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Passenger Trip Boats on the 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.  You might even be able to get to 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 – please drop us a line at [email protected] if you come across any not listed here, or if you have any corrections to the information listed.

Please check with the operators before travelling to any trip boat.  Weather conditions and availability of volunteer skippers and crew may affect planned trips.  [Page created and information believed to be up to date at November 2024].

Ashton Canal

Still Waters – based at Ashton-under-Lyne (OL7 0QA)

Passenger Trips on Saturdays and Sundays, Easter to September and some weekdays in school holidays
Operator: Tameside Canalboat Trust
Details: https://tamesidecanalboat.wordpress.com/
Maximum Passengers: 51

Basingstoke Canal

John Pinkerton II – based at Odiham

Runs on selected days Easter to October
Operator: John Pinkerton Canal Cruises Ltd (subsidiary of Basingstoke Canal Society)
Details: www.basingstokecanal.co.uk – Book via website
Maximum Passengers: 50

Kitty – based at Woking

Runs on selected days Easter to October
Operator: John Pinkerton Canal Cruises Ltd (subsidiary of Basingstoke Canal Society)
Details: www.basingstokecanal.co.uk – Book via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

Both boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

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

All three boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

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

All four boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

Chichester Canal

Richmond – based at Chichester Canal Basin

Runs from Selected dates, mostly Easter to December
Operator: Chichester Ship Canal Trust
Details: www.chichestercanal.org.uk
Maximum Passengers: 32

Kingfisher – based at Chichester Canal Basin

Runs daily during the summer months
Operator: Chichester Ship Canal Trust
Details: www.chichestercanal.org.uk
Maximum Passengers: 22 including wheelchair

Both boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

Cromford Canal

Birdswood – based at Cromford (DE4 3RQ)

Passenger Trips on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Easter to October
Operator: Friends of the Cromford Canal
Details: www.cromfordcanal.org – Book Online at dedicated website www.birdswood.org
Maximum Passengers: 45

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

River Derwent, Derby

Outram – based at Causey Bridge, Derby City Centre

Passenger Trips on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, Easter to October
Operator: Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust
Details: www.derbycanal.org.uk– Book Online via LiveTickets
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board on Thursdays and Fridays.

Droitwich Canals

Pamela May 2 – based at Droitwich

Passenger Trips on selected days – the vessel is mostly used for skipper charter
Operator: Droitwich Canal (Pamela May) Trust
Details: www.pamelamay.co.uk – bookings via website
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board throughout the year

Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal

St Magdalene – based at Linlithgow (EH49 6AJ)

Passenger Trips on Saturdays and Sundays, late March to September
Operator: Linlithgow Union Canal Society
Details: www.lucs.org.uk – Book online from webpage.
Maximum Passengers: 40

St Michael – based at Linlithgow (EH49 6AJ)

Passenger Trips on Saturdays and Sundays, late March to September
Operator: Linlithgow Union Canal Society
Details: www.lucs.org.uk – Book online from webpage.
Maximum Passengers: 40

Victoria – based at Linlithgow (EH49 6AJ)

Passenger Trips on Saturdays and Sundays, late March to September and weekdays July to mid-August
Operator: Linlithgow Union Canal Society
Details: www.lucs.org.uk – No prior bookings taken
Maximum Passengers: 12

All three boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

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 charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

Grand Union Canal

Electra – based at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes (MK9 4BG)

Runs mid-April to mid-December, six days a week, wide range of cruises available.
Operator: Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust
Details: www.bmkwaterway.org – Booking details on separate webpage
Maximum Passengers: 12.  All-electric boat with access lift and toilet.
The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

Pride of Batchworth – based at Batchworth Locks, Rickmansworth (WD3 1JJ)

Runs on most dates throughout the year from 10.15 am
Operator: Rickmansworth Waterways Trust
Details: www.rwt.org.uk – Booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 12
The Trust has a sister boat, Spirit of Batchworth, for charter bookings.

Grand Western Canal

The Tivertonian – based at Tiverton (EX16 4HX)

Horse Drawn boat runs daily from 1st April to 31st October
Operator: Tiverton Canal Company
Details: www.tivertoncanal.co.uk – Booking details on webpage – also tickets available on site
Maximum Passengers: 75

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

Grantham Canal

Three Shires – based at Woolsthorpe (NG32 1NY)

Runs from Selected dates, March to October
Operator: Grantham Canal Society
Details: www.granthamcanal.org – Booking details on webpage
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

River Great Ouse

John Bunyan – based at Bedford (MK40 1NY and other locations)

Runs on most dates April to October
Operator: Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust
Details: www.bmkwaterway.org – Book online on the webpage
Maximum Passengers: 50

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

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: 8

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: 7 (including wheelchairs)

Huddersfield Canal

Marsden E-shuttle – based at Marsden

Runs from Weekends, March to October, and daily in summer holidays
Operator: Huddersfield Canal Society
Details: www.hudderfieldcanal.com – No booking – turn up and go
Maximum Passengers: 12 including a wheelchair

Marsden Shuttle – based at Uppermill (Saddleworth Museum & Gallery)

Runs from Weekends, March to October, and daily in summer holidays
Operator: Huddersfield Canal Society
Details: www.hudderfieldcanal.com – No booking – turn up and go
Maximum Passengers: 12

Discovery Boat – based at Standedge Tunnel

Runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, March to October, and extra days in summer
Operator: Canal & River Trust
Details: www.canalruvertrust.org.uk – Book online at Digitickets
Maximum Passengers: 12

Kennet and Avon Canal

Barbara McLellan – based at Bradford-on-Avon

Runs from Easter to October most Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2.5 hour trips from 2.30 p.m.
Operator: Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
Details: www.katrust.org.uk – book from the web page
Maximum Passengers:  40 including two wheelchairs

Rose of Hungerford – based at Hungerford

Runs from Easter from October most Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
Operator: Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
Details: www.katrust.org.uk – book from the web page
Maximum Passengers:  50 including two wheelchairs

Kenavon Venture – based at Devizes

Runs from Easter from October most Saturdays and Sundays plus special trips on other days
Operator: Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
Details: www.katrust.org.uk – book from the web page
Maximum Passengers:  38

Jubilee – based at Newbury

Runs from Easter from October most Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
Operator: Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
Details: www.katrust.org.uk – book from the web page
Maximum Passengers:  25

Matilda Too – based at Reading

Runs from Easter from October most Fridays (school holidays only), Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
Operator: Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
Details: www.katrust.org.uk – book from the web page
Maximum Passengers:  12

All the boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board

 

Lancaster Canal

Waterwitch – based at Crooklands 

Runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays May to September
Operator: Lancaster Canal Trust
Details: www.lctrust.co.uk – booking details on webpage
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

Llangollen Canal

James Brindley – based at Llangollen (LL20 8TA)

Runs on selected days from February until end of October
Operator: Llangollen Wharf Ltd
Details: www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk – booking details on webpage – horse drawn boat
Maximum Passengers: 52

Thomas Telford – based at Llangollen (LL20 8TA)

Runs on selected days from March until end of October
Operator: Llangollen Wharf Ltd
Details: www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk – booking details on webpage – motor boat trips across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Maximum Passengers: 52

The boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

Monmouthshire Canal

Lord Raglan – based at Goytre Wharf, Llanover (NP7 9EW) 

Runs on weekend days, spring to autumn  11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Operator: Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust
Details: www.mbact.org.uk – no advance booking – turn up and go
Maximum Passengers: 25 (runs maximum 12 for some trips) including two wheelchairs

Edith-Elizabeth – based at Goytre Wharf, Llanover (NP7 9EW) 

Runs on weekend days, spring to autumn  11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Operator: Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust
Details: www.mbact.org.uk – no advance booking – turn up and go
Maximum Passengers: 10

Lord Raglan is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board (max 20 passengers).

Montgomery Canal

George Watson Buck – based at Llanymynech 

Runs: Weekends and Bank Holidays from Good Friday to end of September, from 1.30 pm to 4 pm
Operator: Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust
Details: https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk – no advance booking
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

North Walsham and Dilham Canal

Ella II – based at Ebridge Lock, North Walsham (NR28 9QJ)

Selected days spring to autumn
Operator: North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust
Details: www.nwdct.org – booking info on web page
Maximum Passengers: 10

Pocklington Canal

New Horizons – based at Melbourne Basin (YO42 4QJ)

Runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to end of October
Operator: Pocklington Canal Amenity Society
Details: www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org – no advance booking – turn up and go
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board, Mondays to Saturdays.

Regent’s Canal

Long Tom – based at London Canal Museum (N1 9RT)

Runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays (and some Wednesdays) from Easter to end of October
Operator: London Canal Museum in association with Angel Community Narrowboat Trust
Details: www.canalmuseum.org.uk – there is a separate page for booking online.
Maximum Passengers: 12

Charter bookings are available via Angel Community Narrowboat Trust.

This London Canal Museum webpage also details several commercial trip boats operating from Little Venice and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

River Stour (Suffolk)

Rosette, Francis J Batten, Edwardian Lady and John Constable – all 4 boats based at Sudbury (CO10 2AN)

Run on weekends April to October, and selected days in August
Operator: The River Stour Trust
Details: www.riverstourtrust.org – Booking details on the web page
Maximum Passengers: 12 or 8 (Rosette and Francis J Batten)

Trusty, Kathleen and Maria Constable – all 3 boats based at Dedham Lock (CO7 6UL)

Run on most days April to October, and selected days in August
Operator: The River Stour Trust
Details: www.riverstourtrust.org – Booking details on the web page
Maximum Passengers: 8 or 9

The boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

Stourbridge Canal

The Black Country Man – based at Stourbridge (DY8 4LU)

Runs April to October
Operator: Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd (subsidiary of Stourbridge Navigation Trust)
Details: www.thebondedwarehousestourbridge.co.uk – booking details on website
Maximum Passengers: 50

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

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 also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board throughout the year.

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 also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board, Spring to Autumn.

There are also a wide variety of commercial operators on the Thames from Oxford downstream to the Thames Estuary.

River Weaver

Edwin Clark – based at Anderton Boat Lift (CW9 6FW)

Runs most days, spring to autumn
Operator: Canal & River Trust
Details: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk – booking online via web page
Maximum Passengers: 56 including 2 wheelchairs

The Daniel Adamson (‘The Danny’)

Runs a range of cruises from various points on the River Weaver, Mersey Estuary and Manchester Ship Canal on set days from May to late Summer.
Operator: The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society
Details: www.thedanny.co.uk – booking via website
Maximum Passengers: 75

Both boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.

 

Wey and Arun Canal

Wiggonholt – based at Loxwood

Runs on selected dates, Easter to December
Operator: The Wey and Arun Canal Trust
Details: www.weyarun.org.uk – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 50

Zachariah Keppel – based at Loxwood

Runs on selected dates, Easter to October
Operator: The Wey and Arun Canal Trust
Details: www.weyarun.org.uk – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 27

Walter Grove – based at Loxwood

Runs on selected dates, Easter to October
Operator: The Wey and Arun Canal Trust
Details: www.weyarun.org.uk – booking details on web page
Maximum Passengers: 12

All three boats are also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board throughout the year, subject to water levels.

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

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Patricia – based at Dunhampstead, Droitwich (WR9 7JX)

Runs most of the year; trips at 1 pm and 3 pm
Operator: Forge Studio (a canalside shop with café boat)
Details: www.forgestudio.co.uk – booking details on website
Maximum Passengers: 12

The boat is also available for charter bookings with skipper and crew on board.