Welcome to our Private and Corporate Charters
Help and Information Page
We hope the following information will help you to plan your charter and will answer all your questions. Do remember, though, that we are always happy to discuss your plans and to offer advice. We will go out of our way to help you acheive what you want: but equally we will tell you if what you want is not acheivable. Help and Information Page
Times
We can start and finish at almost any time during the day, but for evening bookings all passengers must have disembarked by 30 minutes before sunset. This is in order to allow time to move the boat to her off-shore moorings, close up, secure the boat and get crew safely off the water before darkness.
(Sunset is the time, of course, when the sun finally disappears over the horizon - which in the Park is obscured by the tree line. The best light and views tend - fortunately for us - to be in the hour before sunset as the sun approaches the tree line. So, if you are lucky, your evening booking may actually finish looking into a glorious sunset.
Duration
We generally do not offer charters longer than 2 hours (except for the picnic/lunch cruises described below). This is partly because there are no toilets on board, and partly because longer than 2 hours would require us to pass through at least one lock on both the outward and return journeys. Each lock passage takes around 20 minutes and so typically around 40 minutes of any extra time would be in a lock.
If you really want to travel longer, please talk to us. Most things can actually be done - at a price!
Inclusive costs
You are chartering the boat and skipper for your exclusive use for the agreed period - there is nothing else to pay.
Food and drink
The boat has no catering facilities on board. You are welcome to bring your own picnic and drinks, including alcohol, but you will need also to bring plates and glasses etc. You will also need refuse bags to take away your rubbish and to leave the boat as you found it. Please do not bring messy, crumbly cakes and the like, nor glitter or streamer poppers.
You may have your picnic on board or, on longer charters, you can have it ashore at Alwalton Lock.
Facilities
Please note there are no toilet or hand washing facilities on board - but both of these are available at Ferry Meadows near the main car park.
Music
If you want some background music, our music system on board will play your own commercial CDs and most CD compilations of mp3 tacks made on your own computer.
Boat Access
The boat is wheelchair accessible. Access to the boat is almost level from our jetty and so standard width wheelchairs (700 mm) and limited mobility passengers can be easily accommodated. A ramp is available if required. Access to the jetty is via a gradually sloping footpath.
Weather
The boat has only a 'Bimini Top' cover, and so is only really suitable to fine weather. You may cope with a light shower and depending on numbers may wish to bring umbrellas (we have 4 on board) - but please also see 'Bookings' below. Assuming fine weather the Bimini can be left open to provide shade or pushed back for maximum sun as you wish.
Bookings
To book we simply require your contact details and a telephone number on which we can contact you on the day if necessary. Payment is by cash on the day for the full amount prior to departure - we have no facilities to take cheques or credit/debit cards.
In the event of poor weather you may cancel on the day by calling 07808 167 887. You will owe nothing and all we ask is that you give as much notice as possible and at least 2 hours. Equally, we may need to cancel and will call you in that event.
Any Other Questions?
We hope we have covered your queries but of course, please do get in touch to discuss any aspect of your proposed booking. We thoroughly enjoy sharing this wonderful experience with you and will do all we can to make it truly memorable.
Charter Routes
Our routes are tailored to your charter times and wishes and we are always happy to discuss how to make the best of the time you have. Please remember that cruising speed on the river is little more than walking pace - about 4 miles per hour. Here are some suggestions. Don't forget you can get a taste of our various trips by visiting our Videos Page.
30 Minutes, Yacht Club - We set off around the back of Bird Island for a close up of the water-birds and then out across Overton Lake past the fish refuges. Entering Kingfisher Cut you will have your best chance in the whole Park of seeing a Kingfisher! At the River Nene we head downstream past Thorpe Wood Golf Course (designed by Peter Alliss) and into Peterborough Yacht Club. Here you will see some of the narrowboats and cruisers as we come about for our return journey.
30 Minutes, Tudor Mount - We take the Yacht Club route as far as the River Nene, where this time we turn to head upstream. Here the river is at its most beautiful with large overhanging trees on one bank and open meadow on the other. We turn near Tudor Mount; which, if you wish, and together with other history of the river, we can tell you all about on your cruise.
30 Minutes, Overton Lake - This is a great experience if you would like any children (or adults!) to have a go driving the boat under instruction from our qualified Skipper, or if we are running a number of trips for your group. You will view the lake completely differently from out on the water! Get a real close up of the water-birds on Bird Island and the Cormorants out at the Fish Refuges. Watch out for the young coots, moorhens, mallards and cygnets in and around the banks, reeds and overhangs - you won't see them this closely from on the shore. Turning at the 'Rickety Bridge' you will appreciate the full majesty of the lake.
One Hour, Milton Ferry Bridge - We take the Tudor Mount route and continue upstream past a couple of sculptures and pretty seating areas in Bluebell Woods. As the river meanders towards the Osier beds and with a great right hand sweep the magnificent Milton Ferry Bridge appears in front of us. We pass through the historic arches of the beautiful and most photogenic bridge before turning a little further upstream for the return journey.
Two Hour, Alwalton Lock - We take the Milton Ferry Bridge Route and continue upstream to Alwalton along probably the most glorious stretch of the river in the area. We turn at the lock and head back towards Ferry Meadows, this time continuing downstream to Orton Mere to make our final turn and head back into the Park.
Two / Three / Four Hour Picnic/Lunch Cruise (mid-week only)
For a pleasant alternative, we offer a 45 minute cruise up to Alwalton Lock with the option to drop you off at the lock. Here you can spend between 30 minutes and a couple of hours for a pleasant picnic on the river bank or a gentle stroll up into the village, perhaps taking afternoon tea in the Tea Rooms or lunch at The Cuckoo pub. This cruise is charged at our standard two hour rate, plus a supplement of £20 per hour 'waiting time'.
Luxury boat trips and Private Charters
on the River Nene and at Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough
on the River Nene and at Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough
Poshboatz 01733 240678 / 07808 167887 © Poshboatz 2008 - 2012
