MV Edward Elgar - 4 Star Hotel Boat
Rated 4-star by Visit England, our boat is the highest capacity hotel boat cruising the inland waterways of England. Discover what she has to offer and take a virtual tour.
The Boat
As Featured In
On The River Severn
River Cruise Holidays
2-6 Night Cruise Holidays in The Severn Vale
Whether you want a weekend break or a week long holiday, we've got an itinerary to suit you. All our cruises are round trips departing from and finishing in Gloucester's Historic Docks.
Cruises
Hotel Extension Packages Arranged For You
If you have a long way to travel or would like to extend your holiday, we can book you in to our partner hotel in Gloucester. 70% of our passengers take an extension package.
ExtensionsUnpack once
Historic Destinations
When you cruise with English Holiday Cruises, you unpack once and we take you to a new historic destination every day.
Gloucester's Historic Docks
We are based in Hempsted, a mile from Gloucester's Historic Docks. All our cruises are round trips so you start and finish your cruise with us from here.
- Less than 10 minutes from M5 motorway.
- Secure parking available.
- Rail and bus stations only one mile away.
The Heart of England
Sites of ancient battles, Norman Abbeys, barge graveyards... this region has a lot to discover. As well as Gloucester, our cruises have many destinations including:
- Worcester Cathedral & Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum
- Upton upon Severn
- Stourport on Severn
- WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre
Britain's mightiest river
The River Severn & Gloucester to Sharpness Ship Canal
Sail on Britain's mightiest river and the first ship canal ever to be built in the world.
- Experience cruising on some of Britain's largest waterways.
- Cruise the Gloucester to Sharpness Ship Canal opened in 1827.
- Over 90 miles underway on our longest cruise.
- Moorings within a short walk of points of interest.
- Fantastic wildlife and history at every turn.
In their words
Our Passengers Say It best...
Watch video interviews of our passengers talking about their cruises on the Edward Elgar
The Staycation To Remember
No international travel required! Find the perfect UK river cruise.
Reviews
River cruising isn't just a holiday, it's an experience from a whole new perspective. Our passengers love it.
This is journey through the essence and heart of England as it is in our hearts.Peace and tranquillity on the one hand and the history of how the industrial revolution was carried out of England.Lovely Crew;Great food;Very comfortable and Great views.
only flaw was we didn't see a Kingfisher but there has to a flaw-blasphemous to make perfection but this trip is as near perfection as any we have had.
We look forward to our next trip.
Thank you
Michael and Susan O'Driscoll
We mostly spent our mornings on the top deck relaxing and appreciating the restful scenery before visiting interesting towns in the afternoons.With an excellent and friendly captain and crew, first-rate food and drinks and amiable fellow guests, we had a wonderful holiday without the travel hassles of a continental cruise.
Michael and Helen Classic Severn Cruise 2025
A wonderful, relaxing way to travel up the river Severn, taking in various places and three very good wineries.
The boat was comfort itself and as for the staff, nothing was too much trouble even coming home with a recipe from the on board chef.
We will definitely be looking at booking another one of the tours offered.
We love travelling with this company..we have already booked for next year and can't recommend it highly enough...
The staff, from booking to disembarkation are fabulous, extremely friendly, helpful and kind. The cabins, although small, are all you need and are comfortable and very clean....food is fabulous...I don't know how such a standard is maintained with the small galley. All destinations and trips are extremely well planned, mainly very accessible and very interesting. A great holiday.....and no flying....
Excellent my husband an I loved everyday, we has one scare when my husband was rushed to hospital, but everyone one lovely an thanks to Captain an his crew it was sorted an back on boat in evening, would definitely do it again.
Thank you to all.
Brian & Pauline Minson
We enjoyed this trip with you as much as we enjoyed last year's. I particularly appreciated the care taken by Chef and the girls to work round my food intolerances. An unexpected treat was the walk to the Lower Lode pub, with the bikers' rally - wonderful! Given that we were all strangers to begin with, the whole group came together and proved great fun, thanks to the efforts and unending cheerfulness of the crew - thank you once again!
Quality assured
4 Star Hotel Boat - Visit England Quality Assessments
The Edward Elgar has regular assessments by Visit England and has retained a four star rating for more than ten years.
2023 Assessment
Read the 2023 Assessment2021 Assessment
Read the 2021 Assessment2020 Assessment
An assessment was not conducted on board in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. Improvements made for Covid safety are noted in the 2021 report above.
2019 Assessment
Read the 2019 AssessmentAccess Guidance
Further infomation on access is available on our access guidance page.
Read Edward Elgar Access Guidance Document
Charters
Great For Groups
We provide charters for groups and trade as well as cruises for couples or single travellers. If you have a group of people you want to spend some time with, where better than right here in the UK? No one needs to drive and we do all the dishes!
Groups, Families & Reunions
Celebrate a special occasion, take a multigenerational holiday or get your special interest group together. We have the space and experience for you all to enjoy your time together.
Discounts
If you charter the entire boat, discounts are available in Spring and Autumn.
Peace of mind
Relax, You're In safe hands
Visit England Quality Assessed
We are independently assessed every year by Visit England and we are certified as a four star hotel boat to the Visit England criteria. Our boat, brochure and website are all assessed so you can be confident that our cruises are accurately described and of good quality.
Package Travel Financial Protection
In the ever changing world we live in, financial protection of consumer deposits is essential and a legal requirement under package travel regulations. As a member of ABTOT, you can be confident your money is protected.
British Marine Full Member
As marine professionals who maintain a UK registered passenger vessel we are members of British Marine to keep ahead of legislation and safety on board our boat. We are inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and British Marine help us to look our for the interests of our company and customers for health and safety compliance.