Save 10% on 2024 day hires

Quiet rural moorings and historic waterside pubs make narrowboat day hire the perfect romantic getaway. Fox Boats offer day boat hire near Ely and Cambridge for up to ten people, on the March Adventurer or the March Explorer. This gives couples the chance to escape on board their own private canal boat, or take family and friends along to celebrate an engagement, anniversary or another important relationship milestone. You can even bring your dog! There is plenty of seating both inside and outside the boat, and a see-through cover at the front protects passengers from any occasional rain showers.

If you hire a boat for the day you can enjoy a peaceful cruise along the east Anglian waterways, getting close to nature under the wide Fenland skies. Look out for kingfishers beside the river, and animals grazing in the fields while you’re getting away from the fast pace of modern life.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, or even planning a marriage proposal, we can arrange delicious food platters to be available on board, from Grazing by Gem. Choose from a traditional afternoon tea, a gentleman’s afternoon tea or a selection of graze boxes.

On board the narrowboat you will find the galley equipped with a hob, fridge and sink, so that you can enjoy snacks and hot drinks while you travel. There is a convenient Tesco and other shops in March, before you set off. There is a dinette and seating area inside the boat. There is also a toilet on board.

Romantic Destinations

Cruising east through the town of March you can pass the windfarm and visit the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell. Church Bridge moorings are a great place to stay for a lunch for two. There are also idyllic moorings at Outwell Basin, which is convenient for The Crown (pub) and The Crown Lodge Hotel. Treat your partner to an afternoon tea here, or an intimate meal in the award-winning restaurant.

Church Bridge moorings

Alternatively, travelling west towards Peterborough, past Floods Ferry Marina Park you can reach Ashline Lock and Whittlesey; an ancient market town with an interesting maze of streets. Whittlesey offers limited moorings at the back of a leisure centre and only a short walk from the historic market place. There are two beautiful churches to visit, and a range of restaurants and takeaways.

Our day boats are really popular at weekends so book early if that’s your preferred time to get away. But they are also available on weekdays. If this is your first time narrowboating we will show you the basics. We’re a friendly family-run business, so you can ask us any questions you like, before you set off.

So, create special memories together with the one you love and take lots of happy-couple photos on a day out on a narrowboat this year.

We are spreading the love for Valentine’s Day. From now until 16th February 2024 you can save 10% off our 2024 day hires.

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 inbox. (We never share or sell email addresses; this is just to send you our latest blog posts.)

The post This Valentines Offer is a Romantic Idea for Couples appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Navigation planning on a Fox day boat

With September just around the corner and the children back to school, why not take a mid-week day afloat for some relaxation?

Taking a day off to go messing about in boats will boost your mental health and create special memories with your loved ones. Get up close to nature and take photos as you travel at a leisurely pace through the Middle Level in Cambridgeshire. A typical return boat journey will take six or seven hours, so it’s a chance to really slow down. Go with a group of friends for an unusual hen party or stag do, or celebrate a special family occasion. Our day boats carry up to 10 passengers, and everyone can have a go at steering.

A short train journey from Cambridge or London, you will find us in the Fenland market town of March. If this is your first time narrowboating we will show you the ropes. We’re a friendly family-run business, so you can ask us any questions before you set off. You can either cruise east towards the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell, or west through Ashline Lock to Whittlesey.

Our colourful day boats are the March Adventurer and the March Explorer. Both boats have a seating area and a toilet, and you will find the galley on board complete with hob, fridge, and a sink. Each boat has a dinette, equipped with crockery and cutlery so you can make snacks and hot drinks as you travel. (Grab food at Sainsbury’s or Iceland, in March, or at the riverside village store in Upwell.)

For a special occasion order food from Glam Grazing by Gem and it will be in the fridge on board when you arrive. Choose from a traditional afternoon tea, a gentleman’s afternoon tea or a selection of graze boxes. The Sweet Treat Box is perfect for a birthday as it includes Prosecco and a selection of homemade, freshly prepared cakes. There is also a children’s afternoon tea and a gluten free option.

There’s enough room on the boat for everyone to sit outside, and dogs are welcome.

Read: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide.

If it rains there is a see-through cover at the front of the boat, or you could take shelter in a cosy country pub along the way.

Enjoy the views, the heritage and the wildlife as you cruise on the water. Day boating customers have spotted kingfishers and other birds, and animals grazing in the fields as they drift lazily through the countryside.  If you like to stay active you can walk alongside the boat sometimes, and help with the locks.

Check out the stunning local scenery in this short video clip:

A mid-week break in September means you avoid the summer holiday crowds, and save money on the cost of boat hire. The autumn colours make the scenery quite idyllic at this time of year. The flat landscape allows you to travel under a panorama of big skies, perhaps passing through a mesmerising windfarm if you are headed to Outwell.

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

There are some great offers available this September with some days reduced from £225 to £200. Search Day Boat Hire.

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.)

Photo & Video Credit: Fox Narrowboats

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