The Canal Getaway Cruise

2

Nights Long

32

Miles of Cruising

3

Included Tours & Excursions

Try Us Out or Great for Groups!

The Canal Getaway Cruise runs in Spring and Autumn at a special rate and is ideal if you want to fit in a short break around work, or for special event charters.  Many people book this cruise to try us out and then go on to book a more extended cruise. This is an ideal cruise for group charters as they usually run over a weekend.

Highlights
Gloucester's Historic Docks 
Slimbridge WWT 
Purton Barge Graveyard
Cotswold Canals Trust

A Break To Remember

This is a short break with a difference offering glorious views, waterways heritage, wildlife interest, and of course our usual top class hospitality.

Cruise from Gloucester down Britain’s first ship canal. Our Historic Docks have reminders that they once formed England’s busiest inland port, including a shipwright still repairing Tall Ships. 

Stop off at the Slimbdirge Wetland Centre founded by Sir Peter Scott, the ‘Purton Hulks’ graveyard of 80 barge wrecks and the Cotswolds Canal Heritage Centre at Saul Junction. 

There are glorious views of the lower Severn Vale all along the way. This is a perfect sample of our holidays which you might like to enjoy with friends.

Spring & Autumn only

This cruise is has limited sailings. Book today to avoid disappointment. Group Charters available.

Gloucester's Historic Docks
Slimbridge WWT 
Purton Barge Graveyard
Cotswold Canals Trust

Itinerary

Day One - Gloucester 

3pm: Check-in and park at our purpose-built canalside location "The Boathouse" near Gloucester. 
4pm: Boardingail for Gloucester
5pm: Set Sail for Gloucester
6pm: Arrive in Gloucester. Moor Overnight.

Day Two - Slimbridge WWT and Purton Hulks

9am: Set sail for Slimbridge
12pm: Arrive in Slimbridge
1.15pm: Coach to Slimbridge WWT. Return 4pm.
4.30pm: Set Sail for Purton
5.30pm: Arrive in Purton. Visit the Purton Hulks Barge Graveyard.
6.00pm: Captains' Cocktail Party.

Day Three - Saul and Departure Day

8am: Set sail for Saul Junction.
10am: Arrive in Saul. History talk at the Cotswold Canals Trust Heritage and Visitor Centre.
11.30am: Set sail for Gloucester. Lunch served whilst underway.
1.30pm: Arrive in Gloucester and Disembark.

*Meal Times are 8.30 am Breakfast, 12.30 pm Lunch and 6.30 pm Dinner. Some cruises have lunch ashore during excursions which passengers must buy at their expense.  The above itinerary is subject to change based on weather, tide and local conditions or events.

The MV Edward Elgar

All our cruises in England are on board the 4-star rated Edward Elgar hotel boat. With just 22 passengers and 5 crew, it provides a unique atmosphere whilst our crew look after everything.

98% of our passengers rate our service as "Good" or "Excellent" value for money. That's because we include:
All meals with traditional English food. Special diets catered for.
Unlimited house pour wine, beer, spirits, mixers and soft drinks.
Tea & Fresh Coffee from our coffee machine at all times. 
Afternoon cake.
All tours and excursions listed on the cruise itinerary.
Unlimited free WiFi on board.
Live in crew providing hotel style service.
All cabins are twin en-suite with climate control and window. 
Reduced rate cabins for single occupancy on every cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the "Plus" package and the "Standard" package?

Both the plus and standard packages include your cabin on board, excursion entry fees if included in your cruise itinerary, food on the boat, unlimited tea and coffee, and house pour drinks from the bar. The packages relate to hotel upgrades and parking:

Standard Package: This includes the onboard amenities and services described above only. Parking is extra at a per-night charge.

Plus Package: This includes everything in the standard package but also dinner, bed and breakfast at our partner hotel (£32pp allowance on food items only for dinner at the hotel), parking during the cruise OR a taxi transfer from the hotel if you arrive by public transport, and a souvenir pack.

What do I have to pay and when?

Secure your booking with a 20% per cabin deposit. Balance payments must be paid in full 90 days before the cruise is due to depart.

I'm a single traveller. Do you have single cabins and single rates?

Yes. The Edward Elgar and Deborah only musthave twin cabins on board, but we do have single rates available on all cruises.  Please note that to make a single booking, you will need to do so by phone by calling us on 01452 410411 as single bookings cannot be booked online.

All our scheduled cruises will have at least one cabin available at a single rate. Cruises departing in April and October will have two single-rate cabins on every sailing.

Is there parking & is it secure?

Yes. We have on-site parking at the boarding point in Gloucester which is covered, locked and has CCTV.

Parking is £7 per night on our standard package and included in the "Plus" package.

I have reduced mobility, is this suitable for me?

We have been inspected by VisitEngland and received an M1 mobility rating. This means we are considered to be suitable for older and less agile guests with sufficient mobility to climb a flight of steps but who would benefit from fixtures and fittings to aid balance. If you would like a full copy of our access guidance then you can find it here.

Do you allow children?

Our holidays are designed to be completely laid back and relaxed. We do not usually allow bookings with children as it is an adult only setting. However, if you charter the vessel in full for Christmas cruises, we do allow children but we ask that children are a minimum of 7 years old for safety reasons.

Do you allow dogs?

Non service dogs are not permitted on board. If you want to bring a service dog then please call us to discuss your needs on 01452 410411.

Do I need travel insurance cover?

Yes. It is very important in case you have to cancel unexpectedly. We do not sell travel insurance but we will provide you with details of travel insurance providers that can arrange suitable cover for one of our cruises. You can use any insurer and we don't insist you use our partner insurer. It is important you purchase coverage as soon as you have booked your holiday. Having travel insurance is a condition of travel with English Holiday Cruises. Here is the link to our partner insurer, Just Travel Cover.

What happens if I need to cancel? What are your terms of booking?

Please make sure you have familiarised yourself and everyone in your party with our terms of booking and cancellation policy.

I have already made a booking. Where can I get the boarding pack information?

Please go to our FAQ Page for boarding pack downloads and how to find us.

Pricing and Availability - POA

Departure Dates

Please contact us for details.


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English Holiday Cruises Ltd. Registered in England and Wales Company Number 05207004. Registered Address: Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3AT.  Please visit the Contact Us page for our correspondence address.

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