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.

Are you looking for the best gift ideas this year?

Does your mum deserve to get away from it all?

Want to surprise her with a family day out?

This year Mothering Sunday is on March 19^th and our annual boating season begins in April, so you can book a day trip in advance and surprise your mum with the news on Mother’s Day. Boating appeals to all ages and is a great way to bring the family together.

1) Day Boat Hire

Our colourfully painted luxury day boats, The March Adventurer and the March Explorer, are both equipped a small galley, a toilet and a seating area. On board you’ll also find a 12v mobile phone charging point, so that you can keep taking pictures of mum’s day out as you travel.

You and your crew will be fully trained in boat handling as part of the boat handover. One of our qualified instructors will explain how to steer the boat and operate the locks ensuring that you feel comfortable and confident before you set off. Day boat hire is a popular choice with families wanting to spend the day together to celebrate a special occasion. Making memories together can sometimes be the best gift.

2) Canal Boat Holiday

If you really want to push the boat out you could book a week on board with the family.

Read: Why Narrowboating is the Perfect Family Holiday

Although a holiday is not exactly the traditional Mothers Day gift, it will be a good opportunity to spoil your mum, and show her that she is appreciated; especially if the crew share the chores on board and take turns at cooking meals. On a longer cruise you would have time to visit Peterborough, Ely or Cambridge. If you stop at the visitor moorings on the waterfront in Ely, mum can visit the antiques centre, the city centre shops, the famous Ely Cathedral and the museum at Oliver Cromwell’s House.  Or in Cambridge she may enjoy shopping, restaurants and punting, while admiring the incredible architecture.

Get into your mum’s good books this year by suggesting that her favourite people get together for a memorable trip on the Fenland waterways.

3) Boating Books

Talking of books, that’s another good idea for a gift! If she dreams of a life aboard, or has already lived aboard a canal boat in the past, there are some great books about parenting on board. From historical novels to a modern travelogue through the French canals, the books in this article show various different aspects of boating with children.

Read: Five Surprising Mothers Day Gifts for the Narrowboat Mum

If she doesn’t want to read about parenting, try Favourite Boating Recipes by Cas Best instead, or the classic ‘Narrow Boat’ book by LTC Rolt. This lovely, lyrical diary of Tom and Angela’s travels back in 1939, has become a classic among canal-boat enthusiasts. Tom Rolt is now considered to be one of the pioneers of the leisure cruising industry on Britain’s inland waterways.

Read: Was This the Very First Narrowboat Holiday?

Whichever option you choose, giving your mum a narrowboat themed book, or experience, will make this Mothers Day a bit different this year and give her something to remember.

Day boat hire starts at £225 Search Day Boat Hire.

You may also like: 5 Memorable Things to See on a Day Boat Trip

For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out in Cambridgeshire, 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 Top 3 Mothers Day Ideas For The Narrowboat Mum appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Are you looking for a special gift idea this Mothering Sunday?

Something more original than flowers or chocolates?

Something that she’ll remember for years to come?

A family boat trip on the Fenland Waterways could be just what you are looking for.

Cruise into your mum’s good books this year by suggesting that her favourite family members get together for an unforgettable day-trip to March, in Cambridgeshire.

Mothers Day and Mothering Sunday are actually separate celebrations, although they are held on the same day in the UK. Mothering Sunday is traditionally the fourth Sunday in lent that you return to your mother church within your area, while Mothers Day originated in the UK in the 1950’s, as a way to say thank you for all of the things that our mothers do for us.

In 2020 the day falls on Sunday March 22^nd, and the Fox boating season begins in April. If you book a day-trip now you could surprise your mum with the idea on Mothers Day. Boating appeals to all ages; so family members can be as active or relaxed as they like. You could bring a picnic, buy fish and chips, or find a pub or restaurant along the way.

Our day boats are equipped with a hob, fridge and sink, crockery and cutlery, a toilet and a seating area. On board you’ll also find a 12v mobile phone charging point, so that you can keep taking pictures of mum’s special day.

Before you set off, one of our qualified instructors will explain how to steer the boat and operate the locks, so you will be fully trained in boat handling.

“Eight of us hired a narrowboat here for a day this week. We absolutely loved it! Very helpful advice and instructions which we appreciated.

The boat itself is lovely, especially enjoyed being able to sit at the front and watch the world go by. There are cooking facilities on board (a hob) which we made good use of with bacon rolls in the morning! Well stocked with plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, frying pan and kettle.

We took a leisurely trip on the river and moored up at a public mooring spot and had a short walk to a pub (The Five Bells in Upwell) which was very pleasant. Also enjoyed mooring up later in the day for our dinner.

All eight of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would happily hire again. Thanks for a lovely day!”

• Matt F on Trip Advisor.

A narrowboat travels at around three miles an hour, and our staff will help you to plan your route and timings before you set off.

The Fenland waterways in Spring time are really peaceful, with spectacular scenery. If you are used to the more touristy areas of England’s canals you may be surprised at how uncrowded our local navigations are, with long stretches of open water, and stunning vast sky-scapes.

This year, show your mum, gran, step-mother, or partner just how much you appreciate her, and make some treasured memories together.

Want to treat your mum to a day afloat this year? Check here for availability of boats and dates to suit you and buy a gift voucher.

Hey! Are you new here? Subscribe on the right to receive more secrets of the undiscovered Fenland waterways, by email. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

The post The Ultimate Mother’s Day Surprise appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.