Away4awhile was launched in Warwick during the mid summer of 2002 after Cliff & Gail decided to leave the Bus Industry and start a Hotelboat business in 2001. Their Hotelboat Katie had been acquired from a national hire boat operator and was the best layout they could find for conversion, which was completed virtually by the Spring 2002.

Starting the idea of specialising in short breaks with cruises to Stratford upon Avon and back proved in the first season that they had beginnings of a good product. Introducing Birmingham into their destinations in 2003 brought the idea of moving their base to a big city and providing more canal based options for their customers. The introduction of a canal cruising restaurant and offering Bed & Breakfast on Katie in the winter months were additional aspects they they added to the business, which became known as The Awaygroup.

2006 is a year of consolidation with the restaurant boat shortly restarting after a short break under new ownership and the interior of Katie having a facelift as the popularity of B&B on a Narrowboat is growing.

Away4awhile now offers 13 cruises as far as Great Haywood, Worcester, Stratford upon Avon, Stoke Bruerne, Market Harborough and Shardlow (near Nottingham). Away2stay was the brand name introduced in 2005 to develop an untapped market in Bed & Breakfast. Away2stay on Katie is becoming the place to stay the night in Birmingham with customers booking from far and wide including many from overseas.