Take a Boat Trip at Wichelstowe
Unfortunately a key part of Dragonfly's trip route is currently blocked off - see elsewhere on this site. But we have found that we can offer shorter trips - Dragonfly Experiences. Fares are £3 per person, irrespective of age. With Covid in mind, we ask passengers to remain outside the cabin at the front of the boat. Group size is up to 12, preferably from no more than two households or Covid bubbles.
SANTA 2021
Meanwhile, trips will run at weekends, & Wednesdays during school holidays, from 10.30 am - 4pm at half-hourly intervals. To book, call (but do not text) the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk For details of where to come etc, see our usual information below.
We very much hope we shall be able to resume our usual trips once the blockade has been lifted.
Information on our usual trips at Wichelstowe
Dragonfly is a great way to see the restored section of the canal in Swindon.
Dragonfly is of traditional construction, having a steel hull and superstructure. She can carry up to 12 passengers and 2 crew, has plenty of room inside and with heating and a table, is ideal for parties or meetings, even if the weather is poor. When the weather is good, there is also plenty of room for passengers outside the cabin. She has a galley with hob, fridge and sinks. The engine has a sound reducer for a smooth, quiet experience.
There is a wheelchair lift to allow people who use a wheelchair or have a mobility problem to access the boat from the landing stage. Please note that there is only space for one wheelchair, and it is not possible to get larger powered wheelchairs on the lift.
Trips normally run from the landing stage at Waitrose, Wichelstowe, Swindon to Kingshill and return to Waitrose, lasting approximately 50 minutes. Use the postcode SN1 7BX to find the landing stage.
Please remember we require a minimum ratio of 1 adult to 3 children You can just turn up on the day, but if you want to be certain, please book via the contacts at the bottom of the page. Bookings close at 7 pm the day before - and you are only booked once you've received a confirmation!
The boat can be chartered, subject to crew availability, during the week or at weekends. It is popular for birthday and anniversary parties, including pirate parties, club meetings and get-togethers, in the day or summer evenings. Plenty of notice is good to make it easier to find crew. Charter fees are £60 for one hour, £90 for two hours.
If you would like to purchase a trip voucher as a present for a friend, we offer them at £18 for a family of 2 adults & 2 children. You may wish to purchase a Charter voucher for groups of up to 12, at the rates above. To obtain one, please email cheryll.yeowell@wbct.org.uk
For information, call the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk
Information on boat trips at Pewsham
At Pewsham ad hoc boat trips usually take place on the second and last Saturday of each month from April to September weather and water depth permitting. No need to book or buy tickets, just turn up and make a donation.
We use The Mary Archard which is our aluminium ‘wheely’ boat that is capable of taking a wheel chair for those who have mobility issues. The trip leaves from The Wharf at Pewsham and goes to Double Bridge and back. At the Wharf we run a ‘Pop up’ café that serves delicious cakes and refreshments whilst some of our local volunteers will be available to give details of the history of the canal and our current restoration work and hopes for the future.
Unfortunately there is no parking at the Wharf with the nearest public car park at Tesco Pewsham meaning a 2km flat walk along the footpath / cycle path that runs right past The Wharf and along the canal.
Note that due to Covid restrictions Pewsham boat trips are not currently running. We will update this page when trips resume.