Boat Trips

Add a boat trip to your museum visit

Visit

On selected dates you can add a canal boat trip to your museum visit. The trips are normally aboard Long Tom, a purpose-designed sightseeing boat jointly owned by us and another waterways charity. It has big windows that open in summer, and passengers are seated at tables. Free tea or coffee is provided on all long trips and tunnel trips, and on these cruses a guide provides a commentary about the route on which you are cruising. The canal is a living piece of industrial history so seeing it from the boat is the perfect addition to your visit.

When trips operate

We have a varied programme of different trips on offer throughout the summer season and in the Christmas season. The summer season is from Easter to the end of October.

The different trips on offer

Passenger boat with big windows emerges from tunnel portal

How to book

Booking is online on this page. All 2024 dates are open for booking.There are 12 places on each trip (11 on long trips) and early advance booking is very strongly recommended. All passengers require a ticket including babies.

Bookings are made online and immediately using our online booking system. Payment is by credit/debit card and will be processed on behalf of the museum by Tygit Ltd. In the 15 minutes before departure any unsold places on the boat can be purchased in person from the museum shop.

If you have a problem making a booking we will try to help, but we cannot make additional places available on boats that are already full! Use the Online Booking Support Form if you need help

Long trips operate on Fridays only. They depart at 1100 (To Little Venice) or 1130 (To Victoria Park).

1130 departure for Victoria Park dates
September 6th and 20th
October 4th and 18th
1100 departure for Little Venice dates
September 13th and 27th
October 11th and 25th

Cream tea cruises depart at 1500 every Thursday until 31st October inclusive and on selected Wednesdays in September and October.

Tunnel trips operate on Thursdays and Sundays until 31st October. On 31st October only Halloween decorations will be in place and the afternoon tea cruise at 1500 will be a "scream tea!!!"

How accessible is Long Tom

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. Access to the cabin involves climbing down narrow stairs that turn. Staff will do their best to help people with access needs if they can.

The boat trip is suitable for blind and visually-impaired people, deaf and hearing-impaired people, and those with moderate walking difficulties. Please contact us to discuss your access needs and we will try to help if we can.

What should I wear?

The boat is fully enclosed but many people like to open the windows so it is best to have outdoor clothing with you. In the tunnel there is no sunshine so it can be chilly even in summer. Please wear sensible shoes that won't fall off your feet. In autumn and winter the boat is heated but we advise outdoor clothing be worn.