cambridge university licenced

Embark on an adventure with Fox Narrowboats as we uncover Cambridgeshire’s hidden gems along its picturesque waterways. From quaint villages and historic landmarks to serene natural spots, we’ll guide you through the top destinations that make this region a must-visit. Join us as we reveal the unique charm and beauty that await you on a Fox Narrowboats journey.

The Fenland waterways have been described as “a hidden gem” by BBC Countryfile’s Adam Henson, who has visited us and been on a Fox narrowboat. He really enjoyed the uncrowded rivers and open countryside packed with wildlife. Local tourist attractions include Ely Cathedral and the world famous Cambridge University.

Ely

denver windmill cc wiki tony bennett

To get to Ely by boat you will pass through the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell. This trip involves the passage of a short length of tidal river between Salter’s Lode and Denver Sluice. Pass Denver Windmill and café, and carry on along the Ouse to moor up near Ely’s antique shops. In Ely you can visit the cathedral, museum, and Oliver Cromwell’s house.

Cambridge

Not exactly a ‘hidden’ gem, as it’s known for the world famous university, but by cruising the River Ouse you can visit the ‘city of perspiring dreams’ by canal boat. The city is home to students, bicycles, and impressive architecture. There are 31 university colleges; don’t miss King’s College Chapel, a masterpiece of English craftsmanship. Cambridge is also good for shopping, eating out, and cosy old English pubs. Currently the river Cam into Cambridge is closed to navigation. Access is possible by train from Ely or Waterbeach.

Fayres and Local Events

Our hire boat base is in the charming market town of March, which hosts St George’s Fair in April, and March Summer Festival in June. Ely hosts a family-friendly Aquafest in July with a fun fair, beer tent, burger bar and stalls. Everyone enjoys the decorated raft race on the river. Ely Folk Festival offers three days of real ale, Morris dancing, ceilidhs, workshops and music sessions. Strawberry Fair on Midsummer Common is a renowned free music festival, bringing over 30,000 visitors to Cambridge each year. When in Cambridge your cruise will actually take you through Midsummer Common and onwards to Jesus Green and the public moorings near the limit of the navigation.

Historic Sites 

Houghton Mill – CC SA 3.0 Cmglee

There are too many to mention them all, but you may like to see Houghton Mill, a large timber-built watermill with operational machinery. Flour is still milled and sold to visitors at weekends. Stretham Engine is a 19^th century steam powered pumping station, once used to drain the Fens. The Nene Valley Heritage Railway can be visited from the Environment Agency moorings at Wansford Station. (Read: The Canal Boat Holiday That Train Enthusiasts Will Love.) There’s also Ely Cathedral, Peterborough Cathedral, and several unusual museums, including the Stained Glass Museum in Ely.

stretham old engine – fox narrowboats

Pubs and Restaurants

One of the great joys of travelling by boat is being able to moor up at a waterside pub or restaurant for a meal. The Moorings Restaurant at the Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell is just a short walk from Outwell Boat Basin. The Cutter Inn is a smart pub and restaurant located on the river Great Ouse in the heart of Ely, with fantastic river views. Search for more food and drink options on our interactive canal map.

fenland waterways google map for boaters

Discover more hidden gems in over 250 original blog articles about the Fens waterways, Cambridge, Ely and  riverside villages. Find out about amazing things to do and see. Read about narrowboating celebrities, narrowboating TV series’, and get local insider knowledge from our guest bloggers.

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1. PS. We have just added some special offers on March Adventurer from now to the end of the season. https://www.foxboats.co.uk/day…/day-boat-hire-adventurer/

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Houghton Mill 1966 -BesselDekker Public Domain

Do you enjoy spending time exploring England’s rich heritage and visiting places that evoke a nostalgic charm? Isn’t it wonderful when an ancient building sparks your imagination, transporting you back to a distant past? Here are just some of the historical gems you can visit on a canal boat holiday in Cambridgeshire.

Houghton Mill

Houghton Mill is a National Trust property on the River Great Ouse. Centred on an island on the river, this large timber-built watermill still has operational machinery. Flour is still milled and sold to visitors at the weekends.

Houghton Mill CC BY SA 3.0 Cmglee

Stretham Engine

Five miles south of Ely on the Old West River is the sole surviving operational steam engine in the Black Fen. It was installed in 1831, replacing four wind pumps. This steam-powered pumping station was used to drain the Fens in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is open to the public on selected Sundays between April and October, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

old stretham engine inside cc 2.0 Ashley Dace

Peterborough Cathedral

This cathedral was rebuilt in the 12th century, and has remained mostly intact. It is the burial place of Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon. On the approach to Peterborough by narrowboat, the cathedral can be clearly seen across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock.

peterborough cathedral-old image cc wiki public domain

The Nene Valley Railway

This historic railway can be visited from the Environment Agency moorings at Wansford Station. From here you can take a trip aboard a heritage steam or diesel train. This can be included as part of a narrowboat cruise towards Peterborough. Read: The Canal Boat Holiday That Train Enthusiasts Will Love.

Ely Cathedral

This cathedral is known as the ‘ship of the Fens’ because it is visible from miles away as you approach it. Enjoy the cathedral shops, and 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.

Oliver Cromwell’s House

Also in Ely you can see Oliver Cromwell’s House, which is now a museum. There’s so much to see in Ely 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.

Museums

Cambridgeshire’s local museums are often low-cost or free. Wherever you travel by narrowboat you are likely to come across one. There is one in March, Whittlesey, one in Peterborough, and one in Ely. The more unusual ones are Oliver Cromwell’s House, and The Stained Glass Museum. Prickwillow Museum tells the story of the drainage of the Fens, the history of the local area, and showcases restored diesel engines.

Cambridge

One of the most popular destinations for foreign tourists visiting the UK, this ‘city of perspiring dreams’; is a world famous university city. Cambridge is good for shopping, restaurants, and getting cosy in ancient English pubs. Try punting on the river, stroll around some of the 31 colleges looking at impressive architecture, and wander among the bicycles and students.

Cruising Through History

Among these eight suggestions you will find quirkiness, famous sights, nostalgia, heritage and heaps of British charm. What could be more quintessentially English than visiting these ancient places by narrowboat?

cruising with fox narrowboats Nassington

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What are you like at sticking to New Year’s resolutions? Does goal setting make you feel disheartened? Does the thought of optimistic pledges and promises just make you groan?

#houghtonmill #wickenfen #strethamengine #fenswildlife #nenevalleyrailway

A more cheerful way to start the year is by creating a ‘bucket list’ of fun things to do.

A bucket list is traditionally a list of things to do before you kick the proverbial bucket, but after enduring two years of coronavirus restrictions, we thought that now is a good time to plan a few things to look forward to. Here are our best suggestions for fun things you can do while narrowboating in the Fens.

Learn to work a lock and steer a boat. Locks are easy to operate and at Fox Narrowboats we have qualified instructors that will give you full training during the boat handover. If you’re wondering if it’s difficult to learn the ropes read: What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?

Visit ‘Mother’, a thatched structure at Wicken Fen by Studio Morison. The nature reserve here is a favourite with our customers. This art installation is inspired by the restorative qualities of the beautiful fen landscape as described in Richard Mabey’s book ‘Nature Cure’. It is a sculptural structure, and also a pavilion, that you can sit inside, and contemplate nature. Read: How to Get Top Author’s ‘Nature Cure’ on a Narrowboat Holiday

Visit Houghton Mill, a National Trust property on the River Great Ouse. Centred on an island on the Great Ouse at Houghton, stands Houghton Mill a large timber-built watermill with operational machinery. The Mill is open to the public at weekends, and flour is still milled and sold to visitors.

Visit Stretham Engine, five miles south of Ely on the Old West River. It is the sole surviving operational steam engine in the Black Fen. It was installed in 1831, replacing four wind pumps. The engine has limited opening times in the summer months. This steam-powered pumping station was used to drain the Fens in the 19th and early 20th centuries. https://strethamoldengine.org.uk

Spot wildlife, like the great crested grebe and the occasional kingfisher. On a riverside walk, or in our local nature reserves, you may see dragonflies, damselflies, otters or water voles. Read: 3 Ways to See More Fenland Wildlife

Try punting on ‘The Backs’ in Cambridge. The River Cam navigation for powered craft ends at Jesus Green Lock, but above the lock Scudamore’s offer a wide range of tour and self-hire punting options. Punting is a traditional Cambridge pastime; see famous landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, while floating down the river. Read: Three Amazing Things to Do in Cambridge

The Nene Valley Railway can be visited from the Environment Agency moorings at Wansford Station. From here you can take a trip aboard a heritage steam or diesel train. This can be planned as part of a narrowboat cruise towards Peterborough. Read: The Canal Boat Holiday That Train Enthusiasts Will Love.

Treat yourself to a meal at a riverside pub. The Swan on the River at Littleport may be recognised as the finishing point for the 2021 Oxford Cambridge boat race. Read: Three Waterside Pubs to Visit.

Cruise over an aqueduct. Mullicourt aqueduct carries Well Creek over the Middle Level main drain.

Take a photo of St Ives Bridge; a 15^th century bridge crossing the River Great Ouse in St Ives. It is one of only four bridges in England to incorporate a chapel. Other photo opportunities on the waterways include wide skies at sunsets and sunrise with silhouettes of wind farms against the horizon.

And finally, moor up in the middle of nowhere, such as a quiet mooring at Benwick on the Middle Level navigation, (this village is a hidden gem). Read: Six Stunning Moorings on the Middle Level.

Plan Ahead

The New Year can often put us in the mood for planning ahead, so why not give yourself something to look forward to and organise this year’s narrowboat holiday? 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.

What’s on your narrowboating New Year’s Bucket List? Let us know on Facebook.

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!)

Image credit: Houghton Mill by Cmglee, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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