We visited an enchanting boat cafe in the heart of Lincoln

[Alan de Enfield]

We visited an enchanting boat cafe in the heart of Lincoln - Lincolnshire Live

 

Both homely and quirky, an enchanting barge boat cafe situated in the heart of Lincoln central is a popular tourist spot along with having several loyal customers.

Situated on the River Witham just outside Waterside Shopping Centre, Moonraker Floating Tearoom has been serving hot drinks, scones and plenty more tasty options for over 10 years.

 

It is run by 'Captain' Chrissy Ellerby, 51, who also owns Oliver Tugboat Trips situated next door, which offers boat trips along Lincoln's waters all year round.

Lincolnshire Live visited the barge boat on Friday, February 25 to try it out for ourselves and have a chat with Captain Chrissy about how it all started.

She told us that she first bought the barge boat when her father died 11 years ago, leaving her a bit of money so she had to decide between paying off her mortgage or buying a business.

Chrissy bought Moonraker from Yorkshire and said she "absolutely fell in love with it," and said it had already been a cafe for 22 years with a previous owner selling home-cooked food.

 

After having a planning application approved by the council, Chrissy was able to start her barge boat cafe business on the River Witham.

 

The Moonraker Floating Tearoom and Oliver's Tugboat Trips are open seven days a week, weather permitting and run special seasonal activities such as Easter and Christmas events.

 

Mark Jude, 46, works alongside Chrissy as the driver of Oliver's Tugboat Trips, and said he started off by doing washing-up for Chrissy in Moonraker and previously was a cleaner at Tescos.

He said: "I enjoy it, we get a lot of locals and tourists.

"It gets packed out sometimes."

 

 

 

 

[Mac of Cygnet]

Moonraker previously in Slaithwaite (the name refers to the town's annual 'moonraking' festivities) and Oliver tugboat in Hebden Bridge.   They moved a few years ago.  I wish her luck with the higher footfall she enjoys in Lincoln, but where the boats are moored (last time I saw them) can be quite exciting when the river is in flood!

Edited February 28, 2022 by Mac of Cygnet
To add a bit

[Hudds Lad]

Nice to see Moonraker still going, i'd wondered where it ended up  

[Naughty Cal]

That trip boat is a bloody nuisance.

 

It is unbelievably slow, especially if it is trying to push a bit of flow on the river, so is always causing traffic on the river around High Bridge.