Home › News › Page 12

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles

fens canal boat holiday
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.)

Tags: , , , , , ,

by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Guest & customer articles, Navigation articles
Middle Level Commissioners

Middle Level Commissioners

Middle Level Commissioners Chief Executive Officer David Thomas shares his response to the Cambridgeshire Times newspaper with us following enquiries by local MP Stephen Barclay.

“I was aware that there are a number of boaters who are not happy with the level of charges and I can appreciate if you were getting something for free, introduction of fees is not necessarily going to be welcomed with opened arms. However the position is that for decades the cost of running the navigation has been borne by home owning and agricultural ratepayers. The charges that have now been set are considered fair and match with those of the Environment Agency Anglian Waterways, which have three to four times the density of boats per mile of waterway, hence have a significantly higher potential for income. For this reason it will remain the position that unless boat numbers within the Middle Level increase many fold the best we can hope for is to is reduce the subsidising required for navigation. On this point though it is clear, that with the introduction of charging, the Middle Level Commissioners do for the first time in recent history have a reason to invest in the watercourses to attract and retain users.

In the knowledge that we were planning for the introduction of charging by pursing a new Act through parliament we started an annual cycle of dredging of the perched waterway forming the Well Creek. Spending on this has cost several hundred thousand. This year we are looking to; spend fifteen thousand on replacement moorings at Salters Lode, will be carrying out minor refurbishments at Marmont Priory Lock, will be servicing the guillotine flood gate on Salters Lode Lock and will be introducing rural mooring spots in remote areas in response to requests from boaters. We are also working closely with Fenland District Council on proposals for improvements through March Town and in Ramsey. Plus are starting work on developing a residential mooring strategy, which will be produced through close liaison with Fenland District Council who are in the process of reviewing their Local Plan so this work is well timed.

I attach a link on licencing which is located on our website which might help. I would also draw your attention to the fact that contrary to the suggestion that the Commissioners currently provide nothing for boaters we are building upon our current position of employing two lock keepers, cut weed and dredge for navigation and have been closely managing water levels for navigation, within a tight range which would not be the case if we were using the system simply for water resource management and flood risk management. We are now building on this through the employment of a dedicated Navigation Officer implementing the works mentioned above and are setting aside 25% of the income from licencing for implementing improvements on the River Nene to Great Ouse link route which will meet the minimum standards recommended by the Inland Waterways Association.

https://middlelevel.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Licence-Fee-Questions.pdf”

 

 

Tags: , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Featured articles, Uncategorized

great fen holme

Visit the Cambridgeshire Fens the official guide

The Great Fen Website, what to see and how to support the project

Fens For The Future an in depth website about Fenland restoration

There are many people moving out of the cities in search of fresh air and a reconnection to nature. The Fens in East Anglia, The Broads and the North Norfolk coastline are tranquil open spaces crammed packed with nature reserves and outdoor places to explore. Here are a selection websites dedicated to Fenland Area, Britains largest manmade landscape.

Find out what you can see, how to support or get involved in restoration projects to help preserve the future of a beautiful, raw, open countryside.

Visit Cambridgeshire Fens

www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org

The official guide to the fens has a large list of “things to do” focused on towns; March, Whittlesey, Wisbech, Chatteris and villages; Coldham, Elm, Friday Bridge, Gorefield.

Museums & Historic Houses

Included is a list of Fenland museums highlighting the West Norfolk Aviation Museum displays of aircraft, aviation archaeology and more from World War I to the Falklands and Iraq wars. Discover the ancient market town of Chatteris. Its museum has artifacts from the earliest prehistoric settlements to recent times with over 600,000 years of human history. Historic houses include Octavia Hills Birthplace and Peckover House in Wisbech.

Great Fen Website

www.greatfen.org.uk

The Great Fen is an expanse of nationally significant fen landscape between Peterborough and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire boasting 2 nature reserves Holme & Woodwalton Fens. In 2010 5 organisations came together to form a big fens restoration plan and connect the reserves. There is a very informative guide to wildlife, each creature has its own page and how to identify it. The sites to visit are well documented with map showing trails & car parking. Why not get involved in supporting this great project by donating, volunteering or even taking part in the Big Wild Walk.

Fens For The Future

www.fensforthefuture.org.uk

This website has a colourful map with Historical Interest, Natural Heritage & Nature and Drainage history. It goes into detail about the environmental challenges the area is facing now and has in depth proposals for the enhanced ecological future of the area. Included is a list of conservation partner projects.

Explore the Fens on a Narrowboat

Fox Narrowboats are nestled in the centre of the Fenland areas. We are directly connected to the Fenland waterways. We offer Day Boat Hire and Narrowboat holidays for short breaks, a week or more from April to September. Go to our booking page or phone our friendly reception on 01354 652770

Tags: , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Featured articles

holme fen cc wiki wehh

Image: Holme Fen – Silver Birch Woodland – By Wehh*

There’s nothing like a canal boat holiday for getting away from it all, and there’s nothing like The Middle Level in Cambridgeshire, for getting even further away from it all, exploring the little places off the main routes, and places that only the locals would know.

The Middle Level is a fascinating interconnected waterway combining natural rivers and manmade canals, and dating back to the 17th century. Since the draining of the Fen, over the years the land here has sunk, and most of the area is now below sea-level. The Middle Level rivers now have to be pumped up to sea-level to drain the land.

Our marina in March, Cambridgeshire, is the ideal starting point for exploring these lesser-known waterways. Here are three things you must not miss on your Middle Level adventure.

1) The Three Churches in March, Upwell and Outwell.

St Wendreda’s Church is a short walk from our marina and is locally known for its beautiful double-hammer beam roof with 120 carved angels. St Peter’s Church in Upwell, dating back to the 13th century, is worth a visit because of the unusual tower. Inside there are 25 carved oak angels in the roof looking down into two Victorian galleries. St Clement’s Church, in the middle of Outwell village, is a treasure-house of unique mediaeval sculptures and beautiful stained glass. Check out: Four Churches to Visit When it’s not Even Christmas.

2) This Low Point is a Highlight

The lowest point in England: Holme Fen nature reserve, is a beautiful place for a stroll. Holme Fen is quite a walk from the nearest navigable waterway, which itself is quite remote from the main link route. But if you’re a bit of an explorer and like to go off the beaten track you will find the 19th century Holme Post, which measures the ongoing land shrinkage, worth a visit. Explore the finest silver birch woodland, and discover the birds, dragonflies, marsh plants and fungi, that make the reserve a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Read more: Middle Level Navigations – Points of interest.

3) Rare Animals and Plants

Woodwalton Fen is a nature reserve and wetland site west of Ramsey. If you’re cruising towards Ramsey there is a mooring just under the second bridge, and a village shop with a pub there. This beautiful reserve is internationally important for wildlife, and provides a refuge for thousands of species of fen animals and plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the country. Ramsey is four hours cruise from March marina, and is also home to the Ramsey Rural Museum. This fascinating little museum is currently closed due to the pandemic, but keep an eye on their website for up to date information. https://ramseyruralmuseum.co.uk

Where to Moor on the Middle Level

There are pub moorings, visitor moorings and wild moorings on The Middle Level. However, mooring is a little limited through the Levels, so journeys do have to be planned. Try playing with the https://canalplan.uk/ website if you want to “geek out” before your holiday! Alternatively, the guidebook supplied with your hire boat will show you available moorings. Public moorings have a 48 hour maximum stay time.

There are visitor moorings in March town centre, which is good for shops and pubs. The Ship is directly opposite the moorings, and there is also The Griffin and a Wetherspoons.

The mooring at Whittlesey, on Kings Dyke, by the leisure centre is not too far to walk to the pubs. There are also a few nice wild moorings. For example on Beavills Leam, (near Whittlesey) you can moor to the left bank; there is plenty of room to turn around.

You can moor at Three Holes Bridge on the Main Drain/Sixteen Foot River. There are also visitor moorings in the villages of Outwell and Upwell. In Upwell it’s possible to moor at Church Bridge, and in Outwell moor at Boat Basin.

There are moorings at Benwick, on the old River Nene, and a good pub called The Five Alls, about 10 minutes’ walk from the moorings. This rural, family-friendly pub offers food to eat in or takeaway. From March marina it’s about two hours cruise on the River Nene, old course. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for up to date information and the current menu. https://www.facebook.com/fivealls/

If you’re heading onto the River Great Ouse there are holding moorings at Salter’s Lode that you can moor on overnight, or there is a nice mooring, Gladys Dacks, just west of Nordelph.

If you’re looking for something a little different, off the beaten track, The Middle Levels are a great place to explore by narrowboat.

Watch our Middle Level Boating Video on Facebook.

You may also like: Seven Surprising Differences We Discovered Cruising the Middle Levels

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.)

Image Attribution: By *Wehha – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Tags: , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles

canal boat holiday budget

Are you looking for a good holiday deal?

Struggling to budget when the future is uncertain?

Want to take a safe trip within your own social bubble?

A narrowboat staycation is the ideal choice for these unpredictable times.

A staycation has always been a good option for families on a budget, but the pandemic has now made it the number one choice of getaway this year. People are avoiding the hassle of airport queues, and last minute cancellations, by enjoying England’s beautiful rural scenery, and eating out at riverside beer gardens. Holidaying closer to home is also another way to help rescue our economy right now.

Earlier this month, British Marine secured a welcome win for the holiday hire boat sector as HMRC confirmed that the temporary reduction to 5% for holiday accommodation does apply to those hiring out boats (inland and coastal) which are to be used for holiday accommodation.

If you book and pay in full for your 2021 holiday by 12th January you will beat the 15% VAT price increase as we are a cash accounting business.

It is a good time to start planning ahead to make sure that you get the best boating holiday deals for 2021. So here are four top tips for canal boating on a budget.

  1. Book Now for Spring

If you’ve previously enjoyed a narrowboat summer holiday, next year you might like to benefit from the best prices by booking for spring. As the wildlife awakens from hibernation, trees blossom and daffodils, and primroses brighten your cruise, you will find that the waterways are less busy in springtime. Can you imagine rows of cygnets and ducklings bobbing along beside your hire boat? (Check out When Swans are Your Neighbours: What You Need to Know.)

  1. Book Online

To get the best deals you can book a canal boat spring break online, it’s easy and can save you time and money. Look out for various deals and last-minute cancellations on our Facebook page, Fox Narrowboats. The best priced deals are often the first to go, so you can save money by booking early. You won’t need your car on a narrowboat holiday, so some people choose to arrive at our hire boat base by train. Rail operators offer quite good deals if you book 12 weeks in advance. (Search for tickets to March, in Cambridgeshire.) We are only 90 minutes from London by train.

  1. Self-Catering

On a narrowboat staycation your holiday expenses will be minimal. Make your budget stretch even further by opting for cooking meals on board. Each luxury narrowboat comes with a fully equipped galley, including a full-sized cooker, microwave and fridge. Eat on board, relax on deck, or pack a picnic, and eat out in the stunning local countryside. You could also grab a takeaway in one of the villages and towns on your journey, and eat it back at the boat.

  1. All Inclusive Prices

At Foxboats our all-in price includes hire, damage waiver, fuel and gas. An all-inclusive pricing policy makes it so much easier to budget for your holiday. Our 2021 holidays are at a VAT rate of 5% to avoid the VAT surcharge from 12th January 2021 you will need to have paid for your holiday in full by that day.

More Choice of Boat

With staycations becoming the most popular holiday choice right now, our boats are booking up fast, so if you have a particular boat in mind, or a particular date for your holiday then reserve your most suitable boat now to avoid disappointment.

You may also like: Boating on a Budget – 3 Low Cost Alternatives

Stop! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to get the latest helpful holiday tips in these changing times. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

Tags: , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles, Holiday deals & special days

canal autumn

Want to avoid the crowds typical of a boat holiday in summer?

Want to save money on the cost of your narrowboat holiday?

Want to make some great memories with your family or friends?

Then pack your cosiest jumpers, and come canal boating in Autumn!

The benefits of cruising after the summer season has ended are the misty mornings and autumnal colours that make the canals so special at this time of year. With berries in the hedgerows and peaceful days on the water, with hardly any other boats around, you’ll find that our local, calming surroundings are idyllic at this time of year.

There is nothing like building up an appetite by working the locks, while a comforting casserole or stew is cooking on your boat.  Also, out of the main boating season you may find there is more chance of getting your first choice of boat, when you look at our holiday boat availability.

If you have an adventurous spirit you will enjoy planning your route and choosing your own mooring places along the way. (Just don’t moor you holiday narrow boat near bridges, junctions, locks or in other company’s boat yards without their permission.) Enjoy the history of Cambridgeshire as you cruise through the ancient villages and towns. Take photos of the stunning views and wildlife, from birds on and around the water, to colourful waterside trees, and animals grazing in the fields.

Our boats are equipped with very efficient central heating, and all berths are supplied with a full set of freshly laundered linen, two pillows, a sheet and a duvet.

Autumn boating doesn’t need much planning. But bring some suitable clothes and footwear such as hiking boots, or wellingtons, and waterproof coats, to keep you warm and dry.

Every boat has a flat screen TV and DVD player, a radio and CD player, 240v electrics, and a microwave, so you could snuggle down for the night with popcorn and a movie. Or bring your own playing cards, and board games for those cosy evenings on board. You could also bring that book you have been meaning to read.

The Truth About Living Aboard A Boat: 3 Books You Should Read

See what other home comforts are provided on board: Equipment list.

You may also like to visit a local pub or restaurant for a hearty dinner; you will find details of these in your cruising guide. As the nights draw in you may find a torch helpful, for walks back from the pub along the towpath.

You may also like to bring along your dog, as all our boats are dog-friendly. You can read more about bringing your dog here: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide.

We would love to hear from you to discuss your magical autumn adventure. Please get in touch with our friendly team and we will see how we can help.

Offer: We have a 10 night narrowboat holiday available commencing 25th September on Silver Fox, a narrowboat that sleeps 5-7*.

Missed the boat? Try booking for Autumn 2021. Check availability here.

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.)

*Offer available at the time the article was posted

Tags: , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Featured articles, Towns & villages

Want to get away from it all, but have no time for a holiday?

Then grab your nearest and dearest and take a day trip from March to Upwell, through the Middle Levels in Cambridgeshire. Getting up close to nature, and travelling at a relaxing pace can do wonders for your mental health, and leave you feeling rejuvenated, and ready to take on whatever 2020 throws at you next!

This lovely cruise will take about six and a half hours, and you are guaranteed dozens of fascinating photo opportunities along the way.

Other Boats

As you set off from our hire boat base in March you will see moored boats on their end of garden moorings, and see the backs of local houses, as you pass the overhanging trees. Glide under old arched bridges, alongside grassy green riverbanks, and become a passing spectator on rural life. You may see the local swans quietly going about their business, or a live-aboard narrowboat here and there, complete with portholes, fenders, and roof storage boxes. When you pass another cruising boat, be sure to nod a friendly greeting in their general direction.

Windmills

As the landscape opens up into stunning wide skies with the clouds reflecting onto the rippling water, you will travel through a spectacular wind farm. The vast flat panorama of big skies give you an amazing sense of freedom, and the tranquil spinning of strange windmills, is quite mesmerising.

Marmont Priory lock

Enjoy the satisfaction of approaching a lock that your crew mates have prepared in advance for you. Carefully steer through the gates, minding the cill, and working as a team, winding the paddles, and holding the ropes. Then leave the lock, tidily closing the gates behind you and head into one of the most picturesque villages in the Fens.

The Villages

At the twin villages of Outwell and Upwell pretty reeds line the grassy riverbanks, and the bushes and telegraph poles are reflected in the tranquil water. The chimneys and windows of red brick houses are overlooking the waterside, and little GRP cruisers are tucked cosily into their moorings. Absorb this sense of a slower pace of life, as your boat approaches the village church.

Outwell Memorial
Upwell Church
Marmont Priory Lock
Tucks Bridge Outwell

Fish and Chips

When you get to Upwell you may like to visit Rav’s Fish & Chips, or J R Stott fish and chips, in Outwell. Then turn the boat and head back to the hire boat base under blue skies and fluffy clouds, with wide expanses of long grass on either side of you as you cruise. The flat scenery here gives a wonderful feeling of space, on the return journey. Then you pass the same steep gardens, moored boats and waterside murals again.

As you approach our hire boat base you will see a familiar sign, announcing our moorings, diesel, gas, and chandlery, and as you slowly turn the corner you will see the recognisable red and green livery of the other Fox narrowboats, moored in the marina.

You could finish off your day by wandering into March to eat at Shooters American Diner, Riverside Fish and Chips, The Exchange Tea Parlour and Restaurant. There are more food options in the tourist information guide supplied with the boat.

You may like to check out The Frustrated Boater on YouTube for short videos that show you the kind of things you might see on a Fox Narrowboat trip. There is a great little video showing the March to Upwell trip; taking you there and back in eight minutes!

Our day boats will carry up to 10 people, with lots seating at the front. In case of a rain shower there is a see through cover at the front and plenty of seating inside. Read more: Day Boat Hire details

You can book online or call our friendly reception staff who will advise and help you to book. Our day boats are popular at weekends, especially in the summer months so be sure to book early. If your trip cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government advice, full refunds will be given. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

You may also like: Your Guide to Narrowboating in the New Normal

 

Tags: , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Books TV online narrowboating, Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

google books fenland navigations

Want to discover new books without leaving your home?

Want to try before you buy, at no cost to you?

Heard about eBooks, but are unfamiliar with the technology?

This simple guide to using Google Books could be the answer you are looking for.

Following the coronavirus lockdown, my local library still has no plans to reopen, and many of us are not yet ready, or able, to go browsing in bookshops at the moment. So, as unfamiliar as I am with the latest technology, I decided to investigate Google Books; which is a vast online digital library.

This free service can search the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text, and stored in a digital database. More than 40 million titles have been made available by book and magazine publishers, and by Google’s library partners through the Library Project.

Offering unprecedented access to such a large body of knowledge can only be a good thing, as it promotes equal access to information for all, but the project has received a bit of criticism for potential copyright violations, and the number of mistakes that happen during the scanning process.

How to Read Books For Free

Books can be found by using the usual Google Search engine, or the dedicated Google Books search website (books.google.com).

Anyone with access to the internet can view full pages from any book, so long as the book is out of copyright, or if the copyright owner has given permission. If the book is still under copyright, a user sees “snippets” of text related to what the user searched for.

So, this is a great way to read large parts of a book before deciding if you want to buy the full eBook version. When you have bought the eBook you can then read it on your smartphone or tablet using the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. On a computer you can read eBooks using your computer’s web browser. On eReaders like the Sony eReader or Barnes & Noble Nook, you’ll need to download a file and transfer it to your device.

How to Find the Books You Like

I went to: https://books.google.com/advanced_book_search so that I could narrow my search down to just eBooks.

I then tried searching for results with all of the words, Fenland Waterways. Then I searched for Google eBooks Only, all content.

I quickly discovered ‘Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths In & Around The Fens,’ by Glenda Goulden, and was absorbed for half an hour by reading many of the grisly tales within! Using the same search terms I also found ‘The Story of the Fens’ by Frank Meeres. This is an entertaining and fascinating account of our local history.  Did you know, the Fens have more miles of navigable waterways than anywhere else in the UK?  The drainage schemes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries changed our landscape forever, creating the beautiful waterways that we can explore today, with Fox narrowboats day trips and holidays.

By searching for narrowboat holiday east Anglia I found ‘The Canal Boat Café’ By Cressida McLaughlin, an uplifting, romantic read which is “like a lovely warm hug in a book.” Although, be warned that an Amazon reviewer asks, “How could Mason talk about going to the Norfolk Broads in his boat – that would be a bit of a feat from the Great Ouse near Ely, unless you went by sea!” So it’s possible that the author isn’t so familiar with the practicalities of boating in East Anglia. But most reviews are good, saying, “Very magical writing detailing the beauty of boat life wonderfully.”

If you want to plan your next canal boat holiday routes, you can search for waterways guides. For example, a good chunk of ‘The River Nene’ By Roger Green is available to read online. The full version includes thorough navigation notes alongside more detailed maps of the canal and river, showing the main features of the navigation. There are also details of facilities, walking and cycling routes, and local history accompanied by beautiful photographs.

Immerse Yourself

So, when you have some free time, why not immerse yourself in the book of your choice, and spend time daydreaming about the Fenland waterways, in anticipation of your next Fox Narrowboats holiday? You can also get free articles sent to you from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you free stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens.

You may also like to check availability now for your next narrowboat holiday. If your holiday cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government advice, full refunds will be given. 2021 holidays are also available to book. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

Tags: , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles

 

fox narrowboats reception

Is it safe?

Where can we go?

And will the pubs be open?!

So many questions!

We’re happy to be open again, currently offering day boat hire for groups following government guidelines. We are also now taking bookings for holidays from the 4th July, so you may have some questions about what a narrowboat holiday is going to look like in the new (not) normal.

Is it Safe?

Please be reassured we are doing all that we can to make your holiday a safe experience. See our short video – Hiring a boat during COVID.

The government advice is to continue to wash your hands regularly, especially before and after using any public service or structure, so this will include locks and public facilities around the waterways.

To reduce the risk of transmission through touching facilities or locks that have been used by others it is advisable to wash your hands or use hand gels frequently to reduce the risk of catching coronavirus. You may also want to wear face masks in enclosed public spaces, such as shops.

During your holiday you should also remember to maintain social distancing, and only allow members of your household aboard your hire boat. Be considerate of other boaters by keeping your distance when using shared waterside services.

Where Can We Go?

We have a number of suggested waterways routes that are now open to navigation. Our local rivers are beautiful places for people to enjoy exercise and being in the outdoors, close to nature. As well as keeping your distance from other towpath users, keep your distance from moored boats where people may be living aboard.

Many local organisations and businesses will be offering imaginative new ways of enjoying life after lockdown. The Visit Ely team have planned a programme of tours ‘with a difference’ including an Eel Trail walk with a picnic, or cream tea; and twilight trails, which are walks that end with a cocktail.

Oliver Cromwell’s House, in Ely, is due to reopen on July 3rd. To start with they will open only their souvenir and gift shop and their Tourist Information Service. Plans to open the historic house to visitors should follow at the end of July. In the meantime, join their Architectural Historian in learning all about Oliver Cromwell’s House from the outside; all the history and the hidden secrets! This will be followed by coffee and cake at Poets House.

As more tourist attractions reopen you may find you have to book ahead, as attractions limit the number of visitors they can have at any one time. There may also be other new steps in place to ensure everyone’s safety, so your visit may be a little different.

Will the pubs be open?

Many waterside pubs are marked on the maps and cruising guides that are provided with your hire boat, but please do bear in mind that some of these may be temporarily closed due to the coronavirus situation. However, other pubs, such as The Five Bells, at Upwell, have been offering a takeaway service throughout this period of uncertainty. Their menu is on their website. If you are planning to visit a particular pub or takeaway, you may like to use the WiFi on your hire boat to get up to date information on line about current business opening hours.

We are a warm, friendly, family business, looking forward to welcoming you here at our marina, for a much deserved break away from home. We expect to be busy so check availability now for this summer, or the 2021 season. Our holiday bookings are open from 4th July 2020. If your holiday cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government restrictions, full refunds will be given. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2020.

Tags: , , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles

narrowboat self catering holiday

Britain is really looking forward to a break this summer. So while the tourist industry continues to take bookings for hotels, B&Bs, and campsites, we are pleased to be able to offer safe bubbles of accommodation for you and your family on board our luxury holiday hire boats.

Not so long ago, a staycation (a combination of the words ‘stay’ and ‘vacation’) was a good option for families on a budget, but this year it is going to be even more popular than ever. A staycation will be a welcome respite from the challenges that families have been facing during the pandemic. Without the hassle of airport queues, driving abroad or packing a phrase book, this year brits are looking forward to rescuing our economy by holidaying closer to home.

On a narrowboat staycation your holiday expenses will be minimal. So your holiday budget can be mostly spent on al fresco dining, take-aways and picnics, while you enjoy travelling by boat, at your leisure.

Self-catering is fun on a narrowboat. Standing at the kitchen sink is a pleasure when your view is calming water, ducks, geese, trees, and stunning fenland skies. You may like to choose a riverside barbeque location on a sunny evening, or moor close to a beer garden for some socially distant refreshments.

Feel the Fen breeze, notice nature, listen to the birds and watch the other boats go by. You could even explore a local fen nature reserve, just check their websites for up to date information before travelling. Is there a better way to enjoy the villages and towns, culture and countryside of Britain, than on a colourful, traditional narrowboat? Avoid the queues at the locks on the main canal network this summer, or the challenges of finding a mooring in London, and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Fenland waterways.

We expect to be busy this summer so check availability now. Our holiday bookings are open from 4th July 2020. If your holiday cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government restrictions, full refunds will be given. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2020.

 

Tags: , , ,