We work to promote the Kennet and Avon Canal to the benefit of all its users
NEW FOR 2025! YOU CAN NOW BOOK A CHARTER ONLINE ON SPECIFIED DATES, VIA OUR “BOOK A TRIP” PAGE.
The Barbara McLellan is well-suited to a wide variety of private functions. If you are planning a party, celebration, reunion, or even a wedding reception,for up to a maximum of 40 people, the Barbara McLellan could be just the venue for you.
Our charters run from April to the end of October and the routes vary in time and distance and our crew will manage the boat and host you and your guests. See our FAQs here for all the information you need, then follow the easy steps here to complete the booking yourself.
The timings shown below are approximate and dependent upon canal and lock traffic.
We welcome Registered Assistance dogs and thank you for understanding that as our seats are upholstered, the dogs will remain on the floor.
You can book with confidence – if we have to cancel your trip for any reason we will refund your money – automatically!
Our routes
Below is a summary of the trips available. 2025 prices are shown below.
| Name | Duration | Description |
| Widbrook | 1½ hrs | One of our shorter trips, we go east, passing Widbrook Marina, to the winding hole (turning place) and return. There is plenty of interesting countryside and wildlife to enjoy on the way. £275 |
| Meadows Bridge | 1½ hrs | This interesting trip travels down through the lock, past the Tithe Barn and Meadows Bridge to the first winding hole. £275 |
| Avoncliff Aqueduct | 2½hrs | Through Bradford on Avon lock and west to cross the dramatic Avoncliff Aqueduct, this trip offers spectacular views of the valley and wildlife for the eagle eyed. £325 |
| Hilperton | 2½ hrs | We travel east, past Widbrook, to Hilperton, turning at the Hilperton/Staverton Marina. The boat takes you through pretty, peaceful countryside. £325 |
| Widbrook and Avoncliff | 4hrs | This trip has the bonus of enabling passengers to see the canal both east and west of Bradford on Avon and the different pleasures each direction offers. £450 |
| Dundas Aqueduct | 5hrs | This trip makes its way over the Avoncliff Aqueduct, through the Limpley Stoke Valley and on to Dundas Aqueduct, where there is usually time to get off the boat* for a short while to view the stunning scenery. £500 |
* The lift can only be used safely in conjunction with the gangway , when the boat is securely tied up to the wharf.
Catering and Music
You are welcome to organise your own catering. If you would prefer to have food provided, then we highly recommend the Canal Trust Cafe which is adjacent to the boat. Victoria and Nancy are great cooks and bakers. Please contact Victoria directly to talk further. Her email address is canaltrustcafe@hotmail.com
We are licensed premises and our bar has a good range of large and small bottles of wine and prosecco plus beer and lager, all at competitive prices. Bringing your own wine will incur a corkage charge of £8 per bottle. Payment by card please.
Music can be played from your device connceted to our PA system via bluetooth.
Educational trips
If you are booking on behalf of a school or youth organisation, we can offer you a 1.5 hour trip, either to Widbook or to Meadows Bridge at a special price of £200.
Complimentary Trips
We are pleased to offer a small number of complimentary charters each year to different charities who support people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups. Please contact the Boat Manager if you would like to discuss this boatmanager@bmac.katrust.org.uk
Departure location
Barbara MacLellan operates from Bradford on Avon Wharf Cottage, by the lock, BA15 1LE. See a map of the location here.
The nearest car park is just 50 metres away from the Barbara McLellan, at the end of Baileys Barn, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1BX. This is a Pay-and-Display carpark where there are lots of spaces for cars, and two dedicated spaces for coaches. Blue badge holders park for free in any space if the designated spaces are aready taken.
Keen to book?
New for 2025, we have identified some selected charter dates that you can book online yourself on our “Book a trip” page. Please browse our Charter FAQs, that you can find here, before you book. To explore the possibility of chartering the boat for a more unusual event, then email boatmanager@bmac.ktrust.org.uk
Having read the FAQs, if there is still something we have not covered, please contact the Barbara McLellan boat directly via the Boat Manager boatmanager@bmac.katrust.org.uk
Contact Us
Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, The Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, SN10 1EB
Please note that our office is only staffed on Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 2pm.
01380 721279 admin@katrust.org.uk
