We’ve put together a selection of scenic boat trips and excursions across the UK for those looking to take to the water. Groups can benefit from specially tailored experiences.
1. Cambridge - Let’s Go Punting
Let’s Go Punting offers chauffeured punting tours along the college banks of the River Cam, lasting around 50 minutes. The tour includes seven colleges and nine bridges - including the most iconic Cambridge sights, such as King’s College chapel.
Groups can opt for a private tour which can include picnics and drinks from local suppliers. Boats can seat two, six or 12 passengers and multiple boats can be hired for larger groups.
2. Windsor - French Brothers
French Brothers provides a variety of boats and services specifically designed for groups. Trips at Windsor depart from Windsor Promenade and vary from a short 40-minute round trip, to tea and lunch cruises, offering groups the chance to enjoy an intimate dining experience as they take in views of Windsor Castle, the royal Windsor Racecourse and Eton College.
Group prices include a 10% discount, which applies to group bookings of a minimum number of 20 passengers. Group organisers are entitled to a free place.
3. Bristol - Bristol Packet Boat Trips
Said to be the oldest boat trip company in Bristol, Bristol Packet Boat Trips offers a selection of four different trips, taking in the city and local landmarks by the water.
Choose from a city dock tour, Avon Gorge cruise, cream tea cruise or a river cruise for your guided group tour. All boat tours include live commentary, a toilet and a fully licensed bar. Bristol Packet Boat Trips say the most popular trips for group bookings are the cream tea cruise and city dock tour.
4. Windermere - Windermere Lake Cruises
Group travel on Lake Windermere has been made easy by Winderemere Lake Cruises. Group packages are designed to cater to a wide range of interests, creating an experience that suits everyone’s needs and special group rates are on offer.
Group trips available with Windermere Lake Cruises include a half lake cruise, starting at Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside, a full lake cruise lasting 90 minutes, a 45 minute islands cruise, and a freedom of the lake ticket which entitles you to 24 hours of travel on the lake.
All boats have a bar on board, providing a selection of drinks and snacks to enjoy indoors or outdoors during. Whilst passengers take in the Lake District by boat, coach drivers can park free of charge in Bowness coach park.
5. Poole - Greenslade Pleasure Boats
Greenslade Pleasure Boats provides a selection of boat trips and pleasure cruises from the quay around Poole harbour and the Dorset coastline, taking in the local area and providing opportunities to see local wildlife.
Groups can hire a private excursion and enjoy the open and covered deck areas with a selection of seating and table options. There is a fully licensed bar stocking a range of beers, spirits, wine and snacks.
6. Norfolk Broads - Broads Tours
Broads Tours of Wroxham provides an opportunity to take in the Norfolk Broads with an exclusive group booking. Skippers on all of the boats share specialist knowledge – from spotting wildlife and learning about the conservation of the area to its history and heritage.
Scheduled river trips are available between 1st April and 31st October with a minimum group booking of 25 for a discount. At other times of the year, group trips can be booked subject to a minimum number of 30 passengers.
7. Cardiff - Cardiff Boat Tours
Cardiff-based family business, Cardiff Boat Tours, has a service between the historic Cardiff Bay and Bute Park in the heart of the city centre, close to Cardiff Castle on board the 90-seat covered boat, Princess Katharine. Passengers can do an hour round trip from either boarding point, or go one way, have some time to explore and get back on later.
Groups of 20 or more are entitled to a 10% discount when booking in advance. Small groups can take a trip on Singfly, a vintage open boat which takes seven passengers and is driven by a qualified boat master who has a vast knowledge of the area.
8. Oxford - Salters Steamers
Salters Steamers is a family business offering a selection of boat trips from every major location on the Upper-Thames between the university city of Oxford and Marlow.
A variety of scheduled cruises are available for group travel organisers to book, with special rates for tour operators and travel companies, as well as discounted fares for those booking large numbers in advance.
Boats depart from Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge in Oxford and Abingdon Bridge Marine in Abingdon. Car and coach parking is located less than a mile from all three locations.
Most boats are on three levels with an open-deck, a deck covered by an awning and a fully enclosed saloon.The boats all have toilet facilities onboard and a bar serving drinks as well as small snacks.
