Home › News › Page 13

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: , , ,

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

barn owl wetlands fens

Conservationists around the world have been noticing some hidden benefits of the recent coronavirus restrictions. While people stayed at home, and traffic was kept to an unprecedented minimum, some scientists said that our native mammals may have benefitted from these drastic changes. (BBC News 14/04/20)

Some wildlife species have been taking advantage of spaces that are usually dominated by humans. UK road traffic decreased by 75% in the first week of lockdown. Then, people taking their permitted exercise in quiet places saw hedgehogs, stoats, foxes, badgers, and even deer. These animals are usually quite sensitive to disturbance. The Independent reported that peregrine falcons, buzzards and weasels returned to abandoned National Trust properties for the first time in decades, and pictures were shared on social media of animals worldwide, turning up unexpectedly in urban places.

Here at our hire-boat base, on the rural waterways of Cambridgeshire, we are lucky enough to be close to plenty of thriving wildlife. So, on a local walk, a narrowboat daytrip or a boating holiday in the Fens, you may see kingfishers, dragonflies, damselflies and otters or water voles.

Volunteer

However, it’s still not that easy to spot the more sensitive creatures, so volunteering is a great way to see more. Conservation organisations usually welcome volunteers to help with wildlife monitoring. Volunteers in the Middle Level can be trained in aspects of wildlife identification, such as spotting signs of water voles, otters and invasive ditch plants. There may also be opportunities to see eels, barn owls, and bats. If you like wildlife and are interested in volunteering you could get in touch with the conservation officer of the Middle Level to enquire about future opportunities.

Wetlands

Our local wetland habitats are managed and maintained to protect the environment. Sometimes, where possible, new habitats are being created to increase the overall sustainability for the Fens. If you’re visiting this area check out some of our local conservation projects.

The Great Fen is a 50-year project to create a huge wetland area and join two of the last fragments of wild fen, Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen which are National Nature Reserves. On their own they are too small and isolated to effectively support the special wildlife of the original fens. Wicken Fen is one of Europe’s most important wetland sites and supports an incredible range of plants, birds and dragonflies. It is also the oldest national nature reserve in England. The Ouse Washes attracts thousands of ducks and swans in winter, and in spring, hundreds of snipe, lapwings and redshanks breed. This is a good place to see dragonflies in summer.

Boating

If you’d like to see some of this amazing local wildlife yourself, check availability now for your next narrowboat holiday. Our holiday bookings are open from 4th July 2020 COVID-19 permitting. If your holiday cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government restrictions, full refunds will be given. 2021 holidays are also available to book. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

If you enjoy reading about nature and wildlife 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.

Tags: , , , , ,

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

canal narrowboat movies img: wiki

Image:  Wiki Commons

If you are still in isolation like some of our customers are and If you’ve already watched the best of Netflix and other streaming services, why not order yourself a vintage canal-themed DVD?

The British waterways and canals are rarely featured in mainstream movies, so I love it when I find a film about canal boating, or living aboard. These three suggested films will take you from traditional cargo-carrying boats during the war, through to modern times, when living aboard became an alternative lifestyle choice.

Painted Boats

Painted Boats is a black-and-white British film released by Ealing Studios in 1945. This fictionalised documentary, filmed during wartime, provides rare footage of a long-gone way of life on England’s canal system. Author of ‘Narrow Boat’, LTC Rolt provided a lot of the background information on the canals, and suggested suitable filming locations.

Painted Boats tells the story of two families living and working on cargo-carrying canal boats: the “traditional” Smiths on their horse-drawn boat and the “modern” Stoners on their motorised vessel. The plot follows the romance developing between Ted Stoner and Mary Smith.

The Bargee

The Bargee is a classic British comedy from 1964 which follows Hemel Pike (Harry H. Corbett) and his cousin Ronnie (Ronnie Barker) taking a cargo-carrying pair of narrowboats up the Grand Union to Birmingham. The script is from the writers of ‘Steptoe and Son’.

Hemel is a cheeky canal Casanova and has a girl at every lock. Despite the decline in available work Hemel refuses to leave the canals and is protective of his traditional way of life. The cast is a selection of well-loved British actors such as Derek Nimmo, Eric Sykes, Richard Briers, Julia Foster, Eric Barker, Miriam Karlin, and Hugh Griffith. This is an old style British comedy packed with beautiful scenes of the waterways, and old pairs of working boats.

This Year’s Love

This Year’s Love, is a 1999 British rom-com that included Kathy Burke among the lead roles and featured indie rock artist David Gray as a pub singer. I liked it because it was set in Camden Town in the late ‘90’s and I lived in Camden at that same time.  Secondly, the character of Sophie lived on a narrowboat.

The film’s storyline follows a group of thirty-somethings on their individual quests to find a love that lasts. It is a sort of grittier version of Four Weddings and a Funeral and is a really enjoyable comedy. Although It is more about Camden and the characters who live there, than living on a boat, Sophie’s boat can be seen moored on a tranquil and leafy part of the Regents Canal with the Kings Cross gas cylinders offering a dramatic cityscape in the background.

DVDs From Amazon

These four films are available to order on DVD from Amazon. Before ordering DVD’s check Amazon’s latest delivery information and answers to frequently asked questions during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

New here? Subscribe on the right to receive regular tips, stories, news and advice related to canals and boating. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you blog articles.)

Image Attribution: G-Man – Historic working narrowboats on the Macclesfield Canal

Tags: , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Books TV online narrowboating, Canal Blog, Canal boaters & writers, Featured articles

old narrowboat photo fenland waterways

Have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all, on a narrowboat?

Would you like to go on a slow adventure through rural England?

Do you wonder what the canals looked like when the cargo-carrying boats were still working?

You may like to read the original boating travelogue: L.T.C Rolt’s ‘Narrow Boat’. This lovely, lyrical diary of Tom and Angela’s travels back in 1939, has become a classic among canal-boat enthusiasts. Tom Rolt is now regarded as one of the pioneers of the leisure cruising industry on Britain’s inland waterways.

Tom Rolt bought an old flyboat called ‘Cressy’ from his uncle, and converted her into a boat that he and his young bride could live on. (A flyboat was a narrowboat which worked all day and all night on the canals without mooring up.) It had been a horse-drawn boat, but his uncle had installed an engine and converted her into a ‘pleasure boat’.  Tom and Angela defied her father’s reluctance and married in secret on 11th July 1939. Work on Cressy was completed at Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury, and then on 27th July Rolt and his wife set off up the Oxford Canal. They travelled 400 miles around the network of England’s waterways, and his wonderful book describes the working boatmen and the stunning English countryside that the couple encountered.

As Tom travels he rejoices in finding rural remnants of times gone by, and he condemns the sometimes ugly face of ‘progress’. On the Shropshire Union canal they made light work of the Audlem lock flight, and enjoyed the rolling wooded country at the summit. They soon arrived at ‘Dirty Fair’ in Market Drayton, and this is one of my favourite parts of the book. Tom describes the cattle market and gypsies in lyrical detail and tells a charming anecdote of horse trading, featuring a “plausible rogue”; a “picturesque characterful figure.”

If you haven’t yet read this book it would be the perfect way to discover what the canals were like in bygone times, and it might inspire you to take a narrowboat holiday next year.

  1. T. C. Rolt’s book about their travels was published in 1944 and has since become a classic. It is said to have started a revival of interest in the English waterways. Rolt later went on to form The Inland Waterways Association, with Robert Aickman and Charles Hadfield.

The waterways were nationalised in 1947 and faced an uncertain future at that time. The traditional life, which the book had so movingly described, was disappearing fast. So Rolt initiated direct action on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal which stopped British Waterways from closing it, organised an Inland Waterways Exhibition, which toured the country, and proposed the first boat rally at Market Harborough. We have Rolt, Aickman and Hadfield to thank for the fact that leisure boating and narrowboat holidays are possible today.

If you can imagine yourself taking an adventure like this check availability now for your next narrowboat holiday. As the coronavirus situation continually changes you may like to contact us first, with any questions, before booking online.

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

If you enjoy reading about life on the canals 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.

Tags: , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Owning & living on a narrowboat

At the time of writing the UK is in coronavirus lockdown, and everyone except keyworkers have been asked to stay at home. If you are safe at home and looking for new books to read, you may like these three suggestions, which are real-life accounts of families living on boats. 

Whether you are an experienced boater, or new to narrowboat holidays, true stories of families on board are a wonderful glimpse into the practicalities of boating life. I lived on a narrowboat for six years with my husband and two young children and wrote a blog about it called The Real Life of a Narrowboat Wife. At that time I was interested in reading stories of other parents who had chosen a life afloat, to see how their experiences compared with mine.

Ramlin Rose

My favourite book at that time was Ramlin Rose, by Sheila Stewart. The author interviewed several boatwomen who were born and bred on horse-drawn boats, and recounted their experiences as seen through the eyes of a fictional boatwoman, travelling on the Oxford Canal through the Great War, the Depression, the Second World War and the decline of the canals. The harsh reality of raising a family while working incredibly hard and long hours is captured in this poignant account. There are several books about the history of the cargo carrying boats that were once and essential part of Britain’s transport system; but this is a rare account of the lifestyle from the point of view of the women. The details of their daily lives, shopping, cooking and parenting while steering a boat, are fascinating to read.

Narrow Margins

As cargo-carrying boats faded into the history books, the canals started to become a place for leisure cruising and holidays, and living aboard became a lifestyle choice.

When financial circumstances forced her family to downsize their home, author Marie Browne and her husband Geoff bought a 70ft ex-hotel boat called ‘Happy Go Lucky’ to live on. This funny, heart-warming story follows the family’s journey from Braunston, to Cambridge. After leaving the Grand Union Canal their adventure took them down the River Nene, through the Middle Level navigations and on to the River Ouse, before arriving on The River Cam. So the book contains great descriptions of some of the routes covered by Fox Narrowboats. Their lifestyle change forced them to downsize to a more minimalist lifestyle, and they learned how to live at a slower pace of life. Read more: 3 Things this Book Can Tell Us About Narrowboat Holidays

Mud

Mud is the story of the challenges of adolescence and grief, as a family move from a house in London to a Thames barge in Essex, and tackle a number of difficult life-changes. It’s a fictional account based on the experiences and recollections of the author, Emily Thomas. In this dark comedy, the family of seven assorted siblings and stepsiblings navigate their way through parental alcoholism, bereavement and loneliness, as told through the eyes of teenage Lydia. Uplifting and beautifully written in diary form, this charming, absorbing novel describes living through teenage emotions in the early eighties, on a leaky houseboat.

Books From Amazon

These three books are available to order from Amazon. Before ordering check Amazon’s latest delivery information and answers to frequently asked questions during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

If you’d like to try living on a boat with your family check availability now for your next narrowboat holiday. As the coronavirus situation continually changes you may like to contact us first, with any questions, before booking online.

If you enjoy reading about life on the canals 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.

Tags: , , , , ,

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Fayres & local events, Featured articles

copyright ely eel festival

Image*: Ely Eel Festival

Are you new to eel throwing?

Or have you been following this annual event?

Most importantly, who will be named World Eel Throwing Champion 2021?

All this and more will be revealed at the next Ely Eel Festival.

Sadly, the much loved Eel Festival has been cancelled for 2020, in line with current Government health advice. However, the team are already working together on bringing you an even bigger, better Eel Festival and Food & Drink for 2021.

Ely (pronounced EE-lee) is a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, about 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about 80 miles from London. It’s a popular destination on our narrowboat holidays, because of the old English charm and character, waterside antique shops and stunning cathedral.

The origin of Ely’s name is obscure, but possible meanings are thought to be “district of eels” or “eel island”. Before the draining of the Fens, Ely was an island. Eels are ray-finned elongated fish. The annual festival in their honour involves local traders, acts, demonstrations, celebrity chefs and community organisations. The Eel Food Safari offers jellied eels, roasted eel, eel pate and other eel related cuisine. The weekend also includes a food and drink festival, and an Eel Day parade. This year’s event had been planned with a VE Day theme, meaning that the food events would have included some ‘old fashioned’ inspired recipes, and the carnival style parade would have been led by a WW2 vehicle, followed by Army and Air Cadets and band.  Ely’s ‘Ellie the Eel’ would have wiggled its way to Waterside and into Jubilee Gardens for plenty of eel related activities. There was also going to be 1940’s singers, dancers, and a wartime tribute.

The highlight, of course, is the World Eel Throwing Competition. No eels are harmed in the competition, just stuffed toys! The World record of 17.7 meters was set in 2013. The competition is open to everyone. There are some rules; you have a few practice throws and then when you are ready you have your measured throw with the “golden eel”.  Each hourly winner receives a certificate and the overall winner of each category receives a trophy.

A narrowboat cruise to Ely takes about 18 hours return trip from our hire boat base in March. After the Middle Level waterways your boat will navigate a short length of tidal river between Salter’s Lode and Denver Sluice. You will also pass through the pretty, twin villages of Upwell and Outwell, where the village streets line both sides of the river, and you’ll see shops, pubs and churches along the way.

If you want to extend your holiday, Cambridge, on the River Cam is just 5 hours cruise from Ely, passing through some electric locks and the village of Fen Ditton.

If you want to make Ely part of your 2021 holiday plans Check availability here.

In the meantime, please stay safe, listen to Government Advice and we look forward to welcoming you to a Fox Narrowboats holiday as soon as it is safe to do so.

Don’t miss more articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

*image copyright Ely Eel Festival | Eel Day 

Tags: , ,

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

norfolk broads

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.

Tags: , , , , ,