For over 45 years, our Trust has known the positive impact of blue health, the belief that canal and rivers, are beneficial for people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.  We've experienced first-hand the difference a trip on one of our boats can have on a person.

Traditionally, our charity has offered day trips for community groups and organisations, however, with the drastic impact the pandemic has had on mental health, our Trust is determined to make our unique experience available to as many people in our community as possible. Throughout 2023, we received funding to support a range of wellbeing and positive health trips, available to the community.

Serenade and Symphony are our two broad-beam boats for our day trips and can carry up to 26 passengers. With these being 4 feet wider than narrow-boats they offer more comfort and facilities to our passengers. They are specially adapted and are accessible to all and include hydraulic lifts for wheelchair users.

Either boat is available for day hire from March to October and trips board at our base in Loughborough and can travel to either Zouch or Mountsorrel.

A general day trip runs from 10am to approx. 3pm with a stop off for lunch at either a pub or passengers can bring sandwiches and the skipper will moor up at a scenic point along route.

We generally use the Plough for day trips to Zouch and the Waterside for journeys to Mountsorrel.  The pubs serve a wide choice of meals and we have a special 'boaters menu' which our passengers can take advantage of.  Once a trip is booked we will provide you with a copy of the menu and all you need to do is take a note of your groups' meal requirements and bring this with you on the day.  A member of our crew will then phone through your order ahead of mooring at the pub so there's no delay waiting for food to be prepared.

Please note: the cost of the lunch is payable direct to the pub on the day of your trip and is extra to the boat hire charge. The pubs request one person take responsibility to pay for the whole party, please. 

During your trip our team of friendly volunteers will ensure your comfort and serve you a selection of hot and cold drinks and biscuits.

If you would like a shorter trip or something bespoke, we will do our best to accommodate you.  We are also happy moor at different pubs with prior notice, e.g The Boat Inn, Loughborough and the Rose and Crown Inn, Zouch, subject to mooring availability.  Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Due to mooring restrictions during the season at weekends, with regret, we are unable to take pub lunch bookings on a Saturday and Sunday.

To find out more about our boats and to plan your trip please use links below

Symphony           Serenade            Booking          Journey Leaflet