Here are some of the birds, plants, and animals you might meet on your journey.

1) Birds of the Fenland Skies

Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher or a curious beginner, the Fens are a brilliant place to spot water birds and rare species.

kingfisher | vincent van zalinge

Kingfishers: If you’re lucky, you might spot a flash of electric blue darting across the water. Although they nest in the riverbanks, it’s pretty rare to see one; so look out for them in the morning or at dusk.

You’ll be more likely to see swans, ducks and geese. Swans glide alongside the boat as if escorting you, while moorhens bob around the reeds with their chicks in tow. Herons keep impossibly still, but you may notice one on the bank, poised to catch a fish in the shallows.

Marsh Harriers and Owls: In more open areas, keep an eye on the sky. These larger birds of prey are often spotted circling overhead.

marsh harrier | paul kelly

Top Spotting Tip: When you’re moored up, a narrowboat allows you to observe without disturbing the wildlife, like a floating bird hide! The waterfowl may even approach you.

2) Towpath Botanicals

Walking the towpath is not only a chance to stretch your legs, but also to enjoy a closer look at the wildflowers and plants lining the banks.

Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Flag Iris are out in the summer, adding splashes of colour to your journey. Reed beds rustle in the breeze, creating a habitat for many small creatures.

yellow flag iris | martin wemyss

In spring and early summer, you might spot cow parsley, wild poppies, and meadowsweet, while later in the year, blackberries offer the opportunity for a little wild foraging. There are brilliant towpath foraging tips, and a muffin recipe, by narrowboater Helen here: Foraging With Children.

blackberry raspberry cake | micheile henderson

Why It Matters: Noticing these small details can turn an ordinary walk into a mini nature treasure hunt for kids, or a mindful practice for grown-ups.

3) Creatures Great and Small

While you’re relaxing on deck or strolling the towpath, keep your eyes peeled for shy mammals and water-loving insects.

Water voles (think Ratty from Wind in the Willows) are often seen along Cambridgeshire’s quieter waterways. My favourite are dragonflies and damselflies dancing above the surface on sunny days, their shimmering wings catching the light.

Hares and deer sometimes appear at dawn or dusk in the open countryside beyond the riverbanks. And of course, frogs and newts can be found near weedy stretches of canal and pond-like areas.

deer divide | zero

Family Bonus: Even children used to tech can’t help but be curious when a dragonfly lands on the roof of the boat or a tiny frog hops across the path.

4) Nature Reserves along the Way

Cruising with Fox Narrowboats puts you within reach of several wildlife-rich destinations.

Welney Wetland Centre: A must for bird lovers, this reserve is part of the Ouse Washes and is famous for its migratory swans and waders. The best way to visit is to take a taxi from either Denver or Littleport to the centre. Fox Route 1 will take you on the River Ouse and you can reserve tickets for the centre online.

Wicken Fen: One of the oldest nature reserves in the UK, Wicken Fen offers a magical mixture of sedge, water, and sky. You can moor nearby and take a walk through the boardwalks to explore rare habitats. From the moorings on Wicken Lode it is a short walk to the National Trust Visitors Centre and café.

wicken fen | phil hearing

Roswell Pits, near Ely: A peaceful spot for watching birds and dragonflies, and a good place to stretch your legs before heading into Ely town.

Planning Tip: Check mooring locations in advance if you’d like to combine cruising with a visit to these wild havens.

5) Slow Travel, Rich Encounters

What makes wildlife spotting from a narrowboat so special? It’s the combination of stillness and surprise. One moment you’re making tea in the galley, the next, you’re calling out to everyone because a deer just leapt across the bank. It’s not staged or rushed, it’s real, and it stays with you.

Whether you’re a family looking to connect, or a couple seeking peace and quiet, nature finds a way of making your narrowboat journey unforgettable.

Ready to Drift into Nature?

At Fox Narrowboats, we’re proud to help families, couples and nature lovers discover the hidden wildlife wonders of Cambridgeshire’s waterways. All of our boats come with the comforts of home, and the convenience of being close to nature.

Book your holiday narrowboat today and begin your own slow adventure.

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Photo credits: Kingfisher by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash. Marsh Harrier Paul Kelly on Unsplash. Yellow flag Iris Martin Wemyss on Unsplash. Blackberry and raspberry cake micheile henderson on Unsplash. Deer Divide By Zero on Unsplash. Wicken Fen Phil Hearing on Unsplash

The post Exploring Cambridgeshire’s Wildlife: Spotting Flora and Fauna with Fox Narrowboats appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

melody narrowboat alice elgie

This season is my favourite, and for me, on the canals of England is the only place to be when it begins to take hold. Blackthorn blossom floating like confetti, hawthorn leaves, shiny and green, bursting their buds in quick succession, and goslings, ducklings, baby moorhens (which I like to affectionally call ‘pom poms’!)…there is a sense of life in the air and in my opinion, there really is nowhere like it anywhere else on earth.

goslings – alice elgie

If you’re looking to experience wildlife and nature at its best whilst on your narrowboat holiday on the fens, try Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve which can be accessed from the canal:

Fox Blog – Wicken Fen

wicken fen visitors centre – credit: fox narrowboats

I moved onto my very first narrowboat in the spring of 2010. See more about buying my first narrowboat on this blog. Those weeks spent watching the wintry world come to life through numerous windows, have stayed with me. I thought I’d hit the jackpot to be sharing my daily life with such an abundance of wildlife and as the season unfurled in all her glory, I also found myself spending far more time outside than usual.

Wicken Mill

There’s something about narrowboats being nestled so within nature that you can’t help but be drawn outside. In a house, you never know what the weather is doing and it’s easy to get complacent and comfortable, staying glued to a favourite TV show, or endlessly scrolling on a screen. But nature through a narrowboat window sucks you in—and ultimately out!—like no YouTube show ever can.

Do you long to make time for more walking?

Being on the canals also encourages us to exercise more, with a plethora of opportunities to don your walking boots and go out exploring on relatively flat and easy ground. Even BBC are extolling the benefits of walking (article on BBC website) and if you’re on a narrowboat holiday, you can take the opportunity to let inspiration lead you.

holme fen credit wiki wehh

Whether the sun is shining, or there’s a shower on the horizon, stepping outside never fails to lift the mood, as well as give us a boost of vitamin D. With a number of picturesque places to visit on the Fens—including pubs, restaurants, or perhaps even a gentle stroll to the local shop—there’s no excuse to not indulge.

Looking for Inspiration? Then check out this interactive Fens Waterways Map for Narrowboaters: 

So if you’re looking for a boost and need to be reminded of the simple joys in life, or you’re perhaps just craving respite from the busyness, spring on the waterways might be just the ticket—even with those noisy geese!

What is the cut?

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

Credits: Narrowboat – Alice Elgie, Goslings, Wicken Fen Visitors Centre – Fox Wicken Mill, Holme Fen – wiki wehh

The post Spring On The Cut appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Do you like to shop local?

Do you prefer to eat organic?

Do you enjoy browsing farmers markets?

Then you’ll love British Food Fortnight! It is the largest yearly, national celebration of British food and drink, and is organised each autumn at the same time as harvest festival. It was created in the aftermath of the Foot and Mouth crisis, because although there were many food schemes, projects and events taking place across Britain, there was not yet a leading event to bring them all together and create national awareness at the same time.

Since its establishment in 2002, British Food Fortnight has become the perfect occasion for those who work in any area of food and drink, to unite and advocate the advantages of buying and eating local, British produce. This year British Food Fortnight runs from 23rd September to 8th October 2017.

A canal boat holiday is the perfect way to combine stunning English countryside with wholesome local food. If you’re planning a last minute narrowboat holiday in the Fens you might catch Cambridge Food Garden & Produce Show on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September 2017. Entry is free and you can browse a wonderful range of arts, crafts, food, drink, homewares and lifestyle stalls, plus try classes in baking, jams and pickles, or flower arranging. There is also an all-day programme of cookery demonstrations from well-known foodies and chefs, including Ian Cumming BBC Bake Off Finalist and Saira Hamilton BBC Masterchef Finalist.

A canal boat cruise to Cambridge and back can take you several days if you really slow down and enjoy life, stopping at villages and towns, restaurants, pubs and shops along the way.

Organic Fenland Food

We are blessed with a diverse range of local crops in the Fens, ranging from wheat and barley, to potatoes, carrots and sugar beet, plus sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers. The Fenland’s rich black soil is some of the most fertile in the country. Fresh and reasonably priced fruit and vegetables can be found at farm shops and roadside stalls, selling whatever is in season.

There are many traditional, local markets that you can visit by boat, in March, Thrapston, Oundle, St Ives, Ely and Cambridge. See here for the different market days of individual Fenland towns.

You can celebrate British food at any time of year. When you join us for a Fox Boats holiday or day trip, why not bring along a cream tea, or fish and chips? If you’re coming in the autumn try serving pumpkin soup, with local breads and speciality cheeses. As you cruise the waterways, shop in local butchers, greengrocers, farm shops and markets that source locally. They might be able to tell you a little about the person who produced the food you are buying. Even when you are shopping in supermarkets you could make a special effort to seek out British food. Discovered something tasty? Post it on social media using the hashtag #LoveBritishFood.

If you’re planning a last minute narrowboat holiday in the Cambridgeshire Fens you can save money by booking online.

The post How to #LoveBritishFood While You Hire a Narrowboat appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.