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

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The boatbuilding and maintenance team were delighted to receive these kind words from Mike and Malena about the work undertaken on their boat over recent times.

Once again Fox’s have done us proud with a great job of painting our narrow-boat. They have always been good to deal with, everybody has been kind and helpful. We’re attaching 3 piccies. The first is when the boat was new in 2005 (not from Fox’s) seriously under-powered with an outboard motor. The second after Fox’s extended it and replaced outboards with Isuzu 35hp inboard. Superb workmanship by Alan; and the last is this year when we had it repainted with another superb job by Gary. Not to forget Tracey and everybody else who were always pleased to see us and never minded when we took photographs of work in progress.

thanks to all Mike & Malena

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Booked Explorer for the day to celebrate our Anniversary. What a brilliant time.
The staff are exceptionally good, and we were shown how to drive the boat etc. Children were all fitted with life jackets, and made to feel part of the team.
We then spent the next 7 hours watching the world go by as we headed to Outwell.
Would recommend this to anyone, and will be back soon to have another go.

Robert L (first posted on Trip Advisor May 2017)

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“Having now arrived safely back at our home moorings we just wanted to write to you all to thank you so much for repairing Venturer for us.
Back in October we were at our ‘wits end. It made us believe that our ‘boating days’ we’re well and truly over!
Only after speaking to Alan were we reassured that all was not lost and that Fox’s would be able to repair our boat for us.
Since October you have all been terrific and frequent communications and reassurance have been a real comfort to us.
Venturer’s hull and engine well repairs seem to be all that we had hoped and we are sure that we can now look forward to future boating.
Not that Fox’s reputation needs it but rest assured we shout your praises to everyone we meet on the river!
Our grateful thanks to you all once again.
Best wishes.
David and Jane”

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“We took March Adventurer out to Whittlesey and back on Saturday (four adults and two small children). It was a great day, the team at Fox’s was very accommodating and the driving tutorial made the whole thing a doddle (mostly!). Had a fab time, and would highly recommend it to anyone!”

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“Had a brilliant time at the weekend at Fox Narrowboats. It was my second hen do and not only did they decorate the boat for me, but also gave me a badge and sash which was so nice and totally unexpected! We had a brilliant day on the river chilling outside when it was sunny and sitting inside when it got a bit chilly….memories to cherish forever. Thanks everyone at the narrowboat shop for making it happen x x”

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Thank you Fox Narrowboats for a great day…

“Well what a great time we had! We (three couples) decided to hire the day boat (March Adventurer) so we could take a trip to Outwell to enjoy the fantastic Fens scenery and fit in a spot of geo-caching.

The weather was wet for most of the day but that DID NOT spoil our enjoyment. The boat had a large outside covered area to the bow and all the facilities to make a cuppa and sit down inside (with the heating on so we could dry out).

Leaving the marina and heading for March town centre, we stopped at the March Town moorings and headed into The Ship public house for a Full English Breakfast. Then it was time for some caching. We managed to get three caches before heading into the wilderness of the Fens.

After going through Marmount Priory Lock, which was great fun for a bunch of newbies, we headed down the tranquil stretch of Well Creek to Upwell and up to the basin at Outwell. Here we turned round and headed back, stopping at the moorings at the Five Bells to grab a couple of caches, before heading home (and stopping at The Globe for an ale and warm fire).

Getting to March, once again we stopped at The Ship for a quick drink, before catching a few more caches on the way back to the marina.

We fitted all this in to one day and managed to get back to the marina on time to hand the boat back in one piece at 6pm.

Thank you Fox Narrowboats for a great day….the weather didn’t deter us….in fact it made for an entertaining day! We will be back!”

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Fox holiday narrowboat

“Dear Team at Fox’s Narrow Boats

Just wanted to say thank-you for the brilliant break we had with you last September, everything from the booking to the holiday went really smoothly. Having only sailed on yachts I was wondering what a Narrow Boat holiday would be like, it was fantastic. The briefing and boat handling gave us all we needed to know.

The boat was well laid out, clean and comfortable, having everything we need to make the holiday perfect.

The Fens Waterways are peaceful and within a matter of minutes we were excited to see a flash of Blue as a Kingfisher flew to a nearby tree.

cambridge boating kingfisher

We found plenty to places to visit and eat, cooking a full English in the galley and eating at the front of the boat as the world went buy was relaxing.

I have certainly recommended your company to others and hope you have a busy season and will be back soon.“

Jon and Jenny

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