Fancy taking a canal cruise here in the Cotswolds? A boat trip is not something many people think to put on their agenda when they head out to explore our part of the world – but it’s a great way to appreciate the Stroudwater Navigation (the canal running from Stroud to the River Severn) and contribute towards the ongoing canal restoration work of the Cotswold Canals Trust.
What’s so impressive is that our local communities provide an amazing team of hard-working volunteers who work tirelessly on restoring the canals, doing all sorts of work from building bridges and dredging to crewing boat trips and raising funds in numerous different ways.
Why do we value the Cotswolds canals so much? Well, not only are they part of our history and heritage (the “motorways of the Industrial Revolution”), but they and their towpaths also provide a fantastic resource for locals and visitors for recreation, and a haven for wildlife – terrestrial and aquatic.
So, if you’re visiting the Stroud area this summer, whether in search of serenity or adventure, schedule in a Cotswolds Canal cruise. Then when you’re back on land, stop by the Edgemoor Inn for a pint (or cuppa) and a homemade meal, and tell us all about it!
Book a Boat Trip on the Cotswolds Canals
You can enjoy cruising the canal from three points in or near Stroud – either on a public pleasure cruise or by chartering a boat for your exclusive use (a great way to celebrate a special occasion).
Boats can be boarded for public trips at:
- Wallbridge Lock Visitor Centre (which overlooks the junction of the A46 and A419). Book a 25-minute boat trip running every Saturday between 10.30am to 4.30pm (last trip at 4pm). Location: Bell House, Wallbridge Lock, Stroud, GL5 3JS, call 01453 752568.
- Saul Junction Visitor’s Centre on the Canal Towpath, Church Lane, Saul, GL2 7LA. This is the operational base for the Adventure, one of the Canal Trust’s trip boats. Two hour boat trips are available here on Wednesdays and Sundays between 2pm and 4pm during the summer, from June to the end of September. Book online or call 01452 740132.
Together with the visitor’s centres mentioned above, Ebley Wharf, Bridge Mead, Ebley, GL5 4SR is a base from which you can sail away on a pre-booked private chartered canal excursion. To book a charter call the dedicated charter bookings number – 01453 752568 – at least seven days before you’d like to have your boat trip so the volunteer crews have time to get organised. You can also email to boat.trips@cotswoldcanals.org.uk to find out more.
All About the Cotswolds Canal Trip Boats
You can enjoy your cruise on the Cotswolds canals in one of three different narrowboats belonging to the Cotswold Canals Trust.
- The Adventure is a 54ft x 10ft fully accessible semi-traditional single prop craft with two electric motors that is licensed to carry twelve. She has a wheelchair lift, a fully accessible toilet and is fully heated.
- The Endeavour can carry ten people, and is equipped with a picnic table and flushing toilet.
- The Perseverance is out for charter all year round for trips of a minimum of two hours, licensed to carry twelve passengers and fitted with a picnic table and toilet.
The Trust also owns a classic River Thames launch called Inglesham, which carries up to twelve for skippered summer charter trips on the Upper River Thames out of Lechlade (GL7 3HA) some 27 miles to the east of Stroud where the Thames and Severn Canal joins the River Thames.
When you’ve worked up an appetite on our waterways we’ll be ready with a true Cotswolds welcome at our friendly Edgemoor Inn in the quaint village of Edge overlooking the Painswick Valley. Our home cooked fare is all based on local produce and you can enjoy some wonderful local ales.
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