ChesterBoat

Souters Lane, The Groves, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1SZ , England
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

ChesterBoat is a family-run company with over forty years of experience providing scenic cruises along the beautiful River Dee in Chester. Located at The Groves, the venue offers a unique way to see the city's historic walls and Roman amphitheater from the water while enjoying the lush Cheshire countryside. Whether for a quick sightseeing trip or a festive evening out, ChesterBoat delivers a memorable experience for families, groups, and individuals alike.

The venue offers a range of water-based activities including daily Half-hour City Cruises, seasonal Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruises through the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Estate, and private picnic boat hires for up to 8 people. Specialized themed events are also available, such as Party Nights Afloat, quiz nights, fish & chip cruises, and seasonal Christmas or Santa Special cruises. Visitors can enjoy onboard facilities including fully stocked bars, informative commentary on local history, and opportunities to spot local wildlife like kingfishers and swans.

Pricing for the Half-hour City Cruise starts at £9.50 for adults and £4.50 for children (5-15) when booked online, while the Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise begins at £18.00 for adults and £8.50 for children. Family tickets are available for both cruises, starting at £25.00 online for the city cruise and £46.00 online for the iron bridge trip. Private charter rates for parties and special occasions start from £230 per hour.

ChesterBoat provides an authentic and relaxing way to explore Chester’s fascinating past and its stunning riverside architecture. With a fleet of versatile vessels like the Lady Diana and Mark Twain, it serves as an excellent venue for everything from quiet afternoon tea to vibrant celebration nights. Its convenient location near the city center and commitment to year-round entertainment make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the historic city.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

  • Half-hour City Cruise: A Half-hour City Cruise is the perfect the way to take in the River Dee and historic Chester. Step aboard the Lady Diana, the Mark Twain, or The Jackie and listen to stories from Chester’s fascinating past as you take in the fabulous views. From our moorings we head upstream, under Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge, past the Boathouse Inn and Grosvenor Park, and through the picturesque suburb of Boughton. As we follow the sweeping bend of the Meadows, you’ll see stunning riverside homes and gardens, and hear about the fascinating history of the River Dee and its surroundings.
  • Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise: Step aboard the Lady Diana, Mark Twain or The Jackie for a two-hour cruise that’s a real treat. Get comfortable and enjoy a drink from the bar as you glide through rural Cheshire, along the beautiful River Dee. From our moorings on The Groves in Chester we head south, passing some spectacular homes and gardens as we make our way out of the city and into leafy Cheshire countryside. Upstream of Chester, the River Dee meanders through the Eaton Estate, the ancestral home of the Duke of Westminster. We make our turn at the picturesque Aldford Iron Bridge and then sail back downstream to the city.
  • Themed Cruises & Special Events: There’s plenty to do on the River Dee! Party Nights Afloat cruises are perfect for special occasions like hen parties and birthdays. For a more chilled out night there are quiz nights and fish & chip cruises. And we don’t stop in the winter – in December there are Christmas Parties and Santa Special Cruises to light up the river. Visit the website for more information.

Facilities

  • Parking: There are a small number of car parking spaces at our moorings on The Groves (CH1 1SZ) where you can stay for up to 1 hour, or longer with a Blue Badge. The closest pay & display car parks are Little Roodee (CH1 1SL) or Pepper Street NCP (CH1 1DF). 
  • Food & Drinks: All of our cruises have fully-stocked bars selling alcohol, soft drinks, and hot drinks. We don’t sell any food apart from crisps, but you’re welcome to bring a picnic with you on any of our daytime sightseeing cruises. 
  • Toilets: There are toilets onboard our half-hour, two-hour, and evening cruises. Public toilets are also located 100m from our moorings.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Half-hour City Cruise

  • Adult: £9.50 online / £10.00 on the quayside
  • Concession (student, 60+, or disabled adult): £8.50 online / £9.00 on the quayside
  • Child (5-15): £4.50 online / £5.00 on the quayside
  • Under 5: Free
  • Family (2 adults/concessions and up to 3 children): £25.00 online / £27.00 on the quayside
  • Carer accompanying disabled passenger: £4.50 online / £5.00 on the quayside

Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise

  • Adult: £18.00 online / £19.00 on the quayside
  • Concession (student / 60+ / disabled passenger): £17.00 online / £18.00 on the quayside
  • Child (5-15): £8.50 online / £9.50 on the quayside
  • Family (2 adults/concessions and up to 3 children): £46.00 online / £49.00 on the quayside
  • Carer accompanying disabled passenger: £8.50 online / £9.50 on the quayside

Pricing URL: https://www.chesterboat.co.uk/sightseeing-cruises/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Private Parties

  • Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or christening, a private cruise on the River Dee in Chester with ChesterBoat makes an unforgettable venue for your special occasion. Private hire starts from £230 per hour and we have lots of options available to choose from.
  • We have a fantastic fleet of boats catering for a range of party sizes, from intimate family gatherings to a big birthday bash. The Lady Diana is our most spacious vessel, with plenty of room to move and mingle and for hosting larger events. 
  • We have a well-stocked bar onboard serving a range of beers, ciders, wines, and spirits, as well as hot drinks and soft drinks. You can just let us know if there is any particular tipple that you would like to have available. 
  • Cruises sail hourly from 11AM to 4PM (5PM during BST) or every 30 minutes during busier times such as weekends and school holidays.
  • The two-hour cruise sails on selected dates from April to October.

Address: Souters Lane, The Groves, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1SZ , England

Post Code: CH1 1SZ

Council: Cheshire West and Ch

County: Cheshire

  • By Car: All of our cruises depart from The Groves, Souters Lane, Chester, CH1 1SZ (if using a SatNav please check that this is sending you down Souters Lane and not Dee Lane). Please note that there are a limited number of free parking spaces at The Groves, which can fill up quickly in the summer, and they are not operated by us. Parking is limited to 1 hour in the standard bays. With a Blue Badge parking is available for 3 hours in a standard bay or untimed in a disabled bay. Parking restrictions end at 6pm.
  • By train/bus: Our moorings are approximately 12 minutes’ walk from Chester Bus Interchange and 25 minutes’ walk from Chester Railway Station.

5.00

0 Reviews

Rating breakdown

5
80% Complete (danger)
0
4
80% Complete (danger)
0
3
80% Complete (danger)
0
2
80% Complete (danger)
0
1
80% Complete (danger)
0

More Day Outs in Cheshire West & Chester

Get the best blog stories into your inbox!