The Boat Station | The Black Shed, Slimbridge

Luxury Canal Cruises

Enjoy a chauffeured cruise along the canal aboard Meanderer, our traditional classic wooden harbour launch, Still Waters, our veteran tender, or Marion of Largs, our historic motor sailboat.

Glide along in style as you relax and take in the stunning Gloucestershire countryside that runs alongside the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

Celebrate your special occasions while you nourish both body and soul with a picnic on your cruise, freshly made with our high welfare, local produce by The Black Shed kitchen, so quality is guaranteed.

Trips & Times

Note: An onboard small picnic, to be eaten whilst cruising, can be provided for all our cruises at an additional charge, providing this is booked in advance.

Also, booking in advance is preferred for all cruises, but not essential (except for the Gloucester day trip).

We are happy to discuss any alternative trips and times.

For any bookings, please contact Sonia - 07793544057.

1 hour 30 mins cruise

A return trip to Purton Hulks (includes activity booklet). Guests can disembark for approx. 1/2 hours to see the Hulks.

£25 per person.

2 hour cruise

A return trip to Saul Junction (guests to remain onboard throughout).

£30 per person.

2 hour 30 mins cruise

A return trip to Saul Junction (includes 30 mins to explore the surroundings at Saul Junction).

£35 per person.

3 hour cruise

A return trip to Sharpness with a stop at Purton to visit the Hulks.

£40 per person.

Day Trip to Gloucester Quays

£45 per person.

The boat will depart The Black Shed at 9am and will leave Gloucester for its return journey at 3pm.

This trip is by advance booking only, minimum 8 people.

Special Occasions

The Boat Station can also help you celebrate a wedding, birthday party or another special occasion with a customised cruise.

To make or discuss a booking, please give us a call or drop us a message on either 07542 939 586 or 07793 544 057

Weather

Due to the nature of our business, all bookings are subject to the weather. If the weather conditions dictate (normally strong winds), we will contact you to reschedule your booking.

A recent boat trip, complete with 'posh picnic', for some visitors over from America!

Meet Our Boats!

All our boats "Marion of Largs", "Still Waters" and "Meanderer" are registered with the Canal and River Trust as historic classic boats.

See below for some information about each of our trusty vessels.

Meanderer

Meanderer is our 20-foot clinker-built historic harbour launch.

She has a wooden superstructure and was built in approximately 1953.

She is fitted with a Vetus 3 cylinder diesel engine with direct shaft drive to a 3-bladed propellor.

Meanderer finished her career as a harbour launch early 2021 and joined us here at The Boat Station shortly afterwards.

Meanderer is fitted with seating to accommodate up to 6 people.

Still Waters

Still Waters is an historic double skin carvel-built boat with a wooden hull and superstructure.

She was built by Thornycroft at their Southampton yard in 1922.

Still Waters was originally built as a tender for the RMS Mauritania, which was built in 1906, and she then went on to tender for Mauritania 2, built in 1936.

Both Mauritania 1 and 2 served in both World Wars as transport ships, with the earlier ship also being used as a floating hospital.

Both ships were known for their luxury and, outside of war times, their service.

RMS Mauritania held the Atlantic Blue Riband for speed until 1929, with her only challenger being her sister ship, the Lusitania.

Still Waters was originally fitted with a Thornycroft six cylinder engine which was replaced in 2021 with a barrios Shire 85hp engine.

She has seating for up to 12 passengers.

Marion of Largs

Marion is the latest member of our Boat Station team.

She is a 24-foot historic wooden motor sailboat, built in 1937.

Marion has a tiller, setting her apart from Still Waters and Meanderer who both have wheels.

She has a 3-cylinder Lister engine and seating for up to 8 passengers.

Add a Picnic to your Boat Trip!

Children under 10 are half price.

Sandwiches Picnic

£15 per head

With a selection of sandwiches to include:

Coronation Chicken

Egg Mayo

Tuna Mayo

Ham

Cheese

Choice of farmhouse white or granary bread.

Includes crisps and a soft drink.

Ploughman's Picnic

£25 per head

3 cheese ploughman's (stilton, cheddar & brie) or a mixed ploughman's with ham and 2 choices of cheese, all accompanied by a side salad, pickles, bread, savoury pastries, cakes etc.

Choice of farmhouse white or granary bread.

Includes a soft drink.

Cream Tea Picnic

£25 per head

Includes:

Sandwiches

Savoury pastries

Scones with clotted cream and jam

Cakes

Choice of farmhouse white or granary bread.

Includes a soft drink, tea or coffee.

Small Wines