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

Seth Ellis (David Morris)

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

 

John Varley

Seth Ellis

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.

John Varley: Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield S41 7JB

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)

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.

John Varley

John Varley