Traditionally Christmas is a time for carols and choirs, candle-lit services, holly and ivy, decorated trees, and children’s nativity plays. So it’s a popular time to visit your local church, or even a cathedral if you live near to one. We are lucky enough to be based between two stunning and historically significant cathedrals.

Peterborough Cathedral

This Christmas Peterborough Cathedral is offering concerts, with choirs and brass, carol services, a candlelight tour, a Christingle Service, and a theatre production of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ as well as the usual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

Peterborough Cathedral was rebuilt in the 12^th century, and like Durham and Ely Cathedrals it has remained largely intact. It is the burial place of Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

To get to Peterborough by narrowboat from our Fox Narrowboats hire base is a 12 hour return trip, which is ideal for a short break. On the approach to Peterborough the cathedral can be clearly seen across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock. There are visitor moorings on the River Nene along the length of a park which are convenient for the city centre. (Read more about this cruise: March to Ferry Meadows Country Park.)

If you visit Peterborough on your narrowboat holiday next year you can check out what events are on at the cathedral while you are in the area by looking at the website: Peterborough Cathedral

Alternatively, turning left from our marina you will shortly come to the Fenland market town of March where you will find free visitor boating moorings on either side of the town bridge. March to Ely is about 18 cruising hours return trip. (Read more about this cruise: March to Ely narrowboat holiday.)

Ely Cathedral

This cathedral is known as the ‘ship of the Fens’ because it is visible from miles away as you approach it. This Advent and Christmas Ely Cathedral is offering Christmas services and concerts with the Cathedral Choir, and various family-themed activities. There is also seasonal shopping in the cathedral shops, homemade festive food in the Almonry, guided tower tours up the Octagon Tower or West Tower, and a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree.

But you don’t have to visit at Christmas to enjoy a cathedral tour, including access to the unique Octagon Tower and the Monastic Buildings around the cathedral grounds. While you are there you can also visit the Stained Glass Museum. Also in Ely you can see Oliver Cromwell’s House, which is now a museum, the Ely Museum at the Old Gaol, and the antiques centre close to the river. There’s so much to see here it’s worth stopping overnight. If you’re visiting Ely by narrowboat the city centre is just a short walk away from the moorings, up a steep hill.

If you visit Ely on your narrowboat holiday next year check out what events are on at the cathedral while you are in the area by looking at the website:  Ely Cathedral

Cambridge

Although Cambridge is famous for being a university city, it does not actually have its own cathedral. However, there are plenty of historic churches to appreciate when you visit. Cambridge falls within the Diocese of Ely (Church of England) and is associated with Ely Cathedral. Many of the churches in the city are affiliated with university colleges, having strong historical connections. All Saints’ Church is a beautiful Victorian Grade-II listed structure. Our Lady and the English Martyrs has late 19th century, neo-Gothic architecture, a tall spire, wonderful stained-glass windows and many historic elements. Great St Mary’s Church is near the Visitor Information Centre on Peas Hill, and dates from the late-15th century. Discover the 18th-century galleries and a tall bell tower, which can be climbed to see panoramic views of the city centre. There are many more noteworthy churches and colleges to wander around during your visit to Cambridge, and the journey there by narrowboat is beautiful.

From Ely to Cambridge is about five hours cruise each way. Read more about this narrowboat cruise: Ely to Cambridge.

Christmas in England is a chance to appreciate Gothic churches, choirs, and bustling markets in ancient towns. However, you could also include all of these joys on your narrowboat holiday next year. Check here to see what holiday dates are available.

You may also like: Four Churches to Visit When it’s not Even Christmas

PS: A festive gift for you! Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to get the latest helpful holiday tips for next year. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

The post How to Visit a Cathedral on Your Narrowboat Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

A narrowboat holiday on The River Nene offers stunning countryside and charming villages with stone cottages and thatched rooves. This navigable river in Cambridgeshire is a lovely, quiet waterway, but in September there are some extra things to see and do.

The Nene Valley Festival takes place from 14-22 September, celebrating the area through a nine day programme of outdoor events, theatre productions, concerts, guided walks, brewery tours, food and drink festivals, wine tasting, art and craft workshops.

To get there by boat from our hire boat base in March you would travel through the Middle Levels. The full route to Peterborough is described here: March to Ferry Meadows Country Park; and it is a 12 hour return trip. However, if you want to see some of the festival you could plan a longer cruise. Along the Old River Nene you will cross the Greenwich Meridian, then Ashline Lock and the ancient market town of Whittlesey is an attractive place to moor. Beyond Whittlesey you pass through open country, and as you travel towards Peterborough you will see the cathedral across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock. During the Nene Valley Festival there will a Nene Wetlands Bat Walk at The Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre, on the evening of Saturday 21 September 2019.

A short branch of the River Nene leads from Stanground lock. Travelling by boat, turn left here and you will find visitor moorings along the length of the park which are convenient for visiting Peterborough and the cathedral. Peterborough celebrated the 900th anniversary of its iconic cathedral last year, and hosts a variety of events all year round.

The Nene Valley Railway is a preserved railway running between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction.  Relax in a restored wooden panelled coach and go back in time, on a heritage steam or diesel train.

You may also like: The Canal Boat Holiday That Train Enthusiasts Will Love

Family friendly events in September include Cyclefest, Heritage Family Fun Day at Rushden Lakes and Bushcraft Skills at Ferry Meadows Country Park.

As you cruise up river from the centre of Peterborough you will see parts of the acres of meadows, lakes and woods that make up The Nene Park. It runs for around six miles alongside the River Nene. On a longer holiday you can take your boat towards Fotheringhay and Oundle. From Ferry Meadows to Fotheringhay is a 12 hours return trip. The buildings in Oundle date back from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Market Day is Thursday with a selection of at least 20 market stalls.

A Hidden Heritage Tour starting at Peterborough Museum is on every Saturday afternoon at 2pm; just turn up or pre-book. This is a fun guide to the interesting and undiscovered past of Peterborough – from earliest times, to the secrets of the Saxon abbey and Cathedral precincts, to the modern city.

Offering some beautiful views and striking landscapes, the Nene Valley is an oasis of tranquillity with a variety of family activities and heritage to explore. If you carry on upstream from Peterborough the river has a number of interesting towns and villages to visit on the way to Northampton. The Nene eventually links up with the Grand Union canal. Read more about The River Nene, (routes, maps and top attractions).

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Note: This article refers to the Nene Valley Festival 2019. For up to date info on the festival check the official website. Nene Valley Festival.

Image Credit: nenevalley.net

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wiki commons: Dr Paul G Tuli

The Fenland waterways have a wealth of interesting and educational places to visit. When you’re boating with kids in the area, there are loads of ways to make learning fun. Here are our top three!

1. How the Fens were drained

Learn about the history of how the Fens were drained. Fenland water pumping technology started with wind pumps, then steam engines were introduced, followed by diesel engines. There are working examples of all three, and all of them are accessible by boat!

Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

At the National Trust’s Wicken Fen, you can moor up at the end of Wicken Lode, see how the Fens used to look before they were drained, and visit the last working wind pump. There’s also a traditional fenman’s cottage and a chance to explore the natural history of the area with nature walks.

Stretham Old Engine

On the banks of the Great Ouse at Stretham, with handy GOBA moorings nearby stands the majestic steam pumping engine at Stretham. The steam engine is only run on certain days to check the website in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Prickwillow Engine Museum

The museum is located in the village of Prickwillow, on the banks of the river Lark with a convenient mooring nearby. The old diesel pumping engine and a host of others are on display and are run on event days and Bank Holidays. The next event coming up at is the 4th Prickwillow Ploughing Festival on October 3rd and 4th, with heavy horse and vintage tractor ploughing skill displays, classic cars, food stalls and of course the engines will be running!

2. Get out and about in a riverside nature reserve.

Fen Drayton Lakes

Just a short hop on the Guided Busway or walk from the moorings at St Ives takes you to the beautiful RSPB reserve atFen Drayton Lakes. There are events and guided walks held here (see website for details) or just bring binoculars, follow the nature trail and see what you can spot!

Wiki Commons: Sebastian Ballard

Ferry Meadows Park

Just off the River Nene in Peterborough is the fantastic Ferry Meadows Park. You can use the pontoon moorings provided in the lake there and go exploring! Children’s Nature Discovery Packs are available to borrow from the visitor centre, as are orienteering maps. There are also several play areas for younger children.

3. Try Geocaching

Geocaching is something you can do wherever you are, but there are plenty of hidden treasures to be found along the waterways. Simply download the app to your phone and see if there are any caches to be found near you! A great way to explore the area, for kids to learn about map reading and using a compass, and something the whole family can do for free!

Guest Blog by Amy-Alys Tillson

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