Wizard Accessible Narrow Boat

Wizard is owned and run by WDP with the aim to give disabled people, their carers, family and friends access to a day trip on a canal narrow boat. Up to ten passengers can enjoy a day afloat on the beautiful Bridgewater Canal. The Wizard is crewed by our friendly and experienced volunteers who enjoy driving you and providing a relaxing day trip along the canal. The Wizard is based on the Bridgewater Canal at Thorn Marine, near the London Bridge, Stockton Heath, Warrington. All trips usually start from here. You can choose from several trips along the canal but our most popular trip is along the east stretch of the canal up past Oughtrington and Lynn

About the Wizard

The Wizard was originally commissioned in 1987 by St James Church, Westbrook, Warrington using funding from various sources including the councils Wizard lottery (hence the name), Children in Need, Granada telethon, British Waterways, Cheshire County Council and numerous other local businesses and charities.

During the spring of 2005 Warrington Disability Partnership agreed to take over the ownership and management of the Wizard. WDP financed a total re-fit and new look. The Wizard is based on the picturesque Bridgewater Canal, near the London Bridge, Stockton Heath, Warrington. All trips usually start from Thorn Marine at Stockton Heath. The Bridgewater Canal has no locks on the section that the Wizard operates along and goes through beautiful countryside and interesting villages.

In 2020 the COVID pandemic forced the closure of the Wizard due to its confined spaces. In 2022 the hard decision was made to scrap the Wizard and plans were launched to purchase a new boat but sadly due to increased prices and long delays in build time it looked like the Wizard would be lost forever.

In late 2023 funding was secured and work commenced on a refurbishment project. In April 2024 the Wizard was passed safe to launch day trips in the coming year. New for 2024 are the Cream Tea Cruises, at a cost of £25 per head passengers can have an English afternoon tea supplied by WDPs five star Galleries cafe. The Wizard can accomodate ten passengers. Please note for each fulltime wheelchair user takes up two spaces.

The Wizard is still owned and run by WDP and its volunteers. It is supported and helped by many business and organisations in the area such as Thorn Marine, The London Bridge and many others. The Wizard is crewed by WDP's experienced volunteers who will drive and crew the Wizard for your trip. They will strive to make each trip a friendly, relaxing and memorable cruise. We ask for feedback at the end of each trip to make sure we can keep improving our trips.

For prices and bookings

Phone the Wizard on: 01925 240064 or email the team