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Godalming Packetboat Company

ABOUT US
A Nostalgic Victorian Experience Aboard "IONA"
Travel the Victorian Way along this unspoilt waterway in Surrey as generation of boatmen before you. Your journey on the narrow boat "IONA" and pulled by one of our heavy horses, traverses both river and canal and passes through a lock. It is difficult to imaging a more delightful way to discover the National Trust owned River Wey Navigations.
We provide both Public Trips and Private Charters.

PUBLIC TRIPS
The Public Trips are most days from Easter to the end of September, but please ring 01483 414938 to confirm times of trips (usually 2.00 pm).
At any time during the trip you will be able to refresh yourself from the tea bar open board which also sells souvenirs.

PRIVATE CHARTER
Something to celebrate - we provide the ideal outing for clubs organisations, senior citizens, wedding receptions, retirements, birthdays, corporate entertaining etc. If you require food we have a caterer who can serve buffet meals and with a bar onboard, or you can moor for a meal(at an hourly rate).

LOCATION
All trips leave Godalming Wharf, in Godalming Town, opposite Sainsbury's MAP.The trips last two hours, with a maximum of 48 passengers. Trips are run subject to the river being open to navigation.

River Wey, above Trower's Bridge.

Godalming Packetboat Company

OUR BOAT

Built in 1935 as "Bellerphon" by Harland and Wollfe for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company.
Small Woolwich Star Class Butty originally paired with "Bootes" carrying coal, lime juice, chocolate crumb and steel billets.
In 1957 there are photographs of her at Cassio Wharf, Watford, and paired with "Carolla" at the National Rally at Coventry Basin.
1958 to 63 paired with Banstead and during this time was used for the film The Barge with Harry H Corbet, Ronnie Barker, Eric Sykes.
1963 was bought at Hillmorton Locks for the Shropshire Union Cruises to replace the old wooden IONA, and was renamed at this time.
1968 to 69 was converted to a trip boat and appeared in an episode of Coronation Street.
in 1969 - 85 worked as a horse drawn trip boat at Norbury Junction. 1985 was brought down by lorry to the Wey navigation at Godalming to work as a horse drawn trip boat, as she does today.
"IONA" is a full length narrowboat (72ft) 19.5 meters, and we have retained the traditional painting. She is fitted with a tea bar in the shell of the boatman's cabin, and has seating for 48 passengers.
There is toilet on board.

Navigating Towers Bridge with extreme care

Godalming Packetboat Company

OUR HORSES

ROSIE

14 1 hands piebald mare
Born 1986. Used as a riding horse and also pulled a trap. Shown in coloured horse classes at shows. Bought in April 1998 and has towed "IONA" ever since. 1999 appeared in The Railway Children pulling "Lily" on the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth.

BEN

15 1 hands blue roan gelding
Born 1993. Started work pulling a trap at Brentwood. Bought in 1998 to pull IONA.

DOMINO (Sadly no longer with us).

16 1 hands skewbald gelding.
Born 1976, started work on Uttoxeter Race Course, harrowing the turf. Bought by Steve Rees-Jones to replace the old boat horse at Shropshire Union Cruises. Came with "IONA" to Godalming in 1985 to pull "IONA". Has also pulled Wey barge "Perseverance", "Northwich" and "Gifford" on the Worcesterand Birmingham Canal with "Baccarat" for the making of Tow Path Encounter. He has made appearances in Country Ways, Songs of Praise with Harry Secombe, Inspector Morse - The wench is dead in 1998 pulling "Australia" disguised as "The Barbara Bray". At Braunston and Honey Street and on the Kennet and Avon Canal. He was also invited to the opening of the Basingstoke Canal. Died 2001.

Dom.Rosie

Ben.

Godalming Packetboat Company

2008 PRICES

CHARTER HIRE (Maximum Number 46)
Day Time 2 Hour Trips (Approx) £290.00
Evening 2 Hour Trips (Approx) £335.00
Deposit for above £60.00
Cream Teas (Ordered in advance)£3.00 each

PUBLIC TRIPS

Adult £7.25
Children £5.25
Senior Citizens £5.25


Filming of River Walks with Charlie Dimmock.	Jenny leading Ben.

Godalming Packetboat Company

CONTACT US

Godalming Packetboat Company

57 Furze Lane
Farncombe
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 3NP
Tel:01483 414938

Iona and Ben.

Godalming Packetboat Company

LINKS

These links will take you to other sites of similar interests,

Canal Junction A comprehensive canal guide and leisure directory.

U.K. Canals Web Page Dedicated to those who work, rest and play on the canals and waterways of the UK. Including lists of all canal services.

Waterways Directory A comprehensive directory covering all aspects of the canals and associated activities.

The National Trust National Trust who own and maintain the River Wey and Godalming Navigations.

Garth Allan Waterways Artist who painted the background for, and built this web site.

Northern WebSite offering helpful advice with Meta Tags.

Submit ExpressSite offering a free service submitting to Search Engines.