Hiring Orwell Lady privately gives you access to the whole boat for your celebration, special event or commemoration. We have provided the following example packages to give you an idea of what you can create and the costs. To ensure everyone can move around freely we suggest a maximum of 50 people on our private hire trips. For further information, and to check the availability of your preferred date, call Emma on on 07734875887 or email charters@orwelllady.co.uk.
Hire cost £750
Scones, jam and cream £195
Glass of fizz on arrival £125
Total cost £1070
£35.66pp
Hire cost £1050
Disco £250
Party buffet £480
Total cost £1780
£35.60pp
Experience the tranquillity and peace of the River Orwell, seeing everything on our shorter trips, before arriving close to the mouth of the river and witnessing the immense scale of the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe. Listen to fascinating tales of the history of the river and surrounding area, before returning to Orwell Quay.
Join us for a peaceful time on the river, passing The Cathouse (with its smuggler tales) on the way to view beautiful Pin Mill from the river, home to Arthur Ransome, before returning through the Prince Philip Lock to Orwell Quay.
Join us for a short trip through the Prince Philip Lock, under the iconic Orwell Bridge, where you may see the peregrine falcons leave their nest, and then travel to view Freston Folly before returning to Orwell Quay on Ipswich waterfront.
This trip is ideal for schools, parties with younger children or if you only have time for a short trip so you can still experience the beauty of the river and the surrounding countryside from the water.
When you hire Orwell Lady, you pay for the cost of the boat hire and our crew.
Your food or drink (or entertainment) is an additional cost and invoiced by your supplier. We can put you in touch with one of our caterers so you can use someone who understand the boat layout and can create the perfect food for your budget, or you can source your own.
Orwell Lady has a licensed bar on board serving a range of alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, coffees and teas. If you would like to serve a welcome drink to your guests on arrival, just let us know!
Please note: if you or any of your party have a food allergy or special dietary requirement, please ensure you inform your caterer.
Many people have a disco, or a small band, to accompany their river trip. We are happy to help and can recommend musicians or DJs that have worked with us for many years. If you wish to arrange your own music, we can also play your playlist through our speakers.
We can also offer a sightseeing commentary from our skippers as part of our hire costs.
Please note: we don’t hire the boat to third parties planning to run their own music events for commercial gain.
Orwell Lady hosts lots of school and university trips every year, and we offer a discounted rate for registered establishments.
The trips provide the opportunity to support the delivery of education in the areas of river formation, geography, wildlife, history, and commerce/shipping. Teachers can decide what topics they want covered, and, wherever possible our Skippers, will manoeuvre to give the closest possible viewing of mudflats, wildlife and other vessels.
Orwell Lady has almost all-round visibility from the main saloon. Our decks are railed, and the main saloon is completely enclosed.
Orwell Lady is fully accredited with the required Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Licenses, complies with all safety regulations, and is inspected annually. We can supply Risk Assessments as required. Orwell Lady is fully equipped with a full First Aid Kit, and all our Skippers are St John’s Ambulance Certified First Aiders.
Please note: schools must provide the appropriate number of adults.
