- 2 Hour Return Cruise – Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and return
- Automated commentary provided
- Guided tour of the back cabin and history of the boat explained
- Toilet on Board – although other public toilets are also available around Cromford wharf
- 0-20 / 21-40 passengers – please complete an enquiry / contact form for pricing
- Optional drinks package: plus £50 – Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Dilute orange
- Optional catering by Arkwright Society: Sandwich+crisps+cake £8.95, cream tea £5.75 / passenger
- PLEASE COMPLETE THE CONTACT FORM BELOW INCLUDING ANY CATERING REQUIREMENTS – WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU!!
Proud winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
Karin Jarvest –
Richard.
Wanted to say a big thank you to you and yesterday’s crew. We had the best day!
The crew were lovely and accommodating and the kids had a magical morning.
I hope to do it again one day and will certainly be recommending the boat hire to others.
Sue Relph –
Morning Richard
On behalf of Hanbury and Draycott WI
A big thank you to you for helping to arrange our trip last night and a massive thanks to the volunteers who made it possible. Everyone enjoyed themselves despite the weather!
Thanks again.
Regards Sue
Richard Handley –
Richard,
NEDIAS had a great day out on the canal yesterday – please pass all our thanks on to the wonderful crew who were so attentive in looking after us. What a great historical commentary we had en route, and our “tour” and talk about the family accommodation cabin. Such a relaxing afternoon!!
Many thanks
Cliff and all at NEDIAS
John Driver –
Hello , I wish to say a big thank you to all concerned for helping make our ‘family celebration charter ‘ this last Sunday such an enjoyable and special afternoon. The crew created a very relaxed and safe environment enjoyed by all from ages 1-71. It was , to quote one of the younger members of the family ‘superb’ and ‘we would be up for that again.’
Best wishes.
Dave Hepworth –
Hello Richard.
The trip we took on Birdswood today was an unqualified success, and enjoyed by all.
The boat was super, of course, and really well presented.
The key success, though, was your team of friendly and skilled volunteers, and I want to say a huge thank you to them. They were really special.
Our group is rather elderly, and some of the group are quite frail, or find walking tricky. Your team helped them on and off the boat without fuss, and with plenty of good humour.
Volunteers served us with drinks, chatted to the group, made sure that everyone had information about the boat, pointed out things of interest along the way, and gave everyone a chance to see the living quarters towards the stern with a great commentary, and generally made us feel very welcome indeed. And of course the amazing feat of steering the boat faultlessly in reverse was seriously impressive !
From start to finish, this morning was such a positive experience, and the group really did have a great time, thanks entirely to your team of excellent volunteers.
Richard, many thanks. I am sure we will come again.
Dave
Roger Yorke –
Thank you to all the team for once again providing the perfect, peaceful end to our day at Cromford. My group of 26 all said they enjoyed the gentle cruise along the Canal. Many of us are very experienced canal boaters so appreciate what is involved in preparing and keeping your boat to such a high standard, matched by the friendliness of your crew.
A shame that you are currently having to reverse back to the wharf but we recognised the skills required to achieve that safely.
Thank you again.
Richard Handley –
On behalf of the members of the Finder Historical Society, I’d like to thank the people who made our canal trip so enjoyable. We chartered Birdswood on Monday 17th July for a trip starting at 1100hrs. The boat staff were very considerate and helpful, besides pointing out places and wildlife as we travelled.
You have obviously worked very hard to restore the boat and continue to do so by organising trips. We especially liked the living quarters on the boat, it wouldn’t do to be over-weight!
Many thanks again and best wishes for the future
Lynette Nash
Shazia Khan –
Dear Richard,
Thank you for being so flexible and accommodating the requested dates for the trip. The children are extremely excited about their first ever ‘boat trip.’ We look forward to seeing you then.
Liz Harrington –
Dear Richard
Firstly just to say what a brilliant day our group had on Tuesday. Not only was the boat trip great, and getting off and looking around Arkwright’s cottage while the boat turned round but the volunteers who took us were first class. They were attentive to anything we wanted ( I don’t think we were too much trouble!) and so nice with it. It was a truly happy time for us all.
Josie McCormick –
Dear Richard,
Thank you for organizing our sailing yesterday. We had a great time. The rain stopped and the sun came out. The two Ian’s were very informative and explained as we sailed along.
With best wishes from
Secretary
Milford and Makeney WI
Sarah (name withheld) –
Hello Richard, I just wanted to thank you for earlier today. Me, Nick and most importantly all our guests had a really pleasant and very relaxing couple of hours earlier today. Will you please pass on my thanks to the other members of the Birdswood crew too.
Thanks again Richard, best regards, Sarah.
Andrea walker-Patrick –
I sailed on this lovely canal narrow boat 4 years ago and loved it so much I have chartered the boat to take family and friends on a the 2 hour trip this summer. I give it 4 stars – watch this space for a summer review when I hope to give it a 5 star rating. The booking system is simple and replies are prompt from Richard..
Andrew Thomas –
We chartered the birdswood canal boat for about 35 of our friends and family. It was a brilliant way to see the canal and local wildlife. The team on the boat were very friendly and welcoming, and had lots of local knowledge. Would highly recommend!
Tracey Kelly –
Fantastic little narrow boat trip on the wonderful Cromford Canal with interesting stories of the past with beautiful views.
We book many groups for this cruise experience and is always enjoyed by all.
Customer service is excellent from booking stage, adding extra passengers, invoicing and payments, Richard is always at hand to answer any questions or help when required
Thank you Richard your see our next group soon….