Our Narrowboat
Ernest Thomas II
We operate a variety of trips on our narrowboat Ernest Thomas II. We offer trips, of differing durations, along the beautiful Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal.
Trips can be tailored to suit the stimulation and mobility of the passengers, start and finish times are approximate and can be changed to suit passenger’s requirements.
There will be a halt, if time allows at the discretion of the Skipper, dependant on the canal traffic at the locks. There is usually the opportunity to either purchase fish and chips on the way, or take a picnic or stop at a designated canal side pub.
IMPORTANT: The prices shown below are for the entire boat hire (including crew) NOT individual passenger prices.
Please browse our selection of trips below, to find the one most suitable for your group, or make a booking today.
Castlecroft Lane, Wolverhampton WV3 8JU
Start & End Location
All of our trips start and end at:
Castlecroft Lane, Wolverhampton WV3 8JU
Here you will find there is plenty of parking spaces. The boat travels either north towards Coven or south towards Wombourne.
Trips Travelling South
Approximate start and return times are shown below.
Dimmingsdale, Lower Penn
All Year: Start time 10.30 return 13.00
Summer Evenings*: 17:30 return 19:30
*Available: May through September
Approx Duration: 2hrs 30minsTotal Trip Cost: £95.00
This shorter trip takes about two to two and a half hours, going south through Dimmingsdale Lock, turning north and then mooring up by Dimmingsdale bridge.
Passengers can enjoy their own picnic or a pre-ordered snack from the cafe at Dimmingsdale garden centre.
Alternatively food can be ordered from the local fish & chip shop who will deliver to the boat.
These trips are also available on a summers evening, the times of the evening trips are flexible but start about 17.30 finish 19.30.
Bratch Locks, Wombourne
All Year: Start time 9.30 return 15.30
Approx Duration: 6hrs
Total Trip Cost: £130.00
This is a slightly longer trip travelling south to the historic Bratch Locks in Wombourne passing by the famous Victorian Bratch pumping station.
This trip takes us through six locks in each direction and takes about five and a half hours.
In July and August the Bratch can be very busy and there may be delays.
The boat is moored by the Bratch pumping station near to a large picnic area where passengers can enjoy their own food or order from the local fish & chip shop who will deliver to the boat.
Round Oak Inn, Wombourne
All Year: Start time 9.30 return 16:30
Approx Duration: 7hrs
Total Trip Cost: £130.00
Departing from Castlecroft and travelling south, this is a similar trip to Bratch Locks taking in seven locks in each direction and lasting approximately six hours allowing a two hour stop at the Round Oak Inn.
Hirers must pre-order a lunch from the pub.
The boat is moored outside of the pub at approximately 12.00 for a two hour stop. Passengers returning to the boat at 14.00 for the return trip to Castlecroft.
Trips Travelling North
Approximate start and return times are shown below.
Aldersley/Autherley
All Year: Start time 10.30 return 15.00
Approx Duration: 4hrs 30mins
Total Trip Cost: £95.00
The most popular of our trips, departs from Castlecroft and travels south down to Dimmingsdale, where we turn north to either Aldersley Junction or Autherley Junction and then back to Castlecroft.
This trip takes around five hours and takes us through three locks in each direction. There can be possible delays in the summer at the locks which could hamper an exact return time.
Fish and chips can be ordered and collected on the way or a halt for a picnic, depending on times.
Anchor Inn, Coven
All Year: Start time 9.30 return 16.30
Approx Duration: 7hrs
Total Trip Cost: £150.00
The trip to the Anchor Inn at Coven will take about seven hours passing thorough Aldersley Juntion, Autherley Junction and the fascinating “Narrows “ section of the canal arriving at Coven.
Hirers must pre-order a lunch from the pub, the boat is moored outside of the pub at approximately 12.30 for a two hour stop at the Anchor passengers returning to the boat at 14.00 for the return trip to Castlecroft.
Oddfellows Pub, Compton
All Year: Start time 10.30 return 15.30
Approx Duration: 5hrs
Total Trip Cost: £95.00
This trip departs from Castlecroft south down to Dimmingsdale, travelling back to Compton.
The boat is moored by Compton Bridge at approximately 12.00 for a two hour stop at the Oddfellows Pub.
Hirers must pre-order a lunch from the pub.
Passengers returning to the boat at 14.00 to continue north to Aldersley Junction and then back to Castlecroft.
This trip takes about five hours and takes us through three locks in each direction. There can be possible delays in the summer at the locks which could hamper an exact return time.
Seasonal Trips
Approximate start and return times are shown below.
Halloween
Available: 26th to 31st Oct 2026
Start time 11:00 return 13:00
Approx Duration: 2hrs
Total Trip Cost: £95.00
The Ernest Thomas II is spookily dressed up for Halloween , trips run for one week from 26th to 31st October 2026.
The boat leaves Castlecroft at approximately 11.00 retuning at 13,00 travelling south to Dimmingsdale through the lock mooring by the bridge.
From here passengers can enjoy their own picnic and hot drinks or order food from Dimmingsdale garden centre or the local fish & chip shop who will deliver to the boat.
Festive
Available: 30th Nov to 11th Dec 2026
Start time 11.00 return 13.00
Approx Duration: 2hrs
Total Trip Cost: £95.00
Come along and enjoy a great start to the festive period on the heated Ernest Thomas II for this special occasion.
Trips run for two weeks before Xmas ( please check dates on calendar). The boat leaves Castlecroft at approximately 11.00 retuning at 13,00 travelling south to Dimmingsdale through the lock mooring by the bridge.
From here passengers can enjoy their own festive picnic and hot drinks or order seasonal cobs from Dimmingsdale garden centre who will deliver to the boat.