Why not make Mothering Sunday extra special this year by suggesting that her favourite family members get together for a memorable daytrip to March, in Cambridgeshire?

Mothers’ Day and Mothering Sunday are actually two separate things, although they are held on the same day in England. Mothering Sunday is traditionally the fourth Sunday in lent, when parishioners return to their ‘mother’ church. Mothers’ Day first started in the 1950’s, as a way to say thank you for all of the things that mothers do. Planning a family day out boating on Cambridgeshire’s peaceful inland waterways could be a lovely way to say ‘thank you’ this Mothers’ Day (10^th March 2024).

Hire a Narrowboat

If your family are new to canal boating, our experienced instructors will show you how to steer the boat, moor up and work the locks. Our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery, a hob, a fridge and a sink in the galley area, so you can make snacks and hot drinks on board, or bring a picnic. There is also a toilet, dinette, and a seating area. We can arrange to have groceries, or an afternoon tea waiting for you on board. Alternatively, you can stop at a waterside pub for refreshments, or visit a fish and chip shop for dinner.

Our annual boating season begins in April, so you can book a day trip in advance and surprise your mum with the news on Mothers’ Day. Boating appeals to all ages and is a great way to bring the family together.

Read: The Top 3 Mothers Day Ideas For The Narrowboat Mum

Day boats ‘March Adventurer’ and ‘March Explorer’ can carry up to ten people each.  Prices start from £260 and include fuel and insurance.

Find out more about our day boat hire.

Read All About It

Alternatively, if your mum, wife, or gran is a woman who enjoys narrowboating, or dreams of getting afloat, then you may also consider getting her a book revealing the pro’s and cons of parenting on board. When my children were young we lived on board a narrowboat, so I loved seeking out stories about mothers on canal boats; both biographical and fictional.

Read: Five Surprising Mothers Day Gifts for the Narrowboat Mum

Pushing the Boat Out

But perhaps you’re looking for more than a book, flowers or chocolates as a gift? Maybe you are looking for that elusive family holiday; the one that can please all of the people all of the time? Relaxing, yet adventurous, a change from everyday life, without the modern day hassle of traffic and airports? We’ve got the perfect family holiday for you. Enjoy the scenic countryside and quality time together, explore new places and learn to steer a boat and work a lock.

Read: Why Narrowboating is the Perfect Family Holiday

It’s more than a Mothers’ Day gift, but if you have been planning a multi-generational holiday this year, then boating has something for everyone. Fox Narrowboats in Cambridgeshire is a short distance from London, ideally located for everyone to get together. After all, what better day than Mothers’ Day to get together and appreciate one another’s company, and plan special treats for the year ahead?

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.)

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Are you looking for that elusive family holiday; the one that can please all of the people all of the time? Relaxing, yet adventurous, a change from everyday life, without the modern day hassle of traffic and airports?

We’ve got the perfect family holiday for you. Enjoy beautiful scenery and quality time together, explore new places and learn to steer a boat and work a lock.

Boating appeals to all ages; so everyone can be as active or relaxed as they like. You could buy fish and chips, or find a pub or restaurant along the way, as you travel. Our boats are fully equipped with a cooker, fridge and sink, crockery and cutlery.

A picnic offers the opportunity to spend some quality family time together, gets everyone outdoors and costs very little money. Find out where to shop, where to stop and what to bring in: How to Use Your Canal Boat Holiday to Plan the Perfect Picnic

Beginning in March at our hire boat base, you can travel the Middle Level and visit the Ramsey Rural Museum or the twin villages of Upwell and Outwell. Stop at The Crown Lodge Hotel moorings, meet friendly lock keepers, and see wind farms and kingfishers. The River Great Ouse is a beautiful river which takes you to visit St Ives, Ely and Cambridge. Alternatively, the River Nene towards Peterborough offers stunning countryside, attractive villages, and beautiful lock surroundings with ancient mills.

For the Parents

Maybe mum would like to stop at the visitor moorings on the waterfront in Ely? While you’re there you can visit the antiques centre, the city centre shops, the famous Ely Cathedral and the museum at Oliver Cromwell’s House.  Or in Cambridge try shopping, restaurants and punting, while admiring the incredible architecture. Buy her a book before you go: Books for the Narrowboat Mum.

Check out The Ultimate Mother’s Day Surprise

Perhaps Dad sees himself in the role of Captain? 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. Pubs are marked on the maps and cruising guides, to provide refreshments for the crew.

There is nothing like the feeling of steering a narrowboat, gliding under tree branches, noticing ducks passing you by on the rippling water. There is an amazing sense of freedom, and a feeling of being connected to nature, in a way that you don’t get when travelling cocooned inside a car. Travelling slowly allows you to notice everything that is around you.

Read: What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?

Fox Boats staff can help you to decide upon a holiday route, but you may also like to look at the options online: Fox Boats Routes. Even if you have never navigated a lock before you will find it is manageable with two adults on board. Older children may enjoy helping with locks and mooring the boat, you just have to make sure they understand all of the relevant safety information.

For the Kids

Make some simple safety rules for younger children, such as no running on the towpath, stay close to a grown-up and keep away from the edge.

If your older children like ghost stories or fantasy novels (Philip Pullman based part of Northern Lights in the Fens) why not include some paranormal investigation into next year’s boating holiday? Our local ‘Horrible Histories’ include ghost stories, legends of drownings, and tales of disappearances and violence.

Read: How to Hunt Fenland Ghosts, Even When it isn’t Halloween

For cosy family evenings on board our boats have WiFi, DVD players and charging points for your devices.

Festivals

Most festivals offer children’s activities, live music, market stalls, food stalls and real ales at the beer tent. You could plan your holiday to coincide with St George’s Fayre, Strawberry Fayre, March Fest, Ely’s Aquafest, or Ely Folk Festival.

Read: Four Festivals to Visit by Narrowboat this Summer

You may find that discovering rural England at a lazy three miles per hour with your family by your side is a holiday memory to treasure. If you’re ready to try booking a daytrip or a holiday for this year or next Check availability here.

You may also like: The Top 5 Tips for a Family Narrowboat Break

Hey! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to receive more helpful holiday tips about the Fenland Waterways. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

The post Why Narrowboating is the Perfect Family Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Looking for a break on the canals or rivers of England?

Want something to look forward to next year?

Searching for the best booking deals on the Fenland waterways?

Foxboats offer boating holidays on the River Nene and Ouse, near Ely and Cambridge. Our luxury canal boats include free Wi-Fi and all mod cons, and our family-run business provides training to new boaters.

In September 2020 the UK government announced that the tourism and hospitality VAT cut will now be extended until March 2021, allowing us to offer competitive prices to customers booking now.

The cut in VAT to 5% for tourism businesses, first introduced in July, will now be in place until well into the New Year. It had been set to finish in January, but the date has now been pushed back as the pandemic continues.

Many boaters return to the waterways around Easter time, as the weather improves and springtime begins. Here in Cambridgeshire the waterways are much less busy at that time of year, than on the nearby Norfolk broads. In fact The Middle Levels, River Nene, River Ouse and the River Cam still remain a well-kept secret, leaving us with lots of beautiful space to cruise, and unspoilt places to moor locally.

From pretty village walks, quaint churches and cosy pubs, to the nostalgic steam trains of the Nene Valley Railway, the Fens offer an idyllic English countryside experience. But you can also grab some retail therapy in an ancient market town, and then spend the evening at a classy restaurant. You could even shop for Easter eggs in Peterborough, absorb the incredible architecture of Ely Cathedral, or stroll among the grand and famous colleges of Cambridge.

Can you imagine starting off next year with a spring time boating holiday, absorbing the countryside views, as the scenery comes alive with daffodils, primroses and blossoming trees? A springtime  canal boat holiday not only means that the waterways are less crowded, but you can also benefit from much better prices, especially if you book now, for spring next year.

However, don’t wait until it’s too late. Our phones become very busy in spring, with boats booking up fast, so if you have a particular boat in mind, or a most convenient date set for your holiday then reserve your most suitable boat now to avoid disappointment.

If you book online today you could save up to 10% on your spring holiday! (You may also like How to Save Money on Your Narrowboat Holiday.)

To get more tips and advice about exploring Cambridgeshire and the Fens sign up now to receive regular articles by email. (See ‘Follow Blog’ to the right of this article.)

The post How to Grab a Springtime Narrowboat Holiday Deal for 2021 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

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

Did you miss these seven surprising stories on our blog this summer? Did you read ‘Four Things You Don’t Expect on a Narrowboat Holiday’, or how two intrepid narrowboats overcome algae and other obstacles on the Old Bedford River? Starting from spring, here’s a roundup of the surprisingly true adventures we had during this year’s cruising season.

1) In April we welcomed Lee to the team, as our new marina operative. His work includes supplying diesel and pump-outs, mooring maintenance, site maintenance, boat presentation and boat bottom blacking. He is now starting his British Marine marina operative course: Staff Spotlight – Lee

2) In May we featured one of our more unusual cruises which offers four things that you don’t normally see on the English canals, including the world famous sluice that held back the sea from drowning most of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. 4 Things You Don’t Expect on a Narrowboat Holiday

3) The boatbuilding and maintenance team were delighted to receive these kind words from Mike and Malena about the work undertaken on their boat over recent times. They also sent us ‘before’ and ‘after’ pics of their boat: Customer Testimonial of the Month June

4) During National Picnic Week in June, we offered three simple steps to the perfect waterside picnic. How to Use Your Canal Boat Holiday to Plan the Perfect Picnic

To get more surprising ideas of how to really enjoy narrowboating in the Fens subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar – look for ‘Follow Blog’. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

5) In July, two boats Olive Emily (built by Fox Narrowboats and moored at Fox’s marina) and the cruiser Marie II, successfully navigated the Old Bedford River from the tidal River Ouse at Salters Lode to the current head of navigation at Welches Dam lock. Non tidal access to the Old Bedford ended 11 years ago when the Environment Agency piled the entrance to Welches Dam lock, so it was wonderful to be able to cruise this ancient and attractive waterway once more. Waterways Campaigner and mooring customer John Revell tells the full story: Intrepid Narrowboats Overcome Algae and Other Obstacles…

6) On 19th July River Nene locals, Jan Pickles Price and her husband Haydn, launched a free online canal guide that’s based on Google Maps. The response was fantastic; they received over 100 registrations for the site on the first day: New Website Takes Canal Navigation into the Digital Age.

7) Over the summer we welcomed many families to Fox Narrowboats for holidays, short breaks and day boat hire, dragging the children away from their TVs and tablets, and into the great outdoors: Canal Boats: The Antidote to School Holiday Boredom

However, the summer is definitely over now and the poles and planks have been removed from our hire boats. We’ve started our winter maintenance jobs, and bookings are already coming in for the 2018 season so there’s plenty for us to be getting on with. If you’re curious to know how we ‘winterise’ a narrowboat check out our 3 basic steps to help you protect your narrowboat or canal boat from the cold.

If you want to join us for an awesome day out, or a week on the waterways next summer check availability here: Book Narrowboat Hire Online.

The post 7 Things That Made Narrowboating this Summer so Awesome appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.