Narrowboat blog about Cambridge, Ely and the Fenland Waterways

Jun282020

Your Guide to Narrowboating in the New Normal

Is it safe? Where can we go? And will the pubs be open?! So many questions! We’re happy to be open again, currently offering day boat hire for groups following government guidelines. We are also now taking bookings for…Read more ›

Tagged with: bookings, coronavirus guarantee, COVID, five bells inn, hire a narrowboat, oliver cromwells house

Jun262020

Holidays 2020: Narrowboat Staycations to Go Ahead

Britain is really looking forward to a break this summer. So while the tourist industry continues to take bookings for hotels, B&Bs, and campsites, we are pleased to be able to offer safe bubbles of accommodation for you and your…Read more ›

Tagged with: canal boat holiday, corona virus guarantee, self-catering holiday, staycation

Jun042020

3 Ways to See More Fenland Wildlife

Conservationists around the world have been noticing some hidden benefits of the recent coronavirus restrictions. While people stayed at home, and traffic was kept to an unprecedented minimum, some scientists said that our native mammals may have benefitted from these…Read more ›

Tagged with: barn owl, Ouse Washes, sustainability for the Fens, Volunteers in the Middle Level, wetlands wildlife, Wicken Fen

May252020

StayHome and Watch Narrowboat Movies

Image: Wiki Commons If you are still in isolation like some of our customers are and If you’ve already watched the best of Netflix and other streaming services, why not order yourself a vintage canal-themed DVD? The British waterways and…Read more ›

Tagged with: narrowboat movie, painted boats movie, The Bargee, this year's love, wartime narrowboat

May202020

Was this the Very First Narrow Boat Holiday?

Have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all, on a narrowboat? Would you like to go on a slow adventure through rural England? Do you wonder what the canals looked like when the cargo-carrying boats were still working?…Read more ›

Tagged with: British Waterways book, Canal boat life, History of the British Waterways, LTC Rolt Narrow Boat, Tom Rolt BIW

Apr282020

The Truth About Living Aboard A Boat: 3 Books You Should Read

At the time of writing the UK is in coronavirus lockdown, and everyone except keyworkers have been asked to stay at home. If you are safe at home and looking for new books to read, you may like these three…Read more ›

Tagged with: Houseboat, Living aboard a boat, Living on a boat, Mud barge book, Narrowboat Wife, Ramlin rose

Apr242020

Don’t Miss Next Year’s World Eel Throwing Competition!

Image*: Ely Eel Festival Are you new to eel throwing? Or have you been following this annual event? Most importantly, who will be named World Eel Throwing Champion 2021? All this and more will be revealed at the next Ely…Read more ›

Tagged with: eel throwing world championship, ely eel festival, festival cancelled

Mar302020

How to Experience Some Great Canal Journeys from Your Own Home

Are you staying at home at the moment? Do you love the British waterways? Want to explore the UK canals from the comfort of your armchair? You may like to revisit Channel 4’s television series, Great Canal Journeys. There is…Read more ›

Tagged with: Adam Henson, channel 4, COVID-19, Great Canal Journeys, Norfolk Broads, Tim and Prunella

Mar122020

Your 2020 Narrowboat Easter Holiday

Spring time is not just about warmer days, daffodils and Easter eggs. For narrowboaters it means the start of the boating season, and on the Fenland waterways it’s time to untie our ropes and get back out there cruising under…Read more ›

Tagged with: Middle Level, narrowboat season start, rive nene, river great ouse, River Nene, Samovar tea house, spring time