WE OPERATE PUBLIC CRUISES WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS:
PLEASE NOTE our online Booking closes 48 hours before the schedules trip – the calendar below will show the days in green where we have availability. Choose a green date and then select a time and then read and tick “I’ve read the T’s&C’s” (please take time to read the T’s & C’s – they are for your safety!).
- Departs 11am or 2pm: 2 Hour Return Cruise – Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and return
- Bespoke automated commentary about the Canal and Birdswood
- Adults (18+) £14.00 Seniors (60+) 12.00 Children (3-17) £8.00, family (2+2) £32.00
- Guided tour of the back cabin and history of the boat explained
- Toilet on Board – although several public toilets are also available
- One small well behaved dog welcome per party / booking
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure for boarding.
- LOCATION: Cromford Wharf, Mill Road, Cromford. DE4 3RQ.
PLEASE NOTE: Dry weather, water leaks and or water supply problems sometimes affect water levels in the canal and this may mean that the boat will not be able to travel through the swing bridge to the Leawood Pump House: in this case it will be the Master of the day’s decision whether the trip to Leawood will be possible. If it is not possible, then for the comfort of both passengers and crew instead Birdswood may moor-up at High Peak Junction (HPJ) for a period of up to 30 minutes. During this time, passengers will be able to disembark and view the historic Cromford and High Peak Railway workshop, reputedly the oldest in the world, get a drink or snack from the kiosk, or simply sit under the umbrellas and relax. The more energetic passengers can take the approximately 10 minute each way walk to view the Pump House and Aqueduct Cottage. After passengers have re-boarded at HPJ, Birdswood will return back to Cromford Wharf: overall we aim to keep to the planned 2 hour round trip time.
When online booking has closed and subject to space being available tickets can also be purchased on the day from the Wharf Shop or on Birdswood.
Proud winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
Gail Humble –
Hello we mage it today and wanted to say what a terrific experience from beginning to end . What an amazing team of volunteers. Such an exquisite part of our world .
Take care
Gail
Sam Payne (verified owner) –
Enjoyed a relaxing journey along Cromford canal on the Birdswood narrowboat for fathers day.
Avril MacArthur and family –
Dear Richard,
Saturday our private charter (my sisters Wake) was a wonderful success. Everybody enjoyed it from the youngest grandchild to the oldest grandparents. My sister ,who was a sailor, would have thoroughly enjoyed it.
You have a first rate team and Al did the most wonderful job in not the best weather conditions and the icing on the cake was the Leawood Pump house in steam.
All the young ones had a go at shoveling coal into the boilers which is something they will always remember.
Thank you very much.
With warm wishes,
from, Avril MacArthur and family
Andrew Street –
Hugh and the team,Just a big thank you for the trip on the Birdswood and the service the team provided for us.My family really enjoyed it, needing a break- a relaxing canal cruise. .Gettting the last tickets and having the dog on board made the day.
Tilly1001 (verified owner) –
This was a real highlight of our visit to the Peak District. All went smoothly, both we and our small dog were made very welcome indeed, and we found it a comfortable trip (including my 6ft 4in husband who had a bad knee). There was too much weed in the canal for the boat to go the whole way, so we had a 40min break in the middle – perfect for a walk along the canal and an ice cream. The volunteers were so pleasant and knowledgeable, and the 2 hours passed all too quickly.
Dave H (verified owner) –
We took a group of 26 carers on a trip on the Birdswood on a damp July day, the sky as grey as a squirrel. From booking to departure the whole experience was of first-class service, attention to detail, and friendly, helpful staff (all volunteers).
The trip we took was an unqualified success, and enjoyed by all.
The boat was super and really well presented.
The key success, though, was the team of friendly and skilled volunteers. They were really special.
Our group is rather elderly, and some of the group are quite frail, or find walking tricky. The 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.
Because of problems with the canal, the boat was unable to turn around, and we came back to the wharf backwards. The guy at the helm was beyond brilliant and steered effortlessly and smoothly.
The trip was such a positive experience, and the group really did have a great time, thanks entirely to the team of absolutely excellent volunteers.
Peter C (verified owner) –
Well worth the trip. Crew were excellent and helpful. Slightly awkward boarding but with their help, boarding was not too difficult. Beautifully restored boat with lovely boat art everywhere. Safety information was by “Shy and Retiring” Brian Blessed and I think the superb commentary was by Arthur Smith. Please correct me if I am wrong. The delightful cruise gave us the sights, sounds and smells of the canal. An excellent 2 hour journey.
jakkirhodes03 (verified owner) –
What a brill set up. Loverly 2hrs spent yesterday. Write up states small dogs so sent email because we have a border colley not a problem. Staff BRILL very knowledgeable & attentive . On board prices for tea coffee biscuits etc NOT rip offs well worth the money.
Mike Peat –
My wife and I have been wanting to get out on the Cromford Canal in Birdswood for a few years now, but things have got in the way. [mostly Covid]
Last Monday [a Bank Holiday] I resolved, despite not making a booking to just turn-up and see what happens…
The lovely couple of volunteers at the stall at the Weigh Bridge were only too pleased to help… and in a minute we had paid and were booked on… [no tickets necessary, just our names]
We had a lovely lunch despite the wasps and had a good look round, “being of a certain age” tested the toilets and since my wife uses a mobility scooter, we checked where best to leave it…
Good advise was : Put it back in your car, since it was VERY BUSY day…
The main reason for my communication is to PRAISE your VOLUNTEERS who are/were so pleasant and helpful with all the visitors/customers on Birdswood last Monday..
We observed; there were a number of family’s aboard with children, the boat team anticipated many children’s needs for a little more stimulation and information and were able [and willing] to provide that help…[to the relief of many carers, who we thought, were getting a bit fraught]
I even got to see The Pump House in steam and working…and Birdwood’s “Lovely traditional Back Cabin” with the guidance of a knowledgeable volunteer who was happy to answer my points and questions..
A lovely experience, which because of my need to get out of the way and bring-back my wife’s mobility scooter, I missed the chance to :-
THANK ALL THE CREW…. ALL VOLUNTEERS .. for their real CARE…they demonstrated true professionalism and lots of “life skills”…
A truly… GRAND DAY OUT !
Susan W (verified owner) –
We had a Family Outing on Birdswood yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the weather. Also, we really appreciated the fact our seats had been reserved, so we were all able to sit together. This is a trip I’d been meaning to take for quite a while, but it was lovely to have the family together for the event. So informative too. It’s a pleasure to meet enthusiasts. Thank-you for a memorable trip!
Ken Summerfield –
We didn’t leave enough time to make an online booking for the trip on 17th May, but Richard advised that we could take our chance and turn up early and try to secure a “pay on the day” seat – which is what we did.
Please pass on our thanks and appreciation to your lovely team of volunteers who made our visit so enjoyable today. Special thanks to Bob for adding us to the morning trip, Gaynor for her great customer service and the chap who showed us the cabin which made the trip extra special.
We look forward to returning when we visit the area again.
Chris Thornhill (verified owner) –
Great trip. We took our Cocker Spaniel and she was made welcome. Decided to walk back and enjoy the canal side by foot. Plenty of good cafes.
Clive winter –
Been on this trip today August 2022 it was so relaxing and enjoyable and the guide’s are brilliant and there knowledge is so extensive overall it’s been a great relaxing and informative afternoon A++++++
Jane (verified owner) –
Wonderful afternoon boat trip, have walked along the canal many, many times but this our first time on the Birdswood, what a lovely afternoon , saw lots of wildlife while enjoying the beautiful scenery from the water. Thanks to all the volunteers who make this possible.
James Coope –
The journey down Cromford Canal offered some great sights, of both scenery and wildlife. We were fortunate to see the lambs in the fields and the young chicks and goslings on the water.
The customer service was fantastic, from booking the experience in, through to the really interesting stories onboard. The narrowboat is electric-powered, which is a big plus for the environment and for not disturbing the peaceful surroundings.
Many thanks to Richard for helping us to navigate booking in our experience in these Covid times – especially for honouring a 2 year old gift voucher. We really appreciated it!
Hope to see you again for another great journey soon!
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….
Judith Coombs (verified owner) –
We had a lovely relaxing trip on Birdswood on Wednesday, friendly informative staff ( all volunteers ) who work so hard on this canal. Would highly recommend a trip on this canal. Only sorry we couldnt travel on a Horse drawn day!. Thank you all involved.
Alan Langford –
Just spent a very pleasant morning onboard Birdswood Narrow Boat. Most enjoyable and very informative I would definitely recommend this trip.
Helen Jones –
We brought a group of Sight Impaired visitors and had a lovely time. The staff were fantastic, very helpful and knowledgeable.
Special thanks to the office staff who managed our complicated booking that we changed almost daily!
We are going to come back to experience the horse-drawn trip as we enjoyed it so much.
richard.slaughter112 (verified owner) –
A wonderful morning on the Cromford canal, with very informative commentary and a very pleasant and helpful crew. Would definitely recommend taking this boat ride.
M. Pell. –
Worth a visit. A lovely relaxing afternoon.
Vix –
Thankyou so very much.
Robyn & faz (verified owner) –
We had to ring up as was running late so they waitied a extra five min for us (traffick is really busy) was a great day out very interesting , staff very friendly
Vix –
Happy to help.
Gill Prince (verified owner) –
Brilliant trip with knowledgeable guide and stunning scenery. Real value for money. Will definitely be returning
Pauline Booker (verified owner) –
Just spent a wonderful afternoon cruising down Cromford canal. Would recommend this lovely trip to anyone. The crew were very friendly and the commentary was very informative. Look forward to my next trip.
Robin –
What a great trip this is!