All our boats are winterised and tucked up to sleep until spring-time, while we retreat indoors with mince pies and hot drinks.

cape fox narrowboat

But while our narrowboats are resting and the towpaths sparkle with morning frost, this season can be the perfect moment to dream ahead, to map out next year’s adventures, imagine warm spring mornings on the waterways, and maybe even drop a festive hint (or three) about the holiday you’d love in 2026.

Because even though Fox Narrowboats doesn’t offer winter cruising, there’s still a touch of Christmas magic to be found along the East Anglian waterways… and a boat hire holiday to look forward to when our season begins again in April.

Festive Magic at Wicken Fen

One of the loveliest winter destinations in our region is the National Trust’s Wicken Fen, which sparkles with seasonal activities this time of year, from nature trails and cosy café treats to family-friendly festive events.

wicken fen mooring windmill – phil hearing

And while you can’t cruise there right now, it’s fun to picture yourself moored at the GOBA moorings on Wicken Lode, ready to stretch your legs on a crisp morning. From the mooring, it’s just a short stroll to the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre and Café, where you can warm up with light refreshments and soak up the winter wildlife. Venture a little further into the village and you’ll find The Maid’s Head, a traditional 13^th century thatched pub, ready to offer hearty food and a comfortable seat by the fire. It’s the kind of simple winter pleasure that boaters love: nature, community, and an excuse for a hot drink you definitely earned by walking at least 200 metres.

A Cathedral at Christmas

We’re lucky to be within cruising distance of Ely; well known for its antique centres, ancient narrow streets, timbered houses and medieval gateways. This cruise is a four day short break at 4.5 hours cruising per day, or a relaxed one-week holiday, cruising only 2.5 hours per day.

Read: Four Churches to Visit When it’s Not Even Christmas

inside ely cathedral –

Ely Cathedral always hosts a variety of Christmas services and events throughout November and December, including the annual Christmas Gift and Food Fair, carol services, and special concerts. But it’s stunning to visit at any time of year; highlights include tours of the medieval Octagon Tower, and a visit to the Stained Glass Museum.

Check out the highlights of Fox Route 1.

Imagining a Christmas on the Water

If Santa can circumnavigate the globe in one night (with no stoppages, no mooring restrictions, and apparently no weed-hatch issues), it’s fair to say the man knows a good transport system when he sees one.

Some say he even pops over the Fens now and then during a test flight. The stillness of the winter waterways is perfect for fine-tuning reindeer-navigation, after all. And if he happened to glance down at March Marina and spot our fleet taking their winter rest… well, we imagine he’d approve.

fox narrowboats marina

We might not cruise in December, but the thought of future adventures makes winter feel warmer. The slow, thoughtful pace of canal boating pairs wonderfully with the cosy, reflective mood of the season. Christmas, in a way, is the boater’s natural habitat: hot drinks, twinkly lights, and a good excuse to plan next year’s routes with a notebook and a biscuit tin.

The Perfect Christmas Gift for a Future Boater

If you’ve been particularly good this year, you could always drop a few gentle hints about how nice it would be to spend a week aboard Platinum Fox or Silver Fox in the spring sunshine…

fox narrowboat gift vouchers 2026 – call reception

Our 2026 season opens in April, and Christmas is a popular time for families to book their summer holiday or plan a slow, scenic break later in the year. A narrowboat holiday isn’t just another present, it’s a chance to unwind, reconnect, explore hidden waterways, and see the world at three miles per hour.

And if someone in your life prefers clear instructions over hints, feel free to forward them this blog post. Santa likes girls and boys that know what they want for Christmas!

Order Gift Voucher

Give Fox reception a call to get yours! 01354 652770

Until Spring…

While the boats slumber through the colder months, we’re here preparing them for another year of adventures, polishing, repairing, repainting, and ensuring every vessel is ready for you when cruising begins again.

So this Christmas, whether you’re curled up at home or out exploring winter nature reserves, take a moment to imagine your future self, gliding through sunlit reeds, mooring near a riverside pub, or making a detour down Wicken Lode for a slice of cake.

Spring will be here before you know it.

Book a 2026 Fox Narrowboat

From all of us at Fox Narrowboats:

Wishing you a peaceful, magical Christmas, and happy planning for your 2026 waterways holiday.

1. PS. For more tips and inspiration for your next boating holiday, pop your email in the box on the right-hand side of this page (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send our latest articles straight to your inbox. (We never share your email address, and we won’t overwhelm your inbox. We’re not naughty – we’re nice!)

Photo credits: Wicken Fen Phil Hearing on Unsplash , Ely Cathedral deposit photos,

The post A Canal-Themed Christmas: Dreaming of Your 2026 Waterways Escape appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

19 May 1984. Journey start Bunbury Staircase locks cc John Revell

CC John Revell Northampton River Nene 23 May 1984.

I bought my first narrow boat in 1984 after many years of hiring boats. My trip began at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union on 19 May 1984 and I reached Northampton after 5 long, hard days passing through the centre of Birmingham including Gas Street basin (which was yet to be developed). Another long day on the Nene followed, starting at the Britannia Inn just below Northampton and finishing in time for drinks in the Chequered Skipper at Ashton where a live band was playing. As John Gagg had written in one of his canal guides there were torrents of water coming over the top gates at some of the locks. None of the locks had been electrified at the time and these included Ditchford radial arm lock which involved 148 turns of a hand wheel, once to lower the heavy bottom gate and once to open.  Years later I still find it surprising that none of the endless notices on Ditchford lock state that it is the only surviving radial arm lock on the Nene.

Lilford lock on the Nene on 24 May 1984. The manual wheel fitted on the guillotine is just visible

Two days later I reached Stanground lock where to my relief I found that my 48 foot boat would just fit into Stanground lock (which at 49 foot was the shortest lock I had encountered on my travels and which was the reason I had bought a 48 foot boat in the first place). This was my first meeting with Mr Rootham (I never knew his Christian name was Alan, let alone called him that for years) and then to Ashline lock where the resident lock keeper suddenly appeared and furiously wound paddle gear of a type which I had never seen before.

Bevill’s Leam pumping station near Pondersbridge on 26 May 1984 – cc John Revell

From there we headed for Pondersbridge. Although I had read that this was a dead end it still came as a shock to find Bevill’s Leam pumping station right across the river and no lock to go beyond so we turned round and headed for Turves where we had been told there was a pub. The Three Horseshoes did not disappoint. There was again live music in the saloon and a games area in the public bar with table football and darts.The friendly locals were amazed to learn that we were on a long boating trip from somewhere near Chester to somewhere near Ely and happened to be dropping into their pub in Turves on the way.

28 May 1984 Lodes End Lock opened in 1984. Very wet day! enclosure was built later.

Plaque Lodes End Lock 1984

There was heavy rain the next day and we set off late to find the pub at Chainbridge on the 20 Foot river which no longer existed so we continued to March and the boatyard of CT and P Fox Boatbuilders where I met Charlie Fox for the first time –  I recall he sold me some stern grease in a recycled treacle tin.

We finished up that evening at Benwick. Some of the houses in the main street and many of the gravestones had clearly been badly affected by subsistence but the Five Alls pub was memorable and full. There was a live and loud organ playing in the main bar and a deafening juke box for younger people at the rear.

The following day we went to Woodwalton Fen (Great Raveley Drain) in the rain and finished that evening in the George Inn at Ramsey Forty Foot where we signed the boater’s log book kept behind the bar and warmed up by the fire. I mention in passing that Joe Bugner, former world heavyweight boxing champion, lived in the big house opposite the George around that time.

The next day was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I damaged a finger badly when I caught it under the very low Ramsey Hollow bridge soon after leaving the George. A kind motorist took me to Manea train station where I eventually caught a train to Ely and walked into Ely military hospital and received welcome and prompt treatment. Meanwhile my friends (remember this was our first visit to the Middle Level)  boated along the Forty Foot river, the Sixteen Foot river and Well Creek  through Salters Lode and met up with me suitably bandaged at what was then called the Black Horse at Littleport at 9.30 pm. Remember there were no mobile phones then and red phone boxes were infrequent. Often they were already being used or there was a queue outside or they were simply not working. You also needed plenty of loose change to use them. You could not simply ring for an ambulance or a taxi from the boat let alone remain in contact with my friends but we all somehow managed to meet up at the Black Horse at Littleport late that evening.

After a brief spell at the Fish and Duck marina I was fortunate to move my boat to Fox’s marina where I was able to explore the Middle Level further over the next couple of years. I then returned in 1996 where I have been ever since both in my first boat and the second Olive Emily which Fox’s built for me in 2002. I will write more about this later.

John Revell
8 Oct 2023

The post Boating on the Middle Level in May 1984 Part 1 with John Revell appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Should you book your 2023 holiday now to avoid increasing prices?

As the cost of living crisis continues, some families are planning ahead for this year’s holiday, in order to grab the best deals while they’re still available. With the price of fuel continuing to rise, it seems inevitable that plane tickets and hotel rooms will continue to go up in price in 2023. That makes a narrowboat holiday a much more cost effective option this year. We have already taken plenty of bookings for this spring and summer, but we do have some availability left.

Ely: The UK Holiday Destination That Won’t Break the Bank

Ely is a charming cathedral city in Cambridgeshire. March to Ely is an 18 hour return trip by narrowboat, but you will want to take it slow to get the most out of the cruise. If you’ve been on a narrowboat holiday before, you will know that the journey is just as important and enjoyable as the destination, and you will want to moor up and explore other places on the way there.

This trip involves the passage of a short length of tidal river between Salter’s Lode and Denver Sluice, which only adds to the adventure. You will need to contact the Lock keeper at Denver to find out the tide times for the outward and return trips. We will give you any information you need to know at the start of your holiday.

There are some free visitor moorings near our hire base in March town, where you can explore the High Street shops and St Wendreda’s church, before setting off through the Middle Level waterways. Six miles cruise from March are the twin villages of Upwell and Outwell. The village streets line both sides of the river here. Further along Well Creek your boat will cross the Middle Level Main Drain, then pass through open countryside and the village of Nordelph, before arriving at Salter’s Lode Lock.

After Denver you will be on the Ely section of the River Great Ouse.  After stopping here you may like to take a little detour into the Relief Channel to visit Downham Market. There are a few other navigable tributaries of the Great Ouse to explore on the way to Ely if you have time.

Ely is really worth stopping for a night or two as there is lots to see and do. The city centre is a short walk up a steep hill from the attractive waterfront. The cathedral is stunning, and Oliver Cromwell’s House has been made into a museum. There is a stained glass museum at the cathedral, and antique centres to browse around close to the river. Go fishing, visit restaurants or wander around the ancient narrow streets, discovering timbered houses and medieval gateways. Read more about Ely. You can then carry on from Ely to visit Cambridge if your holiday plans allow it.

New Year Goals: Plan a Narrowboat Holiday

Late winter is a time for new beginnings and planning ahead, so why not give yourself something to look forward to this year? Booking in advance can mean better availability, and with Fox Narrowboats you’re more likely to get the boat of your choice. It’s also easier to get time off work on your intended dates if you plan well ahead.

Without knowing how inflation is going to affect this summer’s holiday prices it may be wise to look for tomorrow’s canal boat holidays at today’s prices!

What’s on your narrowboating New Year’s Bucket List this year? Read more to get some ideas.

You may also like: How to Cruise Your Way into Fitness this New Year

No time to plan your holiday right now? We get that. Instead, subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar; look for ‘Follow Blog’. We’ll send you two articles a month full of narrowboat holiday ideas in the Fens. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

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My friend, and fellow former Senior Proctor (though a year or two before I was Senior Proctor!), Gordon Johnson, asked me to write a few words about the bit of river — Sandall’s Cut — that is hosting the boat race this afternoon, as it also did in 1944. Here are those few words, which I hope you’ll find interesting.

I thought it’d be helpful to overlay a modern map with some reasonable approximations of old courses of some of the Fen rivers, which I’ve colour-coded for convenience. Red shows the course of the Ely Ouse from around 1110 to 1830.

Green shows an old course of the Little Ouse before it was diverted north. No one is entirely sure when that happened. In the Middle Ages, the old Ely Ouse and the old Little Ouse joined roughly where indicated, and then flowed off to the northwest towards Outwell as the Wellenhee (from where Welney gets its name) along what is now the mouth of Littleport Boathaven, and on to Wisbech.

The yellow course is the old course before the river was diverted in the early twelfth century to run through Ely and allow stone to be brought from Barnack Quarry in Northamptonshire, along the Nene to Wisbech, Wellenhee to Littleport, and on to Ely on the red course, to build the cathedral.

This red course via Prickwillow is the one we’re interested in today. Sandall’s Cut, the course used for the boat race, is the long, straight section you can see connecting the two open ends of the old red course.

Before drainage began in the seventeenth century, Wisbech was a sea port on The Wash. Cargo was unloaded there onto smaller boats, which took the Wellenhee across to Littleport, where it was reloaded onto yet smaller boats for the circuitous and difficult journey via Prickwillow to Ely, shown in red.

At some point in the Middle Ages — dating is very difficult, maybe in the fifteenth century, but could possibly have been a bit earlier — a cut was made to connect Lynn (later King’s Lynn) with Littleport, Wisbech’s importance faded, and the once-mighty Wellenhee became a backwater, before finally being bisected by Vermuyden’s Bedford Rivers in the seventeenth century.
Most cargo now came up river from Lynn directly to Littleport in large vessels, but there it met with a problem.

This old, natural, course between Littleport and Ely was too shallow and unreliable for navigation — often too dry in the summer and too boggy in the winter — which is why Sandall’s, or Sandy’s, Cut was dug between 1828 and 1830, offering almost straight navigation on a canalised new river more than 100 feet wide and, at the time, 20 feet deep.

It’s said that some 20,000 navvies dug the cut over two and a half years, all by hand, of course, in those days. The Cutter Inn in Ely took its name not from the boats called cutters, but from those men who cut their way through Middle Fen and Padnal Fen to shorten and straighten the river, and who presumably liked a pint or two at the end of a hard day’s work!

Sandall’s Cut opened in 1830, and there was now a quick, reliable, deep, straight channel, suitable for larger boats, between Littleport and Ely, and river trade flourished.
Well, it didn’t flourish for long. Within twenty years, the railway connecting Ely to the south with Cambridge and London was extended north to King’s Lynn, and from 1850 cargo could travel directly from the docks at Lynn to London on the same day.

Sandall’s Cut’s heyday was short, which is why we’re left today with an impressive four and a half mile long, deep, wide canal that took nearly three years and cost a fortune to cut, connecting two quiet Fenland towns in the middle of nowhere!

If you wish to cruise this route by narrowboat you can check out our holidays and short breaks we recommend a 4 night break to comfortably visit Ely.

The post As Ely hosts the Boat Race looking at the course on the Ely Ouse. appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

The Fenlands

Fox Boat owner Chris shares his thoughts on Fenland names throughout time.

What’s in a name ?

Fenland has been described by many nicknames over the years – and each one sheds a different light on various aspects of its history..

In the Medieval times the area had a number of major ecclesiastical establishments, including Crowland, Ramsey, Chatteris and Thorney Abbeys, as well as Ely and Peterborough Cathedrals. Reflecting this ample provision for the Spiritual, the name The Holy Land of the English was applied.

Prior to Vermuyden’s draining of the Fens, the area was often times referred to as The Great Eastern Swamp, or The Old Drowned Lands.

Vermuyden’s first drainage scheme was intended to provide relief from flooding during summer months and gave rise to the description The Summer Lands.

During WWII the productive rich black soil of the Fens was put to use feeding the Country, which was in danger of going hungry as the German blockade of shipping tightened. The area acquired the deserved nickname The Breadbasket of Britain.

The flat countryside, devoid of hills, with its great panoramic landscapes has given rise to the name The Land of the Three-quarter Sky.

And because it is home to Fenland’s only service marina, which builds the best boats, and hosts the only hire fleet, us boaters also call it Fox Boat Country !

If you enjoyed this post consider reading Five Things You’ll Love about teh Middle Levels

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The post What’s in a name ? appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Do you live in Peterborough, Wisbech, Ely or Huntingdon?

Want to get together with some friends and family?

Have you thought about hiring a narrowboat, just for a day?

A relaxing boat trip on the Cambridge river network could be just the thing you’re looking for.

Imagine exploring the wonders of the beautiful East Anglian waterways, on board a luxury day boat, with a group of your best friends. Some people choose the Fenland waterways for a special family gathering. Whoever you travel with, here are three great reasons for booking day boat hire in March this summer.

1) The Boat is Gorgeous

We have two luxury day boats available to hire: The March Adventurer and the March Explorer. They are colourfully painted, have a nostalgic charm, and you can chug along peacefully with up to ten people on board. (You can also bring your dog!) Each boat has a cute little galley area complete with a hob, fridge and sink, for making refreshments en route. There is also a dinette equipped with crockery and cutlery, a toilet and a seating area. On board you’ll find a 12v mobile phone charging point, so that you can keep taking pictures with your phone.

2) The Scenery is Stunning

You’ll find our hire boat base between the River Ouse and the River Nene, not far from Cambridge, and your cruising journey will take in local wildlife, kingfishers, flowers and quaint cottages.

If you meander through the Middle Level Navigations eastwards, towards the village of Upwell you’ll pass through the Marmont Priory lock before the village unfolds before you. Upwell really is one of the prettiest villages in the Fenlands. It will take you around six and a half hours to cruise there and back.

If you cruise west, towards Whittlesey and Peterborough, you’ll go through plenty of peaceful countryside, and pass Floods Ferry Marina Park. The route crosses the Greenwich Meridian before arriving at Ashline Lock and the ancient market town of Whittlesey.

3) The Choice of Food

At Whittlesey you can turn your boat above the lock, and picnic in Manor Fields before beginning the journey back to March. Read our best tips for a narrowboat picnic.

If you are planning a picnic you can do a food shop at Sainsbury’s or Iceland, near our hire boat base in March. If you are heading to Upwell you will find the village store on the riverside. Outwell’s village shop is a two minute walk from the river.

In Upwell you can stop to eat at The Five Bells, which has a beer garden. Their full menu is on their website: Five Bells Inn. Alternatively, carry on to Outwell basin for a picnic at the former junction of the Wisbech Canal. For a more lavish treat The Moorings Restaurant at The Crown Loge Hotel offers large group meals and afternoon tea. For both of these options we recommend advanced booking!

Back in March, The Acre is a popular riverside pub not far from our hire boat base. It’s known for its friendly staff, prompt service and warm friendly atmosphere. Shooters American dinner is also riverside and is a great treat for children and the young at heart.

Good Value

“We had a lovely day out starting off at March and arrived at Outwell just in time for a fish and chip supper from Stotts. The boat is well equipped with inside and outside seating. We were fortunate to have a lovely day out and our Captain Claire and mate Debs were great. We are hoping to do it again this year. Very good value for money. Would highly recommend.” – Karen K – Trip Advisor

Whether you’re a group of friends celebrating a special occasion, or a family getting together to mark an anniversary or milestone birthday, exploring these secret rivers and waterways will give you a wonderful day out.

Read more: Day Boat Hire near Cambridge and Ely

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The post Why You Should Hire a Narrowboat for the Day near Ely appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Have you ever had a fun day out discovering English heritage, and visiting places that offer a kind of nostalgic magic? Don’t you just love it when an ancient building triggers your imagination and sends your mind time-travelling off into the distant past?

A visit to a museum can not only be surprisingly fun, but it is often a free day out!

18^th May is International Museum Day: a global day celebrating museums, highlighting the challenges museums face, and making programs, activities and projects more accessible to audiences. Some barriers are simply emotional and intellectual. The assumption that museums are only for clever, educated, or wealthy people is one of them. But another misconception is that museums just aren’t supposed to be that much fun.

Are museums supposed to be fun?

Historical records, temporary exhibitions and treasured artefacts sometimes have tragic tales to tell that can’t necessarily be described as fun. Stories of poverty, wars, and disaster; stories of less privileged people, and awareness-raising projects about migrants or disabilities can be typical topics on display.

Sobering subjects and serious issues are not necessarily fun in themselves, because they cannot be described as entertaining or amusing. But if fun can be perceived as engaging in an enjoyable activity then museums do strive to provide fun for their visitors, regardless of the themes presented. Museums display some of the extremes of life; both the beauty and the struggles, and learning about these things can be pleasurable. Absorbing knowledge, discovering culture, traditions and the history of times gone by can be enjoyable. So, meaningful exhibitions about difficult topics can definitely be fun to visit and experience.

Narrowboat Holiday

On a narrowboat holiday you can combine a cruise through the beautiful Fenland countryside with visits to historic towns and cities, like Ely and Cambridge. Travelling at a leisurely pace on your cosy canal boat you can choose where to moor and what to see. From our hire boat base in Cambridgeshire you can either travel towards Ely and Cambridge, or in the opposite direction take the picturesque River Nene to Peterborough. You won’t believe these seven days out are either free or very low cost.

1) Peterborough Museum is located in one of the city’s most historic buildings, and has a wealth of stories to fascinate and enthral the whole family. With amazing objects and interactive displays for all ages, the collections comprise over 200,000 items of great national and international importance.

2) March and District Museum is in the heart of the town centre and offers a fascinating insight into the community’s social history through a variety of exciting displays and collections, along with audio points and interactive elements to help guide you through the history of the town. Admission and helpful advice is all free.

3) Ely Museum is a bright and friendly local history museum, located in the Bishop’s Gaol in the centre of the historical city of Ely. The museum is the history centre for the Isle of Ely and the Fens and it takes you on a journey through time from prehistory to the twentieth century.

4) Oliver Cromwell’s House in Ely, has been refurbished to show how it may have looked during Cromwell’s lifetime. The house has eight period rooms and the kitchen dates from around 1215.

5) The stunning Stained Glass Museum is located within Ely Cathedral and displays an inspirational collection of stained glass, from medieval to modern.

6) Prickwillow Museum offers a family day out with a difference. It tells the story of the drainage of the Fens, the history of the local area, and showcases some of the region’s finest examples of restored diesel engines.

7) The University of Cambridge Museums and Collections are all within short walking distance of the city centre. Visitors can explore more than five million works of art, artefacts and specimens in one square mile of Cambridge. The University’s collections are a world-class resource for researchers, students and members of the public. Cambridge has England’s highest concentration of internationally important collections outside London.

Are these museums actually fun? Probably. But within these seven choices can you also find something unusual, something quirky, something famous, and something impressive? Definitely. So how could your day out get any better? Simple. Arrive by narrowboat.

Check narrowboat availability for this summer!

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The post Are Museums Ever Fun? The Answer Might Surprise You appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Following the festive season the month of January can feel like a real downer, as it creeps in with the cold weather and dismally short, dark days. Yet the New Year can also put us in the mood for planning ahead, so why not brighten up your January by organising this year’s holiday?

British holidaymakers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of booking early, according to research done by ABTA, the UK’s largest travel association. Better deals and cheaper prices are some of the main reasons for booking early, according to ABTA research, with 62 per cent of people naming this as their motivation.

It can be fun to make a spur of the moment holiday decision, and hope to get a last minute deal, but early booking, particularly in January and February has many advantages.

Booking in advance can mean better availability, and with Fox Narrowboats you’re more likely to get the boat of your choice. It’s also easier to get time off work on your desired dates if you plan well ahead.

Remember it’s not just British tourists who are looking forward to their summer holiday, but hundreds of tourists from other countries too. We have a limited number of available boats and dates.

Even if you’re not quite ready to book your 2018 cruise, January is a great time to start plotting your narrowboat escape. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top three destinations you should visit in the Fens this year – which are sure to whet your appetite for a boating holiday.

1) Cambridge University

The University of Cambridge, with its impressive college buildings, some dating back to the 13th century, is a charming place to explore and will provide endless enjoyment for your visit. You may also like punting, cycling, shopping and eating out in Cambridge.

2) Ely Cathedral

The cathedral’s famous lantern tower can be seen for miles around, and the cathedral is also recognised for its other 14th century addition, the Lady Chapel with its delicate carved stonework. The Stained Glass Window Museum is a hidden gem within the cathedral with a display of over 100 original stained glass panels. Ely is also known for its antique centres, ancient narrow streets, timbered houses and medieval gateways.

3) Ferry Meadows Park

This 250 acres of parkland is a great place to moor up for a day and offers entertainment for all the family. There is a huge watersports centre, lakes for boating and sailing, and the Nene Valley Railway, offering trips on a heritage steam or diesel train.

Something to Look Forward to

One of the best ways to beat the winter blues is to browse our blog and website, to research and book your narrowboat holiday. The beginning of the year will be a lot more tolerable when you’re counting down the days to your narrowboat escape! Don’t forget our 10% off London Boat Show holiday booking offer expires January 31st 2018

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The post Why January is the Best Time to Book Your Hire Boat Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

One summer we decided it was time to venture onto the waterways between Northampton, Ely and Cambridge. As this area of the country was new to us, we asked the Hotelboat Mafia who to talk to. Everybody recommended Fox Narrowboats as being the experts in and on these waterways. They were wonderful, and gave us lots of great tips about which local towns and villages we should visit, and which of the little rivers were worth investigating.

We loved our six weeks cruising this area – the waterways are so different to any others we’d travelled.

These were the things we and our guests loved most about cruising from March to Ely:

1. Super-friendly lock-keepers, who came out to help us work through the locks, sometimes with their whole family!

2. Surprise seal sightings on the tidal stretch between Denver Sluice and Salters Lode.

3. Big skies – Canals and rivers tend to follow the contours of the land, meaning lots of lovely rolling hills, but no stunning horizons, not here though!

4. Upwell and Outwell – the two villages that run either side of the Well Stream, it’s like cruising down the middle of the road, and the names raised a smile too.

5. Wind farms – there is something very surreal about boating through fields of huge wind turbines.

6. Kingfishers, kingfishers, c! We recorded over 30 sightings in one day – no photos though, you’ve got to be quick to get a picture of a kingfisher.

7. The River Nene… pronounced Neen at one end and Nen at the other, obviously.

Without the help of Paula and the team at Fox Narrowboats, we wouldn’t have had nearly such a good time; they helped with the planning, gave us a great mooring and full service for our guest changeovers – they even took in our huge Tesco shop for us, when we were a little bit late arriving – it completely filled their living room!

If you’ve never been, then you should call and book your trip today, I wonder how many kingfishers you’ll see?

This is a guest post by Corinne Thomsett

http://www.uk-va.com

The post Seven Surprising Differences We Discovered Cruising the Middle Levels appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

This months riverside dining visit was to Grand Central in Ely on the river Great Ouse.  The restaurant situated in Annesdale was once the boathouse for Fenland boatbuilding company Appleyard and Lincoln. This is where our company founder Charlie Fox worked as an apprentice boatbuilder in the 1950’s.  As the name now implies the theme of the restaurant is Grand Central Station, New York.

The sharing bowl as a starter came on a large platter and consisted of southern fried chicken tenders, garic bread, crinkle cut potato dippers drizzled with marinana sauce, Wall Street BBQ wings, onion rings and a bowl of cheesy nachos topped with fiery chilli £13.95

For mains we chose a beef steak fajita, seasoned slices of beef steak with a smokey sauce £13.95 and a BBQ pulled pork fajita £12.95.  Both dishes were served on a bed of sizzling onions and peppers with flour tortillas.  On the side was grated cheese, lettuce and classic Mexican sauces.

Our visit was on Saturday 9^th May 2015 as a 6pm Walk in.  The staff were friendly and attentative.

Would we go back? Yes

Paula and Gerald.

sharing bowl

Mexican sauces

pulled pork

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