River Dee Boat Trips

1128 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

August, 2021

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

On your own

Reasons for trip

The River Dee forms a big loop to the south of the city centre. A fleet of boats run regular cruises along the river during the summer months. I did the 30 minute cruise aboard the Mark Twain, departing from the Groves, close to the city walls and the C14th Old Dee Bridge.

The Mark Twain had originally worked as a paddle boat on the River Thames and resembled a Mississippi steamboat. She has been based in Chester since 1987. The paddle has been replaced and she now has a covered upper deck. She is still a very stylish boat.

The cruise travels upstream, under the pedestrian suspension bridge. To the left, on the city side are large and very expensive C19th houses built for the rich and famous. Many of these have gardens down to the river with small boat houses or moorings on the river.

Several rowing clubs based here, including the Royal Chester Rowing Club and King’s School Rowing Club, which are among the oldest in the country. “Chester Regatta”:http://www.chesterregatta.org/ is the oldest in Britain, having been held here since 1733.

The land on the opposite bank is water meadows and is still prone to winter flooding. It is covered with water loving plants like purple loosestrife and meadow sweet. The river is wide and slow flowing, with patches of yellow water lilies. There are mallards and swans on the river, although the numbers of swans have decreased in recent years.

The River Dee is a “‘managed water system'”:http:// https://naturalresources.wales/media/679703/river-dee-regulation-leaflet.pdf and flow is controlled by reservoirs, allowing water to be extracted without affecting the flow.

The boat turns round at the city limit for the return journey.

Returning to the mooring at The Grove, there is a good view of the Old Dee bridge. Weirs beyond this provided power for corn mills and now prevent boats from travelling downstream

There was an informative commentary during the trip. It was a very pleasant trip and not too long.

“Website”:https://www.chesterboat.co.uk/

ESW

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.