ChesterBoat - Sightseeing River Cruises and Private Hire

Check availability for ChesterBoat - Sightseeing River Cruises and Private Hire (opens in a new window)

Boating Station, Souters Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1SZ

Tel: 01244 325394

Add ChesterBoat - Sightseeing River Cruises and Private Hire to your Itinerary

The Lady Diana returning to The Groves, Chester
  • The Lady Diana returning to The Groves, Chester
  • Bonkie the picnic boat, ChesterBoat
  • An arial view of The Groves, Chester
  • Chester Weir and Old Dee Bridge

Book Tickets Online

Enjoy a different side of Chester - the riverside!  Sail with us along the beautiful River Dee. 

Choose from a Half-hour City Cruise taking in the city's rich Roman, Mediaeval and Industrial heritage, or sit back and relax on our Iron Bridge Cruise, a two-hour trip into the glorious Cheshire countryside, through the Duke of Westminster’s Estate. Our routes along the Dee are full of interesting things to see and amazing wildlife - have your camera ready!

You can really enjoy the freedom of the city by opting for a great value combined ChesterBoat and City Sightseeting open-bus tour ticket. Put your feet up and let someone else do the driving, by road and by water!

We're a family business, with 40 years experience of providing first-class experiences. As well as sightseeing cruises, we also offer party nights aboard, special occasion cruises (such as afternoon tea, or fish and chips trips) and we're available for private charter. Our cruises, occasions and special events are a relaxing, comfortable all-weather attraction, with options for covered seating, a fully licenced bar and toilets. 

Bonkie the Picnic Boat

Our gorgeous little picnic boat is available now for private charter – complete with your own personal skipper.  We can arrange drinks and in true ChesterBoat fashion, we can also take care of catering or any special requests to make your day truly memorable. Bonkie can carry up to seven people, so she’s ideal for small gatherings such as birthday or anniversary parties, family celebrations, special occasions, or just any time you fancy an indulgent – or romantic –  chauffeur-driven treat. We think Bonkie is the perfect way to make a loved one feel special. You can charter Bonkie for two-and-a-half hours for £300, which includes your own private skipper.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult - 2 Hour Cruise£16.00 adult
Adult - Half-hour Cruise£7.50 adult
Child (5-15) - 2 Hour Cruise£6.00 child
Child (5-15) - Half-hour Cruise£2.50 child
Concession - 2 Hour Cruise£14.00 concession
Concession - Half-hour Cruise£6.50 concession
Family Ticket - 2 Hour Cruise£38.00 family
Family Ticket - Half-hour Cruise£19.00 family
Under 5 - 2 Hour CruiseFree
Under 5 - Half-hour CruiseFree

The prices shown apply when you pay on the boat or the quayside. However, if you book your tickets online in advance, you can make great savings on the quoted prices.

Opening Times

Half Hour Cruises - Twice an hour (30 Mar 2025 - 3 Nov 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday11:00 - 17:00
2 hour Iron Bridge Cruise (1 July 2025 - 8 Sept 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday12:00
12:30
2 hour Iron Bridge Cruise - Weekend Sailings (14 Sept 2025 - 29 Sept 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - FridayClosed
Saturday - Sunday12:00
14:30

Awards

  • Regional and MiscellaneousChester Attractions Group Member Chester Attractions Group Member 2016

Directions

Road Directions

From the city centre turn into Souters Lane (by the Roman Amphitheatre). Go down the hill and you'll see the boats on the river.

Public Transport Directions

Only 10 minutes walk from Chester Town Hall; 20 minutes walk from Chester Railway Station.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      245
    • Very Good
      134
    • Average
      55
    • Poor
      24
    • Terrible
      18

    Recent Reviews:

    • GingerCamden
      London, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      Short and sweet 30 water trip worth the effort
      3 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 24th October 2024
      Chester is a beautiful city and the River Dee offers some stunning views of the river bank and the properties overlooking the Dee. Easy to find, all the pleasure boats depart just up from the weir... Read full review
    • Jane J
      Porthmadog, United Kingdom
      Fab Experience!!
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 29th October 2024
      Absolutely fantastic night from start to finish on the Mark Twain Abba Party Boat. Food was lovely. Music was great, we danced all night. Brilliant group of friendly people on board too. Staff were... Read full review
    • Samantha M
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Relaxing on the river.
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 2nd November 2024
      Enjoyable, relaxing and informative. The crew were very pleasant, the boat was well presented and clean. Great trip.. Read full review

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Facility for service dogs
    • Guide Dogs Permitted
    • Ramp / Level Access
    • Some Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors 

    Attraction Facilities

    • All Weather Attraction

    Catering

    • On-Site café/restaurant

    Payment Methods

    • MasterCard accepted
    • TIC Staff Admitted Free
    • Visa accepted

    Provider Facilities

    • Civil Weddings
    • Event Venue
    • Toilets

    Provider Features

    • In town/city centre
    • Marketing Cheshire Member
    • No Smoking Attraction
    • Outdoor Attraction

    Target Markets

    • Family Fun

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted

    Contact Us

    Tel: 01244 325394

    Check availability for ChesterBoat - Sightseeing River Cruises and Private Hire (opens in a new window)

    Tel: 01244 325394

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