Welcome to
Gunthorpe Leisure Boat Hire

About Gunthorpe Leisure Boat Hire

Gunthorpe Leisure Boats Limited launched its first boat 'The Gunthorpe Belle' on the River Trent at Gunthorpe Marina in Spring 2011. This was closely followed by her twin sister 'Gunthorpe Star'.

Both boats are brand new purpose built wide beam narrow boats and are available for self-drive day hire, skippered cruises and short trips. Both are licensed to carry up to 12 passengers and dogs are welcome aboard.

The boats are easy to drive and full tuition will be given before you leave, although, for those people who just want to sit back and relax, skippered cruises can be arranged. The boats are designed to travel at a leisurely pace and have a top speed of 8 knots. They are fully equipped with heating, flush toilet, fridge, sink, hob and mood lighting. There is also an i-pod docking station/cd player and surround sound speakers for you to bring your own choice of music.

Ideal for small group celebrations i.e: a birthday, anniversary or hen party. A 3 hr skippered party cruise for up to 12 people is offered at only £160 and have already proved to be very popular as have both full day and evening fishing trips. If you have friends or relatives visiting from other areas a boat trip makes a lovely way to show them what natural delights you have around you whilst catching up with each other.

The boats have been specifically designed to allow enough space both inside and out for all passengers whatever the weather. They have very efficient heating systems so that they are still a pleasure to cruise on even in the coldest of weathers. Imagine travelling down the river in the winter looking at the frosted trees and drinking hot toddies or taking a Christmas cruise with sherry and mince pies and carols playing. It is your choice whether to head upstream past Stoke Bardolph via Colwick and on up to Nottingham or downstream past Fiskerton to Farndon. For eveining cruises we ask people to head upstream to Stoke Bardolph and back as this does not require going through any locks whilst they are not manned and time is at a premium. Some people like to cover as many miles as possible in a day and constantly keeping chugging along whereas others prefer to tootle along to a pub, have a nice leisurely lunch, and then tootle back again. Farndon and Nottingham both require a whole days motoring but The Bromley Arms at Fiskerton provides a perfect lunch stop for a more leisurely day. The Ferry Boat at Stoke Bardolph can be reached on an evening cruise for a quick drinks stop. Although we do not allow BBQs on board for health and safely reasons, some people like to take a BBQ and pull up somewhere to have a picnic on the riverbank.

The scenery along the banks of The River Trent is some of the best Britain has to offer and is a real treat for anyone not yet lucky enough to have witnessed it from the water. There is an abundance of flora and fauna to be spotted all year round. This Spring we have been keeping an eye on a swans nest and have watched as the eggs have hatched and the signets have followed their parents around, riding on mums back and growing day by day. Also a moorhen who built her nest inside one of the tyres on the edge of the waterski pontoon. Obviously not realizing what a busy spot she had picked, she stuck it out and hatched her eggs. Gunthorpe, Hazleford and Stoke Locks are each manned during peak times but are also easy to operate yourself. Lock keepers can be radioed ahead to be ready for your arrival.

When one or both of the boats are not hired out privately they are used to give 30 min trips from outside the Unicorn Hotel, and occasionally from The Ferry Boat at Stoke Bardolph. Ring to check availability.

Our boats have have already proved to be very popular and all who have been on her so far have enthused about what a great time they have had. Recommendation by word of mouth is spreading very fast

Expansion is already planned for next year to include a fleet of 6-seater hourly hire boats. These will be available to hire on the day and it will not be necessary to pre-book in advance - although it will be possible to do so.

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