Actually, you don’t need an inland waterways helmsman certificate to hire a day boat from Fox Narrowboats. You don’t even need any experience on the water. And you won’t be handed a set of keys on a cork keyring, and sent off down the river. Our team gives you a full talk and initiation before you leave the mooring, so by the time you’re casting off, you’ll be feeling ready.

All you will need is snacks, a decent pair of sunglasses, and a “can do” attitude!

A proper day out. Not just a boat trip.

Day boat hire from our marina in March, Cambridgeshire, isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about cruising along a pretty stretch of the Old River Nene, or the moment someone spots a heron standing very still in the reeds and everyone goes quiet. It’s sometimes about the debate with your crew, about whether to stop for fish and chips or have lunch at a waterside pub. It’s always about a break away from screen time, notifications and emails.

heron still fenland waterways – deposit

The Fens don’t look like anywhere else in England: Big skies, flat landscapes, ancient towns and atmospheric legends that have been woven into classic novels.  (Think Philip Pullman, and Philippa Pearce.) If you’ve spent the last few weekends at soft play, a garden centre or a shopping centre this is going to feel a bit different.

Pick your route. We’ve done the planning for you.

Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling and what kind of places you’d like to stop in, there’s a route to suit you. See our fenland waterways map

fenland waterways interactive map – fox

Best for families with young children: Three Holes or Benwick

Both of these routes are lock-free, which means no stress and no queue. Head out along the Middle Level Navigations towards Three Holes for a route that’s become something of a wildlife corridor; brilliant for spotting kingfishers, herons and the occasional swan. There’s space to moor up for a picnic, and the kids can try their hand at net fishing from the bankside. It’s about four hours of cruising in total, so quite manageable with an early start and a packed lunch.

rustic corner cafe benwick march – rustic

Benwick is another gentle option heading west, with moorings near the village and the Five Alls pub at the far end of the route at weekends. This rural, dog-friendly pub has outside tables to sit at in the summertime. Muddy paws and boots are welcome all year round. The Rustic Corner Café inside the Spar shop does excellent breakfasts and cakes, and the Facebook reviews describe it as a “hidden gem.”

Best for a longer day: Upwell and Outwell

If you want to make a full day of it, the journey east towards Upwell and Outwell is one of the most picturesque in the Fens. You’ll pass through Marmont Priory Lock and arrive at Upwell, a village that seems almost too pretty to be real; Dutch-style houses lining the waterway, are a stunning photo opportunity. There is time for a stop at The Creek public house.

At Outwell basin, there’s a natural turning point and a good spot for a picnic. On the way back through Upwell, J.R. Stott Fish and Chips is the place to be (but check opening times on 01945 772345 before you go).

This route takes around seven and a half hours return with two locks, so it’s a proper full-day adventure. Comfortable for adults and older children who are up for a longer cruise.

Best for a relaxed start: through the town of March

Some routes pass through March itself, which means you can start your morning with breakfast at The Acre riverside pub (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) or a full English at Ye Olde Griffin Hotel any day of the week. And on the way back, the Ship Inn has moorings right outside and a cold drink with your name on it.

March isn’t the most famous Fenland town, but its hidden charms are worth slowing down for.

A note to the first-time skipper

Yes, you can steer a hire boat without having done it before. Thousands of people do it every year, including people who were considerably more nervous about it than you are. The boat’s easy to handle, the Fenland waterways give you plenty of room, and the speed limit on the navigation is 4mph, about the same pace as a brisk walk. But that’s not a goal to aim for, you won’t be travelling fast enough to do anything so dramatic!

Locks may sound intimidating until you’ve done one, at which point they become the most satisfying part of the day. On the lockless routes, you don’t have to worry about them at all.

Before you set off, our team will walk you through everything you need to know: how to steer, how to slow down, how to moor up, and what to do at a lock if your route includes one. You’ll leave feeling calm and capable rather than like you’ve been handed a manual and wished good luck.

What to bring

Pack as though you’re going for a long picnic that happens to take place on water. Layers are your friend in the Fens; the skies are wide open and the wider waterways can be breezy. Bring more food than you think you’ll need, a blanket, sunscreen, hat and something to keep the children occupied during the quieter stretches. A spotters guide to Fenland birds could make the day more interesting too.

You might also want to look up opening times for wherever you’re planning to stop for food. Canal-side pubs and small town cafés are charming, but if you’re planning a day around a particular stop you’ll need to be sure it’s open and consider pre booking.

Ready to book?

June is peak season on the waterways; the days are long, the light is amazing, and the Fens are genuinely at their best. Day boats go quickly at this time of year, (even though they move slowly!) so if you’re thinking about it, now is the time to stop thinking and start booking.

Visit Day Boat Hire to check availability and book your day out on the water. We’re based in Cambridgeshire, and we’ll be very glad to see you.

No experience necessary. Happy memories guaranteed.

You may also like: Why Your Kids Will Love a Narrowboat Summer Holiday

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.

Peggy Melmoth is a writer who shares her memoir-style writing and poetry at Life, Locks and Literature.

Photo credits: Marina Fox Narrowboats, Heron Deposit Photos, Ship Inn riverside, 

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Can you imagine taking a serene journey along Cambridgeshire’s picturesque waterways with Fox Narrowboats? From the tranquil morning mist lifting off the canal, to the vibrant sunset over the water, you can explore a typical day aboard a narrowboat. You’ll discover the great feeling of leisurely cruising, being the skipper of your own boat, and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Along the way, you’ll take in the sights, and get a glimpse into the unique narrowboat lifestyle. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or new to the canals, join us for a peaceful and inspiring adventure with Fox Narrowboats.

The day begins at 9.30am as you arrive at our marina for some basic instruction with our friendly staff, in steering and handling a narrowboat. We have two colourfully painted day boats; the March Adventurer, and the March Explorer, and either boat can accommodate ten passengers (and your dog if you have one!) Day boat hire is popular for family get-togethers. Here’s what Rebecca wrote on Tripadvisor:

“Lovely day out! We really enjoyed ourselves. Would highly recommend for young families. What could be better than cruising down the river in a narrowboat? Thank you!” – Rebecca (June 2024)

Our hire boat base is in the charming Fenland market town of March, so you may begin by starting the engine, untying the ropes, and cruising through March, before stopping for breakfast. Try The Acre riverside pub if it’s the weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) or Ye Olde Griffin Hotel any day of the week, turning right from the town centre moorings.

If you continue your journey past the Twenty Foot junction you will see the impressive Coldham Wind Farm. When you reach Pophams Eau junction, take a right towards Three Holes junction, where you’ll find a good spot to moor.

This boating route is good for seeing wildlife, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and letting the kids try their hand at some net fishing. On your way back to March, relax with a drink overlooking the moorings at The Ship Inn, or indulge in some afternoon tea at the Exchange Tea Parlour. (Afternoon tea options include a Classic, Gin, Sparkling, Deluxe, Gluten Free, Vegan, Cheese Lovers’ and Children’s.)

This route includes about four hours of cruising time, so there is plenty of time to stop and enjoy time “on the bank”. You will be returning to the marina by 6.00pm.

You may also like to celebrate a relationship milestone or a significant birthday on board. Jill says, “The whole day was an amazing adventure, they took us through the information needed, unrushed and easy to grasp, all correspondence was spot on, detailed and efficient. The boat was great, equipment was great. Very clean and well kept. A perfect birthday out on the river. I highly recommend this company for your boating trips. Lovely people and so kind and gentle. We will definitely be back again next year. The food they recommended was fabulous too. All delivered ready for our trip.” – reviewed September 2023.

Fox Narrowboats Reviews

Google Reviews

If you’re celebrating a special occasion Glam Grazing can supply afternoon tea, antipasti, or a cheese lovers graze box. Alternatively, try a sweet treat box with Prosecco. More catering choices here: Glam Grazing by Gem.

An alternative route to the boat trip above, is cruising west to Floods Ferry where you will cross the Meridian line and reach the junction of the Old River Nene and Whittlesey Dyke. Carry on the Old River Nene (left hand fork) to moor at Benwick and visit the Five Alls pub, where muddy paws and boots are welcome!  This is such a great route for a picnic, wildlife spotting and net fishing with children.  There is also a small playground in the High Street. This cruise also takes about four hours. For a slightly longer journey (six hours return) head towards Whittlesey to experience the fun of operating a lock together.

Read more about: Day boat hire routes.

Read more about day boat hire.

Our full waterways map

Fox Narrowboats offers a relaxing ‘Day in the Life’ experience for both seasoned boaters and newcomers. Your route may include a breakfast stop, stunning views of a wind farm, and opportunities for wildlife spotting and net fishing. Grab a pub lunch, an afternoon tea, or a grazing box from Glam Grazing. Finally, upon your return at 6.00pm you can reflect on the memories of a peaceful and inspiring day on the water. Don’t forget to take photos!

Our day boat hire is available to book online on boats March Adventurer and March Explorer. Alternatively call our friendly reception staff who will advise and help you book. But book soon, because our day boats are popular at weekends especially in the summer months.

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.

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After two years of social distancing and pandemic precautions festivals are coming back to England this year! We are so ready to kick off the festival season with the return of our local St George’s Fayre, which will take place on Sunday 24th April 2022.

Pre-Covid this was an annual event in our home town of March, Cambridgeshire. You can expect the streets in the town centre to be pedestrianised, making way for a bustling street market and fun fair. The day begins with an opening parade at 10am, followed by live music throughout the day.

Fox Narrowboats will be offering river trips on board the March Adventurer day boat with a qualified skipper. Visitors can enjoy a half hour trip along the tranquil waters of the River Nene, leaving from the town bridge every half hour. This beautiful cruise travels through a park, continuing down the quiet Nene Parade.

If you don’t live close to March, you may like to book a narrowboat holiday to coincide with St George’s Fayre. Enjoy live music, dance performances, Punch and Judy shows and circus skills workshops.  St George’s Fayre is delivered by Fenland District Council and a committee of volunteers; it’s one of four ‘Four Seasons’ events which usually take place in Fenland’s market towns throughout the year.

On previous years attractions have included sword dancers, stilt walkers, mini golf, birds of prey, traditional games, storytelling, a vintage fire engine, a duck race and knights in shining armour.

The patron saint of England is often associated with the mythical tale of St George and the Dragon. This story is loosely based on a real-life George who was a Christian soldier of the Roman Empire, born around 280AD. Legend has it that George slayed a dragon that was terrorising the countryside, intent on devouring a princess. The idea of George as the nation’s patron saint probably began in William Shakespeare’s time. In his play ‘Henry V’, the king’s famous battle cry is, “God for Harry, England and St George!”

A Fenland narrowboat holiday is the perfect way to soak up the history and heritage of England. After a day at St George’s Fayre you could set off by boat, to explore the charming villages of Upwell and Outwell on the Middle Level navigation. Grab some fish and chips and take them back to the boat. Then if you carry on along the River Ouse and River Cam towards Ely and Cambridge you will discover Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely Cathedral and the colleges of Cambridge University. You may like to travel at a leisurely pace and stop at some cosy waterside pubs along the way. This is an idyllic way to take a break from all the challenges we’ve faced over the past two years.

Choose from week boating holidays (seven nights), midweek boating breaks (four nights), or weekend boating breaks (three nights). We have different narrowboats available depending on the size of your group, and you can view the different boat layouts here: Fox Holiday Hire Fleet.

Price Discount: Holiday price discount of 7.5% until 1st April 2022 (VAT at 12.5%). Act now to take advantage of the VAT discount.

You may also like: How to Stop Gongoozling and Start Narrowboating

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.

Covid-19: Check out our safety precautions and coronavirus guarantee.

Image credit: St George’s Fayre March facebook page

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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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