The John Rennie Cruising Restaurant Boat

Day Boat

The “John Rennie” is Bath’s and the South Wests most exclusive luxurious floating restaurant boat on the canal. We are the most competitively priced boat with the largest selection of food choice menus available. No other boat or company in the South West offers better value for money for you to enjoy your private party in total exclusivity.

We offer the perfect combination of effortless comfort, relaxing indulgency, bespoke service and gourmet food. Lots of restaurants lay claim to stunning views and a prime location, but how many can say that their surroundings are ever-changing? It’s a characteristic that the “John Rennie“ restaurant boat can certainly lay claim to have. A fine dining entertainment venue for private parties of 20 - 48 guests. Step on board and experience some of the Georgian glamour the Bathonians of Jane Austens era did back in those days and relive the splendour of the canal, boat, gourmet food and service. A trip out on the canal through the Limpley Stoke Valley was a major outing in those days. No matter how you decide to celebrate your special day, you can be assured that we will make it a day to remember for the rest of your lives.

The “ John Rennie” is a broad beam boat so there is ample space on board for everyone. Inside, a richly finished oak panelled dining room seamlessly fuses historic elegance with contemporary flexibility. Enter through the bow, onto the solid oak floor and find a fully stocked bar with beer on tap, wine & bottle fridges, soft leather chairs, real wood tables with cream linen runners, brass lights, granite tiled toilets, a professionally equipped galley kitchen, a discreet 150 watt sound system with disco lights and dancefloor. There’s a flexible seating layout in the main saloon, which is glass sided, affording stunning views of Bath as the countryside drifts past and there’s also an open deck at the front where you can enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

“The John Rennie” offers the perfect venue for every occasion, whether it be a social club outing, office party, anniversary celebration, stag / hen party, school educational trip, coach party, business conference or corporate entertainment. Bath Narrowboats has over thirty years experience of organising and hosting events on the Kennet & Avon canal in Bath. We can accommodate groups from as small as twenty through to fifty six guests. Whether it is a small family gathering, summer ball, New Years Eve, Birthday, Christmas party, or up to a large corporate event, Wedding, coach party etc we have the party boat for you. Don’t worry about the cold on a chilly day as the main saloon is centrally heated offering the opportunity to cruise all year round. There’s also a range of specially themed evenings available offering everything from murder mystery, casino entertainment , horse racing, wacky races evenings, Christmas parties and more.

What about some music as that just adds even more to the party atmosphere. We have a fully fitted out 150 watt PA music system that plays CD’s, ipods, iphones & ipads or perhaps you'd prefer to listen to live music such as a trad Jazz band, duos, trios, soloists, saxophone & pianists or tribute acts like Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams & Michael bublé. Let the music play and dance the night away.

Our on board catering is run by our skilful chef team offering a huge breadth of menus of the finest home made cuisine using locally sourced fresh ingredients from simple teatime treats such as cream teas, sandwiches and exquisite canapes to more copious fayre such as platters, buffets, hog roasts, bbq’s, etc. We have two wine lists. A simple wine list that we stock on board to serve immediately or a much larger wine cellar list off the boat where we have a greater choice.

Cruises last for 2 ½, 4, 4½ or 6 hours although all programmes are flexible. Bear in mind the length of time of the cruise you want for your party as we find the 2 ½ cruise is very quick as the turnaround is after 1 and quarter hours before returning.

Each charter is different because there are so many parameters that can change from the day / night, the guest numbers, the menu choices, the seasons, the length of trip etc so we take the responsibility of providing you with a magical unique experience that you and your guests will remember and talk about for years very seriously. So, we run your whole event however small or large with military precision in order to provide you with a seamless first class experience. We aim to offer and guide you, right from the start by helping you make the right decisions and choices as much as possible with the 30 years experience we have in the service industry.

Your first point of contact will be the website or brochure. Here you can decide on the length of charter, what time of day / night you would ideally want and the numbers of guests.

Next, depending on what type of event you want to host then peruse the menus carefully and see if there is an ideal choice for you. There are different ideas you can explore as some hosts prefer to substitute a starter with canapes instead, or to have a welcome drink such as pimms, champagne or a cocktail to sip. There are many different hot and cold options. Would you like desserts, cake, coffee / tea or maybe an after dinner drink.

There are different table layouts, decorations, flowers etc all to consider. Would you like to add extras to your event to enhance the experience like music, live bands, themes or a singer. Finally, do read our terms & conditions, FAQ’s, testimonials & gallery as many questions you will have are answered.

After absorbing some of this information, then we’re ready to start your “John Rennie” experience. Email or call our booking office. The office is the first point of contact with you and organises the huge team that swings into operation, once you’re date is booked and a deposit of 100 pounds is paid. On the wharf there is a team that comprises of boat engineers and skippers that ensure the “ John Rennie” is in tip-top condition, fuelled, warm and ready to go for you, also there are the head chef, chefs etc who will be producing the fresh food, waiters & waitresses who will be servicing your event.and finally. You are always most welcome to visit the “ John Rennie “ and inspect the boat prior to any booking as the proof is in the pudding.

Lastly, your captain boatmaster , the office team or the crew will be there to greet & welcome you onboard, serve your delicious fayre, open the bar and get the party flowing. We relish in making your trip a truly memorable one and as a result over the past 20 years “The John Rennie” has been host to a wide variety of clients – from the aristocracy to pop stars, from business folk, to wedding receptions.

It doesn’t matter who you are as you and your guests are treated as VIP’s from the moment you arrive. The variety and the flexibility of the “John Rennie“ means that whether your party is small and intimate, or large and full of energy – we can create your event with the most appropriate format. Whatever your function, party or event on “The John Rennie” it will always be a success.

Bon voyage.

For more details on the John Rennie options click her : http://www.bath-narrowboats.co.uk/john-rennie-mainpage/