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UNIQUE BIRD WATCHING HOLIDAYS ABOARD MV OLIVER CROMWELL

• Watch a wide variety of birds, usually over 100 species, in eight major locations in Gloucestershire including the Forest of Dean, Ashleworth and Slimbridge WWT.

• Learn from Anserbirding’s professional guides (maximum 10 watchers per guide).

• Bring your partner to socialise - there’s a special programme for ‘non bird watchers’ with guided tours to local sights including Tewkesbury Abbey and Berkeley Castle.

• Relax in the evenings over a delicious meal and enjoy a drink from our licensed bar. Retire at night to your cosy en-suite cabin.

• Cruise between outings along the mighty Gloucester & Sharpness Canal aboard MV Oliver Cromwell, Britain’s biggest Riverboat Hotel.

• This is a complete holiday package for all levels of bird watchers and their partners, including local travel, guided tours, lectures, all meals and 4-nights accommodation.

Vessel Information | Hospitality Afloat

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST RIVERBOAT HOTEL

• Accommodation for 46 people in outside twin or inside double cabins, all with climate control and en-suite Shower, WC and wash basin.
• Grand upper deck saloon with restaurant, lounge and well-stocked cash bar.
• Open top deck with commanding views over the countryside.
• Hearty traditional English food with a choice of dishes including vegetarian options.
• Informal hospitality. Wear casual clothing or dress up a little for dinner. NO SMOKING inboard.

HOLIDAY CRUISE PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY

ALL PASSENGERS : 6PM Boarding / Dinner / Bird Talk or Quiz

THURSDAY

BIRDWATCHERS : Guided watches in Forest of Dean, Highnam, Ashleworth, Coombe Hill.
Target species in Forest of Dean & Highman are Northern Goshawk, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit & Common Crossbill. Ashleworth & Coombe Hill offer good general birding & walking. Packed lunch en-route. Bird talk after dinner.

PARTNERS : Guided tour of Tewkesbury Abbey. Guided walk around Gloucester & Cathedral. Quiz or games after dinner.

FRIDAY

BIRDWATCHERS : Morning ‘Watch & Cruise’ to Slimbridge. Afternoon guided watch around Slimbridge WWT. A top resrve filled with rarities including Spoonbill, Dark Bellied Brent Goose, Green-winged Teal, Gargeney, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Spotted Crake, Avocet, Arctic & Great Skuars, Little & Yellow-legged Gull. Bird talk after dinner.

PARTNERS : Deck Quoits during cruise. Afternoon guided tour of Slimbridge WWT. Quiz or games after dinner.

SATURDAY

BIRDWATCHERS : Morning ‘Watch & Cruise’ to Sharpness. Guided walk & watch along Severn foreshore. Targets are migratory birds, Peregine falcon, Rock Pipit & possibly Common Sandpiper. Lunchtime cruise to Frampton-on-Severn. Guided walk and watch around Frampton. Targets are gulls, parkland & forshore birds. Live entertainment after dinner.

PARTNERS : Morning Cruise and Deck Quoits. Afternoon cruise and guided tour around Berkeley Castle.

SUNDAY

BIRDWATCHERS : 7.30am Light breakfast. Morning guided watch around Cleeve Hill. Targets are upland species and birds using agricultural land, including Ring Ouzel. Cruise back to Gloucester and disembark at 4pm.

PARTNERS : 8.30am Light breakfast. Morning cruise to Saul. Visit Cotswold Canal Trust. Deck Quoits final. Afternoon cruise back to Gloucester and disembark at 4pm.

Further rare migrants recorded in recent Autumns around the locations we visit are Boneparte’s & Ring-billed Gull, Buff-breasted, Semi-palmated, Pectoral, Baird’s & White-rumped Sandpiper, Aquatic Warbler, Red-necked Phalarope, Little Crake, Wryneck, White Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron & Spotted Crake.

CRUISE FARES AND BOOKING

Bird watching cruises run in the Autumn and Spring. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include local travel, guided tours, bird talks, all meals and 4 nights accommodation.
All cabins have en-suite facilities.

Cabin Type	Inside Double	Outside Twin
Watcher	£430	£490
Partner	£320	£380
Watcher Single Occupancy	£495	£630

To book, please contact us for further information or availability. Our programme may be altered to suit the weather, cruising conditions, bird migration patterns and other factors. We may occasionally switch the cruise to our second vessel MV Edward Elgar which has the same range of facilities but is smaller than MV Oliver Cromwell. For full terms & conditions refer to our booking form.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Watchers should bring waterproof gear, some warm clothing, boots, Binoculars and cameras. Partners should bring casual clothing appropriate for the time of year. No formal clothing is required on board. We provide all bedding, towels & soap.

ENVIRONMENT

Watchers will be visiting forests, wetlands, riverbanks, & moorland. Some muddy and uneven paths are encountered plus beaches with shingle and sand. Most walks are flat but there are some steep slopes. Boardwalks and hides are frequently used but some have steps up into them which can be slippery when wet. Partners will be using level, sound footpaths & towpaths. There are some short but steep flights of stairs on board the vessel.

Contact us and Book | Home |Oliver Cromwell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In association with Anser Birding