Chester Boats run Half-hour City Cruises which is the perfect way to take in the River Dee and historic Chester. Step aboard either the Lady Diana, the Mark Twain, or The Jackie and set sail while you listen to stories from Chester’s fascinating past and take in the fabulous views.
The boat dock is at The Groves in Chester, just a short walk from the city centre and close to the historic city walls and Roman amphitheater. We always park the Little Roodie car park which is only a 5 min walk and £6 all day ( Aug 24). At The Groves there are toilets and a number of small cafes, takeaway food options and places to grab an ice cream.
Top Info
📅 Open daily from 10th Feb
💻 Book online to save 10%
☕ Fully stocked bar onboard serving drinks
🥪 You can bring a picnic onboard
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all the family
⛵ Sail once an hour on the hour from 11 am - 4pm
🐕 Dogs welcome onboard daytime sightseeing cruises
🚻 Toilets onboard
🚗 Park at Little Roddie Car Park £6 all day
🚢 The Jackie is open top
👩🦼 The Lady Diana & Mark Twain have wheelchair access
🌎 The Boating Station Souters Lane, The Groves Chester, CH1 1SZ
While on a day exploring Chester we were sat watching the boats on the river while enjoying an ice cream. As a spur of the moment idea we went on the boat trip website and booked then and there. You can buy tickets from the boat but its actually 10% cheaper online so we did that. For a family of 4 it was £22.50 (July 24)
All the boats are slightly different designs. All have indoor seating either on top deck for the best views or below deck for a more sheltered and cosy setting. The Jackie has a completely open top which on a sunny day would be my personal choice of boat.
We boarded the Mark Twain as this was the boat being used for our time slot. We sat on top deck which has a roof and glass windows but still a great view of the shore line.
The Boat Ride
From our moorings we headed upstream, under Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge, past the Boathouse Inn and Grosvenor Park, and through the picturesque suburb of Boughton.
The boat follows the sweeping bend of the Meadows where you pass the stunning homes on the water front.
We always love looking at these properties and admiring their gardens. On the speaker we heard about some of the historic buildings along the way and the history of the River Dee.
The boat goes past Sandy Lane park, splash park and Chest sailing Club before making a turn at the city limits and head back downstream towards Chester.
Our Final Opinion
As it is only 30 minutes it is perfect for the whole family. Children can enjoy looking out of the window, spotting other boats or people on paddleboards along the river. While adults can learn all about the history of the buildings you float past. It is a great way to see Chester in a different way and a chance to slow down and take a rest while watching the world go by.
All of the cruises have a fully stocked bar onboard, so you can enjoy a hot or cold drink as you take in the scenery.
They sail at least once an hour on the hour from 11am to 4pm (5pm during BST), or every 30 minutes at busier times.
Ticket Prices (July 24)
•Adult – £8.10 online / £9.00 on the quayside
•Concession (student, 60+, or disabled passenger) – £7.65 online / £8.50 on the quayside
•Child (5-15) – £3.60 online / £4.00 on the quayside
•Under 5 – Free
•Family (2 adults/concessions and up to 3 children) – £22.50 / £25.00 on the quayside
•Carer accompanying disabled passenger – £3.60 online / £4.00 on the quayside
After your boat trip you can carry on your day in Chester by heading to Grosvenor Park for a walk or play on the play area, head to the centre for some shopping or grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants which line the River.
To check out my Guide to Chester click here My Guide to the City of Chester (daysoutandmealsout.com)
Visit July 2024
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