ACCESS TO THE RUTLAND BELLE

The embarkation point at The Harbour, Whitwell, offers vehicular and disabled access. Facilities have gentle ramps and handrails and there is no gap to breach. For those who are unable to manage three steps down inside the boat, our crew are happy to operate the hydraulic lift specially designed to assist boarding for up to six wheelchair dependant passengers per departure. Rutland Water and “Rutland Belle” are proud to have been recent Silver Award winners in the English Tourist Board’s “England for Excellence – Tourism for All” awards and to have been acknowledged by the Rutland Access Group for providing easy access.

Working guide/support dogs are welcome to accompany their owners whilst cruising, but it is regretted that other dogs are not allowed on board.
 

TYPES OF CRUISE

Scheduled Afternoon Cruises (timetabled public sailings) Round trips depart Whitwell on the hour and Normanton at twenty-past, with opportunity to spend time on the opposite shore and return later. Fares: Adults: £7.00 each Children (aged 3 to 15 years): £4.50 each Family (2 adults, 2 children): £20.00 (Limited number of free places for children under 3 years - please ask for a pass at time of ticket purchase)

Rutland Belle Captain - Trevor Broadhead

Group Bookings

Morning Cruises for Groups (minimum 30 persons)

Round trips for groups depart from The Harbour, Whitwell (north shore), where there is ample access/parking for coaches.

30 passengers or more are welcome to arrange one of the following morning cruises:-

Around Rutland Water - £6.00 per person. a circular 45 minute cruise with commentary (allow 1 hour)

Around Rutland Water with church museum visit - £7.00 per person. Cruise with commentary including shore visit to Normanton Church Museum before returning to Whitwell (allow 1 hr 30 mins)

Around Rutland Water with coffee - £7.50 per person. Coffee and biscuits on board before circular 45 minute cruise with commentary (allow 1hr 15 mins)

Cruise with coffee and church visit - £8.50 per person (allow 1 hr 45 mins)

Booking essential. £50 deposit at time of reservation and balance due on arrival.

Morning Cruises for School Parties (minimum 30 children)

Morning Cruises, ideal for Keystage Curriculum Studies or end-of-term outings, offer a choice of cruise duration:

30 minute cruise @ £3.50 per child (1 teacher/adult free per 5 children)
45 minute trips @ £4.00 per child (1 teacher/adult free per 5 children)

Booking essential. £50 deposit secures your reservation. Balance due on arrival.

NB. Boarding commences 15 minutes prior to cruise time

Afternoon Cruises for Groups

Groups are welcome to make reservations on mid-week afternoon cruises at the following group rates:-

12-19 persons @ £5.50 per person
20-60 persons @ £5.00 per person

Deposit due at time of reservation and pay balance on arrival.

Please note: full fares apply on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Private Evening Cruises for Special Occasions

Available from May to September, in the early evenings until sunset (between 6pm and 9pm).  Licensed Bar.  Minimum 25 people.  Booking essential. 

Cruise duration: 
1 hour @ £8 per person 
90 minutes @ £10 per person
2 hrs @ £12 per person

Celebration Drinks, Canapés, Buffet and Music also available at extra cost.

Further details on request.
 

Osprey & Wildlife Cruises

Late afternoon/early evening guided-programme in conjunction with Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. Offered on selected dates 2008. Booking essential and further details via Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust - details on www.ospreys.org.uk or telephone 01572 770651.

Whitwell Harbour showing the Harbour Bar and vehicular access to the landing stage

HOW TO FIND US

“Rutland Belle” operates from The Harbour, Whitwell Park, North Shore, Rutland Water, just off the A606 Oakham to Stamford road (follow brown tourist signs for Rutland Water North Shore). Postcode: LE15 8BL

Site Directions: Turn off A606 at Whitwell. Third turn left, following signs to “Rutland Belle Boat Trips" and "The Harbour”. Follow road through Yacht Park and turn left at T-junction to car park. Coaches proceed through car park following “Rutland Belle” signs and park at end of foreshore. (Please do not park in front of Harbour Bar.)

EMBARKATION

The Rutland Belle leaves from landing stages at Whitwell, North Shore (see site directions above for details) and Normanton, South Shore (beside church). Note - there is no vehicular or disabled access to the landing stage at Normanton.

BOARDING

We ask that all passengers arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time and be assembled ready to board fifteen minutes prior to departure time.