John Varley II Fish and Chip Canal Cruises

About

Passengers who are vegetarian or gluten intolerant can specify their requirements at checkout

Our cruise sets out from the Tapton Lock Visitor Centre where there is an Information Centre and toilets.

After winding (turning round), the fish & chips are delivered to the boat and tables are set up with suitable cutlery, condiments and soft drinks that are served with the supper. Whilst we dine, we cruise down, following the Rother Valley, through Wheeldon Mill Lock and on to the beautiful Bluebank Woods. Here we explore this wonderful broad and sweeping curve before descending Bluebank Lock towards Dixon's Wharf where we wind again and return through the locks toTapton Lock,

Unlike rivers, canals can't go up and down hills! Learn about the working of the 250 year old locks which raise and lower the boats from one level in the canal to another. Locks use a lot of water - each time we use Tapton lock, it takes about 100 cubic metres of water to re fill it. That's the equivalent of about 2500 baths! The water isn't wasted though, it eventually finds its way back into the river.  

Subject to conditions and the skipper's permission, you may be able to help with the locks or have a go at steering the boat. 

Keep a lookout for wildlife – dabbling ducks and moorhen, the majestic heron or iconic kingfisher, martins as they swoop and skim low over the water, tree lined avenues and swathes of bluebells and other spring flowers.

John Varley II is a purpose built 36' narrowboat. Built in 2016, designed and licenced to carry 12 passengers, it replaces an older trip boat, also called John Varley, which was retired off after 24 years' service.

Why John Varley? 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.