Water Based Activities - TFA - Tourism For All

Britain has a long history of association with water based activities on inland waterways and at sea.

(Picture courtesy of Boatability http://www.boatability.co.uk/)

Here are some accessible water based ideas for days out, short breaks or longer holidays afloat, either cruising some of Britain's beautiful and historic canal systems, to a trip on the Norfolk Broads, fly fishing from a boat, paddling your own canoe, or taking to the high seas in a tall ship powered by sail.

Don't forget to visit our Activity Holidays page as well for other bright ideas about things to do!

The Bruce Charitable Trust is a registered charity which provides purpose-built, wide-beam canal boats on the Kennet and Avon Canal from two bases, for hire for self catering holidays by disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people and their carers. The Trust has a fleet of four hire boats. Two have a capacity of 12 each, one accommodates 10 people and the fourth boat sleeps 4/6. Three boats operate from Great Bedwyn, near Marlborough with a changeover day of Saturday. They are ideally situated to cruise towards Newbury and Reading or westward to Devizes and down the Caen Hill Flight. One boat is based at Lower Foxhangers wharf, near Devizes, and is well placed for luxury cruises westward to Bath. http://www.brucetrust.org.uk/

Tel: 01672 515498
Email: enquiries@brucetrust.org.uk or use contact form on website

Based at Aldermaston Wharf, Reading, '72 Club' Canal Boat hirers can explore the beautiful scenery through Berkshire and Wiltshire. Although the boat has been designed for disabled people, it may not suit all disabilities. If there are any concerns we recommend a visit to the boat before booking. Total accommodation for 7, including 3 wheelchair users.
http://www.qefd.org/CanalBoat.html

Tel Reading Marine: 0118 9713666 Tel Hoseasons: 0870 543 4434

The Stockport Canalboat Trust operates New Horizons, a narrow boat based at Marple, at the junction of the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. New Horizons can take up to eight passengers and is equipped to take families and small groups that include disabled people. It has a lift, an adapted toilet and shower area, and a raised foredeck. The Trust provides a skipper and crew and passengers are encouraged to take as full a part in the operation of the boat as possible. Can also be booked by the day, full or half-day trips. http://www.newhorizons.org.uk/

Tel: 01663 732 400
Email: jamesdunlop@tiscali.co.uk

Wirral Community Narrow Boat Trust operate The Rainbow's End which is equipped for groups of up to ten disabled people for overnight and residential cruises on Shropshire Union, Trent and Mersey and Llangollen Canals. It is equipped with a lift, adapted toilet and shower. A second boat, Kaleidoscope, without a shower is available for day trips for up to 12 people. http://www.wirralnarrowboats.com

Tel: 0151 357 1783
Email: info@wirralnarrowboats.com

Calvert Trust Keswick The Trust offers various sailing courses, as well as outdoor parties.

http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/

Tel: 01768 772255
Email: Use contact form on website

Boatability is a sailing club who offer "sailing for all". They have 3 wheelchair accessible boats which can carry 4 powered chairs, and offer a range of services from boat charter, fishing trips or even RYA qualifications. They are the only powerboat school to have been awarded the RYA Sailability Foundation Level Certificate for the disabled. Although they are based in Portsmouth they would be able to offer a full days charter to Poole (with an additional cost to cover fuel). Contact 0845 2608777 or visit http://www.boatability.co.uk/

Tel: 0845 2608 777
Email: enquiries@boatabilities.co.uk

Bournemouth Sports Forum for the disabled offer free sailing trips for the disabled on board "Knoticat". The vessel is available for the use of all disabled people, their carers and where possible, their friends and family up to a maximum 11 persons. The boat is a stabled, converted 9 metre sailing catamaran which offers real "hands on" sailing. There are ramped entry ports for wheelchair users and all safety equipment is provided. Call 01202 520249 or visit http://www.sportsforum.org.uk/

Tel: 01202 246363
Email: lynne@sportsforum.org.uk

Dolphin - A specially designed boat for people of all ages with disabilities, particularly suitable for those in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties. Free trips for disabled but early booking essential to avoid disappointment. Mainly groups but individuals can be catered for. Boarding from Berthing Office, Dolphin Marina, Poole Quay. Level walk/wheel-on and off ramp, and a flat broad open deck to accommodate wheelchairs in the centre. Toilet facilities on board. Only 12 passengers including escorts permitted on each trip. Book by ringing 01929 550006 or on our website http://www.thefriendsofdolphin.co.uk/

Booking Tel: 01929 550006
Email: bookings@thefriendsofdolphin.co.uk

Natural Explorations offer specialist boat trips in Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. the vessel has a ramp at the front making it accessible to wheelchair users. Visit their website http://www.naturalexplorations.co.uk/

Tel: 01258 453612
Email: info@naturalexplorations.co.uk

Poole Sailability - A friendly club which enables disabled people to enjoy sailing dinghies and keelboats in Poole Harbour. We meet on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings throughout the summer on specified dates dependant on the tides, at our base at Rockley Watersports. No sailing experience is necessary and all equipment is provided. The club is RYA recognised and has fully qualified skippers. For further details and a current sailing programme see our website http://www.poolesailability.co.uk/ or phone 01202 632096.

Tel: 01202 632096
Email: enquiries@poolesailability.org.uk

The Canal Boat Project provides a fleet of accessible boats for use by disabled people and community groups. They can be either "self steer" or they can provide a qualified and experienced skipper and crew. Hire can be for day trips, short breaks or holidays as two of their boats provide sleeping accommodation for up to 12 passengers. http://www.canalboat.org.uk/

Tel: 01279 424444
Email: Use contact form on website

Disabled Afloat Riverboats Trust The Riverboat is designed specifically to provide holidays to schools, colleges, units, homes and centres for people with a disability. Accommodation is provided for up to twelve people with a maximum of five wheelchairs. Full wheelchair access to all facilities. The Riverboat cruises the Severn and Avon Rivers and the Gloucester/Sharpness Canal. http://www.glosdart.co.uk/

Tel: 07778 842 358
Email: glosdart@cix.co.uk

Accessible Boating Association (ABA) The ABA Charity operates two boats for self steer hiring for disabled passengers. Dawn is also available with a skipper, Madam Butterfly is self-steer only. Dawn is a day boat offering covered accommodation for up to 6 wheelchairs and their carers. Central heating for those cooler days, a beverage heating stove, electro - hydraulic lift to carry passengers from deck to saloon and a flushing toilet. Madam Butterfly is a holiday boat having berths for up to 7 persons. Comfortable accommodation is provided including a full sized hospital type bed and many special features to assist the party for an enjoyable holiday. http://www.accessibleboating.hampshire.org.uk/HOME.htm

Tel: 01252 622520
Email: mailsec@accessibleboating.org

The Jubilee Sailing Trust has two tall ships, the Lord Nelson and Tenacious. Voyages range from four to ten days and are open to anyone over 16 years old, with or without nautical experience. People with physical disabilities serve as crew alongside an equal number of able-bodied men and women on all voyages. In addition to the permanent crew of eight, which includes the medical purser (RGN), there are berths for a doctor and four watchleaders - those who have sailed with the Jubilee Sailing Trust and have been recommended by the permanent crew. In total there are 40 voyage crew. http://www.jst.org.uk/

Tel: 023 8044 9108
Email: info@jst.org.uk

Ro-Ro Sailing Project operates ‘The Verity K' - a cruising yacht designed for wheelchair users and their companions. It has an integral ramped gangplank, cabins for up to five people, a lift to the saloon and an accessible toilet and shower. Available on charter or by joining a group. http://www.disabledsailing.org/

Tel: 01329 317279
Email: dsahq@ntlworld.com

Reach Out Projects has four canal boats, two self-steered narrowboats with 12 berths and two wide-beamed boats with skippers, based at Hemel Hempstead on the Grand Union Canal. Three of the boats are wheelchair accessible. They are available for day, weekend and weekly hire by voluntary organisations and families with disabled members. http://www.reachoutprojects.org.uk/

Tel: 01727 818168
Email: info@reachoutprojects.org.uk

The Peter-le-Marchant Trust provides free day trips and short holidays on inland waterways for disabled people. The Trust has two broad-beam canal boats based at Loughborough fitted with hydraulic lifts, showers and WCs, telephone and resuscitation equipment. These can be used by up to ten people for short holidays and 26 people for day trips. Also at Loughborough, Melody, sleeping five, can be hired by families or small groups with a seriously ill or disabled member, as can a six berth cruiser, New Venture, based on the Norfolk Broads. http://www.peterlemarchanttrust.co.uk/

Tel: 01509 265590
Email: lynnsmith@peterlemarchanttrust.co.uk

Docklands Canal Boat Trust operates MV Challenge, based on the Lee and Stort Canal. A full-time skipper is employed and there are bunks for up to 10 people. A lift is installed. Bookings for up to one, two and five days are taken between May and the end of September.

Tel: 020 7511 2911
Email: mick@boyshome.freeserve.co.uk

The Nancy Oldfield Trust offers water-based activities and training for people with disabilities on the Norfolk Broads. Activities include sailing, canoeing, fishing, bird watching and cruising. Visitors are welcome on a day or residential basis. Accommodation is in an adapted bungalow for 10 or afloat for up to eight people. Families and groups of four to eight taken on sailing weekends. http://www.nancyoldfield.org.uk/

Tel: 01692 630572
Email: info@nancyoldfield.org.uk or use contact form on website

Operated by King Line at Horning, some electric day boats have been designed with the disabled and elderly travellers in mind. An electric platform lift (1000 x 700 max lift weight 150kg) will lower and lift a wheelchair and passenger into and out of the craft safely. No1 boat can take 3 wheel chairs, and no.2 boat 4 wheelchairs. This 2nd boat also allows lateral transfer to the drivers seat from a wheelchair. http://www.norfolk-broads.co.uk/DayBoats.html

Tel: 01692 630297
Email: info@norfolk-broads.co.uk

Able2Sail believes that all individuals should have the opportunity to sail a modern cruising yacht. We seek to provide voyages for individuals who are able-bodied or have physical disabilities.

All volunteers, crew and voyagers, who sail with Able2Sail, or work with them, do so on equal terms irrespective of disability. http://www.able2sail.org.uk/

Tel: 07737 028437
Email: contactus@able2sail.org.uk

The Seagull Trust was formed in 1978 to provide free canal cruising for disabled people and to help revitalise the decaying Scottish Lowland Waterways. Initially cruises ran from Ratho on the Union Canal but there are now a total of four branches located in Scotland at Ratho, Falkirk, Kirkintilloch and Inverness. http://www.seagulltrust.org.uk/

Tel: Use information on website for particular cruises Email: seagulltrust@btinternet.com

The Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust has two narrowboats, both adapted for disabled people, based at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal. The Millie is available for holidays for up to six people. The Glas y Dorlan is available for day trips for groups of up to 12. Early booking required. Skipper provided. http://www.canalboattrust.org.uk/

Tel: 01978 861450
Email: office@canalboattrust.org.uk