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The Very Best Boat Trips in Bristol

• May 18, 2022
• Things To Do

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Home to the Bristol channel, the Harbourside, and more rivers, streams and lakes than you can shake a stick at, Bristol is a water-lovers ideal destination. With more than 100 miles of waterways ready to be explored, boat trip services around the city offer Bristolians and visitors alike the chance to get out onto the splash and have some fun.

There really is something for everyone too. If you’re the adventurous type, self-paddling canoe trips can be found where there’s very little between you and the water. For the more laid back experience, there’s a slew of trips on larger ferry boats that can be enjoyed as a public service or even hired out privately for parties and events. If you fancy something more sophisticated, why not enjoy a meal on one of the city’s packet boats that serve up delicious afternoon teas before taking you to other destinations. And if you love nautical history, Bristol is home to some iconic ships that tell stories all of their own.

Visiting Bristol means you’re never really far from water, so why not enjoy it! To get you started, here are some of the very best boat trips in Bristol that you can enjoy solo, with a friend, or even as a large group.

Avon Gorge Cruise

A trip under the famous Clifton suspension bridge

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For most people, the Clifton Suspension bridge epitomises all things Bristol: industry, connecting people, and being atop the water. Providing what is perhaps the very best way to experience the Avon river, the bridge, and the gorge it traverses is this trip provided by Bristol Packet Boat Trips.

Their Avon Gorge Cruise is suitable for adults and children 6 years and older. Over the course of three and a half hours, you’ll be taken on a relaxing trip aboard one of the company’s ferry boats and barges along the river Avon towards the Bristol Channel. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views as you make your way under the Clifton Suspension Bridge with a full commentary as you go. You’ll learn about the area’s shipping history, as well as the natural and geological forces that helped cut the gorge itself.

With hot, cold, and alcoholic drinks available onboard, you can sit back and enjoy Bristol from an entirely different perspective.

The trips run from March to November.

Fish and Chips Trips

One of a kind supper trips around Bristol’s harbour

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A modern replica of a historic medieval caravel, The Matthew is a traditional style ship with three masts, square sails, and rigging for days.

The original Matthew was built by John Cabot and left shore in 1497 for Newfoundland. The ship is an important part of Bristol’s history and this modern recreation keeps the legend alive by hosting various boat trips around the Floating Harbour and beyond.

One of the most popular trips is the regular fish and chip tours around the Harbour that happen multiple times a week. The Matthew makes its way to the Pumphouse Landing where those aboard are treated to a fish and chip supper at the Pumphouse Landing, forty-five minutes or so into the trip.

The food served is made using fresh cod and local potatoes and served on board the ship. There are different versions of this trip including musical evenings where you can eat your meal and be entertained by the local Pirate-themed band Piratitude or join in with one of the sea shanty groups that can be experienced.

The trips are suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

City Dock Tour

An informative and entertaining tour of Bristol’s docks

If you’ve never been to Bristol before, you’re a fan of all things nautical, or you’re a Bristolian who just wants to get to know their home city better, Packet Boat Trips’ City Dock Tour is for you.

Packed into this forty-five-minute whirlwind tour of Bristol’s harbour is everything you could want to know about the history and contemporary culture surrounding the docks. As well as interesting tidbits, you’ll also get a water-side view of the SS Great Britain, you’ll also get to see the steam cranes and engines that line the quay that were integral to the city’s industrial economy.

The tour is fully commentated by knowledgeable staff and provides a truly unique perspective of the city. The tour operates every weekend and every day during the summer months, ideally suited for summer evenings and warm afternoons atop the Tower Belle passenger boat.

This trip is suitable for adults and children of all ages.

Cream Tea Cruise

Enjoy fresh scones , cream and jam as you cruise the Bristol countryside

While the Avon cuts through the bustling built-up part of Bristol, its course also leads it out into the more rural stretches of the city’s borders. While the greenery of Bristol can be enjoyed on foot, it can also be taken in aboard the wood-panelled barges provided by Packet Boat Trips with a cup of tea, cake, and a traditional scone and cream.

This cream tea cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the Avon taking a leisurely two hours to cruise out into the countryside and back. The ticket price includes a fresh scone with clotted cream and jam, a cup of tea or coffee, and a piece of cake. There are vegan and gluten-free options available too for those who want it, simply ring or email ahead for arrangements to be made.

While the cream tea is the star of the show here, the beautiful scenes outside the window are worth a glance or two as well. With friendly staff explaining the sights and sounds as you go, this is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

The cream tea cruise runs every Sunday, Wednesday, and Bank Holiday from March through to October.

Trips to Beese’s Tea Rooms

Leisurely cruises to these popular gardens and tea rooms

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One of Bristol’s true gems, Beese’s is a favourite amongst those who use the river Avon regularly. A riverside bar, tearoom, and gardens, Beese’s has a reputation for good food, good drink, and a great atmosphere.

The very best way to arrive at this beautiful little riverside bar is via Bristol’s waterways. Bristol Ferry provides one of the most regular services running trips every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as some Thursdays and Bank Holidays.

This relaxing journey departs from the Welsh Back ferry landing and takes around an hour to arrive at Beese’s itself. You’ll be given two hours to dine, drink, and soak up the sun if you’re lucky enough with the weather before setting off back to the city.

The food at Beese’s range from gourmet salads, burgers , and skewers, to full-on Sunday dinners. Drinks-wise you can choose from some specially selected reds and white wines, as well as local draught beers that go down particularly well in the peaceful outdoor gardens.

The tour is suitable for all ages but being a riverside bar, there is a steep set of steps to reach the bar itself.

Pub Lunch Cruise

A day out on the river with a stop at your choice of pub

Departing from the Bristol Packet Office near the SS Great Britain, the Pub Lunch Cruise is the ideal trip for those who love quality local drinks and appreciate great food. With the choice of two great pubs, Chequers Inn or the Old Lock and Weir, the trip gives you ample time to stop and grab lunch before making your way back.

Chequers Inn offers uninhibited riverside views as you enjoy a beer and a meal from their diverse menu, with options for vegans and the gluten intolerant too. The Old Lock and Weir’s selection is a little more contemporary, with stonebaked pizzas, burger variants, baby ribs, and some pub classics to boot.

Cruising upstream along the more rural parts of the Avon, this trip also gives the opportunity to do a bit of wildlife spotting as you journey. Along these stretches, people regularly see otters, water voles, and even kingfishers as well as more common but no less interesting animals.

The trip is ideal for an afternoon out with the family or friends and runs every Tuesday and Thursday from May to September. The whole journey takes around five hours so there’s plenty of time to relax.

With the waterways of Bristol, including the Avon river, being so vital to the city’s heritage and future, taking a boat trip not only keeps us in touch with tradition but also helps support the maintenance and industries that rely upon them.

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Harbour Trips

Cross Harbour Ferry

The "Mary Brunel" operates our Cross Harbour service seven days a week between Hanover Quay and the S.S Great Britain.

Monday to Friday 07:30 to 18:15 Saturday and Sunday 10:30 to 17:30

The ferry runs on-demand within these hours and not to a set timetable The fare is £1.30.  Children five and under travel free.

Monthly tickets are available for just £22.00, allowing unlimited use for the whole month. Services operate every day except December 25th and December 26th.

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Enter our competition for your chance to see this history-making Friday thriller with your mates, including dinner and an overnight stay.

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• Classic Boat Party
• Private Water Taxi Service
• Private Beeses Trip
• Harbour Tours
• Catering Options
• Harbour History
• Thirsty Thursday Cruise
• Bands at Beeses
• Weekend Shuttle to Beeses
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Waterbus Service

Hop on for a boat ride around bristol.

We are delighted to be back delivering our timetabled waterbus service, running every day from April until end of September.

For Travel Updates please refer to the banner at the top of this page.

We offer single fares for those wishing to get from A to B, or circular trips for those wanting to sit back and see the entire Harbour.

Our Waterbus Service operates on a "Full Service Timetable" unless otherwise stated in the Service Updates banner at the top of this page.

Please find both timetables below and on our landing stages. 

If reading our printed leaflets; a Reduced Service can be read using the blue columns.

Full Service Timetable

Reduced Timetable

Winter Activity

From the end of September we will be reducing our services due to less demand, however we will still be offering our Private Hire, Educational and Community services.

• October // Offering travel Thurs-Sundays only (but every day of October Half Term)
• November - February // Offering travel Weekends and Bristol School Holidays only.
• March //  Offering travel Thurs-Sundays (as of March 13th)
• April // Open every day until the end of September 2025

Catching the Ferry

To catch the ferry please arrive a couple of minutes early and be clearly visible at the landing stage - wave to hail the ferry to you.

We serve 7 landing stages; Temple Meads, Castle Park, City Centre, Wapping Wharf, ss Great Britain, Mardyke Wharf and The Cottage

View our map of stops here

We are a cashless business, our crew can only accept card payments on board.

All fares are determined by the scheduled length of journey and can be purchased from our friendly crew via contactless card payment - children under 3 years old travel free.

On weekdays only, during the Bristol School Summer Holidays, we can issue a Family Discount on 40-minute or 80-minute Circuits - if you are in a Family of 4 or more, 1 child travels for free.

Please note that we do not currently accept bookings for the waterbus service - all customers are first come first serve.

If our boat has reached full capacity, unfortunately we will not be able to board new passengers until the next available opportunity.

Waterbus Service 

We run a waterbus service around the harbour with two boats operating at either end of the Harbour.

There may be occasions when we have to reduce our service to one boat, and update in the Travel Updates banner at the top of the page.

We currently operate every day from April to September, weekends and School Holidays only November - February.

Netham Service

We also run a service from Netham Lock, to best serve East Bristol's waterways.

Timings and further information can be found below:

Netham Service Information

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Bus closure: Due to damage, M Shed’s green bus will need to remain closed to the public over the next few months. We’ll be working on the conservation of the bus over the summer and will keep you updated on progress. Read more

M Shed is part of Bristol Museums

• Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
• The Georgian House Museum
• The Red Lodge Museum
• Blaise Museum
• Bristol Archives

John King trips

Take a trip on the harbour on the John King – a 1935 diesel tug built to tow cargo ships from Bristol City Docks to the mouth of the River Avon.

Built by the last major Bristol shipbuilder, John King spent 35 years towing on the river. She also had special duties, which included supplying drinking water to ships in dry dock, assisting at ship launchings and putting vessels into dry dock and occasionally pulling grounded vessels back into deep water.

But as trade to the Bristol docks declined and motor ships became less reliant on tugs, John King’s workload gradually disappeared. Eventually she was bought by Bristol Museums and fully restored to her former glory.

Dates for 2024

• Saturday 28 September – Sunday 29 September
• Saturday 5 October – Sunday 6 October

Additional information

From 11am – subject to availability.

M Shed’s large working exhibits are operated by volunteers. Occasionally crew shortages, mechanical difficulties or adverse weather conditions may force us to alter or cancel the advertised event. We advise you to check directly with us to avoid disappointment by calling 0117 352 6600.

Read more about John King over on the Working Exhibits section.

Image credit: Neil Phillips

More rides on the Working Exhibits

Public Tours

Private hire, gift vouchers, onboard catering, educational, tour operators, book tickets, cream tea cruise.

Cream Tea included with every ticket purchase (freshly baked scone with clotted cream and jam, a slice of cake and a cup of tea or coffee).

Take in the sights and hear about Bristol’s rich maritime history as you cruise through the Floating Harbour on the original course of the Avon while enjoying our famous cream tea with all the trimmings.

Reserve seats on our timetabled trips. Select your preferred trip to check availability and book your seats using the calendar below.