English Holiday Cruises - Midweek Break - A Longer Cruise on the Big Canal

English Holiday Cruises

Edward Elgar cruising under Holt Bridge on the River Severn

The NEW Midweek Break - 3 Nights

A longer Cruise on the Big Canal with 3 Fascinating Tours

This is an extended version of our weekend break taking in an extra night PLUS inclusive guided tours of the Slimbridge Wildfowl Centre, the Purton Hulks and Berkeley Castle . It’s a short-break touring holiday which will appeal to people who have a bit more time to relax and learn something about the history of the area. There are also opportunities for walking and bird-watching. The Edward Elgar cruises from the historic Gloucester docks along the big Gloucester and Sharpness canal to stop at Slimbridge, Purton, Frampton-on-Severn and Saul, with some stunning views of the lower Severn Vale along the way. As always, we serve up delicious meals and some fun live entertainment. This holiday cruise offers superb value for money and is another terrific short break on one of England’s finest waterways.

Board on Tuesday

Board the Edward Elgar Riverboat Hotel in Gloucester Docks on Tuesday at 5pm, unpack and enjoy dinner in the main saloon. We usually run a table quiz after dinner - a good opportunity to meet other passengers before you retire to your cosy cabin.

‘The crew were so welcoming and they carried our bags from our car to the cabin so we felt special right from the beginning’

Set Sail on Wednesday

On Wednesday morning, our hotel boat cruises down the historic Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal. The Skipper will describe some of the history of this magnificent canal and point out interesting sights along the way. There are also some beautiful views to the Cotswolds escarpment in the East and the Forest of Dean in the West. We moor up around lunch time near Slimbridge.

Visit the Slimbridge Wildfowl Centre

After lunch, we taxi you to the famous Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre and pay for your admission into this famous birding centre founded by Sir Peter Scott and there are some excellent bird watching opportunities for both casual and keen birders. In the evening the Captain will prepare a complimentary cocktail for you, just before dinner.

‘The Wetlands Centre was fascinating – and I’m not particularly interested in birds!'

Explore Local History on Thursday

On Thursday morning the Edward Elgar continues on down the canal to meet the Severn Estuary at Sharpness and turn to moor up next to the Barge Graveyard at Purton. Alight here for your guided tour of the Purton Hulks, deliberately scuppered on the shore of the Severn Estuary to protect the canal embankment from erosion. This site has just been adopted as a location of special historical significance by British Waterways. Your guide will tell some interesting tales about the old boats there.

Visit Berkeley Castle

We then cast off again to cruise over lunch and moor up at Frampton-on-Severn for another interesting guided tour. We take you by coach to the nearby Berkeley Castle, which has the distinction of housing a single family lineage for longer than any other castle in the country. It also features prominently in the history of the English Civil war and other key turning points in the history of our country.

‘The Berkeley name comes up in so many different places – now I know how they are all connected!'

Enjoy an Evening of Dining and Live Entertainment

On this last evening of your cruise holiday, we serve a delicious dinner and offer up some fun live entertainment.

Return to Gloucester on Friday

On Friday morning, the Edward Elgar Riverboat Hotel sails up the canal for a brief stop at Saul Junction where you might like to explore the Cotswolds Canal Trust and the new Saul Marina. We serve lunch as you sail back to Gloucester, where we moor up around 1.30pm to complete a bargain cruise and superb touring holiday.

‘We have both enjoyed everything. The scenery, the comfort, excellent food and the friendly service & homely feeling’ - I. Hodgson & S. Haydock