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Allen Gardiner River Cruise Restaurant

Allen Gardiner is a beautifully restored historic river cruiser offering relaxed breakfast, lunch, supper and dinner cruises from Ipswich. Originally built in 1944 as a U.S. Navy crash boat, she now glides peacefully along the River Orwell, inviting guests to slow down, breathe, and experience Suffolk from the water. With just twelve passengers on board, every cruise feels personal, unhurried and quietly special - a timeless way to dine, explore and drift through history at river pace.

Cruising the tranquil waters of the River Orwell, Allen Gardiner offers a relaxed and intimate dining experience. Choose from a two- or three-course river experience, freshly prepared on board using carefully selected local produce as you glide past historic waterfronts, sailing boats, wild shorelines and open skies. Dining is complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine list, including a handpicked selection of South African wines chosen especially for our guests. If you have any special dietary requirements, simply let us know in advance and we will take care of the details.

With comfortable indoor seating in the dining saloon, spacious deck areas, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery, watch river life unfold, and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Every cruise includes a gentle, engaging skipper’s commentary, sharing stories of the Orwell’s maritime heritage, wartime history and the wildlife that thrives along its banks.

Allen Gardiner is available for private charter celebrations, or you can book individually and share the journey with like-minded guests who appreciate a slower, more thoughtful way of exploring Suffolk by water. Children are very welcome on board, and we are also proudly dog friendly.

More than just a meal, an Allen Gardiner cruise is a beautifully calm Suffolk river experience — good food, historic character and timeless river views, all enjoyed at an unhurried pace.