Sail on Queen Boadicea II – a Dunkirk Little Ship with a royal pedigree
A ship with a colourful past, Queen Boadicea II not only played a part in Operation Dynamo (27 May to 4 June 1940) she also sailed in the Queen's Coronation Pageant in 1953. Now, for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the Dunkirk Little Ship will be taking passengers on a 45-minute voyage from the Gloucester Docks and along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.
To mark the occasion, and to give passengers a special welcome, on Saturday and Sunday canal shanty musicians LocTup will perform traditional tunes as they board the ship. The close harmony duo has performed around Europe, the UK and at the Canal & River Trust's Easter Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.
Over the Festival trips start from the Museum at 11am, 12 noon, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £5 for 4 – 16-year olds, and £22.50 for a family ticket. Children 3 and under travel free.
Build a Canal
Aspiring young Telfords, Brindleys and Rennies can try out their engineering skills with the museum team and build a canal. No experience needed and the Canal & River Trust will supply the materials – the Trust's Explorers Team bring the sand and the spades, the children bring the imagination!
The museum is open over the Tall Ships Festival from 10am to 5pm.
Tickets for the day on the door cost £2.50 per person or can be booked in advance with the Tall Ships Festival pass: gloucestertallships.co.uk
Take to the Water
Meanwhile out on the water there's a chance to experience stand up paddling boarding and canoeing. The Discover Paddling team will take everyone out into the Docks to get a different perspective on the city and its unusual maritime visitors.
The hour-long sessions are suitable for people aged 8 and over: under 18s should be accompanied by parent or guardian. They can be pre-booked via the Tall Ships website.
