bristol boat trips to beeses

Take the River Ferry to Beeses

Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at this scenic English riverside tea garden in Bristol.

Although Bristol is a vibrant, happening city, it is also surrounded by some of England’s most beautiful terrain and some nicely-kept secrets. To experience both, and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, jump on a ferry across the River Avon and head to Beeses Riverside Bar and Tea Gardens (closed for winter but re-opens ready for sun to shine at the end of April). Founded back in 1846 by Anne Beese to provide refreshments to travellers and navvies using Conham Ferry, Beeses is still going strong offering considerably more than your average Costa. Even the ferry is making that same trip from the Hanham side of the river, transporting people away from the hectic city into a secluded leafy spot beside the Avon. To get there from the city, jump aboard the Bristol Ferry Company cruise that takes you from the waterfront to Beeses’ along the Avon, with informative en route commentary. You can drive to the tea garden, but that misses the point.As well as offering the perfect backdrop for a cracking cuppa and cake, Beeses’s serves the finest West Country fayre as well as legendary fish platters into the evening. These days, the place is also fully licensed, meaning you can stay for live music or one of the regular quiz evenings.Just remember to take that ferry home. Swimming back is not advisable, not matter how into the swing of things you get.

• Find out more about Beese's Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens and plan your visit
• Find more outdoor activities in Bristol

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Call us on 0117 927 3416

• 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
• Beeses Events & Festivals
• St. Anne's House
• Enquiry Form
• Become a Ferry Friend
• Gift Voucher

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

Planned Travel Disruption

• Bristol Harbour Festival - July 20th & 21st We aim to have a boat serve each landing stage every 20 minutes from 10-4pm; however increased traffic and navigational stops will cause delays during the afternoon.

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.

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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Number Seven Boat Trips

Proudly independent since 1999.

Around the Harbour

Number Seven Boat Trips has operated the well-known blue and white passenger boats around Bristol Harbour and on the River Avon since 1999.

River Trips

Leaving the Centre we cruise to the inland limit of the harbour and through Netham Lock where we join the River Avon.

Within minutes, the bustle of the city is left behind as we cruise upstream along tree-lined banks

Private Hire

From groups of twenty passengers, to larger parties of up to sixty, we have three boats to choose from to suit your event.

Private transfers, river trips or a party afloat. Make that occasion even more special by taking a cruise with us.

Cross Harbour Ferry

The "Mary Brunel" operates our Cross Harbour service 7 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, allowing unlimited use for the whole month. Services operate every day except December 25th and December 26th.

If you would like further information about one of our trips or would like to book in with us please contact us . We will do our best to arrange a trip to suit all of your needs

Copyright © Number Seven Boat Trips Ltd. 2024 All Rights Reserved

Public Tours

Private hire, gift vouchers, onboard catering, educational, tour operators, book tickets, lunch trip to beeses.

Leave the city behind and enjoy a leisurely cruise up the river with a 90-minute stop for lunch at this popular destination on the banks of the picturesque Avon.

This trip travels through the historic Floating Harbour before cruising along rural stretches of the river where you can often spot herons, moorhens and the occasional kingfisher among the reeds and weeping willows.

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

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Enewsletter sign up, city centre hotels, theatre shows & performances, waterside places to eat & drink in bristol.

You're never far from the water in Bristol, whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a pint in the Harbourside, or a riverside terrace for a special meal. Here are our top picks for where you can drink or dine by the water's edge.

Harbourside 

No.1 harbourside.

One of the city centre's most popular venues, stop by for a waterside drink or bite to eat, or check out the free live music they have on throughout the week.

Harbour House

Take in the views of the colourful houses of Redcliffe from the back terrace, or watch the boats go by as you dine from the all-day menu. 

• Where to dine alfresco in Bristol

Riverstation

Housed in a former police station, this is now one of the Harbourside's top spots for a cocktail or brunch with a view, Riverstation has both a riverside terrace and a balcony you can dine on in the upstairs restaurant. It even has its own pontoon should you want to arrive by boat!

A Bristol institution, Mud Dock has been serving Bristolians since 1994 and serves up a casual menu of breakfasts and light bites which you can enjoy in their spacious cafe, or out on the balcony to look out over the harbour.

Wapping Wharf

Take your pick from a variety of independent cafes, restaurants, shops and bars, all within a stone's throw of the water's edge. For the best views of the boats, take a seat on the terrace at craft beer bar Junction , veg-focused restaurant Root, or tapas bar Gambas.

Watershed Cafe Bar

This independent cinema and arts venue has an excellent cafe which is open all day, even if you're not coming to an event or film screening. There's a small balcony upstairs to enjoy an alfresco tipple, otherwise there is more seating downstairs on the quayside at sister bar Undershed.

The Architect

A cosy bar on Narrow Quay which has a small front terrace next to the water and  Pero's Bridge , an ideal spot to watch the comings and goings around the harbour while enjoying a glass of wine and one of their cheese or charcuterie boards.

Rick's

Not only do the team at Rick's serve up a fantastic selection of signature and classic cocktails, but there is also a menu of snacks, toasties and sharing boards if you get hungry. Don't miss their weekend brunch, where you can listen to some live jazz while tucking into dishes such as Eggs Benedict or French toast.

• Bristol brunch spots

The Cottage Inn

There are fewer more iconic views than that outside The Cottage, with the colourful houses of Cliftonwood , the green expanses of Ashton Court and plenty of paddleboaders and boats to watch while you enjoy a tasty pub lunch.

Harbourside Kitchen

Situated next to the iconic SS Great Britain, this family-friendly cafe has a menu of light meals, pizzas and snacks for you to refuel after a busy day exploring the local attractions.

Noah's

This relaxed yet sophisticated seafood restaurant is tucked away next to the Cumberland Basin, so you can enjoy a plate of fish and chips or a bowl of mussels after walking around the harbour.

The Ostrich

The harbour's largest pub terrace has its own outdoor bar and plenty of room to catch some rays on sunnier days. Take your pick from the main pub menu with classics such as fish and chips, or the Portside BBQ in the summer months.

• Bristol's best pub gardens

Three Brothers Burgers

If you're in the mood for burgers, head to this favourite of many Bristolians, home to a great value lunch deal, tasty milkshakes and an extensive collection of local beers. There's also a dedicated plantbased menu if you're looking for vegetarian or vegan options.

6 O'clock Gin at The Glassboat

In the mood for a G&T? This gin bar is situated on a boat along Welsh Back, with views along the river and quayside. As well as a fabulous gin and tonic with a range of 6 O'Clock gins, you can also order from a range of gin cocktails.

• A gin drinker's guide to Bristol

More top Harbourside picks...

• Under the Stars - longstanding bar on a boat serving Mediterranean dishes, close to Cascade Steps.
• Paco Tapas - high quality tapas with a waterside terrace in Bathurst Basin.
• Grain Barge - take a seat on the top deck to enjoy views across the harbour to Brunel's SS Great Britain.
• The Apple - Bristol's beloved cider boat, serving a range of local ciders and perries.
• Spitfire BBQ - hearty smoked meats and soul food with a large front terrace.
• The Stable - tuck into pizzas and a large selection of ciders at this waterfront bar.
• Brunel's Buttery - a local stalwart, pop by for a sausage or bacon sandwich to enjoy by the water's edge.
• The Olive Shed - operating since 2001, this Harbourside stalwart is a popular spot for some sunset drinks.
• The Pump House - sophisticated gastropub at the far end of the harbour, with views across to Underfall Yard and the Cumberland Basin.

Riverside spots

The wellhead.

This cosy cocktail bar in Finzels Reach also boasts a small riverside terrace with views across to Castle Park.

Tucked away by the river behind Temple Mead Station, this wine bar is a lovely spot to relax in and enjoy some glasses alongside a meat or cheese board.

Left Handed Giant Brewpub

One of the city centre's largest bars, this three-storey brewpub is run by local brewery Left Handed Giant and has a large front terrace looking out over the river and park opposite.

• Bristol's brewery taprooms

Some more top picks...

• Toto's by the River - independent riverside bar in Redcliffe with a lounge for live sports.
• Adelina Yard - award-winning fine dining restaurant with a focus on local ingredients and creative cooking.
• Bella Vista - friendly Italian restaurant with booth tables overlooking the river and Bristol Bridge.

Countryside

Chequers inn.

On the outskirts of East Bristol you'll find the serene area of Hanham Locks, home to two popular pubs: the Chequers Inn and Old Lock & Weir. 

The Chequers has a large terrace and riverside garden, as well as some balcony seating in the pub if you want to enjoy the view from indoors.

• Explore more of East Bristol  and the Avon Valley

Lock Keeper

Enjoy traditional pub food in the garden of the Lock Keeper in Keynsham, which backs on to the River Avon and is a popular stop for walkers in the warmer months.

A bit of a local secret, Beeses is only open from April until October and is one of the prettiest riverside bars in the area. Walk along the River Avon path to catch the Conham Ferry across to the bar, or take the more relaxing option of a boat trip from Bristol City Centre with Bristol Ferry  or Bristol Packet Boat Trips , who run regular weekend trips to Beeses.

• Outdoor dining in Bristol
• Bristol's rooftop bars
• Country pub walks near Bristol

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Food & Drink

Browse our sample menus below..., beeses kitchen  opening times, friday & saturday - we only require table bookings for groups of 10 or more . sunday - please pre-book your roast dinner (small groups included.), planning your visit…, for groups smaller than 10, we happily welcome walk-ins for food and drinks. for groups of 10 or more you will be required to reserve a table for your trip to beeses by emailing us. this is so we can ensure you have ample space and can fully enjoy your visit. kindly note that you will need to await a confirmation email from beeses. this email will confirm your reservation for your upcoming visit., book your sunday lunch, unlike our normal food service days, we require pre-bookings through our booking system for sunday roasts . whether there are 2 or 9 of you, we’d require you to pre-book, simply click here if your group is 10 or more , please email us on [email protected] to make your booking..

Bristol's Best Kept Secret!

Book Your Visit Opening Times Menu Events/Music Weddings Groups Public Ferry Trips Travel Info Gallery Work at Beeses Terms and Conditions

About Beeses Bar...

Whether you're looking for the perfect place to host your wedding or special event, or trying to find that perfect spot in the sun to enjoy a drink by the river - then Beeses Bar is the place for you! We open from April to the end of October. Check the opening times before you visit! We hope to see you soon.

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© Beeses Bar /// Wyndham Cres, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4SX ///  [email protected]  /// Website by CSCD