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🎉 Celebrate on the Water: A Private Party Canal Cruise to Remember

10 September 2025

Forget the crowded restaurants and noisy pubs — this year, take the celebration somewhere unforgettable. Welcome to your private canal cruise party, where the venue floats, the views change, and every moment feels just a little more magical.

Whether it’s a birthday, hen do, anniversary, retirement bash, or just a good old-fashioned get-together, the canals offer a unique and personal way to mark the occasion.


🚤 Why Choose a Canal Cruise for Your Party?

Because it’s different. And because there’s something special about gathering your favorite people on a narrowboat, surrounded by nature and history, with a drink in hand and not a care in the world.

Here’s what makes a private canal cruise perfect for your next event:

  • Exclusive hire – The boat is yours, no strangers onboard
  • Bring your own vibe – Choose the music, décor, food, and drinks
  • Skippered experience – We do the driving, you do the celebrating
  • Peaceful pace – Float through scenic landscapes or historic towns
  • Flexible options – Choose 2 hours, half a day, or longer

🍹 What to Expect Onboard

Your cruise starts from a picturesque mooring and soon drifts into countryside calm or canal-side charm. The narrowboat becomes your floating venue, complete with:

  • Seating for all guests (indoor and/or outdoor)
  • Tables for food & drinks
  • Onboard toilet
  • Fully licensed skipper (no one has to be the designated driver!)

Add-on extras can include:

  • Afternoon tea, Fish & Chips, Roast Dinners or Full English Breakfast
  • Welcome drinks or BYOB setup
  • Decorations for birthdays, hens, baby showers, etc.
  • Themed options (retro, picnic, prosecco cruise, etc.)

🎈 Who’s It For?

These cruises are perfect for groups of up to 10–12 people (depending on the boat), and ideal for:

  • 🎂 Milestone birthdays
  • 💍 Hen parties
  • 🍼 Baby showers
  • 🎓 Graduations
  • 🎄 Festive gatherings
  • 💼 Team socials or client hospitality
  • ❤️ Micro-weddings or vow renewals

📸 Picture the Day

You and your guests board the boat with a glass of fizz. A banner flutters in the breeze, balloons gently bob, and your playlist sets the mood. As the boat cruises slowly under old stone bridges and along tree-lined canals, you laugh, toast, snap photos — and soak in a setting unlike any other.

This isn’t just a party. It’s an experience.


💬 What Guests Say

“Easily the best birthday I’ve had. We decorated the boat, brought a picnic and prosecco, and our skipper made sure everything ran perfectly. Can’t wait to do it again.” – Sarah, Manchester

“We booked for a hen do and it was exactly the chilled-out vibe we needed. Everyone loved it — even my nan!” – Chloe, Leeds


🎟️ Booking Your Private Canal Cruise Party

Booking is simple — just choose your:

  1. Date & duration
  2. Guest numbers & extras
  3. Food/drink options

Prices vary based on group size and cruise length. Weekend slots fill fast, so early booking is advised.


🌟 Float Your Own Way

A private party canal cruise is more than just a venue — it’s a chance to slow down, connect, and celebrate in a setting that’s both relaxed and remarkable.

No traffic, no noise, no rush — just you, your people, and the peace of the water.

Ready to cast off into celebration? Let’s plan your party afloat.

Myself and my nanna had the best time on the canal boat, the food was absolutely delicious and we couldn’t have asked for a better day the weather was perfect. The gentleman doing the tour (didn’t catch his name sorry) was so knowledgeable and was very funny. He was really accommodating for my nanna as well as she isn’t the most steady on her feet, he helped her on and off the boat and helped her up and down the stairs which I can’t thank him enough for. Would highly recommend doing this tour and it’s in such a beautiful area. Will definitely be doing it again!

Li L
Trustpilot

Experienced a wonderful autumn cruise along the canal here with Skipper Mark who shared all his amazing experiences and knowledge of the area and canal along the way. Highly recommend this if you’re in the area.

Steven H
Trustpilot

Our family of four hired a 6-berth boat and cruised from Burscough to Wigan and back. The boat was great, the route was lovely, and the service from Lancashire Canal Cruises was superb—special thanks to Marc, who was incredibly helpful. Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ben M
Trustpilot

Amazing experience!
As first-time canal boaters, we were a bit nervous, but Richard made the whole process easy and enjoyable. He spent a couple of hours with us on the water, guiding us through everything until we felt completely comfortable handling the boat, mooring, and using all the onboard features. We spent two nights aboard and had an absolutely brilliant time—cruising between pubs for meals, spotting a kingfisher, and taking in the beautiful Lancashire countryside. The boat was spotless and had everything we needed.
10/10 – highly recommend! Thanks again to Lancashire Canal Cruises!

Matthew S
Trustpilot

What a fantastic afternoon with the fabulous Marc as our skipper. This trip is worth every penny so if you've not done it or are considering booking on one of the experiences then do it! you will have a great time. Marc is brilliant sharing all the history and stories of canal life and the surrounding areas. Thank you Marc for making our trip truly special! 🤗

Pamela W
Trustpilot

Really Enjoyed today's canal ride. Was made to feel at ease when I was nervous on the water. Amazing views & a lovely Afternoon tea. Got to steer the boat and wear the captains hat 😁. And the guy even made time to rescue someone's Memorial bench after it had been blown into the water 💙

Debbie H
Trustpilot

We chartered a private hire cruise for 3hrs for my Mums 80th birthday and it was just perfect. Our Skipper Tori was fantastic, she really played along with the kids and kept them involved. The weather was rubbish but we didn't let it ruin the experience, all having a go at steering the boat and helping with the swing bridge.
We took our own food, drink and decorations and nothing was any bother. Would definitely recommend this trip.

Amy K
Trustpilot

Everything was perfect from booking to the trip. Great communication.
Lovely afternoon tea.
The gentleman was friendly & had a great knowledge of the canal & surroundings.
Perfect start to my friends 40th Birthday celebrations.

Annmaria S
Trustpilot

Just got back from an amazing cruise with afternoon tea with this company. The food was lovely and fresh!
The skipper, Mark was lovely and professional! He was so naturally friendly and explained everything about the history of barges and the area. He was so knowledgeable. The cruise itself was beautiful and relaxing.

Leah J
Trustpilot

What a wonderful experience! Mark was such a great host, very kind and helpful. We miss our trip because of car crash on the road, he not only accommodate us on the next trip but he make us fresh afternoon tea and he place us in the best part of the boat! I can’t explain what a wonderful people and what a experience we had ! Truly amazing! Definitely try for yourself !!! Thank you Mark! See you soon!

Plamena D
Trustpilot