Falkirk Wheel

Macnab

thinking of taking aged parent and teenage son to the FW on fri if weathers kind. Any handy hints? do you need to book a boat trip beforehand and are there restaurants/cafes nearby?

Nile

Hello Macnab

It's a few years since Mr & Mrs Nile visited the Falkirk wheel, but it was great. Yes, there is a cafe and small gift shop at the venue.

We didn't book a boat trip, we just watched the boats coming and going.........or should that be going up and down...........or round and round.:D

I think it's fairly easy to just turn up and book a boat trip.;)

Enjoy your trip.

Kind Regards

Nile

scotlass99

Hi

Me and my partner were up there a few weeks ago and took the boat trip. I think it cost us £8 each and that took you up(?) the wheel, through the tunnel where you turn round and come back again. We both really enjoyed it and thought it was worth the money.

Hope you enjoy it.

Scotlass99

Macnab

Thanks both of you, will go and make a day of it

ailuro2

Great afternoon out and the guides on the boats are very entertaining for all ages. If I remember tightly the visitor centre is free to look around??

loadsacash

The Falkirk wheel is my sons favorite place.

You can go into the visitor centre free of charge and just sit and watch the wheel and the boats.

There is a boat trip that you can pay for but in my experience it is better to book.

Prudent

Yes do book as it can get busy, especially as local schools still on holiday.

Macnab

Decided not to book the boat trip as the weather looked a little iffy, but was fab on the day. We went on the Bonnie Barge an independantly run old canal boat. I did cost a little more but only took 12 folk and you were on it for 2 1/2 hours. He took you down river to the 16th lock, told you a little of the history of the canal, then sailed back and into the falkirk wheel. We then had some time at the top to look about then back down again and off. He was a really jolly chap - name of Billy, gave the kids pop and a lolly and the grown ups a beer/wine or cup of tea! Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Was impressed by the fact the visitor centre, car park, play park picnic area etc are all free, and theres some super walks/cycle rides along the tow path.
My only hint is, if you want to go on this or any othe boat trip, avoid Fridays as thats when the holiday boats are being returned and its very busy, however if you only want to watch the boats then Friday is an excellent day to go!

young

Nice tips there guys.

Any money off coupens available anywhere!? ;-)

parahandy

Went today (10 of us inc 2 tots). Sat for 30 mins in the Gondola, then they told us that there was some hydraulic problem and they didn't know when it would be fixed. Bit disappointing especially as about 20 mins after we got off and had lunch, the thing started working again. We got our money back though.

We just decided to leave it though for today - you know what young kids are like when they get impatient...:(