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.

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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.

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life?

Need a break that will suit your whole family?

Want to enjoy quality time together and learn new skills?

A narrowboat holiday offers a unique and unforgettable experience for families, allowing you to travel at your own pace. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Fenland countryside, explore charming towns and villages, and create lasting memories. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to plan the perfect family holiday in Cambridgeshire.

Is a Narrowboat Holiday Right for Your Family?

Are you looking for a different kind of family adventure? Look no further than a Fox Narrowboats holiday. Picture yourself and your loved ones cruising along our unusual waterways, surrounded by breath-taking scenery and big skies. A Cambridgeshire narrowboat holiday offers a unique blend of relaxation, exploration, and quality time with your family. The flat, reclaimed land of the Fens has a very different vibe to the rest of the English canal network.

Narrowboats, (also known as canal boats,) provide a cosy and comfortable home away from home. Our traditional Fox boats are designed to navigate our local canals and rivers, offering a peaceful and slow-paced way to travel. With all the necessary amenities on board, including comfy beds, a kitchen, saloon and bathroom, you’ll have everything you need for an enjoyable holiday.

What Safety Tips Do Families Need to Know?

While children of all ages can enjoy a boating holiday, it’s important to assess their safety and ability to follow instructions. Younger children may require constant supervision to ensure their safety, and yet older children can actively participate in becoming valued members of the “crew” helping with steering, mooring and operating the locks. Just a few simple precautions will keep everyone safe. Life jackets supplied on board will provide peace of mind, especially if you have young children. Choose sensible, flat, comfortable shoes for everyone when the boat is underway, and save your fancy shoes for when you’re heading ashore for an evening meal! Prepare for the unpredictable UK weather by packing comfortable clothes, shorts, fleeces and waterproofs for everyone.

You may need to remind the children of the importance of staying away from the water’s edge while on board the narrowboat. Running on the towpath is to be avoided, and so teach everyone to keep a safe distance from the edge. Make sure children are supervised on board and explain how to stay safe during the journey. Be aware that locks have tall, slippery sides and fast-moving water: Children should never operate a lock without adult supervision.

Essential Planning

You can get the kids excited about the upcoming narrowboat holiday by involving them in the preparations and talking about the safety tips they will need to know. Explain the potential dangers, and that they may need to wear life jackets, depend on their age. It will be important to follow instructions and be mindful of their surroundings. Watching videos together can help to prepare your family before you go. Try YouTube for canal boat safety tips, and Robbie Cumming for boating inspiration.

Watch: Robbie Cumming Stars in Canal Boat Diaries

Younger children may enjoy the old ITV programme Rosie and Jim.

You may also like to plan your narrowboat holiday around family-friendly attractions and activities. Research destinations that offer playgrounds, nature reserves, and museums suitable for children. This will keep the children are entertained and engaged throughout the journey. There is also lots of inspiration for a family boating holiday on our blog.

Would boating suit your family? Check availability now for your next family adventure.

You may also like: The Top 5 Tips for a Family Narrowboat Break

For more essential tips about family 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.)

The post The Ultimate Guide to a Memorable Family Narrowboat Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.