Your Floating Hotel

on the Canals and Rivers of the UK

Our cruises for 2008.

On the first section as we travelling from the ancient town of Warwick, to the cathedral city of Worcester we pass through six tunnels, three of the longest lock flights in the UK, one broad, two narrow, and three lift bridges, all set in the English countryside. It is your choice you can help with the locks, walk alongside, or you can just relax as you watch others work!!

For more pictures & information on the canals in this cruise go to -
Grand Union - Warwick to Lapworth / Stratford - Lapworth to Kingswood
Worcester & Birmingham - Kingswood to Worcester.

We then give you a full day to explore the Cathedral city of Worcester.

• Worcester city. A modern city alongside the river, well worth exploring.
• George Marshall Medical Museum illustrates the history of medicine, nursing and the associated health care professions, with particular reference to Worcester and the surrounding area. It contains 500 items of equipment including a 19th century operating theatre and apothecary's shop.
  
• Worcester Cathedral. Set overlooking the river is this great medieval cathedral.
• St Swithuns Church. Rebuilt in 1733-5, and still containing box pews and a striking “three-decker” pulpit, it is one of the most interesting Georgian churches in the UK.
  
• The commandery A museum of the Civil war set in the house that Charles II used as his head quarters in Worcester. Ten minutes walk from the river.
  
• Greyfriars . A timber-framed merchant's house of 1481. It now houses a fascinating, and somewhat, unusual collection of articles.
• Royal Worcester Visitors' centre. The Royal Worcester Visitor Centre nestles amidst Victorian Factory buildings, just 2 minutes walk from the Cathedral and historic city centre. It offers something of interest for everyone whether you take a guided tour and see skilled craftsman at work or try your hand at Paint a Plate. Our Royal Worcester Bestware & Seconds shops offer an extensive range of quality bone china, porcelain & giftware with great savings and special offers throughout the year.
• Tudor House Heritage Centre. Historic building built around 1550. A Heritage & Education Centre, where you can see displays on Tudor life alongside some of Worcester's industrial and commercial heritage
• Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum A lively museum with a changing programme of contemporary art and craft exhibitions, regimental museums, café and gift shop. Regular art workshops for children.

"There is nothing so nice as messing about on the river" Especially when there is an expert crew to handle the boats. After spending a day on the River Severn we travel the full length of the River Avon from Tewkesbury up to Stratford. First the Cathedral city of Worcester, then, Upton, Tewkesbury, Pershore and Evesham before finishing at the home town of Shakespeare.

For more pictures & information on the rivers in this cruise go to -

River Severn / River Avon

Next you will have a full day to explore Stratford upon Avon. The birthplce of Shakespear.

• Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history.
• Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust has five houses all connected with the life of Shakespeare. All within 5 to 15 minutes of the river.
• Royal Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, right in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon alongside the river. It also has details of performances in other associated theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Holy Trinity Church with the gave of Shakespeare is also worth visiting.
• Stratford Butterfly farm. Europe's largest Butterfly farm. It is just five minutes from the river.
• Stratford Town Walk. There is a guided town walk every day of the year (including Christmas Day!). Each Guide provides walks and tours that are informative, and interesting.
• Shakespearience. The perfect introduction to William Shakespeare and his plays - using the latest special effects to bring his characters to life!

We then travel along the Stratford canal, a hidden jewel of the Warwickshire countryside. It is often forgotten in the attention paid to Stratford and Warwick which we slowly travel between. In contrast our last day is spent on the Grand Union descending the tremendous locks at Hatton.

For more pictures & information on the canals in this cruise go to -
Stratford upon Avon Canal Stratfoird to Lapworth
Grand Union - Lapwothy to Warwick

On the evening of Saturday at Warwick; Sunday Lapworth; Monday Hockley Heath; Tuesday Tardebbige; Wednesday Stopke Wharf; Thursday Offerton. On the evening of Friday and Saturday at Worcester; Sunday Tewkesbury; Monday Pershore; Tuesday Evesham; Wednesday Bidford. On the evening of Thursday and Friday at Stratford; Saturday Wilmcotte; Sunday Lowsonford;
Monday Lapworth; Tuesday Warwick.