All aboard Apollo, the 1929 narrowboat offering canal trips from Leeds Dock

Leeds has a long relationship with its waterways, and one of the most charming ways to experience them is aboard Apollo, a historic narrowboat that now carries passengers along the canals and river in and around the city.

Apollo was built in 1929 for Midlands and Coast Canal Carriers Ltd of Wolverhampton. In her early working life she was horse drawn, carrying cargo mainly between Ellesmere Port and Wolverhampton at a time when the canals were still busy trade routes.

Today the boat is listed on the National Historic Ships register, which records her as in service in Leeds as a historic passenger boat for 12 people during the summer months. Her trips are run by Best Yorkshire Boating.

The operator takes Apollo to different locations across the Yorkshire canal network, bringing boating experiences to new places through the season. Trips run from spots including Leeds Dock, Leeds Locks and Granary Wharf.

There are a couple of ways to enjoy her. Shorter trips last around 90 minutes, which is ideal for families or anyone wanting a relaxed introduction to the water, while longer four-hour trips from Granary Wharf give more time to settle in and watch the city slip by.

The trips are described as family friendly and welcoming, and part of the appeal is that guests are not just passengers. There is the chance to have a go at steering and to learn how a traditional narrowboat works, from the engine to the locks.

With only a dozen seats, the experience feels personal. It is a world away from a busy tour boat, and a lovely way to see a different side of Leeds, where the old industrial waterways have become green corridors for walkers, wildlife and boaters.

It is also a rare chance to step aboard a genuine piece of transport history. Few working boats from the 1920s are still carrying people, and Apollo offers a direct connection to the generations who worked the canals.

Trips on Apollo are listed and booked through Eventbrite. As the boat moves between locations, check the current schedule for departure points and dates before you set off.