A Truly Different English Holiday...

Welcome to English Holiday Cruises and a holiday in England which is truly different. We are a warm and caring family company and our Riverboat Hotel the Edward Elgar has been providing cruise holidays on the River Severn for over 10 years. Unique River Cruise Holidays: We offer a variety of river cruise holidays for individuals and groups, from a weekend break to a week-long holiday. The cruises run from Gloucester through the Severn Vale with views over stunning countryside. Interesting Sightseeing: We visit a new town each day to visit the local sights, such as Gloucester Cathedral, the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands centre, Tewkesbury Abbey, Worcester Cathedral and the picturesque towns of Upton, Stourport and Bewdley. One cruise also includes an excursion on the Severn Valley Railway. Comfortable Riverboat Hotel: The Edward Elgar Riverboat Hotel provides comfortable accommodation in 11 twin-bed outside cabins all with en-suite facilities. The atmosphere aboard is friendly and informal, the main deck has a clubby saloon restaurant and the open top deck provides commanding views over the countryside. All inboard areas are climate-controlled. Warm Hospitality: We take a lot of care to serve up delicious traditional English cooking as an essential ingredient of your holiday. The captain and crew make passenger safety and warm hospitality their highest priorities and you will feel pampered and cared for throughout your holiday. We also stage deck games, table quizzes and live entertainment whilst there is a well-stocked bar and endless supply of free tea, coffee and chilled water. Excellent Value for Money: We offer some of the best-value holidays in the UK. Refer to the cruise dates and rates leaflet tucked into this brochure to see how reasonable our prices are for all-inclusive holidays which take in the cruise itself, accommodation, 3 meals each day, full service, outside tours, live entertainment, free views - and great memories!

Welcome Aboard

The best holiday weve had for years. Everything was perfect! (Mr & Mrs Cooke, Golborne)

Short Breaks & Getaways

A Unique Weekend on the Big Canal This cruise will appeal to anybody wanting a short break with a difference or quick getaway with a group of friends. It is probably the best-value river cruise holiday in Europe. Friday: Board the Edward Elgar in the historic Gloucester Docks on Friday at 6pm, unpack and enjoy dinner in the main saloon. Saturday: We cruise through the lower Severn Vale on the massive Gloucester and Sharpness canal to Slimbridge. After lunch, we taxi you to the famous WildFowl and Wetlands Centre and pay for your entry. Later, cruise on to moor up near Sharpness for some stunning views over the Severn Estuary to the Forest of Dean. In the evening, enjoy the Captains cocktail party, a delicious dinner and some fun live entertainment. Sunday: We cruise to the traditional village of Frampton and take a short walk past the church to view the longest village green in England. Enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch during the cruise back to Gloucester before we moor up at 1.30pm. The Midweek Break on the Big Canal This is an extended version of our Weekend Break with a third night aboard and two additional inclusive guided tours. Tuesday: Board in Gloucester Docks at 5pm, unpack and enjoy dinner in the main saloon. Wednesday: Sail down the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to Slimbridge for your inclusive visit to the Wildfowl Centre. Back on board, enjoy the Captains cocktails before dinner. Thursday: Sail on to Sharpness and turn to moor up at Purton for our guided tour of the unusual Ships Graveyard nearby. Then sail to Frampton and take our coach to Berkeley Castle for a very interesting guided tour. Before dinner, walk into the village of Frampton and in the evening after another delicious dinner, sit back to enjoy our live entertainment. Friday: Sail to Saul Junction for a brief visit to the Heritage Centre before a lunchtime cruise back to Gloucester, where you disembark at 1.30pm.

Short Breaks

Gliding along through the very English countryside was good for the soul (Mrs P of Hampshire)

Stunning Views & Fascinating Tours

The River Severn Heritage Cruise This 5-day cruise runs up the river Severn to explore towns steeped in history and catch stunning views to the Cotswolds and Malvern hills. Sunday: Board on Sunday at 6pm for dinner. Monday: We cruise to the picturesque town of Upton-uponSevern passing through two huge locks on the way. After lunch stroll to the Pepperpot church tower and Heritage Centre. Tuesday: We continue through beautiful countryside to Worcester and our inclusive guided tour of the Cathedral. Wednesday: Head back south to Tewkesbury for a leisurely walk to the 12th Century Abbey. In the evening, sit down for our final dinner together with a superb meal and some memorable live entertainment. Thursday: Cruise back to Gloucester and enjoy a thrilling ride up through Gloucester Lock into the main docks. Disembark around 11 am with great memories of one of Englands finest heritage holidays. Cruise to the Views This 7-day cruise makes a superb touring holiday with stunning views, historical sights and plenty of opportunities for walking, bird watching, shopping and relaxation. The Cruise: We combine our Weekend Break and River Severn Heritage cruises to get the best of both and offer more time in Gloucester to visit the Cathedral, Museums and Designer shops. Board at 6pm on Friday, disembark at 11am on Thursday. The Route: We cruise to all the stops described before the Wetlands Centre at Slimbridge, the beautiful views at Sharpness, the village at Frampton, the docks at Gloucester, the picturesque town of Upton, the Cathedral city of Worcester and Abbey town of Tewkesbury - before returning to Gloucester. The Extras: On Sunday, we provide a guided tour around Gloucester docks to the grand Cathedral, where you might like to join a public guided tour. Live entertainment is staged on two nights.

Views & Tours

Delicious food, excellent crew, wonderful holiday, we will be back (J & J, Shotton)

A Cruise into the Heart of England

The Full River Severn Holiday Cruise This 7-day holiday offers an elegant river cruise and tour to rival the best in mainland Europe. We cruise into the heart of England for superb views, terrific sightseeing and an excursion on the Severn Valley Railway. Sunday: Board at 5pm in Gloucester to cruise up the River Severn for dinner and our overnight mooring near the Lower Lode Inn. Monday: We cruise to Worcester, passing through two huge locks and enjoying good views of the Malvern Hills on the way. After lunch you may visit Worcester Cathedral nearby, the Civil War Commandery, or just go shopping. In the evening, we stage some live entertainment. Tuesday: Cruise on up the river through three picturesque locks to Stourport-on-Severn. After lunch you may like to join our guided tour of the restored lock basin opposite our mooring. Wednesday: After breakfast take our short coach trip up to Bewdley and board the acclaimed Severn Valley Steam Railway for a fascinating trip up to Bridgenorth. In the evening we cast off again and cruise to a quaint riverside pub to dine ashore. Thursday: We sail back down the river to Upton-upon-Severn for a stroll into this pretty little town to visit the Pepperpot church tower and Heritage Centre. After lunch, we cruise on to Tewkesbury where you may like to walk to the 12th century Tewkesbury Abbey, which has the biggest Norman tower in the country. Friday: On Friday morning we cruise back to Gloucester and enjoy a thrilling ride up through the lock from the river to the main docks. After lunch, join our guided tour of the sights nearby. Then you are free to visit Gloucester Cathedral or the Designer shops at Gloucester Quays. After dinner, there is some memorable live entertainment. Saturday: We serve a generous continental breakfast before you disembark at 9.30am.

Full River Cruise

The scenery was idyllic, the entertainment was great! (Mr & Mrs Hinson, Cromer)

The Edward Elgar Riverboat Hotel

A Comfortable, Clubby Vessel The Edward Elgar is a substantial river cruiser. She carries 22 holiday passengers and the atmosphere aboard is informal and friendly. The cabins are cosy and comfortable, the food and beverage service is excellent, the climate is controlled throughout the vessel and the Captain and crew offer attentive and friendly service. Convenient Vessel Layout: There are three decks. The lower deck carries 11 twin-bedded outside cabins served by two easy-rising staircases; the main deck offers comfortable seating in the restaurant, a lounge area with sofas and our licensed cash bar; and the open top deck has seating and a commanding view of the countryside. Comfortable Passenger Cabins: The passenger cabins are all cosy outside twin cabins. Each one has a window; twin beds with soft pillows and crisp bedding; some storage space for clothing and suitcases; a 240V socket for low power appliances; and en-suite facilities with a shower, washbasin, shaver socket and WC. We supply a variety of cabin amenities including soap, shampoo and drinking water to make your stay comfortable. You can also request extra pillows, blankets, an iron and hairdryer just ask the crew! Our fresh air circulation and separate air-conditioning ensure that you get a good rest at night. We clean your cabin every day, make up the beds and replace any towels you may wish to have laundered.

Viewing and Games Deck Galley Restaurant & Lounge

Wheel House Lounge Bar Fore Deck Crew Cabins

MV Edward Elgar

We would like to take the crew home in our suitcase! (Mr & Mrs Atwater, Horsham)

Engine Room

Passenger Cabins

Passenger Cabins

Passenger Cabins

Passenger Cabins

Passenger Cabins

Passenger Cabins

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Warm Hospitality
Delicious meals and attentive service are essential ingredients of a memorable holiday and we give you generous helpings of both. Meals: We serve delicious, traditional English cooking with a good menu selection and new choices every day. The menus include a vegetarian option and we can also cater for special needs with advance warning. Drinks: The bar stocks a variety of soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits. Prices are set at a reasonable pub-standard and drinks are charged on a cash basis daily. There is also a continuous supply of free tea, coffee and chilled drinking water available. Attentive Service: Our Captain and crew make attentive service and passenger safety their highest priorities. Besides keeping the vessel safe for all aboard and providing mealtime and cabin services, they also porter your baggage; tell you about the sights along the way, shepherd you onto guided tours and help the less mobile to get around. We also supply local tourism leaflets and, where we can, newspapers. Entertainment: Live music entertainment is staged after dinner on at least one occasion during your holiday. You can also enjoy some fun deck games in the daytime and table quizzes in the evenings.

Typical Days Menu

Breakfast Fruit Juice, Grapefruit, Prunes & Cereals Cooked Breakfast of the Day Toast with Jam & Marmalade Tea or Coffee Lunch Chicken Caesar Salad Ice Cream Sundae Afternoon Tea Home Made Shortbread Dinner Potato & Leek Soup or Bacon & Egg Salad Spanish Braised Lamb, Smoked Haddock or Mediterranean Vegetable Terrine Platter of Seasonal Vegetables Tiramisu or Syrup Sponge Cheeseboard Tea or Coffee

Hospitality

The food was excellent and beautifully served (Mrs Y of Avon)

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Bookings and Further Information

Dates and Rates Our sailing dates and fares are shown in the separate booking form tucked inside this brochure. We also make special offers for singles, repeat customers and cruise holidays in the Spring and Autumn. To book, call us on 01452 410411 or go to our website at www.englishholidaycruises.co.uk to check availability on your preferred date. Groups: The sailings in the booking form accommodate individuals and small groups. Larger groups can charter the whole vessel on different dates at discounted rates. Please call the office or check our website for more information. Special Events: We offer Christmas lunch cruises and other lunch outings for individuals and groups of up to 36 people. We can also help you to celebrate a special occasion or corporate event, such as an anniversary, strategic meeting or special weekend getaway. Please call us or go to our website for more information. Map and Directions The Edward Elgar is moored at Alexandra Quay on the west side of Gloucester Docks. We are easy to reach by train, coach or car from anywhere in the UK. Before you set out for your cruise holiday, we will send you comprehensive boarding and safety information. The back of this brochure carries our full address.

Booking

It was the best weekend we have ever had (Gerry Thompson, Nottingham)

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T 01452 410 411 F 01452 410 422 www.englishholidaycruises.co.uk sales@englishholidaycruises.co.uk The Oliver Cromwell, Alexandra Quay, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2LG