1-Hour Public Cruise: Guided Tour Featuring Countryside Views

Embark on a 1-hour public cruise and enjoy a guided tour with stunning countryside views. Join us daily from March to October for a hilarious commentary by Dave Spikey.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Skipton Boat Trips - Admission is free
  • Aireville Park - Aireville Park is a large open space with sporting facilities and play areas in the heart of Skipton. It dates back to the 1830s when it was created by Henry Allcock as part of the Aireville Estate. Upon his death, wealthy Skipton mill owners, the Dewhurst family, purchased the estate and Aireville Hall.
What's Included
  • One-hour boat ride
  • Access to bathroom as needed.
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

This is the best 60 minutes of rib-tickling historic escapism you can find in Skipton.
Your guide for the canal tour is award-winning comedian Dave Spikey of Phoenix Nights and 8 Out of 10 Cats fame. With his characteristic Northern patter, Dave takes you on a recorded whistle-stop tour of Skipton and shares canal history that’s refreshingly different…

Location
Skipton Pie & Mash Shop
Coach Street
For those with Sat-Nav – use the postcode BD23 1LH. We are on Coach St, which is just off the main High Street via Swadford Street. Feel free to use our free carpark if there is a spot. Just make sure you tell us your registration number when you arrive.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(298 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
92nessab
Sep 25, 2025
Pretty, Comfortable and Relaxing - Nice, relaxing boat trip, with pleasant views and very comfortable seats. The boat was covered, and there was a toilet onboard, and a bar to buy snacks and drinks - and little trays on the seats like you get on trains. The commentary they played along the way was full of jokes, to an extent that I might have found it annoying, but there were intervals. Seats were allocated, which I was happy about because I was on my own and worried about not getting a window seat - as it was, I had a double to myself. And dogs are allowed on; the ones near me were perfectly well behaved, but maybe not everyone would like that. We passed by a couple of swing bridges, which the team were very efficient at opening with no wait for the boat. Overall, it was definitely worth the £10 I paid, and is making me consider one of their longer trips.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_a
Sep 14, 2025
Great way to explore the canal around Skipton & with entertaining commentary! - Excellent fun commentary with local information while cruising along the canal. Boat crew well organised & full safety information given. Really pleasant trip. Other passengers were of all ages from young children to older people. Onboard toilet & bar. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Julia785harlow
Sep 4, 2025
Enjoyable trip - Enjoyable hour cruise on canal. Commentary with entertaining and the drinks on board were a reasonable price. Booked online and did find it a little difficult to find correct boat company whoever everyone with friendly and helpful 😁
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meander549950
Aug 29, 2025
Relaxing boat trip - Lovely relaxing boat ride with a funny but informative commentary throughout the trip. They also provided snacks and drinks onboard if required at a very reasonable price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Centraluk1
Aug 25, 2025
Lovely, well spent hour - Well spent hour slowly cruising on the barge up the Leeds Canal. Drinks bar (alcohol and soft) for those that wanted it, comic audio commentary provided interspersed with music. Funny, relaxing trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
86badger
Aug 12, 2025
A relaxing way to spend an hour cruising the canal - A really relaxing hour and the commentary was very informative and witty. Booking was extremely easy and didn’t have to wait long as seats were allocated at time of booking. We had our disabled son with us and the staff were extremely helpful with us. The weather helped as a beautiful sunny day so a lovely way to spend an hour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet_s
Aug 3, 2025
Great experience - Great experience with very funny guide. Just a chilling re;axing cruise along the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Well worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Sallysi3781ie
Aug 18, 2025
Lovely experience - It was a lovely peaceful ride with a bit of comedy added by the team. The staff were brilliant, friendly, easy to approach and happy to help. It was something different that we had not done before. Not a lot to see for kids though, some may get bored fairly quickly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna
Aug 11, 2025
Very enjoyable experience - Great way to enjoy and learn more about the canal on this guided one hour cruise Helpful booking arrangements. Great commentary from Spikey Only downside was a family with one very noisy and out of control child
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janinemx116lf
Aug 16, 2025
Relaxing but commentary inaudible - This was a pleasant experience - it was very relaxing watching the scenery. The only downside was that the commentary was impossible to hear.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $13
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).