Are you staying at home at the moment?

Do you love the British waterways?

Want to explore the UK canals from the comfort of your armchair?

You may like to revisit Channel 4’s television series, Great Canal Journeys.

There is a large selection of episodes from the series available to view on demand on All 4, Channel 4’s streaming service. In this scenic and heart-warming TV series, actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales take some spectacular canal journeys across Britain and abroad. (To watch Channel 4 on demand you simply have to sign up with an email address and view on your TV, tablet or computer.)

Back in 1990 this couple were on the first narrowboat to travel the newly restored section of the Kennet and Avon between Bath and Devizes, and they have been advocates for canals and their restoration ever since. Although the programme originally focused on their life-long love of British canals, later episodes see them taking boat journeys in countries all around the world.

In England Tim and Pru have explored the Kennet and Avon, the Llangollen Canal, Oxford, and the Grand Union Canal. However, they have not yet featured our local Fenland Waterways in the programme, sometimes referred to as the “waterways best-kept secret”.  BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson, described the Fenlands as “a hidden gem,” in the Ely Standard.

In one episode Tim and Pru explore the Norfolk Broads, discovering the area’s unique way of life, its ruins, fens, marshes and woodlands.

Watch: Series 8 Episode 1: The Norfolk Broads

This episode might give you a sense of what our own local area is like. From our hire boat base in March you can cruise the Middle Levels, River Nene, River Great Ouse and River Cam. The Fenlands are such a unique landscape, offering picturesque towns and villages, and stunning open skies.

It is evident watching these programmes that Timothy and Prunella now enjoy taking life at a gentle pace, and appreciating nature. There is also something very poignant about watching their relationship, and seeing them reminisce about past memories.

At the time of writing this article, UK residents have been advised to stay at home, to avoid the spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19). It has forced many of us to take life at a gentler pace and appreciate the small things, such as nature, family connections and our relationships with our loved ones. Tim and Pru’s narrowboat adventures remind us that getting away from modern, busy distractions, and focussing on our human relationships is something that we all need from time to time.

During these challenging times let’s slow down, reconnect and create new memories.

Stay connected: Subscribe on the right to receive more stories of British canal journeys, by email. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

You may also like: How to Holiday Like a Celebrity Without it Costing a Fortune.

The post How to Experience Some Great Canal Journeys from Your Own Home appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Does a narrowboat holiday make you think of romance, stress relief, or that telly programme with Tim and Prunella? Last year on our blog we covered all of these, plus, surprisingly we learned that you can visit movie locations by canal boat, and even take your dog with you! Here’s a collection of teachings and wisdom gathered over another great year of holidays on the Fenland waterways.

Lesson One: Are you too busy for a weekend getaway? Would you like something relaxing to look forward to? Last year we learned you don’t have to take your Valentines break on Valentine’s Day. Whether you enjoy walking, nature, heritage, market towns, rural villages, country pubs or city shopping, there are plenty of romantic, relaxing, and fun things to explore on the Fenland Waterways. Read more: The Surprising Narrowboat Break Your Valentine is Going to Love

Lesson Two: Celebrity couple Timothy West and Prunella Scales have taught us that narrowboating is a wonderful way to spend quality time with a loved one. In Channel 4’s television series, Great Canal Journeys, Tim and Prunella take canal barge and narrowboat trips in various countries around the world. Last year we learned how to cruise Like Tim and Pru from Great Canal Journeys: How to Reconnect With the Ones You Love

Lesson Three: With Spring approaching we shared the shocking truth about last minute bookings, including what little-known factors could affect your holiday price, and asked how safe is your ideal narrowboat from being fully booked? We learned that at the beginning of the cruising season many boaters had already booked and begun their narrowboat holiday! If you haven’t booked your canal holiday yet, read on for the truth about last minute bookings.

How Late Booking Gambles With Your Holiday Happiness: 3 Ways to Protect Yourself

Lesson Four: In May we learned that a narrowboat trip to an unknown village could provide a respite from responsibilities, a heavy workload, or the other challenges in life. Exercise, spending time in nature, and practising mindfulness are all effective ways of managing stress. Read on to learn five ways that a canal boat trip to an English village can soothe your soul.

Feeling Stressed? 5 Ways This Unknown Village Can Soothe Your Soul

Lesson Five: In October our blog explored our pet-friendly boats and some new dog-walking routes. If you’re wondering if you can even take your dog on a narrowboat, then let Fox Boats teach you why narrowboating is the ultimate in dog-friendly holidays and day trips. After all, what good is a day out if you can’t take your best friend?

Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide

Lesson Six: From historical drama, to biography and romance, Cambridge and Ely have featured in many impressive films over the years. Last year we learned some of the best real movie locations that you can actually visit by narrowboat.

5 Real Movie Locations You Can Actually Visit by Narrowboat

Lesson Seven: Have you ever wondered if it’s cold in winter, living on a narrowboat? I spent 13 years living on canal boats and during that time many of my friends were concerned that I was “roughing it;” imagining that I was living simply without any modern comforts. However, if you read our blog last year you learned that modern narrowboats are extremely comfortable. Here are four surprising creature comforts you will find on a Fox narrowboat.

Narrowboats: Is it Cold in Winter? (The Answer Might Surprise You!)

Want to learn more about boats and boating this year? Subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar and get insider knowledge about the Fenland Waterways; look for ‘Follow Blog’. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

You may also like: Why January is the Best Time to Book Your Hire Boat Holiday

The post 7 Surprising Lessons That Last Year Taught us About Narrowboating appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.