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We welome you to glide along at a slow and leisurely pace whilst
enjoying the wealth of wildlife and scenery to be experienced on
the canal, away from the bustle of busy roads.
John Varley
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Seth Ellis (David Morris)
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Ideal for parties / groups, such as a celebratory occasion, club
outing, community groups, business away days, School educational
visits or just family and friends enjoying a relaxing time out together.
We operate two purpose built passenger day trip boats at two locations
on the Chesterfield Canal.
The John Varley narrowboat was launched by the Mayor of
Chesterfield in May 1992, and sponsored by Chesterfield Borough
Council, facilities at present include wheelchair lift and toilet.
Since it was launched it has provided hundreds of people of all
ages with a pleasurable introduction to this recently restored section
of canal.
The Seth Ellis narrowboat was built in 2005 by Soar Valley
Steel Boats of Chesterfield and fitted out to a high standard by
volunteers of the Trust.
Facilities include large opening windows, rear, front and side doors
to maximise fresh air, heater if cold, toilet, galley to provide
hot and cold drinks at moderate cost, and a chiller.
It was supported by generous financial assistance from Bassetlaw
District Council and The Nottinghamshire County Council Charitable
Grants Trust.
The Seth Ellis now also
has its own web site
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John Varley
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Seth Ellis
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Charter trips
Both boats are licensed for a maximum of 12 passengers which cannot
be exceeded, except for babies under 12 months.
The charter rate for both boats is 30.00 per hour for the boat
and crew. Trip length minimum 2 hours to a maximum of 8 hours.
To book your charter on the Seth Ellis please 'phone Pete/ Vicki
on 01246 280660. Enquiries/bookings for John Varley charters please
phone Tapton Lock Visitor Centre on 01246 551035.
Please note John Varley operates from your choice of Tapton
Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane Chesterfield or The Mill
Public House, Station Road, Brimington.
The Seth Ellis departs from Bay Tree cafe / bar, Carolgate,
Retford.
On both boats you are welcome to bring your own picnic on board,
or a stop can be arranged at a canalside pub. It may be possible
for a buffet to be provided on the John Varley. Please ask for details.
You will be asked for a 20% deposit to confirm your booking, the
balance due a week before your trip. Please make cheques payable
to Chesterfield Canal Trust, and send to:
Seth Ellis:
Vicki Croot,
9 Riverdale Park,
Staveley,
Chesterfield, S43 3UQ. |
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John Varley:
Tapton Lock Visitor Centre,
Lockoford Lane,
Chesterfield S41 7JB |
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| Seth
Ellis in action on May5, 2008 under blue skies for a very successful
Retford Charter Day. The crew took dozens of passengers from
The Wharf at the end of Carolgate outside the Bay Tree up to
Leverton Road bridge and back. (David Morris) |
Please find a list of the
various charter trips that we can do, here
(PDF file)

Extended one-way trips
From time to time, the Seth Ellis's cruising schedule takes it
away from the immediate vicinity of Retford and up towards the current
head of the navigation at Norwood Tunnel near Kiveton.
Happening only a handful of times each year, there are sometimes limited
places available on these trips for the hardened canal enthusiast. As they
are one-way trips to co-incide with boat movement, we don't offer return
transport.
These trips offer a fantastic opportunity to experience possibly
some of the most beautiful canal scenery in the country including
the 'Giants Staircase' flight of locks between Shireoaks and Kiveton
(the four hour trip) which takes in two double and two treble staircases.
You can either sit back and enjoy the scenery or join the crew
lock-wheeling and get a workout at the same time!
If you are intested in this type of trip, please keep an eye on the Trust
news page or on the
Seth Ellis
site where they will be publicised.
The images below are typical of the sort of scenery on this stretch of the
canal.
Please note: these do not form part of our regular charter or
cruising schedule.
Lime House Lock
The picturesque hamlet of Turnerwood
Public trips
John Varley Public Trips
These
run on Sunday and Bank Holiday afternoons from Easter to October
and depart from Tapton Lock Visitor Centre,
Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, telephone 01246 551035.
45 minute trips depart 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. Please phone to
check availability, or just turn up and cruise. Fare 3.50 adults,
3.00 children.
90 minute trips every other Sunday at 11am. Booking essential.
Fare 5.00 adults, 4.50 children.
Seth Ellis Public Trips
Santa Specials
Both
boats operate Santa Specials on the run-up to Christmas.
Seth Ellis (Retford)
Operating from Retford (outside the Bay Tree cafe), Seth Ellis will be taking bookings for Saturdays and Sundays
from 5th to 20th December. Prices £5/person. Contact Pete or Vicki on 01246 280660 to book. A special 'publiclity
day' will be held in Retford (with Santa in attendance) on Saturday 21st November complete with
live brass accompaniment. More information is also available on the Seth Ellis web site.
John Varley (Chesterfield - Tapton Lock)
The John Varley will be running trips with Santa from Tapton Lock Visitors Centre. Trips
on the John Varley (£5/person) are available every Saturday and Sunday from 28th November through to 20th December and again on 23rd and 24th
December. To book for the John Varley, contact Tapton Lock on 01246 551035. The 'publiclity day' for the John Varley, with Santa
in attendance is on 21st November at noon at Tapton Lock.
Younger vistors to see Santa on each boat get a Christmas present and a chance to chat to the big fella in red. Older visitors
get a mince pie and a glass of something warming.
These are extremely popular trips and they do get booked up quickly, so we'd suggest you book as soon as
possible to get your pick of the slots available.
Booking is essential for these trips.
John Varley runs from Tapton
Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield. To book telephone
01246 551035.
Seth Ellis runs from the Bay Tree Cafe / Bar, The Wharf,
Carolgate, Retford. Free parking from the Bay Tree Cafe / Bar, up
to 3 hours Monday to Saturday, free parking all day sunday and Bank
Holidays. . To book telephone Pete / Vicki on 01246 280660.
All proceeds from both boats go towards the Restoration of
the Chesterfield Canal and they are manned entirely by volunteers.
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John Varley
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John Varley
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