Horse Drawn Barge Trips In Devon

Tiverton Horse-Drawn Barge Trips

"A little bit of Heaven in Devon”

When you visit us, you and your family will experience a natural, environmentally friendly and relaxing boat trip, aboard one of the very last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain today.

Passengers have described their Horse Drawn Boat experience as: “Wow! ... totally relaxing, peaceful, a feeling of serenity (as the barge has no engine) It is like being at one with the canal and its wildlife”.

Just relax, as our crew and large Heavy Horses Ross, George or Brindley take you on a historic journey, 200 years into the past at two miles per hour.

Serenity on a Horse Drawn Canal Boat

With the gentle rhythmic clip clop of their hooves, the ripples of the water gently disturbing the sunlight, as you listen to birdsong and the occasional call from waterfowl. The brightly coloured flag iris, lilies, damsel & dragonflies catch your eye, as you slowly pass by. You can’t help but drift off into the past, and imagine the canal of yesteryear.

At the beginning of your horse-drawn barge experience the skipper will introduce the crew, and during the voyage he will share some interesting stories and anecdotes about the canal, horses and history. A lot of visitors are also very surprised to see just how easy the barge is to pull for our horses, the skipper will also explain about weights floating on water and how this is entirely different to weights on wheels on land! That very fact, led to the reason that small horses were able to pull such huge weights along our canals in Britain many years ago.  

Our 50th Anniversary Year in 2024

We have been running special 'Serenity Sunday Afternoon Trips' (For adults only, sorry kids)

Each Sunday at 2.15pm, our two and a half hour return boat trip will run with an emphasis on peace and tranquillity for the whole trip, which will allow everyone on the barge to listen and immerse themselves with this mindfull and magical Horse-Drawn experience. This one is for adults only (14 years old & Above)

We also held an OPEN DAY on 13th July 2024. The Horse-Drawn Barge was in the Tiverton Wharf all day with events going on in the Wharf.  There were 2 Bands, Swing Boats, Food Stalls, Craft Stalls, Ducks Ditty Bar, Punch & Judy etc. Thanks to everyone who joined in the celebrations of our 50th year of the Horse-Drawn Barge. A history wall of the last 50 years of the Horse-Drawn in Tiverton Devon was also be on display

Facts about the Horse Drawn Barge:

The horse drawn barge 'Tivertonian' is a wide beam 75-seater horse-drawn (wide beam) barge and is traditionally painted with canal art known as roses and castles. The barge is carpeted throughout with fully upholstered seating. Other facilities include a fully licensed bar/shop (card or cash) and modern flush toilet.  Access to the barge is via 3 steps (there is no disability ramp or lift) as the barge is too old.

The barge operates public trips on a regular timetable during the daytime from 1st April to 31st October. Our canal boat is also available for private hire during the day and evenings.

So if you're looking for things to do in Devon, book your trip on our horse drawn canal boat today!