattresses, toaster, coffee maker and even Feb 12, 2012 · Let us show you around our wonderful narrowboat marina and show you how we can help you and your narrowboat. Fuel: Included in price. Oxfordshire Narrowboats, Heyford Wharf, Station Road, Lower Heyford, Oxfordshire OX25 5PD. Entering the boat from the stern you are in the living room area of the boat. Here at Pennine Cruisers we cater for everyone, so if you own a boat yourself we can also offer you a wide selection of services, everything from a bottle of gas or bag of coal through to a new build narrow boat. Operating at Sprotbrough, Doncaster our guest can sail to Sheffield or follow the South Yorkshire Navigation on to the rest of the canal network to Selby or Leeds and Offering a bespoke approach to canal holidays with two very different canal destinations and optional experiences on your cruise of choice. There is a mains hair dryer (more powerful than on Luxury narrow boats for hire – year round waterway holidays and breaks in the Yorkshire Dales…. They have simple commonsense controls, and we take care to show you all you need to know for a relaxing canal holiday. Pennine Cruisers of Skipton – A family run Sep 1, 2023 · The Hire Base. Known for our bespoke canal holidays, we provide full boat-handling training on arrival and interiors with a luxury feel. Jan 13, 2016 · Various companies offer achoice of narrowboats and wide beam canal boats for hire from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Silsden. Kingfisher, is a uniquely styled, luxury 57ft, couples, narrowboat holiday with hot tub, which sits on the scenic Chesterfield Canal, South Yorkshire. Many boats have either inside and outside ENGINEERING & REPAIRS. 56' semi-trad narrow boat, sleeps up to 8. We have day hire boats available from the locations shown and listed on the map below. Built to the highest standards, our boats offer unparalleled features and comforts. Telephone 01765 609777. com to find out more and start booking your narrowboat trip. It can accommodate up to 46 passengers and is equipped with modern amenities such as a licensed bar, and a heating system, making it suitable for year-round use. Canal boat hire like you've never experienced before. An inverter proves 230v AC, to power any of your own normal mains appliances up to 1000 watts. Sleeps 2 - 12 Shower 1 Pet Friendly Yes ALL essentials included Free parking. Boasting some of Britain’s finest scenery, charming towns and an ancient canal network, Yorkshire is a fantastic destination for a canal boat holiday. 1. Extra child under 18 goes free. Over the years we have taken our own children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends on boating holidays. After a thorough briefing, you're off and we're helping you through your first three locks, including England's deepest. Generous storage. From Sowerby Bridge, up to 7 April 2023 and after 13 October 2023. Berths: Two fixed doubles, or one fixed double and two fixed singles, or four fixed singles. Hire a narrow boat from the Rochdale Canal Explore Yorkshire on your next Canal Boat Holiday Misty moors, pretty mill towns and the Bronte Sisters - Yorkshire conjures up many different pictures. Canal Boat Hire in North East England. Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Top bunks can be fitted over single beds. uk, or phone, 01926 492968. Snaygill Boats started back in 1977 with the aim of providing a top quality canal holidays fleet on this loveliest of all canals. The type of Route for which that boat is available is shown in the Routes columns. There are now 8 cities in Yorkshire, including York, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Bradford, Ripon, Wakefield and Doncaster. Weekend and midweek boating breaks - the fastest way to slow down. Berths: one fixed double. Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust have boats for hire on the Llangollen, Shropshire Union and Trent & Mersey canals. Our fleet of two boats offer self-drive cruises from two departure points; Yorkshire and Warwickshire. New in 2012. The company has since grown to add three more boats to the fleet, including a widebeam. See all photos. With a passion for the waterways and its history, we offer unforgettable canal boat holidays for guests of all experience levels. Book your stay. Plus two optional top bunks. 33. Full instruction given, no experience necessary, just don't forget the picnic! South Yorkshire. T&Cs: discount is applied to narrowboat hire price only (does not apply to DWF, Fuel or optional extras), the discount will be applied after your booking, can be applied to all available dates in June to August 2024. New in 2019. Clicking on the boat name will take you to its layout details and prices. Canal Breaks, based on the North Oxford Great days out on the river for the whole family. Some hire narrow boats, some wide boats. Over 55 years providing unique canal boat holidays in England and Wales. Some of our museums and attractions even offer you the chance to go back in time and enjoy a voyage on a horse-drawn narrowboat. 9. Starting from Braunston, Northamptonshire. All Inclusive, No Extras. If you're unsure about taking the controls, take advantage of the many short boat trips based at picturesque spots along our waterways. 2016 prices from our Yorkshire bases start at £415 for a short break (three or four nights), £610 for a week on a boat for two. Two toilets and two showers. There are some incredible sights along the canal, with The quickest way to get afloat. On the Yorkshire side, boaters cruise through romantic scenery and stone-built towns as they climb towards the summit. One double and four single, or two double and two single, in four cabins. 23 boats, 2 to 9 berth, 6 widebeam. Couples should look at Blue Otter Skipton, Yorkshire, and families at Blue Otter Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire. Sowerby Bridge Wharf, with its Georgian warehouses and canal basin, makes a great place to start your holiday. Length: 56ft. Whether you want to cruise along the Pennine waterways or stop off at some cities along the way, ABC Boat Hire has you covered with the best things to see and do. Two toilets. We have self-drive cruiser boats and canal narrowboats available on the rivers and canals of England, Scotland and Wales. About Shire Cruisers. Each boat carries up to 10 people offering the opportunity for groups of two to thirty people to Day Boat Hire abclg 2021-08-04T09:31:12+01:00 Enjoy a day on the water Explore the secret waterways of Britain on one of our self-drive Day Boat Hire narrowboats. Under nine miles are left to restore. We were drawn to the Skipton area by the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside and because the Leeds Liverpool canal is so quiet and unspoilt. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th July, 4th, 11th August . The two middle cabins each have a single bed. 12 people maximum. Layout 4 Four singles. Whether you are looking to buy or sell your narrowboat, we are A 52ft 1992 Eastwood Engineering 4 berth traditional stern narrowboat. Huntingdon: narrow boat for hire on Yorkshire canals. Day 1. You can hire a boat for the day from many of our bases. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest single canal in the country. The cruiser boat has been a feature of the UK rivers for many years. Enjoy the British canals with a Narrow Boat Hire. Our operators invest more in new canal boats each Jul 29, 2021 · 29th July 2021. 1. Luxury narrow boats for hire from Pennine Cruisers of Skipton– year round waterway holidays and breaks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the Yorkshire Dales. A one way trip from Leeds to Liverpool takes at least a week with plenty of exercise from the 93 wide locks, two weeks Family run Silsden Boats, situated in traditional Yorkshire village on picturesque Leeds Liverpool canal. Our narrow boat hire prices are per boat, not per person, please bear this in mind when comparing with other holidays. Your canal boat adventure starts here with Black Prince. Narrowboat Hire in the UK . Narrowboat holidays on Yorkshire canals. You can email admin@aquanarrowboats. Versatile cruising or liveaboard boat, built by us for our hire fleet. ww tk zh ke ea mz ki nf ee zb