Organised by Waterways World in partnership with our charity and Crick Waterside & Marina, Crick Boat Show is the UK’s biggest inland waterways festival and is expected to attract over 25,000 visitors.
As well as being the canal world’s largest marketplace, showcasing the inland waterways industry with over 200 exhibitors, Crick Boat Show offers visitors dozens of boats to view, free boat trips, free entry for kids under 16, live music, children’s activities, a real ale and cider festival and a wide variety of food stalls.
Top ten things to do
Here are the Top 10 things to do at this year’s show for those looking for a great day out by the water:
1. Take to the water on a free boat trip
Visitors to Crick can take a free 30-minute boat trip along the Grand Union Canal. Run by volunteers of LNBP Community Boating and sponsored by Synewave Boats, the trips run every 10 minutes from 10.10am each day of the show. Visitors can book their free trip at the Trip Boats Marquee on the Quayside when they arrive at the show.
2. See the latest new boats from the UK’s top boat builders
More new canal boat boats will be on display in one place than at any other time anywhere in the country, and exhibitors will be showcasing all the latest lifestyle extras, space-saving ideas and technology.
3. Find out about places to visit and free events on the canal network
Visitors to the Canal & River Trust’s Marquee can find out about places to visit and our national canal charity’s free Let’s programme, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The events give people the chance to enjoy free fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding sessions at hundreds of locations across the charity’s 2,000-mile network of canals and rivers in England and Wales.
4. Chat to volunteers about canal conservation
In the Canal & River Trust Marquee, volunteers will be showcasing the many ways people can get involved to help improve the nation’s canals for people and nature, from hedge-laying and litter picking, to lock gate painting and lock keeping. Colleagues from the Trust will also be providing information about the charity’s museums, canal heritage, art, wildlife and water management.
5. Listen to expert advice on buying a boat
Free talks delivered by Waterways World Technical Editor Mark Langley offer the chance to find out what is involved in living aboard a boat, how to buy a boat and cost-saving solutions.
6. Step back in time
The Historic Narrow Boat Club (HNBC) will be displaying nine historic working boats on the marina, including the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum’s cargo carrying ‘Sculptor’, the tug/icebreaker ‘Sandbach’ and Wonka movie star ‘Renfrew’. Visitors to the Canal & River Trust Marquee can have a go at the traditional Roses & Castles canal art which adorns many of these working heritage boats.
7. Enjoy some retail therapy
With over 200 exhibitors from across the canal world, Crick offers shoppers the very latest in boating products and services, as well as crafts, gifts, clothing, jewellery, hats and award-winning foods.
8. Listen to live music
From rock and reggae, to country and folk, 13 live acts will be performing in The Crick Tavern for the show’s Music Festival, sponsored by Vetus. Blondie tribute band ‘Blondied’ will headline on the evening of Saturday 23 May, and ‘Madness’ tribute band ‘One Step Behind’ will perform on the evening of Sunday 24 May. Evening entertainment is included in the price of the same day ticket.
9. Grab a bite to eat and drink
The show’s Food Court will offer a range of options, including fish & chips, farmer’s grill, Indian rassio, pizza, pasties, doughnuts, tea and coffee. And there’s a Real Ale & Cider Festival in The Crick Tavern, sponsored by Lee Sanitation, with a wide range of cask ales, as well as ciders, perries and gins.
10. Vote for your favourite boat
Visitors to the show can vote for their favourite boat at the Haven-Knox Johnston Marquee on the Quayside. Everyone who votes is entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Marks & Spencer voucher and can also enter a draw to win a year’s free boat insurance from Haven-Knox Johnston.
Tickets and prices
For Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, adult tickets are £21.00 on the gate or £18.90 in advance. On Monday 25 May, adult tickets are £16.00 on the gate or £14.40 in advance. Entry for children aged 16 and under is free on the public days. Three-day adult tickets are £47.00 on the gate or £42.30 in advance. Parking is free.
Tickets for the Trade & Preview Day on Friday 22 May are available only in advance at £30.00 each and include a gift bag and complimentary hot drink.
Camping pitches start from £56.00 per night for a 6m x 6m pitch, with visitor moorings available from £1.37 per foot.
For tickets, camping and moorings, visit www.crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742970 (Monday–Thursday, 9am–3pm).
