Featured Article: Discover the Best of Yorkshire on a Coach Trip: From Skipton Boat Trips to Historic Towns and Scenic Railways
As a members of the Coach Tourism Association we are excited you are interested in visiting us!
We get many questions about drop-off, parking, and itineraries, so we’ve created this page to help. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Drop-Off/Pick-Up
You can drop off your passengers directly outside the wharf office! This is located on Coach Street and it’s a single yellow drop off area, with an approximate 50-yard walk to the boat, over cobblestones. You should aim to drop-off passengers 15-20 minutes before the trip departure time. As a coach driver, please check in at the office to pick up boarding passes to distribute to the passengers. If you are in Skipton earlier in the day, you are more than welcome to pick up the boarding passes whenever is convenient for you!n Pick up is in the same location and we ask that you do not come back and wait/idle until the arrival time back at the wharf. Each trip is one-hour long, unless it is a cream tea/afternoon tea etc.
Coach Parking
After drop off, coaches need to make their way to the public carparks. There are two major carparks for coaches in Skipton, with the main one being very close to the market.
HIGH STREET CAR PARK behind the Town Hall and accessed from the High Street or via Rectory Lane. Google Maps Link: BD23 1ED Public toilet facilities are available, incl. a RADAR accessible toilet. Parking for cars, motorbikes & coaches.
COACH STREET CAR PARK near the canal and accessed from either Broughton Road, Gargrave Road or Water Street. Google Maps Link: BD23 1LE Public toilet facilities are available, including a RADAR accessible toilet. Parking for cars and motor cycles.
Mobility Aides
We are happy to store mobility aides, including scooters, should your passengers need it. Your passengers will be able to use them right up to their seat (if needed) and our friendly boatmen will assist with boarding, and then take the aides away to be stored. Upon disembarking, our boatmen will bring the aides back to the door of the boat. If any special assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to ask!
Special Assistance
Occasionally, we have passengers who are in need of additional assistance. This may be in the form of additional time to board, needing to be sat closer to the toilet or the door, or perhaps a little more space at the tables to accommodate larger passengers. We can help with all of this, just give us a ring or email prior to the trip. In addition, should you have any passengers who are hearing impaired, we offer a written copy of our commentary so that he/she can still follow along. Just ask in the office!
Packages/Itineraries
Over 60% of our business comes from working with coach companies directly. We are always happy to assist is any way we can and can help you plan your perfect day in Skipton. We offer many packages which you can see below. Most coach companies who visit us, also visit Skipton Market (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
One-Hour Trips
We offer one-hour trips that include a relaxing, comfortable tour with commentary and complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits. Your passengers will be met by a friend crew, who go out of their way to help. Minimum numbers for group rate is 10 passengers and the maximum number is 56. The price for this is £9.00 per person
Typical departure times for the one hour trips are:
10:45, 12pm, 13:15, 14:30, 15:45
Dining Cruises/Longer Trips
If you are interested in longer trips that include light meals or full dining experiences, we offer a variety of choices. We’re more than happy to send a menu by email or post and quote for exactly what you’re looking for. Not sure what you’re looking for? We can help!
When you book a dining trip with a minimum of 25 passengers and a maximum of 46, you will have exclusive use of the boat. This is a private trip for your group with the menu of your choice. This can include anything from a Cream Tea, Full Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Ploughman’s Lunch, Roast Sunday Lunch, Buffets, Fish & Chips, and much more. There is no additional fee to hire the boat, it’s simply your menu choice multiplied by how many passengers you have. The menu price includes a 2-hour trip, but an additional hour can be added for a small extra cost. Coach companies do not need to deposit to book with us. We will invoice you on the day of travel and final numbers/menu choices are due 5 days before travel. Typical departure times for meal trips are:
3-hour cruises with departures at 11:15am, 14:45, and 18:30
2-hour cruises with departures at 11:15am, 12pm, 14:45, 18:30
Castle, Rail, and Sail
We have recently partnered up with our good friends at Skipton Castle and Embsay Rail to offer coach companies an exciting new package. For one price, you can visit all 3 attractions, making the booking and ticketing process quick, easy, and streamlined. Standard ticket includes a visit to the castle, a standard trip on the Railway, and a one-hour cruise with Skipton Boat Trips. If you’re looking for a cream tea/afternoon tea or other food option, we can help book that as well either on the train or on the boat. You can do all 3 in one day, or spread your ticket over multiple days and all venues are flexible to suit your needs!
Awards, Media Enquires, Promo Materials
Over the years Skipton Boat Trips has been honoured to receive awards. Most recently, we were a finalist for the Yorkshire White Rose Awards – Skipton Boat Trips named White Rose Awards Finalist, and we are consistently awarded the Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice-award Skipton Boat Trips Wins 2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.
We also we won the 2022 The Craven District Business Awards – Tourism Business of the Year LINK
All media enquires can be done by either email or phone, and should be directed to Jennifer Watson.
Please feel free to use any of our promo photos for any of your publications paper or digital by visiting this page: Promo Materials