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Passenger Trip Boats on Inland Waterways

Get afloat and explore new waterways.  Many waterway restoration groups and other organisations operate trip boats to enable you to get aboard a boat and explore new waterways, without having to charter the whole vessel.  This can be an ideal way to explore some of IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge destinations.  Here, we have listed passenger boat operations that we are aware of.  There are probably many others – drop us a line at [email protected] if you come across any not listed here.

Please check with the operators before travelling to any trip boat.  Weather conditions and availability of volunteer skippers and crew may affect planned trips.

Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation

Albert – based at Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS)

Runs from Easter to October, daily, most days except Mondays 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Operator: Essex Waterways Ltd
Details: www.essexwaterways.com – Book Online via Bookeo
Maximum Passengers: 12

Blackwater Dawn – based at Heybridge Basin (CM9 4RY)

Runs from Easter to October, daily, most days except Mondays, 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Operator: Essex Waterways Ltd
Details: www.essexwaterways.com – Book Online via Bookeo
Maximum Passengers: 12

Victoria – based at Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS)

Passenger Trips on selected weekend and bank holiday dates
Operator: Essex Waterways Ltd
Details: www.essexwaterways.com – Book Online via Bookeo
Maximum Passengers: 43

Skipper Charter Trips available on all three vessels.

Chesterfield Canal

John Varley II – based at Tapton Mill Lock

Runs from Selected dates, mostly Easter to September
Operator: Chesterfield Canal Trust
Details: www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk – Book Online via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

Madeline – based at Hollingwood Hub

Runs on Saturdays and selected school holiday dates April to October
Operator: Chesterfield Canal Trust
Details: www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk – Book Online via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

Hugh Henshall – based at Shireoaks Marina / Worksop

Runs on selected dates April to October
Operator: Chesterfield Canal Trust
Details: www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk – Book Online via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

Seth Ellis – based at Ranby (between Worksop and Retford)

Runs on selected dates April to October
Operator: Chesterfield Canal Trust
Details: www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk – Book Online via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

Skipper Charter Trips available on all four vessels

Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

Adventure – based at Saul Junction

Runs from Selected dates, mostly Easter to September
Operator: Cotswold Canals Trust
Details: www.cotswoldcanals.org – Booking details on webpage
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for skipper charter bookings

Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal

Mr Maysey – based at Over Basin, Gloucester (GL2 8DB)

Runs on selected dates, mostly in the summer
Operator: Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust
Details: www.h-g-canal.org.uk – book online or on site
Maximum Passengers: 12

Sir Charles Morrison – based at Over Basin, Gloucester (GL2 8DB)

Runs on selected dates, mostly in the summer
Operator: Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust
Details: www.h-g-canal.org.uk – book online or on site
Maximum Passengers: 6 (including wheelchairs)

River Thames

Inglesham – based at Lechlade

Runs on selected dates, mostly in the summer
Operator: Cotswold Canals Trust
Details: www.cotswoldcanals.org – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is available for skipper charter trips spring to autumn.

Stroudwater Navigation

Endeavour – based at Ebley Wharf, Stroud

Runs on selected dates, mostly in the summer
Operator: Cotswold Canals Trust
Details: www.cotswoldcanals.org – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 10

Perseverance – based at Wallbridge Lock Visitor Centre, Stroud

Runs on selected dates, mostly in the summer
Operator: Cotswold Canals Trust
Details: www.cotswoldcanals.org – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 12

Both boats are available for skipper charter trips throughout the year

Wilts & Berks Canal

Dragonfly – based at Wichelstowe, Swindon (SN1 7BX)

Runs on weekends in spring and summer, and Wednesdays in school holidays
Operator: Wilts and Berks Canal Trust
Details: www.wbct.org.uk – booking details on website
Maximum Passengers: 12

The Mary Archard – based at Pewsham

Runs on 2nd Saturday April to September
Operator: Wilts and Berks Canal Trust
Details: www.wbct.org.uk – booking details on website
Maximum Passengers: 8 including wheelchair

Nonsuch – based at Royal Wootton Bassett (SN4 7SE)

Runs on selected weekend days in spring and summer
Operator: Wilts and Berks Canal Trust
Details: www.wbct.org.uk – booking details on website
Maximum Passengers: 8