Outstanding Reviews

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!

A thoroughly enjoyable week with great food and exceptionally friendly and hard working crew. Nothing was too much trouble and the excursions were very enjoyable.

Our group of 22 guests gelled really well so all in all definitely to be recommended.

The cruise was perfect in every way. The organisation, visits, meals and entertainment were excellent and the staff on board went out of their way to ensure that we were happy, looked after and well fed. The boat was cosy, with plenty of relaxing spaces including the deck, and the chosen moorings were varied and in lovely places. The captain was competent and experienced, and so we felt very safe. I can thoroughly recommend English Holiday Cruises, as well as all the Edward Elgar crew!

Everything excellent except for poor liaison with coach company. Would have liked more time in Tewksbury. A temporary mooring and shorter coach ride might have helped.

Overall the holiday was very good, and most enjoyable when on board. Accommodation was comfortable and very good and staff very pleasant and helpful. The only down comments are about the excursions, coach booking were not on time and also did not leave us time to enjoy the visits, although the drivers insisted that they were on time! We found the time of excursions a rush after our food which sometimes meant leaving some food or drink.

Only thing letting down the experience was the need to use bottled water for teeth cleaning. Have river cruised in older boats before and never had such a restriction. Crew and food were excellent but would not cruise on Edward Elgar again.

very enjoyable, staff efficient and very freindly. Margaet Tucker, Derek Shapland, but wish cabins a bit bigger!!!!!

Our week on the River Severn was a very happy time and we cannot praise Captain Richard and his staff enough for making our holiday very special. The female staff members were delightful and extremely hardworking making sure that everyone felt welcomed and had everything they required. The chef produced very good meals and happily accommodated various diets and allergies. The journey on the river was peaceful, interesting and varied and the Edward Elgar was very clean with comfortable furniture. The itinerary was well-planned and the external guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. All in all a very enjoyable and memorable week.

Lovely trip, All crew helpful, Chef arranged specials for us for those items in our dislike list (Salmon and other items).

A totally relaxing week with the best of weather. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the Severn which lived up to all our expectations. The boat was comfortable and well planned with an attractive lounge/dining room leading to a bar area. The large upper deck was particularly popular given the long hours of sunshine we were blessed with during our stay and provided a good place to socialise, simply relax or enjoy a game of quoits, whether playing or supporting.

The daily visits were good and gave a balanced view of the area and its history. All were interesting but if I had to choose one I think Tewksbury Abbey would get my vote. No visit was compulsory and simply gliding along looking out for wildlife or enjoying the experience of the many locks provided plenty of interest on its own. Our fellow travellers were great company which added to the convivial atmosphere. Our very own chef provided wonderful food.

We were well looked after by the exceptionally friendly staff. They were always smiling and nothing was ever too much trouble for them. So thank you Richard and Jay for steering us safely, especially through the locks, Conrad for everything especially Quoits organisation and Katie for such enduring cheerfulness and fun quiz nights. A really good holiday, much appreciated by both of us.

(Elizabeth Gillmore)

An incredible, relaxing, enjoyable, time on the cruise. As an American couple, we usually visit different parts of the UK each year, this year we chose the English Holiday Cruise on the Severn River. Our trip allowed us to enjoy the beautiful Cotswold countryside, with its beautiful scenery, and historic cathedrals.

The agenda over the week was perfect, and the Crew made this excursion most enjoyable. Visiting a different town daily, with planned excursions, and good British food, made each day different, educational, and pleasant.

It allows us as the non-Britons to experience the River Severn and different villages along the route.

Nice room accommodations and an evening cocktail/wine time, plus evening games ensured that all the guests got to know each other, again very enjoyable.

Big thank you to all the staff on the boat, and at the office for a great trip, attention to detail, and excellent communication. Well Done!

All crew polite and friendly, happy to respond to our requests. Hard working and positive all the time.

First ever cruise for my husband and I. The support and assistance from the crew was exceptional as my husband had some mobility issues which didn't deter his enjoyment of such a very pleasant and relaxing holiday. Food was excellent - and plenty of it; service from all the crew was at its best - a thoroughly stress free experience - thankyou

Wonderful holiday in perfect weather. Captain's informative comments added to the pleasure. Great care meeting any special dietary needs. As members of National Trust and English Heritage we did not need to pay entry fees but they were included in the price. If you asked for membership numbers, could that be addressed or is it too difficult administratively? Only one wheelchair at Croome Court and no other transport so I found the walk painful and tiring. Would not go again.

Had a wonderful time, fantastic crew, great food, good company , lovely weather. Enjoyed all the trips out , although could have done without the " TRIP " on our last day😛 My husband had a nasty fall down steps in Gloucester docks which led to a trip to A&E!. A fellow passenger alerted the boat whilst we were waiting for the ambulance and one of the crew came straight away and made sure I had the relevant phone numbers so I coulld keep in touch as they moved to the next mooring.

Once back on board that evening they looked after us very well until we left the following morning.

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the Edward Elgar; nothing was too much trouble for the crew, the food was delicious and beautifully presented and the programme of excursions was interesting and varied.

We would definitely recommend.