Airedale Cruising / Skippered Narrowboat Cruises

We thoroughly enjoyed - and found instructive - our day out with David. There is much more to steering, let alone operating locks, than is apparent from watching from the towpath. Captain Fitch has the patience of a saint and at least some of us improved under his tutelage as the day progressed. Even so, it is very relaxing, with time to watch and talk, and the chance to sample narrowboat life before committing to a holiday was invaluable. Despite a chilly day in summer 2010, we were cosy inside and David provided - I don't know where from! - picnic tables and chairs for the lunch we had brought to be taken on the canal bank. Recommended for everyone, and he has covered every angle for an excellent day out.

Boarded the Lizzie Jean at its moorings and forced the Captain at Bun point to take us to our lair in the tax haven of Gargrave. His crew put up no resistance as they weren't on board that day.Ha! What a pushover for our fearless band!


Scurvy, an ever present danger on these long voyages, was held off by some tasty lemon cake.


Captain Fitch was so hospitable, providing tea and flapjacks and letting us motley lot take the helm that we let him sail back to Skipton where we released him unharmed. Must be going soft! But we'll be back- be warned.!!


Jonny B Good and the Bad Girls

We had a trip on Lizzie-Jean during the Saltaire Festival last September, and had a great time - warm welcome, varied views, good grub and a chance to fulfil an ambition of steering a narrowboat; what more could we ask?

We would recommend this anyone who wants to try a canal cruise in style!

It was great to see some of old England again. To get away from the bustle of the city and the motorways. Great Trip with a great captain, good for people who want to sit back and cruise or for the more active types who want to 'work' the locks, I highly reccommend it.

Jason - Bermuda

Reply from attraction owner :

Thanks for your review Jason - good to hear from you again. Any exciting trips planned for 2011? All the best anyway David

We went last Summer for a trip on the Lizzie Jean down the canal starting in Saltaire. I was born in Shipley and my Grandma and Mother grew up around the Saltaire Region area. My Grandma actually worked at Salts Mill so it was a delight to cruise past these historic sites knowing she had been there so many years earlier. My Grandma and Mother have both passed away now, so the nostalgia trip was a wonderful way to spend the day.

The crew of the boat are lovely, so warm and friendly, and it is like having a morning cuppa with friends (they give you biscuits too!).

We now live in Portugal and thoroughly enjoyed our trip down memory lane and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Thank you guys for giving us a wonderful time.

Reply from attraction owner :

Thanks Joan for your review - Lizzie-Jean will be back at this year's Saltaire Festival in September. I wonder who will come from the furthest away this year? You won that accolade in 2010. Best wishes, David

We had a great day out with friends in the summer of 2010. David was a great host, and we thoroughly enjoyed going up and down the canal from Skipton - a lovely way to relax. We were lucky with the weather which was glorious, but even if it had been different, we would have enjoyed a marvellous day. We had children with us and they really enjoyed it. Something very different for you to enjoy.

The Taylor family
Harrogate

Some friends organised a day trip as a treat for me & my husband last summer, and we had a wonderful time.
It was very relaxing, we all got to steer & help with locks but there was no pressure to do anything but enjoy the countryside as we glided slowly along.
We took a picnic , chatted and had fun ; David the skipper was an ideal host and guide to the waterway life.
Thoroughly recommended for locals & visitors alike.

If you want to treat friends from overseas to a special 'quintessentially English' day out then book this trip with the Lizzie-Jean.

Actually it was the Aussies who treated me and I have to say it was one of the best days out ever. I have lived beside a canal in Marple for 20 years and yet only ever waved at the boats and chatted to the holiday-makers opening the lock gates as I walked the dogs beside it.

It took my pals from Down Under to get me on board and opening those lock gates for myself. Huge fun.


It was a chilly day but it was cosy inside the Lizzie-Jean and the sight of the warm croissants and hot tea welcoming us was one of those simple thrills that last with you a lifetime.

What was so nice and why I recommend this outing in particular to friends is that YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TIME TO SIT AND TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS while 'doing something.'

The countryside is idyllic, the peace of a gentle cruise replenishes the soul, and David is a delightful host .

I visited my friends in Sydney afterwards and we viewed all their photos from their European trip. The main attraction was definitely Skipton! We relived our day on the Lizzie-Jean in a Sydney heatwave sipping ice cold beers. Cheers to memories and friendship - and the Lizzie-Jean.

Lynne from Marple

Reply from attraction owner :

Hi Lynne, many thanks for the daytripfinder review. Good to think of you in Sydney talking about Lizzie-Jean. Cheers David

I hired the Lizzie-Jean as a surprise farewell gift to a colleague. The boat was moored minutes walk from Skipton station and we were welcomed by the ever-friendly and considerate Cap'n Fitch and his trusty assistant. Coffee and home made flapjacks were waiting. As we set off, all cares vanished. The world slowed down to three miles an hour. We saw all manner of wildlife - it was duckling season - from the prow and even on a cool day, we were warmed by the wood burning stove.
I would recommend it to anyone. Friends have booked it since and had an equally memorable trip. Enjoy!