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Madeline Saturday Canal Cruises
Type:Boat Trips
22 Works Road
Hollingwood
Chesterfield
S43 2PF
Call direct on:
Tel01629 533020
About
Our cruise sets out from Hollignwood Hub where there is a café and toilets.
We’ll cruise along the beautiful Chesterfield Canal, going through at least one lock. Keep an eye out for wildlife – dabbling ducks and moorhen, the majestic heron or iconic kingfisher, martins swooping and skimming low over the water, tree lined avenues and swathes of bluebells and other flowers.
Madeline was purpose built by Eckington School and launched in 2014. It is licenced to carry 12 passengers. A big cruiser-style stern makes getting on and off the boat easy. Access to the passenger cabin is down a short flight of steep steps but there is a large front deck.
The route of the Chesterfield canal was originally surveyed by canal engineer James Brindley and he employed John Varley as his clerk of works. Brindley died in 1772 and Varley took over as resident engineer. The canal opened in 1777 and ran 46 miles from Chesterfield to West Stockwith on the River Trent.
In its heyday, the canal carried malt, hops, gravel, pottery, coal, iron ore, iron products, lead and stone. The boats were all horse-drawn and were called 'cuckoo boats'. Prior to canals, cargoes were carried by horse and cart. The maximum load a single horse could pull in a cart – and remember the roads were rough, muddy and full of potholes - was about one tonne. The same horse pulling a canal boat could pull up to 30 tonnes.
All trips are crewed by qualified volunteers of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and the profits from all trips go towards the restoration of the last few miles of the Chesterfield Canal.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £7.00 per adult | |
| Child under 16 | £5.00 per child |
Booking is recommended as the Madeline is only licenced to carry 12 passengers.
Facilities
Catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Children welcome
Parking
- Free Parking
Opening Times
Sorry, this event has passed
Map & Directions
Road Directions
From North/South Leave M1 at junction 30 and take A616 (signposted Chesterfield). At roundabout, take 3rd exit (A619, signposted Chesterfield). Go through Staveley. After about 1 mile, go right down Troughbrook Road at the brown Barrow Hill signs. Hollingwood Hub approx ½ mile on left by Canal.
From East Follow A619 to M1 motorway junction. At roundabout take 4th exit (signposted M1 North), then follow route from North/South.
From West Follow A619 to Chesterfield. At traffic light controlled roundabout (Matalan) select middle lane and take 3rd exit. Stay in left lane and at traffic lights go straight on. Keep to left lane and at roundabout select middle lane and take 2nd exit, turning immediately left into slip road for A61 (signposted Sheffield). At traffic light controlled roundabout (Tesco) select right hand lane and take 4th exit (signposted Brimington), At next roundabout (Sainsburys) select right hand lane and take 2nd exit. Follow road and, as approach Brimington shops, select left lane. Stay in left lane passing church on left. Follow road for approx ¾ mile, passing Ringwood Hall Hotel on right, then turn left at crossroads (Troughbrook Road) and Hollingwood Hub approx ½ mile on left by Canal.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest train station Chesterfield, 4 miles away
Bus number 90 from Chesterfield town centre, approximately 2 per hour
