canal boat quaint village – fenland waterways | fox

So here’s your unofficial, no-nonsense guide to your first canal boat adventure—compiled from seasoned boaters and Reddit wisdom, and brought to you by us at Fox Narrowboats.

1. Pack and Plan for Off-Grid Moments

One common tip? Stock up on food before you set off. You won’t always be moored near a shop, and that riverside country pub may not appear when you’re actually hungry. Think easy meal plans, snacks, and tea and coffee.

You can either visit the supermarket when you arrive in March, or have a full grocery shop delivered to your boat. There will be opportunities for shopping along the way as you travel, but you don’t want to be moored in an idyllic rural location and find there’s no milk for your tea! There is no freezer on board, but our boats come with fully equipped galleys; crockery, cutlery, oven, hob, microwave and a fridge.

Board games, playing cards, and books are a great idea—especially if you’re planning on avoiding screen-time. And if you’re bringing children, bring more entertainment than you think you’ll need.

2. Locks: Friend, Foe, or Fitness Plan?

If you’ve heard of famous lock flights, like the Caen Hill flight, you will be pleased to discover that boating on the Middle Level is a lot less work. For example, there are only two locks between March Marina and Denver Junction.

canal lock fenland waterways | fox

Any boater will tell you, that when doing locks, always watch out for the cill (the ledge inside the lock chamber). Boats can get caught on it when descending, which may not only cause damage, but can even sink a boat surprisingly quickly. Don’t use the bow to open a lock gate, get a crew member on the bank to prepare the lock for you.

3. Keep Calm and Cruise Slowly

March to Denver Junction will take about five hours cruising, but that’s the charm. If you can walk faster than your boat, you’re doing it right.

green canal boat cruising – david edkins | unsplash

As for other boaters: slow down to tickover when passing moored boats, and hope that others will do you the same courtesy for you, when you are moored up. A passing boat in a hurry can spill your drinks or even knock objects off shelves! (Some people will moan at hire boats no matter what. Don’t take it personally if you know you’re going slow enough. Smile and wave.)

4. Mind the Dogs (and the Ducks)

Dogs are welcome on our boats; just let us know at the time of booking. Small dogs may need a life jacket, and all dogs should be kept on a lead, or inside, when mooring up or operating a lock. More than one Redditor has experienced a dog jumping ship—sometimes into a very deep lock. You may see liveaboard boaters with dogs happily living afloat, but your own dog may not be so aware of the dangers.

Lead your dog carefully, and never leave enough slack for them to leap in after a duck.

5. Other Pro Tips You Might Not Expect

Gloves are your friend. Steering all day can get chilly—even in summer. The British weather is famously unpredictable.

Don’t leave stuff on the roof. Low bridges and branches will knock it right off.

Use toilets at pubs or water points when you can, therefore leaving more room in your on-board toilet tank.

Reverse, don’t rev, if you get stuck on an underwater obstacle. Trying to move forward when aground will only dig you in deeper.

Wave at everyone—especially grumpy fisherman. Some of them have forgotten the waterways were built for boats. Always remain respectful to other navigation users.

And Finally: Enjoy the Ride

Whether you’re cruising to Peterborough or Ely, the point of a narrowboat holiday isn’t how far you go—it’s how much you enjoy the journey. Unplug, unwind, and maybe even strike up a canal-side conversation or two. The best tips often come from fellow boaters you meet along the way.

Ready for your first adventure? At Fox Narrowboats, we’re here to help make your first-time cruise as smooth and memorable as possible. There’s still time to book for this summer season!

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.

Credits: Narrowboat quaint village Fox, green canal boat cruising David Edkins on Unsplash, canal lock Andrew Hall on Unsplash, Dog Trev Morris on Unsplash

The post First-Time Narrowboat Holiday? Here’s What the Internet Wants You to Know appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Are you looking for a dog-friendly holiday?

Have you seen our pet-friendly boats?

Want to explore some pretty new dog-walking routes?

If you’re wondering if you can even take your dog on a narrowboat then Fox Boats could be just what you’re looking for. Perhaps we’re biased but we think narrowboating is the ultimate in dog-friendly holidays and day trips. After all, what good is a day out if you can’t take your best friend?

When you first arrive on board you might want to allow your faithful friend to fully explore the narrowboat, so that he can get used to his new home. Before you get going, prepare a bowl of clean drinking water, and then make sure there is also a bowl of water whenever you’re moored up, so that he doesn’t drink the river water.

Dogs like to watch the fields and trees go by as the boat cruises along, and there are different smells and things to see with every passing moment. Smells of the countryside, such as sheep, rabbits, squirrels and ducks will delight your dog as you travel together. The waterways are busy with wildlife, so be aware that some dogs may be tempted to jump and chase when they’re on dry land!

Every time you step ashore a whole new walk awaits your dog, with exciting smells and things to see. Towpaths are great for walking, just watch out for bikes (especially on the Cam to Cambridge). Games of fetch are out of the question though, unless you don’t mind losing your ball into the water. It’s best to keep your dog on the lead when mooring up, or when the boat approaches any locks, as it can be very dangerous if a dog falls in. (Do take a spare towel for the dog in case he does accidentally fall in.) The banks of the waterways can be steep and difficult for dogs to climb out of, so consider bringing a dog life jacket. Jackets with handles on the top allow the owner to haul the dog safely back on board. Remember to also bring anything you else might need: the dog bed, lead and poop bags for example. You might also want to bring a spare lead in case you lose one overboard.

Towpaths and footpaths are popular with nature lovers and dog walkers alike. Enjoy the unique Fenland countryside by walking alongside the boat as you approach a lock. Or take a longer stroll when your boat is moored up. It’s a great way to discover beautiful new places with your pet by your side. Taking a break from your usual dog walking routes at home means you can discover a variety of new scenery. If you and your dog want to walk alongside the boat as it travels, it’s easy to keep up as the maximum cruising speed is just 4mph.

However, when you’re both tired of exercise and your pet is weary, but happy, you can relax on board the boat and watch the scenery go by. Passing pretty houses, bridges and villages will delight the humans among the crew. Waterside pubs are often dog-friendly, with beer gardens where you can sit outside. The humans can eat and the dog can meet other friendly dogs. If you’re struggling to find a dog-friendly pub there’s also the option of picking up a takeaway and heading back to the boat. Waterside pubs are marked on the maps and cruising guides provided with the boat. The Fox Narrowboat team have also shared their top three pubs for a Fenland narrowboat holiday here.

If you want to bring your dog on a boat trip, just make sure you let us know at the time of booking. There is a charge of £30 per pet, per week. You can refer to the holiday narrowboat layouts to find our pet friendly holiday narrowboats. Dogs are always welcome on our day boats.

Find out more about our dog-friendly accommodation.

Hey! Are you new here? Subscribe on the right to receive more pet-friendly holiday tips, by email. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

The post Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.