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 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 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. His primary school arranged a trip for their pupils to take a canal boat through the newly refurbished lock and down onto the River Avon for a boat tour. All the children were fascinated by the way their boat travelled through the lock, dropping down onto the River Avon below. They were also told about the industrial history of the canal basin and adjacent horse drawn tramway, which made a great addition to the sights they saw on the river. It was this event that was the inspiration for this company which has proved to be a great sucess. Stratford is steeped in industrial history as well as Shakespeare which makes for a very interesting and relaxing tour, no matter what age you are. 
Colin has been involved in several start-up businesses locally since 2002, having previously owned and developed franchises covering South East London, Kent, East Sussex and Warwickshire since 1995. He owns the Ice Cream Barges which are moored within the canal basin and enjoys working on other projects. These range from developing new business ideas to managing small property projects/developments. He lives locally with partner Emily and their daughters Jennifer and Daisy.