Experience the John Bunyan Boat

Charter Cruises

The John Bunyan Boat offers you a unique and fascinating venue to impress your guests with a private river cruise. We can cater for every occasion as you cruise along the river, simply relax and admire the scenery or enjoy dancing and entertainment on board. Hold your next meeting / small conference, Business promotion or product launch.

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Special Occasions

Hold a drinks reception with a difference! The John Bunyan Boat is the perfect venue to celebrate your wedding day, engagement reception, and special wedding anniversaries. Enjoy a cruise at a time to suit you and your guests, just let us know your requirements and we will cater for them.

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Private & Corporate

Be it a special birthday, anniversary, school trip, corporate function, training event, award ceremonies, Business promotion, marketing event or meeting with a difference, give the team a call and we will be happy to discuss your ideas and help you choose the right cruise for you.

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Community Groups

We welcome charter bookings from all community groups and voluntary groups and offer a 10% discount to Registered Charities and Voluntary Organisations. We also take group bookings on public cruises, where we can arrange ploughman’s lunches and cream teas as well.

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Schools, Colleges & Youth Groups

We can work with you to turn the boat into a floating classroom. We offer a 25% discount for cruises on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We are limited to a total of 50 passengers (includes children and staff) for groups greater than 50 we can offer a “Split Cruise”.

For more information on cruise routes, pricing and T&Cs, download our charter brochure

‘Cruise Plus’ Day Tours

Discover little-known gems on a day tour to Bedford! On the banks of the beautiful River Great Ouse, just over an hour from London, Oxford and Cambridge, the historic market town of Bedford has a treasure chest of delights.

The John Bunyan boat team has teamed up with arts, leisure and cultural providers in Heritage Bedford to run “Cruise Plus” Day Tours on Tuesdays to Saturdays from April to October for groups of 30-50 people.

Download brochure
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Cruise…

At the heart of every tour is a relaxing 90-minute lunchtime cruise through the heart of the town on the new John Bunyan all-weather trip boat, with a fully licensed bar, galley café and catering service.

…Plus

Add your choice of morning and/or afternoon visits to one or more of Bedford’s star heritage attractions, all within 10 minutes easy walk of each other, the town centre and the riverside gardens:

  • John Bunyan Museum and Bunyan Meeting reveal the life of the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress
  • The Higgins Bedford offers superbly displayed local collections of art and design and local history
  • Town Trail highlights key people and places in Bedford’s 1000-year story, including Castle Mound
  • Panacea Museum tells the story of a unique 20th century religious community.

Book now!

For bookings, call us on 0330 1239 511 or email charters@johnbunyanboat.com

Upriver Cruise Routes

Enjoy a relaxing cruise through Bedford’s picturesque countryside, to discover Bedford's countryside including the unique pyramid! 12th century mound of Bedford Castle, passing the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Queens Park, Kempston Outdoor Centre and on towards Kempston Mill

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Enjoy a relaxing cruise upstream from Priory Marina through the Bedford Town Lock, passing St Pauls Church which can be viewed as we approach Town Bridge and then continuing upstream to Sovereigns Quay and under County Bridge before turning back.

Enjoy a relaxing 3 hour cruise from Priory Marina through the Bedford Town Lock, passing St Pauls Church which can be viewed as we approach Town Bridge and then continuing upstream to Sovereigns Quay and under County Bridge. We continue up to Queens Bridge where you can catch a glimpse of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Queens Park, before turn around and head downstream towards the Barns Hotel. Before turn around and heading back to Priory Marina for disembarkation.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise through Bedford’s picturesque countryside, to discover Bedford's unique pyramid! Navigate the Town lock, and then see the 12th century mound of Bedford Castle before going under the historic Town Bridge, calling at Sovereigns Quay to pick up additional passengers, before cruise upriver passing the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Queens Park, Kempston Outdoor Centre and on towards Kempston Mill before returning.

Downriver Cruise Routes

Enjoy and relax on the John Bunyan Boat cruise, down river through Bedford’s picturesque countryside and river wildlife as we cruise downstream towards Great Barford we will pass through; Cardington Lock, skirting Priory Country Park and Nature Reserves, Castle Mill Lock, Earthworks at Willington as we make our way to Great Barford.

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Enjoy a relaxing cruise through Bedford’s picturesque countryside and river wildlife as we cruise downstream to Cardington Lock, skirting Priory Country Park and Nature Reserves as we go through Cardington lock, towards Castle Mill Lock before turning around to return to Priory Marina.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise through Bedford’s picturesque countryside and river wildlife as we cruise downstream to Cardington Lock, skirting Priory Country Park and Nature Reserves as we go through Cardington lock, towards Castle Mill Lock. We continue through Castle Mill Lock past Bedford River Valley Park at Willington before returning to Priory Marina. This cruise can include a stop / meal at the Barns Hotel by prior arrangement and return by Coach to Priory Marina.

Enjoy and relax on the John Bunyan Boat premier cruise, for a 3 hour down river cruise through Bedford’s picturesque countryside and river wildlife as we cruise downstream to Cardington Lock, skirting Priory Country Park and Nature Reserves as we go through Cardington lock, towards Castle Mill Lock. We continue through Castle Mill Lock past Bedford River Valley Park at Willington. After passing the earthworks at Willington we make our way to Great Barford.
Taking a break for an hour before returning back to Priory Marina, the Premiere cruise can be combined with a meal at “The Anchor Inn and Restaurant” then return either by boat or more quickly by coach at additional cost). If returning by coach the price for a one way 3 hour cruise or return by boat remains the same as the 7 hour price.

What our customers say

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  • star rating  We were on the Motown and soul cruise, what a fantastic way to spend an evening cruising the embankment with the excellent on board DJ getting all involved even the... read more

    ben a
    August 1, 2021

    star rating  Visited here with a group from Essex. Had two hour gentle cruise with a cream tea. From the moment we stepped aboard we were immediately looked after by the volunteers... read more

    casimmonds
    September 30, 2022
  • star rating  Enjoyed a tranquil 2 hour summers evening mini cruise along Bedford River Ouse this evening. Fish OR chicken & chip supper included, bar and refreshments available - lovely. ... read more

    P8407HIdianas
    June 10, 2022

    star rating  What a fabulous trip the Soul Cruise was from start to finish ! Had so much fun dancing & singing to some excellent tunes from the 2 master DJ’s... read more

    Mandy A.
    June 1, 2019
  • star rating  What a fantastic evening on the John bunyan.... a cruise down the ouse with perfect weather and great tunes of soul and Motown this a private charter so I was... read more

    Audra T
    August 29, 2019

    star rating  Spent a great afternoon on a Soul Cruise with a few friends. Both the DJs were excellent and play a great mixture of Soul tunes enjoyed by everyone on board... read more

    T Davies
    August 1, 2019
  • star rating  What can I say, had the boat on a charter and what a great day we've had. Boat was lovely and the crew even better, all volunteers with a real... read more

    Carl S
    September 1, 2019

    star rating  A lovely way to spend a couple of hours, the free were really friendly, welcoming and interesting. Very COVID secure.

    sparkler10
    October 1, 2020
  • star rating  Wonderful afternoon cruise along the river ouse Lovely friendly staff all covid precautions in place Very tasty afternoon tea Thank you to all concerned Mum loved it for her

    lizzie288
    June 1, 2021

    star rating  Spent a great afternoon on a Soul Cruise with a few friends. Both the DJs were excellent and play a great mixture of Soul tunes enjoyed by everyone on board... read more

    MitzyD123
    August 29, 2019
  • star rating  We went for a 2 hour boat trip on board the John Bunyan boat with a local social club. We all had a ploughman's lunch & hot drink served by... read more

    _pauldorow
    June 6, 2022

    star rating  A Boat Trip on Bedford River - A pleasant trip along the river with a very average "cream tea" consisting of only one scone//jam/cream on paper plates including the cup of tea, all pre-packed and covered in... read more

    MightyMerc
    September 9, 2019
  • star rating  What can I say, had the boat on a charter and what a great day we've had. Boat was lovely and the crew even better, all volunteers with a real... read more

    715carls
    September 1, 2019

    star rating  Wonderful afternoon cruise along the river ouse Lovely friendly staff all covid precautions in place Very tasty afternoon tea Thank you to all concerned Mum loved it for her birthday

    lizzie288
    July 8, 2021
  • star rating  A pleasant trip along the river with a very average "cream tea" consisting of only one scone//jam/cream on paper plates including the cup of tea, all pre-packed and covered in... read more

    MightyMerc
    September 1, 2019

    star rating  Lovely trip along the river. The volunteers are helpful and enthusiastic. They have all undergone appropriate training.
    The disabled lift worked well for my companion who walks with crutches,... read more

    Extraordinary779575
    April 23, 2022
  • star rating  We were on the Motown and soul cruise, what a fantastic way to spend an evening cruising the embankment with the excellent on board DJ getting all involved even the... read more

    ben a
    August 26, 2021

    star rating  If there is anybody out there interested in superb soul music, get on the Soul Boat Bedford for a great soulful afternoon/evening. NOT TO BE MISSED.

    Raymondo65
    August 29, 2019
  • star rating  What a fantastic evening on the John bunyan.... a cruise down the ouse with perfect weather and great tunes of soul and Motown this a private charter so I was... read more

    audratimmins
    August 1, 2019

    star rating  We had a lovely tip on the JB boat, just a lovely way to explore the river and going through the lock with an inch either side, the team certainly... read more

    908harveyc
    May 27, 2022