SANTA IS BACK ON BIRDSWOOD!
We’re delighted to announce that Santa is returning to Birdswood this year to greet the children in his unique back-cabin ‘grotto’. There will be festive fare and Christmas songs to keep both adults and children entertained on the special one-hour cruise.Go to the bookings page to book your slot!
And if you are looking for that Christmas present with a difference, what about one of our newly introduced Birdswood Gift Cards that can be exchanged for tickets for our regular trips which will resume next year at Easter – Go to the Shop page to buy the Gift Card.
Keep checking this website for details of our 2027 cruises which we will launch in the early new year.
Please regularly check our website for available slots on the “Bookings” page. If a date / time isn’t shown in GREEN then it is not available to book.
Birdswood is the historical narrow boat belonging to The Friends of Cromford Canal and the primary objective of operating our trip boat is to generate income for The Friends of Cromford Canal’s strategic aim of conservation & restoration of the Cromford canal.
The boat and shop are run entirely by our dedicated team of volunteers, and Birdswood runs scheduled trips throughout the year. Our exclusive charters make a personal venue for your private function, and we also run several themed trips.
BOOK TRIPS ON
Birdswood
Special Interest Trips
Extended and guided trips along the canal on FCC’s trip boat “Birdswood”. Birdswood makes our normal trip up to the mooring at the Leawood Pumphouse. Passengers then disembark with one of our experienced guides for a short walk taking in the pump-house, the Wigwell Aqueduct, the Nightingale Arm & the newly restored Aqueduct Cottage.
GO TO OUR BOOKINGS PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Winner
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
We are delighted Birdswood has been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 putting us in the top 10% of reviews worldwide.
Tripadvisor Reviews
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Tranquility - This is a delightful experience run by enthusiastic and informed volunteers. Much more than we were expecting. Two hour trip with fifteen minutes on land to view a working steam... read more deborahlQ1398SC
9th October 2026 Anniversary trip - Excellent trip with very knowledgeable crew who made our journey a complete pleasure. Thanks for being so kind to our elderly Jack russell terrier E5666BKrogerh
3rd October 2026 Absolutely great! - Absolutely fabulous way to spend a late morning or afternoon. We loved it, such a nice chill canal ride and then a stop at the end with a very knowledgable... read more Coral M
20th September 2026 - Peaceful two hour canal boat trip along a historic canal surrounded by great countryside and flora and forna. - Be sure to book as these boat trip are very popular. A slow peaceful trip along a historic and beautiful canal boat taking a couple of hours. Run by dedicated... read more pboroman
13th September 2026 Excellent - Beautiful boat trip with a friendly crew. Road61255945328
8th August 2026 A great visit - Excellent experience a leisurely boat ride along a beautiful section of canal
Staff all lovely but special shout out to Karen who reorganised seating to accommodate our group
<br... read more Thomas B
22nd July 2026 - Lovely views, very informative and interesting boat ride - Amazing views, lovely boat ride and very informative. Staff were very nice and welcoming and our kids loved the whole experience Elena C
27th June 2026 Lovely peaceful boat ride - Wonderful peaceful boat trip through gorgeous natural lush countryside. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Absolutely lovely experience. Sally R
21st May 2026 Children’s birthday party - We hired the boat for a 4 year olds birthday party. It worked so well. The crew were lovely and friendly. Everyone was made very welcome. We stopped at the... read more K J
9th March 2026 - Excellent trip on Birdswood - I went on the three hour heritage boat trip on board Birdswood. Tea and biscuits were very welcome on the way to Leawood Pump House. The onboard commentary was very... read more Andrew S
6th October 2025 Superb superb superb - We were booked on the wed trip but went down for look on the sat and were lucky they had room,,all i can say is what a superb fantastic trip... read more nigelncj3
20th September 2025 Relaxing and friendly - Lovely friendly crew and beautiful sights to see. Drinks and snacks available plus duck food for the friends you meet on the way. So relaxing Trail54634625929
20th September 2025 - Canal boat trip - A birthday treat, very enjoyable even with the weather being poor, all the volunteers helpful and knowledgeable would definitely recommend W870GFlorrainec
17th September 2025
