The Prince Bishop River Cruiser has run passenger trips on the River Wear from The Boathouse at Elvet Bridge in Durham City since Durham River Trips Ltd was incorporated in 1988. The current vessel was built in 1989 in Hartlepool and brought to Durham by road before being lowered into the river at Elvet Bridge, and it still operates today with a 150-passenger capacity across twin decks, an open viewing area and an onboard bar. Standard cruises last around an hour and take in views of Durham Cathedral, the Castle and the city's bridges, with commentary covering the history of each landmark. The same company operates Browns Boats alongside the cruiser, hiring out traditional wooden rowing boats from the same boathouse for self-guided trips on the river. The cruiser runs seasonally between April and October, with sailings dependent on river conditions. It holds a "Good" food hygiene rating from Durham County Council, and trades as a single, independently owned operator rather than as part of a larger tour company.
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