1. Planning a Narrowboat Holiday

If you’re thinking about your next trip, these posts are full of tips and ideas to help you plan with confidence, whether it’s your first holiday or your fiftieth.

collage spring 2025 – april narrowboat holiday is the perfect spring get away

• Don’t Book a Narrowboat Holiday – Before Trying this One-Minute Hack
  Smart narrowboaters subscribe to this blog before booking; find out why and get insider tips to make your holiday stress-free.
• First-Time Narrowboat Holiday? Here’s What the Internet Wants You to Know
  From managing locks to keeping dogs safe on board, discover the advice seasoned boaters wish they had before their first cruise.
• Buying a Slice of Heaven – My Experience of Buying a Narrowboat
  If you’re planning to go boat shopping but are a novice, it is always a good idea to enlist an “in-the-know” friend to accompany you.
• Why an April Narrowboat Holiday is the Perfect Spring Getaway
  Spot wildlife, enjoy cosy waterside pubs, and cruise through peaceful Fenland landscapes in the best season for a trip.

2. Family Life and Shared Adventures

Narrowboating is full of moments big and small that bring families closer together; from learning to steer to tending a rooftop garden, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.

milla & daughter narrowboat alice elgie

• Boating Adventures with Four-Legged Friends
  With endless towpaths for walks, relaxing cruising time, and cosy evenings on deck, boating is perfect for pets as well as people.
• Narrowboat Roof Gardening (with or without children!)
  Gardening from the boat teaches patience and wonder, perfect for little hands and curious minds alike.
• Why Your Kids Will Love a Narrowboat Summer Holiday
  From spotting ducks to steering the boat, discover how a narrowboat holiday offers adventure, relaxation, and family bonding without leaving the UK.
• A Writer’s Experience of a Family Narrowboat Adventure
  In an increasingly busy world, an escape to life on the cut gives families the chance to slow down and reconnect.

3. Romance, Rest and Reconnection

Sometimes a canal boat holiday is just about slowing down, spending time together, or finding a little magic in everyday moments.

• Narrowboating Through Winter
  There is a quiet romance to basic meals cooked on the fire, giving you permission to hunker down and switch off from the world.
• The Lovers Guide To The Fen Waterways
  Scenic views, cosy pub lunches, and strolling hand in hand along cobbled streets make the Fenland waterways a perfect romantic getaway.

4. Living a Slower, Greener Life

Life on the cut encourages a gentler rhythm and a closer connection to the world around you; mindfulness, seasonal awareness, and simple eco-friendly choices can make every trip feel special.

greener living on a narrowboat

• Mindfulness on the Waterways
  Mindfulness is a way of being within the community, both human and animal, and it helps keep canals peaceful for everyone.
• A Simpler Greener Freer Lifestyle On Board A Narrowboat
  Use your move afloat or narrowboat holiday to slow down, reconnect with nature, and consider the impact of technology and your environmental footprint.
• Autumnal Foraging on the Towpath
  Enjoy seasonal treats while treading lightly, and discover the beauty and bounty of the hedgerows.

5. Places, Nature and Inspiration

From wildlife to seasonal scenery, waterways maps to historic destinations, there is always something to inspire you on the canals.

• Spring On The Cut
  Nature through a narrowboat window draws you in like nothing else, offering an immersive, ever-changing view of the world outside.
• Autumn On The Water – Diary of Living On A Narrowboat
  Reeds sway and leaves twirl across the water, a reminder of the beauty of seasonal change.
• Exploring Cambridgeshire’s Wildlife: Spotting Flora and Fauna with Fox Narrowboats
  Swans, kingfishers, and more, there is always something new to spot around every river bend.
• The Seven Wonders of the Fenland Waterways
  From medieval bridges to breath-taking scenery, take a canal journey through hidden Fenland wonders.
• A Canal-Themed Christmas, Dreaming of Your 2026 Waterways Escape
  While our boats rest for winter, imagine frosty towpaths, festive days out, and the timeless beauty of Ely Cathedral.
• Puss in Boats: Can Cats Live Afloat On A Narrowboat?
  From towpath adventures to roof-top sunbathing, discover how boat cats enjoy life on the cut.

We hope these highlights inspire your own adventures on the waterways this year. There is always something new to discover.

Love canal boating? Make 2026 your year on the waterways! For inspiring tips, seasonal ideas, and surprising insights for your next Fenland adventure, enter your email in the ‘Follow Blog’ box on the right-hand side, and we’ll send new articles straight to your inbox.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who spent thirteen years living on canal boats with her family. She writes about narrowboat holidays, life on the waterways, and finding adventure in everyday moments at www.narrowboatwife.com

The post Fox Narrowboats: Highlights from Our Blog in 2025 appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

fenland misty tree – yogesh pedamkar

This Halloween, we’re sharing some of the Fenland’s most spine-tingling legends. From haunted bridges to eerie echoes in the dark, discover why the waterways are the perfect place to enjoy a shiver down your spine, and why autumn is one of the best times to book a Fox Narrowboats holiday.

Haunted Hotspot: Lurking in Littleport

The most famous of Fenland phantoms is Black Shuck, the legendary hellhound said to have inspired The Hound of the Baskervilles. This ghostly black dog has been spotted more than once around Littleport, on the Great Ouse near Ely.

black shuck – john knifton

One story says the beast haunts the town after being slain while protecting a local girl from the clutches of a lustful friar. Another tale (tail?!) places the spectral dog along the A10, where its unfortunate owner drove his carriage into a bog in the 1800s, and drowned.

The legend gained eerie credibility in 2014, when archaeologists discovered the remains of a seven-foot dog in the grounds of Leiston Abbey, Suffolk. Locals immediately suspected the shallow grave belonged to Black Shuck himself. Experts suggested the animal could have weighed more than 14 stone in life.

Whether a dark omen or a supernatural protector, Black Shuck is still said to roam the Fens. On certain nights, if you dare to walk the local towpaths, you may hear his ghostly howls carried on the wind.

Read John Knifton’s Blog on Black Shuck

The Lantern Man

The Lantern Man is another chilling figure of Fenland folklore, often linked with Wicken Fen. This spectral light, known elsewhere as Will-o’-the-Wisp, drifts mysteriously across marshland. The phenomenon has been reported around the world, though scientists now suggest it may be caused by pockets of burning phosphorous gas.

ghostly reeds fenland – janek valdsalu

Folklore paints a darker picture: the Lantern Man lures unwary travellers from the safety of the path into dangerous bogs and waters.

So, if you ever see a flickering glow on a misty night in the Fens… don’t follow the light! Head back to the comfort and safety of your narrowboat.

You can reach Wicken from the GOBA moorings on Wicken Lode. It’s only a short stroll to the National Trust Visitor Centre at Wicken Fen, where a café offers snacks and drinks. Wander a little further and you’ll come to the village and The Maid’s Head pub, a traditional 13th century thatched pub and restaurant. Wicken Fen is described by the National Trust, as its oldest nature reserve and England’s most famous fen.

A Famous Ghost: The Lord Protector

No catalogue of Fenland hauntings would be complete without Oliver Cromwell. The former Lord Protector of England is said to appear in his old bedroom at Ely, and his ghost has also been spotted at “Ghost Hill” near Murrow, a hamlet close to Wisbech.

Although Cromwell’s head is buried in the grounds of a Cambridge college, the final resting place of his body remains a mystery. Perhaps that is why his restless spirit still lingers in his old home. Oliver Cromwell’s house is now a museum and tourist information centre, and can be visited by narrowboat on the River Great Ouse. Every year the museum organises some events for the spooky season, such as Fen Tales in the Crypt, a guided tour of Witchcraft in Ely, and The Haunted Ely walking tour.

Set the Scene for Your Own Tales

Whether you’re seeking peace, adventure, or a touch of the paranormal, a Fox Narrowboats holiday lets you experience the waterways in a whole new light. Enjoy crisp spring mornings, leisurely cruises, and evenings snug aboard your own little boat, swapping ghost stories with your crew as the mist rolls in.

Ready to make your own memories (spooky or otherwise)? We are now taking bookings for March 2026, when you can discover the charms, and the chills, of these ancient waterways.

Browse our holiday boats now

And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more insider tips, local history, and stories from the water’s edge.

Photo Credits: Tree mist Yogesh Pedamkar on Unsplash Reeds night Janek Valdsalu on Unsplash

The post Famous Ghosts and Haunting Legends on the Water appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.