That question turned up recently in a discussion thread online, and it’s one we hear all the time too. Do you pick the canal first? The hire company? Or a city you’ve always wanted to see?

The good news is that thread was full of genuinely excellent advice, from experienced boaters. The bad news is that some of it, followed too literally by a first-timer, turns a relaxing holiday into a bit of an ordeal. So here are five things the internet tells new boaters, and where we think the advice just needs a bit of tweaking.

Myth 1: “Do a cruising ring; it’s the best way to see the canals”

Cruising rings are lovely. They’re also a full-time job for a first trip: no rest days, no lingering over a pub lunch, and no room for the lock that’s closed because some teenager dropped a stolen bike in it. Several experienced boaters made exactly this point, a ring is something that takes time and planning, it’s not necessarily something to start with.

For a first holiday, a there-and-back route is easier. You get to do everything you planned on the way out, chug home at half the pace, and nobody’s watching the clock. Our East Anglia routes along the Great Ouse and Middle Level are made exactly this way; no loop to complete, no schedule to protect, just cruising in one direction, and then the other.

Myth 2: “More locks mean more adventures”

Locks are a highlight, not a chore… the first time. But by lock eleven of a hard day, most new crews have revised that opinion. Locks are also where your day actually goes: queuing, pushing the gates, working the paddles, and waiting your turn behind three other boats in August.

East Anglia is famously, gloriously flat. The Fens and the Great Ouse have some of the fewest locks on the whole network, which means your time is spent enjoying scenery, pubs and market towns instead of working with paddles and windlasses. It’s not a lesser holiday for having fewer locks; for a first trip, it’s often the better one.

Myth 3: “Proper countryside means Wales or the Midlands”

The classic rings get talked about a lot, and they earn it, but their fame comes with a price. Yes, it’s true that Birmingham has more canals than Venice, and the Pontcysyllte aqueduct is stunning, but these areas can get super-busy in the summer time. East Anglia has big skies, water meadows, cattle on the bank, and quiet market towns where you can browse little antique shops. Ely’s cathedral rises out of the flat land like something from a fairy-tale. Cambridge appears out of the reeds. The Fens do a very good line in waterside pubs and all of it is exactly the classic British countryside that many new boaters are dreaming of.

Myth 4: “You need experience, or a big crew, to really enjoy it”

Wide rivers, gentle currents, and moorings you can reach without a three-point turn make a real difference for a first crew, especially two people, or a family with children, or anyone who’d rather not spend day one struggling to get the boat into a lock. East Anglia’s navigable rivers are some of the most forgiving and wide stretches of water in the country, which is exactly why they suit nervous first-timers as well as they suit boaters who’ve done it a hundred times and just fancy a slow week.

So, how do you actually choose an itinerary?

Pick the waterways first, not the hire company. Pick a route with the freedom to go slow, not a ring you have to finish. Let the locks be occasional, not constant. And know that “quieter” doesn’t mean “less beautiful,” sometimes it just means you get more of the boat, the book, and the view.

That’s the whole philosophy behind our Fenland boating routes. If you’re planning your first trip and want a canal that’s as forgiving as it is beautiful, have a look at what we offer; no ring required.

Are you new here? Don’t miss more articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

The post Choosing Your Narrowboat Holiday Itinerary? Here’s What the Internet Gets Wrong appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

That’s not a rhetorical question. It’s what a narrowboat holiday in the Fens actually feels like. Not every minute of every day, (this is still a family holiday after all!) But more often than you might expect.

The holiday that moves at your own pace. Literally.

Fox Narrowboats are based in March, Cambridgeshire, right in the heart of the Fenland waterways. From here, you can cruise east towards the ancient cathedral city of Ely, west towards Peterborough, or south east towards Cambridge; arriving not via a ring road, or searching for a multi-storey car park, but along the river, approaching at a leisurely pace, the way travellers have for centuries.

fox narrowboat on holiday cruise

The speed limit on the navigation is 4mph, but you’re likely to be travelling even slower than that. Within about half an hour on board, you’ll be used to operating the boat, and moving at such a relaxed pace. You’ll begin to understand the old adage, ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination,’ because river cruising is just the best way to enjoy the huge open skies and flat horizons of the Fens.

No experience needed. No licence needed. No problem.

You don’t need any previous boating experience to hire a Fox Narrowboat. Before you set off, the team gives you a full hands-on briefing; steering, mooring, locks, everything. Most families are surprised by how quickly they get the hang of it all. Older children can even steer the boat.

The Fenland waterways are a particularly good choice for first-time boaters. Unlike most of the UK canal network, this stretch has very few locks; the landscape is flat and the rivers are wide. It’s also far less crowded than the Norfolk Broads in summer, which makes the whole experience feel more spacious and genuinely peaceful.

A floating home. A proper one.

If this is your first canal boat holiday you may be wondering if it’s comfortable enough, and whether there is really enough space for a family like yours?

fox narrowboat interior galley

Fox’s holiday boats are 5-star rated and fully equipped: fitted galley kitchen with oven, hob, microwave and fridge; hot shower; separate bedrooms. The Platinum Fox, our most popular family boat, sleeps up to six and has a double cabin and two singles; so everyone gets a proper bed. There’s a supermarket delivery service to the marina before you set off, so you can arrive to a stocked fridge rather than a frantic dash to a petrol station. If you feel like a treat, you can even arrange an afternoon tea or grazing box from Glam Grazing, delivered to the boat.

So it’s really not roughing it. It’s more like the perfect combination of modern comforts and nostalgic charm, and you can take these charming comforts wherever you choose to travel each day.

The week the whole family was in the same boat

The thing about a narrowboat holiday that nobody tells you before you’ve done one: it imperceptibly changes a family for a while. Not dramatically, not overnight; but by day two or three, something has usually shifted. The children are outside more. Conversations happen that wouldn’t happen in a hotel room or around a restaurant table. Somebody secretly enjoys learning to steer. Somebody else discovers a sense of accomplishment as they work through their third lock with confidence.

There are no organised activities and no schedule. You decide where to go and when to stop, based on how the day is feeling. Some days that’s a long cruise and a proper explore of somewhere like Ely or Huntingdon. Some days it’s mooring up early next to a field and doing absolutely nothing for an afternoon.

The dog can come too, the towpaths are perfect for walking alongside the boat.

Read more: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide

What to do along the way

Depending on your route and how far you cruise, a week could include: The medieval city of Ely, Oliver Cromwell’s house, the colleges of Cambridge, riverside pubs, market towns, kingfishers, herons and swans. You may like to come back next year to do the bits you missed!

cambridge river uni aerial view stock | deposit

Fox Narrowboats Guide to Fenland Waterways

How long should you go for?

Fox Boats offer weekend breaks (3 nights), midweek breaks (4 nights), and full week holidays (7 nights), as well as longer breaks of 10, 11, and 14 nights for those who’ve been once and can’t quite face going back to normal life.

For families, a full week is so worth it. Holiday prices start from £979, and with up to six berths on the larger boats, that’s a family holiday that compares very favourably with a week abroad once you add up the flights, transfers, and an airport breakfast for everyone.

Check narrowboat availability

Ready to book?

July is peak season on the waterways; the days are as long as they get, the Fens are at their warmest, and the school holidays mean the whole family can actually come. Boats go quickly at this time of year, so if you’ve been thinking about it, this is the moment to stop thinking.

Tap here to check availability and book. Booking online gets you an instant discount.

No experience necessary. One week on the water. Memories that last considerably longer than that.

You may also like: Why Your Kids Will Love a Narrowboat Summer Holiday

Hey! Are you new here? Don’t miss more articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

The post Is Narrowboating the Best Family Holiday You Haven’t Taken Yet? appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Actually, you don’t need an inland waterways helmsman certificate to hire a day boat from Fox Narrowboats. You don’t even need any experience on the water. And you won’t be handed a set of keys on a cork keyring, and sent off down the river. Our team gives you a full talk and initiation before you leave the mooring, so by the time you’re casting off, you’ll be feeling ready.

All you will need is snacks, a decent pair of sunglasses, and a “can do” attitude!

A proper day out. Not just a boat trip.

Day boat hire from our marina in March, Cambridgeshire, isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about cruising along a pretty stretch of the Old River Nene, or the moment someone spots a heron standing very still in the reeds and everyone goes quiet. It’s sometimes about the debate with your crew, about whether to stop for fish and chips or have lunch at a waterside pub. It’s always about a break away from screen time, notifications and emails.

heron still fenland waterways – deposit

The Fens don’t look like anywhere else in England: Big skies, flat landscapes, ancient towns and atmospheric legends that have been woven into classic novels.  (Think Philip Pullman, and Philippa Pearce.) If you’ve spent the last few weekends at soft play, a garden centre or a shopping centre this is going to feel a bit different.

Pick your route. We’ve done the planning for you.

Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling and what kind of places you’d like to stop in, there’s a route to suit you. See our fenland waterways map

fenland waterways interactive map – fox

Best for families with young children: Three Holes or Benwick

Both of these routes are lock-free, which means no stress and no queue. Head out along the Middle Level Navigations towards Three Holes for a route that’s become something of a wildlife corridor; brilliant for spotting kingfishers, herons and the occasional swan. There’s space to moor up for a picnic, and the kids can try their hand at net fishing from the bankside. It’s about four hours of cruising in total, so quite manageable with an early start and a packed lunch.

rustic corner cafe benwick march – rustic

Benwick is another gentle option heading west, with moorings near the village and the Five Alls pub at the far end of the route at weekends. This rural, dog-friendly pub has outside tables to sit at in the summertime. Muddy paws and boots are welcome all year round. The Rustic Corner Café inside the Spar shop does excellent breakfasts and cakes, and the Facebook reviews describe it as a “hidden gem.”

Best for a longer day: Upwell and Outwell

If you want to make a full day of it, the journey east towards Upwell and Outwell is one of the most picturesque in the Fens. You’ll pass through Marmont Priory Lock and arrive at Upwell, a village that seems almost too pretty to be real; Dutch-style houses lining the waterway, are a stunning photo opportunity. There is time for a stop at The Creek public house.

At Outwell basin, there’s a natural turning point and a good spot for a picnic. On the way back through Upwell, J.R. Stott Fish and Chips is the place to be (but check opening times on 01945 772345 before you go).

This route takes around seven and a half hours return with two locks, so it’s a proper full-day adventure. Comfortable for adults and older children who are up for a longer cruise.

Best for a relaxed start: through the town of March

Some routes pass through March itself, which means you can start your morning with breakfast at The Acre riverside pub (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) or a full English at Ye Olde Griffin Hotel any day of the week. And on the way back, the Ship Inn has moorings right outside and a cold drink with your name on it.

March isn’t the most famous Fenland town, but its hidden charms are worth slowing down for.

A note to the first-time skipper

Yes, you can steer a hire boat without having done it before. Thousands of people do it every year, including people who were considerably more nervous about it than you are. The boat’s easy to handle, the Fenland waterways give you plenty of room, and the speed limit on the navigation is 4mph, about the same pace as a brisk walk. But that’s not a goal to aim for, you won’t be travelling fast enough to do anything so dramatic!

Locks may sound intimidating until you’ve done one, at which point they become the most satisfying part of the day. On the lockless routes, you don’t have to worry about them at all.

Before you set off, our team will walk you through everything you need to know: how to steer, how to slow down, how to moor up, and what to do at a lock if your route includes one. You’ll leave feeling calm and capable rather than like you’ve been handed a manual and wished good luck.

What to bring

Pack as though you’re going for a long picnic that happens to take place on water. Layers are your friend in the Fens; the skies are wide open and the wider waterways can be breezy. Bring more food than you think you’ll need, a blanket, sunscreen, hat and something to keep the children occupied during the quieter stretches. A spotters guide to Fenland birds could make the day more interesting too.

You might also want to look up opening times for wherever you’re planning to stop for food. Canal-side pubs and small town cafés are charming, but if you’re planning a day around a particular stop you’ll need to be sure it’s open and consider pre booking.

Ready to book?

June is peak season on the waterways; the days are long, the light is amazing, and the Fens are genuinely at their best. Day boats go quickly at this time of year, (even though they move slowly!) so if you’re thinking about it, now is the time to stop thinking and start booking.

Visit Day Boat Hire to check availability and book your day out on the water. We’re based in Cambridgeshire, and we’ll be very glad to see you.

No experience necessary. Happy memories guaranteed.

You may also like: Why Your Kids Will Love a Narrowboat Summer Holiday

Don’t miss more articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

Photo credits: Marina Fox Narrowboats, Heron Deposit Photos, Ship Inn riverside, 

The post You Don’t Need to Know What You’re Doing. That’s the Adventure! appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

The only giveaway in the darkening night that we are on water is a thin shimmering line; a reflection of the last piece of light in the sky. The surface is otherwise still and dark. In the distance I hear lambs bleating and a chorus of birdsong fills the air.

Alice Elgie living on a narrowboat

I think to myself that this is a place where I feel most comfortable. A place where I can remove myself from the rush of people, the noise of a consumer-driven life, the depressing opinions about the world that I see banded about so often. Within that deafening basin I frequently find myself scrabbling about, searching for a way to extract myself silently.

A moving life brings many benefits, and one is that there can be noise, but so too there can be silence. From urban to rural, people to solitude.

When sleep finally comes, it is the best I have had in a long time and I wake with enthusiasm for this slow watery world so often overlooked when tangled in life up above; a life of fast-moving roads, things to do, people to see. Here I can be safely cocooned in a world of soothing sounds…

Mindfulness on a narrowboat: https://www.foxboats.co.uk/mindfulness-on-the-waterways/

As I wind the paddle down on a lock-gate I am mesmerised by the clink clank of the catch and the sound of rushing water that transports me to my beloved sea. The banging of metal on metal as pins are pushed into the ground reverberates through me and is a reminder that tonight, we are somewhere new, and that tomorrow it can be so again.

I jump off the bow and grab the rope; its roughness is of comfort to these hands always reaching out to feel something that affects me, although by the time I have tied up and they have melded with the wet, they are cold and numb and in need of a warm mug of tea. I await the whistle of our kettle on the stove then sit and stare out of the window. Sometimes even music is too much; too intrusive in this world. Instead I prefer to watch the boats drift by and daydream to the gentle hum of passing engines… that is until the unmistakeable ‘pop pop pop’ of the single cylinder fuel boat draws nearer and we all spring into action.

The lady at the tiller, faithful dog by her side, calmly pulls alongside and wanders casually down the gunwale to fill us up with fuel. We talk of dogs and the rain, but are all happy to see brighter skies moving in our direction. As we sit back down and unfurl once again, I am – as always – astounded by the unmistakable slapping of water as a swan begins its long and arduous accent to becoming airborne, followed by the serene whistle of feathers as it soars majestically into the air.

Fuelling a narrowboat: https://www.foxboats.co.uk/faqs/will-there-be-enough-fuel-on-the-narrow-boat/

Tonight as I write up my notes I am urban again and looking forward to voices, laughter, friends and children as we celebrate May Day, but I feel a calmness knowing that in one seemingly small collection of well-rehearsed tasks — that simple untying of ropes and pushing off of bow — I can extract myself and once again be fully immersed in the sounds of the waterways.

Alice Elgie is a nature-loving writer who shares words about her wandering lifestyle through hold-in-the-hand letters and recorded reflections. aliceelgie.com

The post Sounds of the Waterways — Diary of Living on a Narrowboat appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

No Experience? No Problem

Fox Narrowboats, based on the beautiful Fenland Waterways in March, Cambridgeshire, has been welcoming complete beginners aboard for years. Before you untie the ropes and head off, the team gives you a full handover: how to steer, how to work the locks, how to moor up for the night. It’s thorough, friendly, and specifically designed for people who don’t know their windlass from their elbow. By the end of your first day, you’ll wonder what you were ever worried about.

Two Ways to Try It

day boat hire cruising

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a week away on the water,  we offer dayboat hire as the perfect way to dip your toes in. Hire a boat for a day, pack a picnic, and potter along the rivers and canals at whatever pace takes your fancy. There’s no schedule, no sat nav, and no one rushing you along. Just water, willows, and the odd swan giving you a suspicious look as you chug past.

rural fox narrowboat

For families or couples who want to go further, a multi-day hire holiday on one of the Fox fleet opens up a wonderful stretch of waterway. Rural Fox is a 47 foot luxury narrowboat for families, with one double and two twin beds on board. You can wind through the Fens, moor up beside a riverside pub for supper, wake up to mist on the water, and feel genuinely, properly switched off from ordinary life in a way that a hotel simply cannot replicate. It’s like disappearing into your own private, whimsical world!

rural fox boat galley

What About the Children?

Canal boats and curious children are a surprisingly brilliant combination. Life on the water is naturally adventurous without being scary, and children who spend a week helping to operate locks, spotting herons, and learning to coil a rope properly, come home with a very different kind of confidence.

excited on the bow | fox

During the 19^th century’s canal age, families lived and worked on board 70 foot cargo-carrying boats, and children as young as eight would be expected to work and steer the boat. These days, life jackets are provided, the waterways are calm and wide, and the pace of travel means nobody is ever far from the bank. Even babies and toddlers can enjoy time on board. After all, in the 21st century, boaters raise children safely in floating homes all over England.

helping on the lock | fox

The Bit Everyone Worries About

“But what if I crash it?” This one comes up a lot, and the answer is reassuring: narrowboats bump gently into things, that’s just part of boating, and no one is going to shout at you. The boats are robust, and the waterways are forgiving. You will make small mistakes. You will also have a very good laugh about them. One thing worth knowing: narrowboats move slowly, but they’re equally slow to stop. If you suspect you’re on a collision course, put the engine into reverse gear, which will bring you very gradually to a halt. There are no brakes! Almost everyone bumps into the bank or clips something when they’re first getting used to the tiller. It’s all part of the adventure.

Ready to See What It’s All About?

Whether you fancy a leisurely day on the water or a full week exploring some of England’s most beautiful, uncrowded, inland waterways, Fox Narrowboats has a boat and a welcome ready for you. Search our narrowboat holiday breaks, and check availability. Then, if you have any questions, just give us a ring or drop us an email. We really have heard them all before, and we love hearing from first-timers.

You might just discover your new favourite kind of holiday.

swan family | fox

You may also like: Love Letters From the Water – what our guests have enjoyed lately.

Are you new here? For our best tips about canal boating holidays, enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in-box. We never share or sell email addresses; this is just to send you our latest blog posts.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

The post Could You Really Hire a Narrowboat? (Spoiler: Yes, You Absolutely Could) appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Narrowboat Holidays Near London

Our narrowboat hire base is less than 100 miles from London, and is easy to get to by train from King’s Cross in about 90 minutes. For a mates’ holiday in south east England, choose from our four most popular, stunning canal routes, and a range of comfortable canal boats to hire.

little venice in paddington london

Narrowboat holidays in Cambridgeshire are ideal for beginners, because your trip begins with our in-house training, included in the price. Our boats can accommodate up to six people and have multiple berths and fully equipped galleys. Your route can include picturesque scenery, wide open Fenland skies, canal-side pubs, and charming, ancient market towns. Far less crowded than the Norfolk Broads, our local waterways have very few locks, which makes them faster and easier to navigate than most UK canals, although fast travel is not what narrowboaters are aiming for.

You may be surprised how easy it is to steer a narrowboat, so that handling the boat quickly becomes part of the pleasure. Imagine relaxed mornings on deck with a coffee, or stargazing and chatting together with a glass of wine in the evenings.

Tips for Friendship Groups

Each day, it’s a good idea to agree together on where you might want to stop, based on how many hours you want to travel that day. It’s best to enjoy a slow cruise rather than aim to get too far too soon. Plan ahead using the guidebook provided on board, CanalPlanAC, or our own interactive waterways map. It really is more about the journey than the destination. Make sure to plan your return journey back to the hire base too.

fenland waterways interactive map – fox

Everybody can take turns steering the boat and operating the locks, as this is all part of the fun, so make sure to pay attention during the boat handling training. Before you begin, you may like to plan a few meals and snacks that are easy to make on board in a small space.

narrow boat steering on holiday – fox

As you travel, make use of public toilets and toilets in pubs wherever you can, because the toilet tank on board may fill quickly with a larger group on the boat.

A typical day together as a group may include sharing the steering duties, operating locks, and mooring up. Stopping places may be a scenic rural picnic, a village fish and chip shop, or a day exploring a historic town like Ely or Peterborough. There should be something for everyone, if your group has various interests.

What to Bring

Bring soft bags rather than hard suitcases, as they will be easier to store on board, and don’t bring too many things. Space is limited. You can’t store anything on the roof of a boat because low bridges and branches may knock it off into the water.

Pack layers of clothing to prepare for varying temperatures, and be ready for rain or shine. You may like to bring some gloves for rainy days, because if you’re the one out on deck steering, that hand on the tiller can get cold. Hopefully a shipmate will bring you a warm cuppa.

Before you set off, get some basic grocery shopping on board. You won’t always be moored near a shop, and you may decide to moor somewhere scenic and remote for an unscheduled tea break. So make sure you have milk and biscuits on board, plus coffee, tea and bread. Keep some snacks on board too, and something easy to cook on the hob.

Fox Narrowboats can arrange a supermarket delivery to your boat at the marina in March before you set off. If you’re celebrating an occasion and fancy a treat, order an afternoon tea or a graze box from Glam Grazing. Although there is only a small freezer compartment on board, our boats come with fully equipped galleys, including crockery, cutlery, oven, hob, microwave and fridge.

Locks

There are no famous lock flights on the Fenland waterways. The Fens are reclaimed, drained marshland, which makes it a mostly flat landscape. For example, there are only two locks between March Marina and Peterborough.

Get some crew on the lock landing as you approach a lock gate, and ask them to open it before the steerer guides the boat into the lock. Don’t nudge the gate open with the bow of the boat. Get the skipper to watch the stern and keep it clear of the cill when travelling downhill. If a boat gets caught on the cill, it can sink.

When passing through a lock, or mooring up, dogs should be kept inside the boat or on a lead. Let us know at the time of booking if you want to bring a dog.

Fox Boats

Our flexible cabin layouts with six berths are ideal for group getaways, university reunions and celebrating milestones and special occasions. With a spacious saloon and a practical layout for eating and socialising, our larger boats, Platinum Fox and Cape Fox allow everyone to travel together in comfort.

group on board boat making tea – fox dayboat

Splitting a large group onto two boats can increase the price of your holiday hire, so instead we recommend hiring a six berth boat for a group of friends together. A short break of three nights starts from around £180 per person.

A canal holiday offers quirky accommodation combined with a fun activity, making good memories together. It’s a chance to slow down and enjoy nature while cruising, yet also offers the option for a night out on the town, depending on where you decide to moor.

And Finally: Enjoy Life in the Slow Lane

Going slow is what boating is all about, so if you can walk faster than your boat, you’re doing it right. Unplug from 21st-century living and look out for daffodils and primroses along the riverbanks. At this time of year you may see blossom on the trees, windmills in the fields, and ducklings and cygnets bobbing along on the water.

If you’re on board at Eastertime, stock up on chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. Visit local markets and Easter events by narrowboat, and enjoy St George’s Fayre in March Town Centre, or check out the world eel throwing competition at Ely Eel Festival in May. Getting together with a group of your closest friends to slow down and enjoy nature is one of the best ways to make lasting memories.

Ready to start cruising? Get in touch with Fox Narrowboats today and start planning your trip! See 2026 special offers

Are you new here? For our best tips about canal boating holidays enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in-box. (We never share or sell email addresses, this is just to send you our latest blog posts.)

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

Photo credits: Little Venice London Deposit Photos, Fox Narrowboats

The post The Best Narrowboat Holiday for a Group of Friends appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

The weather has been cold and yet after a short but bracing cruise this afternoon as I write, the most beautiful bands of sunlight are pouring themselves in through my windows, dancing tantalising reflections across my ceiling—a sight unseen when blocked in by other boats. I am in awe. I am content. I am lost in the simple pleasures of boating, of movement, and of changing seasons.

There are also sounds that cannot be expressed through pictures: the haunting lone call of a moorhen, the delightful tumbling song of hedgerow birds, the nasally honking of geese, the gentle slow wingbeats that belie a swan’s size. And then there is my thudding heart; bursting with happiness for the springtime that I know will now unfold at double speed before me.

I am here. I am within it. I am glad.

Fox Blog: Why an April Narrowboat Holiday is the Perfect Spring Getaway

Skies seem endless and filled with promise and I ponder the joy of keeping moving, along these watery roads, never returning to where I started. But alas, this year personal commitments mean we can’t venture too far and that’s okay because after many spells afloat throughout these past 16 years, and having travelled much of the network, I know that whatever stretch we find ourselves on, there will still be magic:

Delightful dawn choruses to wake me in the morning, ducklings darting around after mum in a cacophony of continual yet endearing quacking, grasses and wildflowers billowing along the towpath and finally—a feeling of warmth penetrating the windows. As the season progresses I know I will feel myself steadily thawing, my mind drifting to the promise of local cruises in dappled sunlight, working locks in the still silence of lighter evenings.

Fox Blog: Fearful of Locks? How to work one even if you’ve never done it

Winter has felt long this year, but getting back to my narrowboat and clearing out the debris of this coldest season before untying the ropes and flinging the doors open to spring, has felt as magical as it always does. Because wherever I wander, there is nothing quite like the sights and sounds of England’s waterways in springtime.

Alice Elgie is a nature-loving writer who shares words about her wandering lifestyle through hold-in-the-hand letters and recorded reflections. aliceelgie.com

The post First Cruise of the Year appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Rural Fox narrowboat interior

I think you’ll agree that a season of round-the-clock fires, condensation-laden windows, and just that general sense of having being inside for longer, can leave our boats—and ourselves—a little uninspired so as soon as the weather takes a turn toward the light, I like to have a really good spring clean.

By the end of winter wood ash and coal dust seem to have found their way into every crevice, which means it’s time to fling open the doors, grab a bucket of soapy water and a sponge and set to work on cleaning every wall, window, shelf and cupboard. I also like to wash any fabrics, curtains and cushion covers. Thoroughly clearing out the winter grime feels so good and also offers an opportunity to de-clutter alongside, which frees the mind ready for this season that brings with it new hopes and dreams to be realised.

Ready to enjoy signs of spring in our beautiful surroundings? 

Exploring Cambridgeshire’s Wildlife: Spotting Flora and Fauna with Fox Narrowboats

Making space for new light foods such as uplifting herbal teas and self raising flour for lemon-infused cakes is a good way to move away from the cocoa and spelt flour that kept us full and warm during winter. Go ahead and add inspiring books to your bookshelf too by re-distributing old reads to new homes, and be sure to dig out your waterway map books so you can get to planning some adventures for the coming year. In my opinion there’s nothing like pouring over physical maps to get the excitement bubbling!

river map planning – skylar_tv

With so much to see on the British Waterways in spring, from the first buds and bulbs bursting out, to ducklings and signets and (hopefully!) equally cheery faces on maiden cruises, if you’ve been tucked up in a winter mooring it’s important to untie the ropes and head off exploring. Plus, there’s nothing like the thought of your first stroll down the towpath—or cruise on the back of your boat—in a t-shirt, to motivate that first move following a cocooned winter.

Are you curious about a narrowboat cruise? Why not book onto one of our skippered boat trips!

www.foxboats.co.uk/boat-trips/

skippered boat trip fox narrowboats march

Which brings me to the last—but by no means least—important chore of spring cleaning: the exterior. It can be easy in winter to let the leaves, dirt and chimney dust clog up your roof, not to mention the odd bag of coal chucked up on a cold, dark night or a length of wood gathered on a dog walk and stored only to be forgotten. Having a clear up and then washing and polishing your paintwork will give everything a final lift. You can buy a boat washing shampoo, as well as polish, from any good boat chandlery and a simple vinegar spray will do the trick to sparkle up your windows. If you have canopies, a good brush down and wash using whatever the manufacturers suggest will ensure your narrowboat is spring-ready and with the final touch of a bunch of daffodils, you’re good to go and enjoy this new season!

Photo credits: River map Skyler Smith on Unsplash

Alice Elgie is a nature-loving writer who shares words about her wandering lifestyle through hold-in-the-hand letters and recorded reflections. aliceelgie.com

The post Spring ‘Narrowboat’ Clean appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

This year, we decided to do something different.

Instead of telling you why we think canal boating is romantic, we’re letting our guests do the talking. Over the years, we’ve received messages, reviews and emails that read less like feedback and more like love letters. Not just to Fox Narrowboats, but to the boats themselves, the waterways, and the feeling of a slower pace of life.

Fox day boat hire – explorer

So this Valentine’s Day, here are a few love letters from the water.

Love Letters to the Boat

Some guests write about the boat as if it were a trusted friend. A place where everything finally feels simple.

fox canal boat day – explorer

For many couples, stepping aboard a Fox narrowboat is the moment they truly switch off. The kettle goes on, the engine hums into life with a gentle vibration, and suddenly the outside world feels very far away.

“Just had the best week on the Rural Fox. Would recommend this to everyone. Great Staff, Great boat, Great countryside. We will be back one day.” – Kellee and Kris

Moments like this are exactly what many guests remember long after they step back onto dry land.

Whether it’s a short break or a leisurely cruise, our boats are designed to feel welcoming, calm and easy to enjoy together.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip for my daughter’s 30th birthday. Excellent communication from Fox Narrowboats. Plenty of crockery and cutlery on board, milk, tea, coffee and biscuits provided and even a birthday card. We did the 7.5 hour round trip to Outwell so that we could pass through the lock.” – Christina

It’s often the thoughtful details that turn a good trip into a memorable one.

Some guests are surprised by just how much they enjoy the experience.

“Although I’ll never do this again, it was brilliant. This boat was a year old and kitted out beautifully. Two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Fully loaded kitchen… the meals we were able to cook…mwah!

The people at Fox Narrowboats were lovely smiling people. Their happiness was contagious. They even let you pre-order to have a Tesco delivery loaded on board.

It’s a very lovely setup for beginners and experienced narrowboaters. I am ex-navy, familiar intimately with water, but this is something completely different.” – Joh L.R

For many first-time narrowboaters, it’s an experience that exceeds expectations in ways they didn’t anticipate.

Love Letters to Each Other

Then there are the messages that are really about togetherness.

Canal boating has a lovely way of encouraging teamwork. One steers, one works the lock. One cooks, one pours the wine. There’s time to talk, time to laugh, and time to simply sit side by side watching the world drift past.

fox narrowboat – red wine & cheese anyone?

“We had a wonderful day out in Adventurer. This was a 70th birthday present for my dad and the whole family, including our skipper, would highly recommend this fun activity. The boat was clean and had everything we needed. As beginners we took a simpler route and were well instructed both before our booking and on the day. We are hoping to make this an annual family day.” – Kerstin

Shared experiences like these often become traditions that families return to year after year.

“Absolutely amazing adult (and doggos) family day out with Fox Narrowboat’s day hire. Brilliant organisation and communication. Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Cannot recommend enough!” – Joanne

Time spent together on the water often creates memories that last far beyond the day itself.

Without packed itineraries or constant distractions, couples often tell us they rediscover the pleasure of time to notice things together. Long breakfasts. Lazy walks. Conversations that don’t have to fit around anything else.

“We had a lovely family trip on one of the guided tours. The chap who took us was very welcoming, friendly and very informative. Thank you.” – Lynda

Sometimes it’s the simplest days that stay with us the longest.

Love Letters to the Waterways

And of course, some love letters are written to the landscape itself.

Morning narrowboat mooring Chris Howes

The Fen waterways offer wide skies, peaceful moorings and the kind of quiet that’s hard to find elsewhere. Days unfold gently, punctuated by birdsong, the creak of ropes, and the promise of a cosy pub lunch just around the bend.

“Just come off a week’s trip re-exploring the Nene! Travelled up from March and got as far to just beyond Wadenhoe. Already booked two weeks for next year…. just see where that will take us.

Regarding Fox Narrowboats, I cannot recommend them highly enough. The service and boats they offer are second to none! If you want to get out on the water, try them!” – Southbourne Bowling Club

For many guests, the waterways themselves become part of the story they want to return to.

Cruising near Ely and Cambridge offers the perfect balance of rural calm and historic charm. Hand in hand walks along the towpath, cobbled streets, riverside cafés, and sunsets that seem to last just a little longer when you’re on the water.

Why Love Letters Matter

Reading through these messages, a pattern emerges. They’re rarely about grand gestures or extravagant plans. They’re about time. Space. And the freedom to slow down, together.

Houghton Mill – CC SA 3.0 Cmglee

A narrowboat holiday doesn’t try to impress. It simply creates the conditions for connection. And perhaps that’s why so many of our guests find themselves writing to us afterwards, trying to capture a feeling they didn’t quite expect.

Write Your Own Love Letter

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s idea that’s thoughtful, memorable and a little different, a canal boat holiday might be the perfect place to start. Whether it’s a romantic short break for two, or a relaxed day hire with people you love, Fox Narrowboats offer the space to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Even when the weather isn’t perfect, time on the water has its own charm.

“Fab day out on the Cambridgeshire Fens on a narrow boat. Not even the rain could put a damper on the day!” – David

This Valentine’s Day, you don’t have to say it with roses. You can say it with time.

And maybe write your own love letter from the water.

Check out our short breaks or day hire deals near Ely and Cambridge.

Hey! New here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and select ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar to receive more articles about the Fenland waterways and local history. We never share email addresses. Just local knowledge, every two weeks.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

Photo credits: Fox Narrowboats, Chris Howes, Houghton Mill – CC SA 3.0 Cmglee

The post Love Letters from the Water: A Valentine’s Day Special appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

spring narrowboat on the waterways

Having now lived on narrowboats for many years I can concur that carrying coal and bags of laundry down a muddy towpath can certainly lose some of its ‘being joyfully connected to the elements’ charm after several months. Certainly there have been many winters where I have pondered if there is space to fit a washing machine on my boat. However, being present to the first precious gifts of spring does indeed more than make up for any of those hardships and failed daydreams.

first spring lock – alice elgie

Just yesterday morning I woke to dry windows inside, blue sky outside and felt the first  faint but euphoric realisation that somewhere in the not too far distance, spring is brewing. It made me reminisce about early spring 2011—one of my first on a narrowboat—when I lounged on the roof writing whilst chatting to passing boaters, my daughter peddling up and down the towpath on her bike talking to the ducks and geese. In that moment I simply couldn’t imagine a better way to live in England because for me, it was everything at its best: nature, friendliness and freedom.

If you would like to be one of the first to experience spring on the waterways, book your holiday with Fox Narrowboats

In the first throws of spring, winter quickly becomes a distant memory. My dreams of an on-board washing machine fade into the background as hand-washed clothes blow in the breeze and there is abundant space on the doorstep where we can roam and find adventures along secret paths, in wide open fields and amongst the trees. I think that’s it for me, that on a narrowboat we can live right in the heart of an unfurling spring. Each morning the air tastes fresher and I feel more at peace as I lay still listening to a visiting chaffinch or watch moorhens as they scurry in and out of their nest. The world comes alive all around me and somehow, the quiet cocoon that winter can be, makes me even more aware of each minuscule change.

Want to know why an April narrowboat holiday is the perfect spring getaway on our Fox blog?

And when I do have to do a laundrette run, I know it will no longer be plagued by a cold, muddy walk to sit looking sorrowfully out through steamed-up windows onto a dreary street. Instead us ‘washers’ will chat to each other with bright smiles as we watch our clothes go round and I will be reminded of the valuable people connection that would be lost if I were to relent to having a washing machine on my boat.

2026 Spring Canal Boat Holiday Offers

Alice Elgie is a nature-loving writer who shares words about her wandering lifestyle through hold-in-the-hand letters and recorded reflections. aliceelgie.com

The post Looking Toward Spring appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.