- Location Tapton Lock, Chesterfield
- Price from £5.00
Things are taking a little longer than usual, please bear with us...
Summer Holiday return cruises (JV)
Highlights
Enjoy a one hour cruise.Cruises run Tuesdays & Thursdays during Derbyshire School Summer Holidays: 25th & 30th July; 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th and 29th August; 3rd September.
Departure times from Tapton Lock Visitor Centre: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 & 15:00.
Book in advance or try your luck on the day!
Our cruise commences from the Tapton Lock Visitor Centre where there is an Information Centre and toilets. These cruises explore the sheltered wooded section of the canal heading toward the town of Chesterfield. There are no locks on this section, but it is frequented by Kingfishers.
Cruising on water is just such a tranquil and leisurely activity. Combined with a profusion of wildlife – dabbling ducks and moorhen, the majestic heron or iconic kingfisher – look out for martins as they swoop and skim low over the water - tree lined avenues and swathes of bluebells and other flowers – all your cares and worries will drift away on the water.
John Varley II is a purpose built 36' (10.9m) narrowboat. Built in 2016, designed and licenced to carry 12 passengers, it replaces an older trip boat, also called John Varley, which was retired off after 24 years' service. Narrowboat? - John Varley is 6'10” (2.1m) wide and the locks are little more than 7' (2.13m) wide ~ so mind your fingers in locks, bridges and tunnels.
Why John Varley? The route of the Chesterfield canal was originally surveyed by canal engineer James Brindley and he employed John Varley as his clerk of works. Brindley died in 1772 and Varley took over as resident engineer. The canal opened in 1777 and ran 46 miles from Chesterfield to West Stockwith on the River Trent.
In its heyday, the canal carried malt, hops, gravel, pottery, coal, iron ore, iron products, lead and stone. The boats were all horse-drawn and were called 'cuckoo boats'. Prior to canals, cargoes were carried by horse and cart. The maximum load a single horse could pull in a cart – and remember the roads were rough, muddy and full of pot holes - was about one tonne. The same horse pulling a canal boat could pull up to 30 tonnes. So you can see – canals made good sense.
All trips are crewed by qualified volunteers of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and the profits from all trips go towards the restoration of the last few miles of the Chesterfield Canal.
Departure times from Tapton Lock Visitor Centre: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 & 15:00.
Book in advance or try your luck on the day!
Our cruise commences from the Tapton Lock Visitor Centre where there is an Information Centre and toilets. These cruises explore the sheltered wooded section of the canal heading toward the town of Chesterfield. There are no locks on this section, but it is frequented by Kingfishers.
Cruising on water is just such a tranquil and leisurely activity. Combined with a profusion of wildlife – dabbling ducks and moorhen, the majestic heron or iconic kingfisher – look out for martins as they swoop and skim low over the water - tree lined avenues and swathes of bluebells and other flowers – all your cares and worries will drift away on the water.
John Varley II is a purpose built 36' (10.9m) narrowboat. Built in 2016, designed and licenced to carry 12 passengers, it replaces an older trip boat, also called John Varley, which was retired off after 24 years' service. Narrowboat? - John Varley is 6'10” (2.1m) wide and the locks are little more than 7' (2.13m) wide ~ so mind your fingers in locks, bridges and tunnels.
Why John Varley? The route of the Chesterfield canal was originally surveyed by canal engineer James Brindley and he employed John Varley as his clerk of works. Brindley died in 1772 and Varley took over as resident engineer. The canal opened in 1777 and ran 46 miles from Chesterfield to West Stockwith on the River Trent.
In its heyday, the canal carried malt, hops, gravel, pottery, coal, iron ore, iron products, lead and stone. The boats were all horse-drawn and were called 'cuckoo boats'. Prior to canals, cargoes were carried by horse and cart. The maximum load a single horse could pull in a cart – and remember the roads were rough, muddy and full of pot holes - was about one tonne. The same horse pulling a canal boat could pull up to 30 tonnes. So you can see – canals made good sense.
All trips are crewed by qualified volunteers of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and the profits from all trips go towards the restoration of the last few miles of the Chesterfield Canal.
Inclusions
- Other Wheelchair lift available.
What's included
- Other Please wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
What you'll need
Cancellations
- Flexible Policy
Location
Tapton Lock, Chesterfield