THIS PREMIUM BOAT TRIP FOCUSES ON THE HERITAGE ASPECTS OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE HISTORIC CROMFORD CANAL
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”.
An extended guided trip along the canal on FCC’s trip boat “Birdswood”
- Birdswood makes our normal trip up to the mooring at Leawood Pump-house, during which you will be offered complimentary tea or coffee and biscuits.
- Passengers then disembark to join our experienced guides for a walk taking in guided tours to the Leawood Pump-house (in steam), the Nightingale Arm and to the nearby recently restored Aqueduct Cottage and a visit to the forge in the oldest railway workshop in the world at High Peak Junction where the canal met the unique Cromford and High Peak Railway.
- NOTE: The Leawood Pump House and Aqueduct Cottage are run by different and separate volunteer groups who would be very grateful for any donations our Premium cruise passengers might like to give.
- At each of these locations your FCC guide will explain the history and significance of the structures and will answer your questions. Please be aware that there are quite steep steps down to the pump-house and you will also have to walk about 1400m (1500 yards) between the three locations.
- During the return trip you will be invited in small groups for a tour of our traditional boatman’s cabin.
- The prices are £26 Adult, £23 Senior / Concession: no family package. This is an adult orientated industrial history trip and is not aimed at children
Guides: Mike Kelley, Ian Hooker, Hugh Potter or Keith Bailey
Proud winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Chpice Awards 2025
Paul –
Excellent trip today friendly attentive and cannot do enough for you. My mum love the trip gently going along the canal watching the scenery passing by.
Anthony Laven –
Michele and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We have only recently moved to back to the UK – having just returned from 12 years in Australia and this was an opportunity to learn more about the area. Not having been on any of the regular trips it is a little difficult to focus on any areas of improvement, however:could we suggest;
1. That a poster on a board stating the boarding time be placed against the boat and possibly if all the seats have not been sold information as to where tickets could be obtained.
2. A stop be made at the point where the water from the pumping station enters the canal
3. While the commentary was good, many of us are hard of hearing and a laminated map of the canal with pictures of significant points and a written explanation of them on the reverse would be a great help and of interest.
4. The Cromford and High Peak Railway is fascinating, but the available time will no doubt prevent a short visit, but an explanation on how it and the two canals effectively linked the Rivers Trent and Mersey.
We certainly will bring our visitors to the canal and were so impressed with everything we will probably become members and volunteers.
John Guyler –
Good value for money, price about right, would recommend it to other people
Birdswood clean inside and out, crew well presented, good service, good commentary.
Length of trip just right
Splitting the group to visit Aqueduct Cottage and Leawood pump house was a good idea, Guides very informative.
Glad the pump was working, felt it would be not so attractive if not running.
Surprised there is no charge charge for pump visit, suggested that may be a £1 in the trip fare to go towards the Leawood pump.
Good all around feedback.
They thought it was good trip.
Looking around the back cabin was good and gave a good impression.
Canal looking good and looked after. Wildlife very good.
Thought there might be some seats either at Cottage or on Aqueduct.
Good all round trip, well worth running again.
Friends went to the wharf cafe building for a meal before the trip, very good feed back
Valerie Herbert (verified owner) –
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We felt that the instructions about splitting us up and who would walk where was a bit laboured but otherwise clear. The on board commentary was very informative. The visit to both locations together with the talks were good. The quick visits to the cabin were a lovely touch. Staff friendly and helpful.
Rachel Hatchett (verified owner) –
Four of us came on the Birdswood trip on Monday and all enjoyed it very much. I really only have positive feedback for you: the booking process was straightforward, we felt welcomed by the crew, we enjoyed the boat rides, the guided tours, the commentaries on the boat and the refreshments. The duration was perfect. All in all, it was a lovely afternoon.
Our only disappointment was not being able to go inside Aqueduct Cottage but we know that couldn’t be helped and no doubt it won’t be an issue once the renovation is complete.
Best wishes to you and all the Birdswood team.
Graham Green (verified owner) –
We enjoyed the trip.We would probably have liked to go a bit further on the canal if possible,& a cup of tea on the outward journey would be nice!
Minor points only,we were glad we made the trip.
We only later learned that the canal is not owned by FCC and although they have aspirations to increase the navigable bit, being in a SSSI and World Heritage site complicates things.
Sheila Parker (verified owner) –
My husband and I really enjoyed the relaxing journey and would love to revisit in the future.
The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, although maybe a microphone would help when giving information onboard. The level of information was good, and if anyone had questions (regarding engineering etc), the guides were able to give the answers without hesitation.
We were aware that access on and off the boat might prove a little difficult for some, but again the staff were there to help in any way they could. The steps leading to Leawood Pumphouse however were quite difficult for some, and we were not informed about the steps before arriving. Maybe in the future a second handrail could be fitted along the wall side of the steps for anyone who has limited use of one arm/hand.
On the whole a lovely afternoon and would recommend it to others.
Leslie Hall (verified owner) –
1. My wife and I enjoyed our trip on Birdswood yesterday. We didn’t think the 3 hours was too long at all.
2. The operation of getting on and off the boat was flawless
3. The loudspeaker and the commentary en-route was audible although how this was received further down the boat I couldn’t say
4. It’s a slow old journey down to High Peak Junction but the frequent audio commentary made this time go slightly quicker!
5. There were references to the wildlife but on our trip there was very little evidence or sightings of them. It made me think ‘We need some infusion of ‘wildlife’! Perhaps yesterday being a Bank Holiday was their ‘away’ day too! We took the bird food but had no takers for it!
6. The talk at both the Pump House and at Aqueduct Cottage was ‘spot on’ in terms of both content and time.
7. The drink and biscuits on the return journey was a nice welcome touch too.
8. Being able to split the group up at Wigwell Aqueduct so that half went to the Pump House and half went to the Cottage was a bonus in terms of manageable numbers. It certainly gave us sufficient time to do justice to both properties without feeling rushed or crushed. We could hear what was being said and had the opportunity to ask questions too. What you would do if the Pump House wasn’t open and in steam, I don’t know. Would there be the opportunity to take a closer look at HPJ, the buildings and history there?
9. Value for money.
Jeanette Moss –
A very enjoyable and informative afternoon. The pre-recorded information as we progressed was interesting. I use hearing aids and often miss announcements etc. because I can’t hear. This was not the case yesterday. Both the recordings and verbal messages from the crew were fine. The crew was also helpful, patient and knowledgeable. A demanding job for volunteers, and appreciated. Amazing to get tea and coffee served to so many and get back pretty much on time.
The boat was comfortable and access was perhaps better than expected. Is there any way you could include a stop at the swing bridge so passengers could use the public loos and minimise use of on board facilities?
A big thank you to those who worked hard to make the afternoon a success.
Diane Bell –
Thorough enjoyed the first premium boat trip on Easter Monday. The crew were so friendly and knowledgeable about the history and wildlife. I saw dab chicks for the first time – the almost silent boat motor made it a calm and peaceful ride for wildlife spotting (including Stella the stegosaurus!)
Jo Frajt –
I very much enjoyed the trip yesterday. It was well organised and most interesting.
My only comment would be that on the three hour trip it would have been good to have had a couple of biscuits or a piece of cake with the tea as some of us had eaten early to allow time to negotiate the traffic in Matlock Bath!
David & Rhona –
As lifetime members of the Friends of the Cromford canal, my wife and I were keen to join the first of two test “premium cruises” on Birdswood: the cruise was billed as a guided trip focusing of wild-life, ecology and industrial archaeology, and it certainly lived up its promise. It being the first such trip there were a couple of improvements that we felt that could be made such as a portable PA for the guide when off-board, and activities such as paper and colouring pencils for the children, but overall bravo….here’s hoping for more “premium trips”: PS the complimentary cup of tea was especially welcome!