One of Britain’s most remarkable historic boats has embarked on a fresh chapter in its life, carrying visitors along the River Avon in Bath.
THE Jolly Brit, a restored wooden launch, was built in 1953 as one of the official ‘Jolly Boats’ of the Royal Yacht Britannia. The vessel boasts an extraordinary royal pedigree, having been used during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1961 visit to The Gambia, where she cruised the River Gambia to observe wildlife including crocodiles. The boat also regularly ferried members of the royal family and guests between the yacht and the shore on overseas tours.
Now, more than six decades later, the same craft is set to offer a very different kind of journey – giving passengers a chance to experience Bath’s famous waterways in refined, heritage surroundings.
Enjoy more Towpath Talk reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
James Seith, co-founder of Bath River Cruises, said: “We wanted to bring something genuinely special to Bath. There are plenty of sightseeing boats, but very few can claim to have carried Queen Elizabeth II.
“The Jolly Brit is a living piece of British history, and we are incredibly proud that its next chapter will be written here on the River Avon.
“The Royal Yacht Britannia remains one of the UK’s most popular attractions because people love getting close to that kind of history. Now they can experience a piece of it here in Bath, aboard a boat the late Queen actually sailed on.”
The 27ft mahogany-on-oak vessel was built by R A Newman & Sons in 1953 and, after years of service and decline, arrived at Dennett Boat Builders in early 2021 in a severely deteriorated condition. Extensive structural decay included a rotten deck, hull, rubbing bands and stem.
A full restoration began on January 1, 2021, with craftsmen undertaking a complete rebuild using traditional wooden boatbuilding techniques. After 16 weeks of painstaking work, the vessel was relaunched on April 23 that year, restored to its former royal standard. The finished project was hailed by its owners as “beyond our wildest expectations,” recognising both the skill involved and the importance of preserving a unique piece of British maritime heritage.
Today, The Jolly Brit retains all the elegance that once made it fit for royal service, from her gleaming navy hull to her varnished mahogany and polished brass fittings. Rather than ending its days as a static museum piece, it will once again do what it was built for – carrying passengers and creating lasting memories.
