Where do boats depart? Expand All boat trips and holidays leave from our base in Canalside Moorings, Beeches Road, Loughborough LE11 2NS Please note: SATNAVs often send drivers over the other side of the canal if following just the postcode. Please use full address when navigating to the base.
When do I need to pay the remainder of my day trip? Expand The deposit for a day trip is £100 and secures your reservation. The remainder for your group is payable maximum 2 weeks before trip date.
When can I go on a boat trip or holiday? Expand Our boating season runs from March through to October, seven days a week. We also hold special family themed trips during throughout the whole year - please check our events pages to participate in these special events.
What do I do if the weather is really bad? Expand We are constantly keeping an eye on the forecast. It is very rare we cancel a day trip; the weather will have to be very severe. Do contact the office as soon as you can if you have concerns about the weather.
Is your charity insured? Expand Yes, our charity has public liability cover. Passengers must, however, be responsible for their own personal possessions and medical requisites. Whilst not medically responsible, the Trust does reserve the right to get emergency medical assistance if the Skipper deems it necessary. An extensive First Aid case and defibrillator is carried on our canal boats.
Is there on-site parking? Expand Yes, we have a large car park and it is free of charge for all our users.
If booking a holiday on one of your canal boats do I need to bring my own bedding and towels? Expand If you book a self-drive holiday on Jubilee you have the option of bring your own bedding and towels or we can supply them for you.
I use a wheelchair - can I still go on one of your day trips or holiday? Expand We positively welcome wheelchair users and have ramps, lifts, disabled toilet facilities (on board canal boats and at our base) and access points to our canal boats ensuring your journey is as comfortable as possible.
I only have a few people in my group, can I still book a day trip? Expand Yes, even if it's just you. We have received funding which enables us to run a variety of wellbeing trips open to individuals and small groups. The website is updated regularly with trip dates and availability.
How much does a trip cost? Expand DAY TRIPS ON SYMPHONY OR SERENADE Day trips available from March until end October and run 7 days a week DAILY CHARGE: £16 per person - with a minimum boat hire charge of £224 HALF DAY AND BOAT SPECIALS – OPEN TO ALL Throughout the year we hold special events and seasonal trips which are available to all. Trip prices vary. Please see our EVENTS section for further details SELF HIRE HOLIDAYS ON JUBILEE Please check out our Jubilee page for prices
How many passengers can go on a holiday trip? Expand Our brand new self hire boat, Jubilee, can hold up to six passengers. Consideration needs to be given to the number of wheelchair users in a group and the space needed to comfortably accommodate the group. Please feel free to contact the office if you would like more information and please feel free to arrange a visit to view the on-board facilities prior to booking.
How many passengers can go on a day trip? Expand Symphony and Serenade hold 26 passengers. Consideration is given to the number of wheelchair users in the group. Larger wheelchairs can require two spaces or more. Our seating is flexible to accommodate the positioning of wheelchairs. Please contact the office if you need further guidance on seating arrangements.
How do I book? Expand Online booking - Day trips Our website has an online calendar which shows the availability of our day trip boats. Choose a selection of maximum 3 dates when your group is available. Complete the online form with your requests and contact details. Our office will contact you to confirm your booking and to arrange payment of your deposit to secure. Please note: The online calendars are a guide and requested trip dates are only secure once you've had confirmation from a member of our team. Contact the office - day trips and holidays You can call the office direct on 01509 265590 or email [email protected] to speak to a member of our team. We can inform you of available dates, book your trip and take your deposit payment over the phone. We also accept payment via cheque, BACs or cash if you pop by the base. We can then either post out your booking form for completion with a copy of the pub menu, where applicable, and you can send back by return post with any deposit money due. Seasonal trips These can be booked direct via the events section on this website and payment made via our secure online payment system. Confirmation of booking will be emailed out with your tickets, along with a map and any other relevant trip information. We can also take bookings over the phone or email enquiries, using the above contact details and we can take payment over the phone.
Do I need to complete a risk assessment? Expand Risk assessments are not a mandatory requirement by the Marine Coastguard Agency, however if you need to undertake one for your organisation this is possible. In addition, if you wish to visit the base please contact us to arrange a visit. Risk assessment forms may be found below: Serenade/Symphony Day trip risk assessment
Do I need to arrange the pub lunch for my group? Expand We offer a pub stop during the week, and have an agreement with the pubs we use as they offer our passengers a selected 'boaters menu'. Please do not book direct with the pub as it leads to confusion and extra time added to the day. All a designated group organiser needs to do is once they receive a copy of the menu, make a note of their groups meals and bring this with them on the day. One of our crew will call up the relevant pub in advance and make the order for you. This ensures the meals are ready for when the boat moors up and no time is taken waiting for the meals. The pubs ask that one designated person from the group takes responsibility for paying for the meals to make the process quicker and less confusing.
Do I have to pay for refreshments on your day trips? Expand No, our hot and cold during and biscuits are complimentary on all our day trips.
Do carers need to pay? Expand Yes. As a charity we keep our trip costs to a minimum. We charge £11 per person for our five hour day trip but it actually costs more than £30 per person for our charity to run the trip. We have to supplement the deficit with grants and fundraising initiatives in order to ensure we can keep our boats running, we meet current health and safety guidelines and are able to provide the complimentary refreshments on board.
Can I take my dog on board? Expand We welcome guide and assistance dogs at the Trust. In other circumstances, please ask contact our office to discuss and we will try and accommodate you.
Can I take alcohol on board? Expand We limit all alcohol consumption on our day trips and holidays. Please contact office if you have any queries regarding this.
Can I smoke/vape on your day trips or holidays? Expand Smoking/vaping is not permitted in our canal boats. At our base we have designated smoking areas.
Can I buy a souvenir of my trip/holiday? Expand Yes, we have a shop available on day trips with a range of items for sale to remember your journey by. Just ask one of our crew members. Our base also has a display of Peter Le Marchant stock available for purchase. Please ask one of our team.
Can I bring my own lunch on a day trip, rather than going to a pub? Expand Yes - There is space for groups to leave their lunches/picnics on arrival. If you require the use of a microwave to heat food, please advise at the time of booking.