Welcome aboard our boat - the Jennifer May
Our beautiful wide beam canal barge was built in 2013 to the latest Maritime Coastguard Agency regulations, making her one of the safest boats on inland waters in the UK.
She is very versatile, having heating system for cold weather and the option of removing all of her side windows and traveling with bow windows fully open during hot weather. She offers unrivalled passenger visibility thanks to her unique design with large glazed roof sections and side windows.
A true one off, Jennifer May has been British designed and built by a leading marine architect and boat builder following an extensive brief from the company owner. She has the benefit of being fully accessible and has full head height inside her main cabin space which can be configured to meet most needs. Access is via wide easy going steps or hydraulic lift for wheelchair users who will also find her WC (with baby changing facilities) is large enough to meet their requirements.
She also has a fully integrated sound system and a clean, powerful, super quiet engine.
Our fully trained professional crew will do their best to make sure your tour is full of happy memories.
You can also hire the boat for your own exclusive use and make the space your own. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
About us
Canal and River Tours Limited was formed in the summer of 2013. The owner and founder, Colin Pike had the idea to take passengers through the historic canal lock at Stratford after doing the same as a passenger and pupil at a local Primary School in the mid 1970's.
It was post 1974, after Her Majesty The Queen Mother had recently visited to officially open the River Avon Navigation from Stratford to Evesham. As a treat, a local primary school took their pupils on a canal boat through the canal lock and down onto the River Avon, much to the joy and fascination to all of the children on board. It was this event that was the inspiration for this company.
Colin has been involved in several start up businesses locally since 2002, having previously owned and developed franchises covering Kent, East Sussex and Warwickshire since 1995. He currently owns The Baguette Barge, the Ice Cream Barges and enjoys working on new and exciting projects ranging from new build basement and property construction to canal boat design and build. He lives locally with Emily and their daughter Jennifer May.
'We are sure that many children will find lots to inspire them after their own Canal and River Tour. We will do everything we can to make this happen'.
It was post 1974, after Her Majesty The Queen Mother had recently visited to officially open the River Avon Navigation from Stratford to Evesham. As a treat, a local primary school took their pupils on a canal boat through the canal lock and down onto the River Avon, much to the joy and fascination to all of the children on board. It was this event that was the inspiration for this company.
Colin has been involved in several start up businesses locally since 2002, having previously owned and developed franchises covering Kent, East Sussex and Warwickshire since 1995. He currently owns The Baguette Barge, the Ice Cream Barges and enjoys working on new and exciting projects ranging from new build basement and property construction to canal boat design and build. He lives locally with Emily and their daughter Jennifer May.
'We are sure that many children will find lots to inspire them after their own Canal and River Tour. We will do everything we can to make this happen'.
