Skipton Canal Tour: 1-Hour Cruise with Comedian Dave Spikey

Sixty minutes of canal history and comedy on the water

A one-hour public boat cruise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Skipton, led by comedian Dave Spikey, who weaves industrial-era stories and Northern humor into a recorded tour of the waterway. The boat carries bathroom access and allows time for a lunchtime break away from the city. Children from age one are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

One-hour guided canal cruise

• Board the canal cruise
• Listen to comedian guide's commentary
• Enjoy historic stories of Leeds & Liverpool Canal
• View Aireville Park and Skipton landmarks
• Have food and drink on board
• Disembark after 60 minutes

The experience

Sixty minutes on the water means you get the full arc of Skipton's canal story without eating up your whole afternoon. Dave Spikey, known from Phoenix Nights and 8 Out of 10 Cats, narrates a recorded tour that moves past the usual heritage commentary, instead you hear how the Leeds & Liverpool Canal fed the industrial revolution through Yorkshire, told with the kind of Northern patter that lands between the laughs. The boat has food and drink available, so you can turn the trip into something closer to a meal than a rushed sightseeing run.

The tour works as a break from planning or weather. You board, sit, and the route unfolds without you having to navigate or decide what comes next. Admission is free, and the bathroom is there when you need it. Children travel free from age one as long as an adult is with them, which makes it a genuine option for families who want something that doesn't demand hours of their day.

What’s included

• One-hour boat ride on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
• recorded tour narration by Dave Spikey.
• bathroom access.
• food and drink available for purchase (alcoholic drinks available to purchase).

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 12:00, 13:15 and 14:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 56

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Skipton Boat Trips

Is this one for you?Public cruises mean you'll be on the boat with other travelers rather than in a private group, which keeps the price down and adds to the social energy of the tour. It suits anyone looking for a quick, guided break from the city without the cost or planning of a private booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What's the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and why does it matter to Skipton?

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal was the artery that moved goods and people during the industrial revolution, carrying the lifeblood of Yorkshire's mill economy through Skipton. Dave Spikey's tour traces how that history shaped the town and the waterway itself.

Is there food and drink on the boat?

Food and drink are available on board, so you can make it part of a lunchtime break. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase if you want them.

How does the tour work if I'm not familiar with Skipton's history?

Dave Spikey's recorded narration covers the canal's role in the industrial era and points of interest along the route, so you don't need background knowledge to follow along. The humor and storytelling carry you through.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour runs regardless of weather, and the boat has shelter, so rain or cold doesn't cancel the trip. That's part of why it works as a reliable lunchtime option.