For all public trip bookings, click here.

 

Seth Ellis is licensed to carry up to 12 passengers. Purpose built in 2005, she has central heating, a toilet and a galley for serving hot and cold drinks as well as large opening windows all around. A large cruiser-style stern makes getting on and off the boat easy. Access to the passenger cabin is down a short flight of steps.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic, or we can stop at a canalside pub. Passengers may have a go at steering, under the supervision of our crew.

From our base in Ranby, you can charter the boat on a choice of routes. We move to other locations for some weekend trips. For full details, see below.

You can buy Gift Vouchers for cruises on Seth Ellis by clicking here.

 

To see the Seth Ellis Facebook page, click here.

 

 

 

Information, Booking and Payments

For information, please email sethellis@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk .

To see our Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

 

 

Public trips for 2026

Please note that all planned cruises are subject to possible late cancellation, e.g. because of a problem with the canal.

Where there are two prices, the concessions are for Under 16s; babes in arms go free.

Retford Town Lock return cruises at 10.00, 11.30. 13.00, 14.30 & 16.00 (1 hr, £7/£5)
May 4 (Retford Charter Day), September 12 (Retford Heritage Day).
For bookings, click here.

Drakeholes to Gringley Lock via the tunnel return cruises at 10.00, 12.30 & 15.00 (2 hr, £14/£10)
May 23, 24 & 25, August 29, 30 & 31.
For bookings, click here.

50th Anniversary return cruises from the Retford & Worksop Boat Club, Clayworth at 10.00, 11,00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 & 15.00 (45 mins, £5/£2.50)
September 26 & 27.
For bookings, click here.

Halloween return cruises at 11.30, 13.00, 14.00 & 15.00 (40 min £7/£5)
October 31, November 1.
For bookings, click here.

Santa Special cruises (£10)
Bookings open on October 1.

 

One-way Water Taxi
Take the whole trip or hop on/hop off at selected points along the route at a special price.
Email sethellis@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk for details.
Ranby to Retford – May 3, September 11.
Retford to Ranby – May 5, September 13.
Ranby to Drakeholes via Retford – May 22, August 28.
Drakeholes to Ranby via Retford – May 26, September 1.
Ranby to Clayworth – September 25.
Clayworth to Ranby – September 28.

 

Charter cruises

Charters may be booked for any day of the week in any month of the year, when Seth Ellis is not running public trips (see above).
All charters depart from the Chequers Inn, Blyth Road, Ranby, Retford, DN22 8HT.

N.B. These prices are for up to 12 passengers, £70 per hour.

 

Heading east, towards Retford

Ranby village cruise :: No locks :: 1 hr :: £70

Forest Top Lock winding hole :: 1 lock each way :: 2 hrs :: £140

Embankment :: 4 locks each way :: 5 hrs :: £350

West Retford winding hole :: 4 locks each way :: 6 hrs :: £420

Carolgate Bridge (Aldi) :: 6 locks each way :: 7 hrs :: £490

 

Heading west, towards Worksop

Osberton Lock :: 1 lock each way :: 2 hrs :: £140

Bracebridge winding hole :: 2 locks each way :: 4 hrs :: £280

Morse Lock winding hole :: 4 locks each way :: 6 hrs :: £420