Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, but there’s still enough time to plan a romantic getaway for two. Remember, there’s no need to take a trip actually on the 14^th February, just simply surprise your loved-one on that day with the news that you have booked an idyllic Spring break on the waterways! There are plenty of romantic, relaxing, fun and delicious things to explore on the Fenland Waterways. Whether you enjoy walking, nature, heritage, market towns, rural villages, country pubs or city shopping, there’s plenty to fall in love with on the canals.

Here are our top 5 romantic ideas to rock your boat:

1) Boating

There’s something so romantic about taking to the water on your own narrowboat; just the two of you. Imagine the tranquillity of being moored up somewhere rural and cooking together in your own little galley, then eating outside on deck, watching the world go by. The cruising itself is lots of fun too, and a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

2) Shopping

There are different shopping locations to choose from depending on which boating route you choose. In Peterborough there are visitor moorings along the length of the park which are convenient for the city centre. If you cruise in the other direction from our hire boat base you will find that Ely is a historic cathedral town full of charm and beauty. It’s well-known for its ancient narrow streets, timbered houses, medieval gateway and attractive waterfront. Travelling further down the River Cam to Cambridge you’ll find most of the main national shop names, and will also discover the local charms and quaint architecture of craft workshops, antique centres, jewellers, and art galleries. Take the boat to Whittlesey, St Ives or Oundle if you enjoy shopping in historic market towns.

3) Antiques

Take a leisurely stroll together around Waterside Antiques in Ely. Waterside Antiques is the largest antiques centre in East Anglia; it has a floor space of 10,000 square feet with more than 65 antiques dealers. Originally built as a malting’s in the late 1760s, the building has had many uses since then. It was used as a morgue during the Second World War, and they even have a resident ghost! The centre is beside the Great Ouse River next to Peacocks Tearoom and the Babylon Gallery, and is just a five minute walk from the historic town centre.

4) Ely Cathedral

No romantic trip to Ely is complete without visiting the magnificent 12^th century cathedral at the very heart of the city. Check their website for upcoming concerts and other events www.elycathedral.org

5) Eating

Your Valentine trip won’t be complete without the essential romantic dinner. Head into Cambridge or Ely for a candle-lit meal, with many elegant city choices to choose from. Or opt to moor up next to a riverside pub, so that it’s only a short walk back to your cosy boat home afterwards.

We asked the Fox Narrowboats team about their favourite pubs on the Fenland waterways and they suggested these three riverside pubs along some of our most-loved holiday routes.

The Love Boat

Our Urban Fox 5 star narrowboat is perfect for a couple, and the price includes VAT, diesel, gas, car parking, towels and bedlinen.

Need more inspiration? You’ll love Two Valentines Breaks to Fall in Love With.

If you want to drift away with the one that you love this Spring we are now taking bookings from March 2017 onwards.

The post The Ultimate Valentine’s Narrowboat Break: 5 Romantic Ideas appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Cosy central heating, a flat screen TV, a double bed made up for you on arrival and a tranquil rural mooring make a narrowboat the perfect romantic getaway. Decide at your own pace where to go, what to do and where to moor. These two romantic mini-breaks can be taken as a weekend break or a midweek break. (We do of course also offer longer narrowboat holidays as well.)

Two Valentine’s Day Surprises to Rock Your Boat

1) A Tidal Adventure into Olden England

This trip involves about eighteen hours of cruising, so it can be done in a long weekend by a couple of enthusiastic boaters. It includes the added adventure of going out on a bit of tidal river on the Great Ouse.

Setting off from the Fenland market town of March you will pass through the twin villages of Upwell and Outwell, where the village streets line both sides of the river. If you visit in springtime the river banks are full of daffodils as you cruise past houses, gardens, shops and churches, and there are moorings if you wish to stop. After passing Outwell Basin and travelling through open countryside and another village you will make the tidal crossing to Denver. You will then pass more little villages and a few navigable tributaries of the river before arriving at Ely.

Ely is a historic cathedral town full of charm and beauty. Don’t miss the Antiques Centre close to the river, the Oliver Cromwell Museum and the many shopping opportunities. You will also find plenty of choices of venue for your romantic meal before heading back towards the hire base at March.

For more details about this trip see: Fox Route 1 March to Ely

2) Market Towns, Meadows, Lakes and Woods

This twelve hour return trip is ideal for a short break. Crossing the Greenwich Meridian your cruise will then take you down Whittlesey Dyke. Whittlesey is a historic market town with visitor moorings above Ashline Lock. On the approach to Peterborough you will travel alongside a deep brick pit, and then the cathedral becomes visible across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock.

In Peterborough there are visitor moorings along the length of the park which are convenient for the city centre. Nene Park occupies around 500 acres of meadows, lakes and woods and runs for six miles alongside the River Nene. A series of guillotine locks really add interest to this journey.

When you reach Ferry Meadows Country Park Meadows you’ll find cycle hire, a visitor centre, shop, a miniature railway, kite-flying, pony riding, nature-spotting and fishing as well as water sports on the ponds and lakes. There are pontoons provided for narrowboat visitor moorings on the Nene.

For more details about this trip see: Fox Route 3 – March to Ferry Meadows Country Park

Our Urban Fox 5 star narrowboat is ideal for a couple and the hire price includes all fuels used (diesel and gas), VAT, car parking, towels and bedlinen. If you want to float away with the one that you love this Spring we are now taking bookings from March 2016 onwards.

The post Two Valentine’s Breaks to Fall in Love With appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.