Visit Skipton to experience evening dining on the Leeds & Liverpool canal
Skipton Boat Trips has brought back its popular Evening Dining Cruise, following its successful introduction last year. The two hour cruise runs on Thursday evenings from May to September, starting in the historic canal basin in Skipton. From 6pm, passengers board the comfortable surroundings of the wide beam restaurant boat Dalesman, now in its 28th year of service. Wine on arrival is followed by a safety speech from one of the skippers, who interestingly actually have to hold a rank in the Merchant Navy! After the starters, the trip departs towards Leeds, where the grandeur of the old Victorian mills gives way to great views of the rolling countryside. The trip cruises as far as Bradley, passing through two swing bridges, and under numerous 18th century arch bridges, before turning in the winding hole at Bradley and making its way back to Skipton as dusk falls.
The cruise was the brainchild of owner James Watson, who approached local chef and licensee Owen Pugh of The Cavendish Arms in Embsay with the idea. James took over the company with his wife Jennifer in 2018, and has been trialling new ideas for cruises ever since, with their emphasis being on value for money and enjoyment. American born Jen likes to follow the mantra of Walt Disney in her dealings with the public- make the experience so good, people want to come back and bring their friends.
Owen Pugh has been the chef and licensee of The Cavendish Arms in Embsay since 2004, and is now one of the longest serving landlords in the area. Owen has created a three course menu of traditional locally sourced fare for the trip, for a hearty meal on board, allowing passengers to sit back and relax and take in the atmosphere as a friendly crew takes care of everything else.
The boat that is used for the Evening Dining Cruise is the Dalesman, built in 1994 by James’ grandfather Alan Hughes. It is a traditional widebeam canal boat, which was featured last year, when she received a new engine- her old one having driven the equivalent of three times around the world. Although the Evening Dining Cruise is two and a half hours long, Dalesman runs trips of different lengths, from two hours up to 7, where she has been chartered to run to Gargrave and back, including a stop for shopping! We offer a very popular boat cruise with Afternoon Tea, and Roast Dinner Cruise (Sold out for 2022), and Friday Evening Fish & Chips cruise.
Evening Dining Cruises run every Thursday from May – September. Prices £32.50 per person. Booking can be done online or on 01756 790829.
To book or see availability, please visit https://www.canaltrips.co.uk/#trips
3 Coach St.
Skipton
BD20 9AD
