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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Foxes News, Navigation articles
Middle Level Commissioners

 

 

 

 

Update on navigation licencing for Middle Level Waters

Important Notice.

The Navigation Advisory Committee have reviewed the position in relation to introduction of licences for Middle Level Waters which was due to take effect from 1st April this year. The committee agree that in light of the COVID-19 situation and reflecting on the impact this will have on the boating community, the date when boats will need to be licenced has been set back to 1st September 2020. The licence fee will now also be further discounted so that it will be equivalent to 50% of the Environment Agency (EA) Anglian Waters charges. One other change is that the Middle Level will not be issuing EA visitor licences as agents for the EA this year and hence there will no longer be a 25% cap in place for this.
Recognising that some applicants may find themselves in a financial hardship situation then it will be possible for such a vessel owner to request that arrangements be made to spread the cost of the licence over a four-month period, by making arrangements for direct debit payments as an example.
Applications for licencing for vessels (for the period 1st September 2020 until 31st March 2021) can be made anytime between now and the end of October. Due to current government advice on social contact the application forms are only available via the navigation page of our website www.middlelevel.gov.uk (for powered vessels the application form is already available and for unpowered vessels this will be added shortly). Applications can only be accepted by post or email until further notice, with payments being made by: enclosing a cheque, by card over the phone by arrangement, or by filling in the card payment section of the application form.

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

 

Spring time is not just about warmer days, daffodils and Easter eggs. For narrowboaters it means the start of the boating season, and on the Fenland waterways it’s time to untie our ropes and get back out there cruising under those stunning Fenland skyscapes.

A boating holiday around East Anglia offers peaceful cruises and pretty walks, cosy pubs and restaurants, and shopping in ancient villages and towns. You can even cruise all the way to Peterbrough or Cambridge for a bit of a city break, discovering art galleries, museums, history and architecture. Near Peterborough you can get all nostalgic and visit the steam trains of the Nene Valley Railway.

Our local waterways are the Middle Level, River Nene and River Great Ouse and are far less crowded than the Norfolk broads. If you head west from our hire base in March you will cross the Greenwich meridian line at Floods Ferry, and cruise on to Whittlesey, Stanground, Peterborough and the Nene valley. Alternatively, if you travel east to Upwell and Outwell, then cross the tide at Salters Lode you can head on towards Littleport, Ely and Cambridge. (See the full map of our suggested holiday routes.)

Research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, lowers feelings of anxiety and depression, and gives us energy. There’s something about travelling by canal boat that allows you to be right up close to the natural world around you, yet never a moment away from a nice sit down and a cup of tea! Like the scenery? Stop and moor up. Boating is an unhurried style of holiday.

In the spring the waterways are less crowded than in the summer time, but the weather is often just perfect for boating. Enjoy blossoming trees and primroses as you pass through pretty villages. At this time of year swans, ducks and geese proudly swim along with rows of newborn young following behind. Our local waterways are home to otters, kingfishers, hares and foxes.

Try shopping for Easter chocolate in Peterborough, Ely, Cambridge or smaller picturesque market towns along the way. Then take a tea break in somewhere quaint like The Samovar Tea House; a cosy café in Ely, serving a variety of loose teas and coffees, brunch, lunch and home-made cakes.

Narrowboat hire prices are often cheaper in the spring time than they are in the summer. If you book online today you could save 10% on your Easter holiday! (You may also like How to Save Money on Your Narrowboat Holiday.)

For more ideas to add to this year’s holiday plans, sign up for digital 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 get insider knowledge about the Fenland Waterways.

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

boat booking reservation

Are you aware of how last-minute plans can affect your holiday costs?

Did you know that late booking can ruin your holiday arrangements?

Want to know how to protect yourself from disappointment?

Read our top three tips to secure your ideal holiday boat and dates.

As this year’s cruising season approaches many boaters have already booked their narrowboat holiday with Fox Narrowboats. If you haven’t already booked your Fenland waterways getaway read on to avoid the risks of making last minute holiday plans.

1) Procrastinate and Miss That Date!

British holidaymakers are now becoming more aware of the benefits of early booking, which include getting the exact dates that you want and grabbing competitive prices online.

2) Don’t Delay When Booking Time Off

Although searching for last minute deals has a certain edgy thrill, it can be disappointing to then find you just can’t get the time off work. You may find it’s easier to book annual leave if you plan way ahead, before your co-workers do. Remember you may also have to consider your partner’s work commitments, and other scheduled family arrangements and plans.

3) Don’t Miss the Boat

This one is important. Don’t fall in love with the narrowboat that suits the size of your group and has all the home comforts you love, if you haven’t even booked it yet. If you are a couple you will save money by hiring a smaller boat. If you are a family group, or a gang of friends, you are going to need a bigger boat.

For example Rural Fox sleeps 2-4 people; Platinum Fox sleeps 4-6. A large group of seven could share Silver Fox, a luxury narrow boat suitable for a group, and share the cost.

At Fox Narrowboats you’re more likely to get the boat of your choice if you browse what’s available now, and reserve it early. Have a look at floor plans, colour photographs and a full list of on-board equipment and comforts. The Fox Boats fleet are either cruiser or semi-traditional sterns: Narrowboat stern types.

Stay in the UK in 2020

A UK narrowboat holiday is a stress-free way of avoiding any concerns about flights, ferries, coaches and trains to the EU. For an idyllic Fenland holiday you will not need a visa, passport, or a mobile phone data roaming package! You are also welcome to bring your dog on holiday at Fox Narrowboats. Keep it simple and enjoy a British canal holiday this summer!

We have a limited number of available boats and dates and are currently taking bookings for this year’s boating season. Will you join us on an adventure?

If you enjoyed these tips about early booking, sign up to follow our blog in the right sidebar. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just holiday inspiration and insider knowledge about our local waterways!)

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

mothers day boat trip idea

Are you looking for a special gift idea this Mothering Sunday?

Something more original than flowers or chocolates?

Something that she’ll remember for years to come?

A family boat trip on the Fenland Waterways could be just what you are looking for.

Cruise into your mum’s good books this year by suggesting that her favourite family members get together for an unforgettable day-trip to March, in Cambridgeshire.

Mothers Day and Mothering Sunday are actually separate celebrations, although they are held on the same day in the UK. Mothering Sunday is traditionally the fourth Sunday in lent that you return to your mother church within your area, while Mothers Day originated in the UK in the 1950’s, as a way to say thank you for all of the things that our mothers do for us.

In 2020 the day falls on Sunday March 22nd, and the Fox boating season begins in April. If you book a day-trip now you could surprise your mum with the idea on Mothers Day. Boating appeals to all ages; so family members can be as active or relaxed as they like. You could bring a picnic, buy fish and chips, or find a pub or restaurant along the way.

Our day boats are equipped with a hob, fridge and sink, crockery and cutlery, a toilet and a seating area. On board you’ll also find a 12v mobile phone charging point, so that you can keep taking pictures of mum’s special day.

Before you set off, one of our qualified instructors will explain how to steer the boat and operate the locks, so you will be fully trained in boat handling.

“Eight of us hired a narrowboat here for a day this week. We absolutely loved it! Very helpful advice and instructions which we appreciated.

The boat itself is lovely, especially enjoyed being able to sit at the front and watch the world go by. There are cooking facilities on board (a hob) which we made good use of with bacon rolls in the morning! Well stocked with plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, frying pan and kettle.

We took a leisurely trip on the river and moored up at a public mooring spot and had a short walk to a pub (The Five Bells in Upwell) which was very pleasant. Also enjoyed mooring up later in the day for our dinner.

All eight of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would happily hire again. Thanks for a lovely day!”

A narrowboat travels at around three miles an hour, and our staff will help you to plan your route and timings before you set off.

The Fenland waterways in Spring time are really peaceful, with spectacular scenery. If you are used to the more touristy areas of England’s canals you may be surprised at how uncrowded our local navigations are, with long stretches of open water, and stunning vast sky-scapes.

This year, show your mum, gran, step-mother, or partner just how much you appreciate her, and make some treasured memories together.

Want to treat your mum to a day afloat this year? Check here for availability of boats and dates to suit you and buy a gift voucher.

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.)

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Guest & customer articles

Proving the curvature of the earth on the Old Bedford River, Chris Howes explores!

From the secure perspective of the 21st Century we all know which camp we belong to, Zetetics or Globularists. No longer do heated arguments rage in the Pub over whether the Earth is flat (Zetetic) or round (Globularist). However in the 19th Century this important concern was a hot subject for debate. Thanks to its straightness the Old Bedford River became the proving ground for the counter arguments.

In 1838 Samuel Rowbotham endeavoured to prove the earth flat by making observation along the 6 mile straight above Welney. Using a telescope he observed barges six miles away. Samuel argued that if the earth was round (as some scientists then argued) the barges would only be visible for 3 miles before they disappeared from sight as a result of the curvature of the Earth. As he could still make the barges out that were 6 miles distant, ipso facto there was no curve.

We now understand that Rowbotham’s apparent ability to see further than the expected 3 miles was caused by the phenomenon of the refraction (bending) of light over water.

This apparent ‘proof’ stood unchallenged until 1870 when Alfred Russel Wallace, inspired to renewed scientific scrutiny by Charles Darwin’s work on evolution, conducted a further experiment on the Old Bedford River. Three barges, each with a pole of identical length erected on them, were moored at two mile intervals. If the earth was flat, the tops of the three rods would line up when observed through a telescope. However the second marker was a clear 32 inches above a line between the first and third markers, proving, quod erat demonstrandum, the curvature of the Earth.

Remarkably, when these measurements were employed to calculate the diameter of the earth, a figure of 7,920 miles was achieved. We now believe, with the benefits of modern scientific instrumentation, that the diameter of the earth at the equator is 7,926 miles !

If you are interested in exploring the Fenland Waterways we have day hire narrowboats and holiday boats available.

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.)

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

valentines river

Romantic getaways to Venice or Paris have become somewhat cliched. You can still push the boat out this year, without sitting in a gondola or climbing the Eiffel Tower.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, let us inspire you with some of our more romantic themed holiday ideas, whether you’re planning a city break with a special someone this year, or a first holiday together, English narrowboating is full of old-fashioned romance.

Here are some ideas to make wonderful memories with that special someone.

Get Back to Nature

There’s something so romantic about cruising the waterways on a canal boat; just the two of you. Imagine the tranquility of being moored in the countryside and cooking dinner in your own little galley, then eating outside on deck, looking up at the stars. The cruising itself is a real adventure, never knowing what scenery the next day has in store for you. Boating is such a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life.

On a short boating break with your partner, you could travel towards Ely or Peterborough and explore the Middle Level Waterways, The River Ouse or The River Nene.

Enchanted Sight Seeing

Visit the charming twin villages of Upwell and Outwell, and then carry on to cross the tidal River Ouse. If you’re heading this way don’t miss the Oliver Cromwell Museum and the many shopping opportunities at Ely. Alternatively, for historic market towns, meadows, lakes and woods cruise towards the River Nene Country Park and visit Peterborough.

Romantic Restaurants

On the approach to Peterborough the cathedral can be clearly seen across the flat fields. If you stop at the visitor moorings beside the park you can explore the city centre, where you can enjoy shopping, the theatre, markets and all the restaurants you would expect to find in a major city. Ely and Cambridge also offer many romantic restaurants, and the waterways en route provide a choice of cosy waterside pubs.

A waterways guide book is provided with your boat and will show you many places to eat along whichever boating route you decide to take.

City Breaks

City breaks are a popular choice for couples: Offering a romantic blend of convenience, and culture, our top recommendations are Ely, for the waterside antique shops and stunning cathedral, and Cambridge for the history, colleges, shopping and restaurants.

Avoid Honeymoon Hotspots

Avoid crowded hotels this year and enjoy the solitude of your own boat on the quiet East Anglian waterways.

Our Rural Fox narrowboat is perfect for a couple, and the price includes VAT, diesel, gas, car parking, towels and bedlinen. Brand new in 2019, Rural Fox is a luxury narrow boat with fully fitted galley and a saloon with a folding table for eating.

Our boats are available to hire from April onwards, and offer something really special for you both to look forward to this year.

Love canal boating? For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out on the Fenland Waterways, 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.

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

narrowboat on fens

Are you up for a vibrant music festival this year?

Or a quiet retreat cruising under our spectacular Fenland skies?

Perhaps you are looking for a budget narrowboat holiday?

We have a canal boat holiday to suit every kind of person; it just depends what time of year you would like to visit us, and which narrowboat route you plan to take.

Here are 10 surprising ideas for this coming year, taken from the highlights of last year’s blog posts.

1) The Romantic Holiday

If you want to avoid staying in an overbooked hotel with dozens of other Valentine’s couples this February, the answer is to book a romantic getaway, on a narrowboat, in the Spring! Our Top 3 Romantic Destinations.

2) The Festival Holiday

Join us for a short canal boat trip this April, at St George’s Fayre, or combine this year’s holiday with a summer festival. Enjoy live music, funfairs and market stalls, then head back to your holiday boat for some rest and recuperation. Four Festivals to Visit by Narrowboat this Summer.

3) The Easter Holiday

A Spring break away means that the waterways are less busy, the wildlife are awakening from hibernation and new baby animals and waterfowl are born. Daffodils, primroses and other seasonal flowers line the waterways. How to Grab a Last Minute Easter Boating Holiday.

4) The Art Lover’s Holiday

What’s a sophisticated narrowboater to do on a rainy day? Where can a cultured canal cruiser go to view art? And which local exhibitions are free to enjoy? Four Fenland Galleries for the Classy Canal Boater.

5) The Middle Level Holiday

Fox Narrowboats is in a great position, nestled in the centre of the Middle Level Waterways, not far from the idyllic riverside villages of Upwell and Outwell. This holiday will suit you if you want to visit ancient churches and charming old English pubs. Five Things You’ll Love About the Middle Levels.

6) The Quiet Retreat

While Norfolk is teeming with holiday cruisers in the summer months, Fenland boaters enjoy a quieter life. The Alternative Boating Holiday is by Narrowboat: Avoid the Busy Norfolk Broads.

7) The Budget Holiday

If lavish boating holidays are beyond your budget we have several low cost alternatives for families, friends and couples on a budget. Boating on a Budget: 3 Low Cost Alternatives.

8) The Family Holiday

School holidays used to be a time for children to spend their days running around outdoors, and a rural narrowboat holiday can give your family an experience reminiscent of simpler times. Last Minute Narrowboat Holiday: Deals for Families.

9) Back to School: The Cambridge Holiday

Visit the ‘city of perspiring dreams’; a world-famous University City. Cambridge is the home of students, bicycles and colleges; a place to go shopping while admiring the incredible architecture. Three Amazing Things to do in Cambridge.

10) The Spooky Holiday

And finally, whether you’re an enthusiastic paranormal investigator, or just someone with an appetite for history, heritage and old-fashioned storytelling, East Anglia is rife with ghost stories, legends of drownings, and tales of disappearances and violence. How to Hunt Fenland Ghosts, Even When it isn’t Halloween.

For more haunting ideas to add to this year’s holiday plans, sign up for digital 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 get insider knowledge about the Fenland Waterways.

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

 

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Guest & customer articles, Historic sites, Towns & villages
The Fenlands

The Fenlands

Fox Boat owner Chris shares his thoughts on Fenland names throughout time.

What’s in a name ?

Fenland has been described by many nicknames over the years – and each one sheds a different light on various aspects of its history..

In the Medieval times the area had a number of major ecclesiastical establishments, including Crowland, Ramsey, Chatteris and Thorney Abbeys, as well as Ely and Peterborough Cathedrals. Reflecting this ample provision for the Spiritual, the name The Holy Land of the English was applied.

Prior to Vermuyden’s draining of the Fens, the area was often times referred to as The Great Eastern Swamp, or The Old Drowned Lands.

Vermuyden’s first drainage scheme was intended to provide relief from flooding during summer months and gave rise to the description The Summer Lands.

During WWII the productive rich black soil of the Fens was put to use feeding the Country, which was in danger of going hungry as the German blockade of shipping tightened. The area acquired the deserved nickname The Breadbasket of Britain.

The flat countryside, devoid of hills, with its great panoramic landscapes has given rise to the name The Land of the Three-quarter Sky.

And because it is home to Fenland’s only service marina, which builds the best boats, and hosts the only hire fleet, us boaters also call it Fox Boat Country !

 

If you enjoyed this post consider reading Five Things You’ll Love about teh 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.)

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Get healthy

get fit go boating

Are you now setting goals for the year ahead?

Are you feeling really motivated to focus on your health?

Do you want to use this New Year to get back in shape?

Some time spent on the Fenland waterways could be just what you are looking for!

If you have ever begun a January exercise program, only to lose interest in it by February then you will know how important it is to choose an exercise that you enjoy. Combining your fitness practice with something you really like may dramatically increase your chances for long term success.

At the start of the year many people make new resolutions to begin a fitness practice, but only a few people will manage to maintain these new healthy habits. The secret is to develop an action plan, and make that plan fun.

You may want to check with your doctor that you are healthy enough to start a new exercise regime. Secondly, try to enlist some encouragement and support from your friends and family. Mental motivation is essential for those times when you may become discouraged, so think about the ‘why’ of what you are doing. Then check out these tips for getting active beside the waterways.

1) Walking.

If you live near a canal this can often be an oasis of relative tranquillity in a city. Try including a canal-side walk into your regular routine. On a canal boat holiday you can choose to walk alongside the boat while your crew member steers, and just jump back on board when you’re ready for a rest! Or take a longer, nature ramble when the boat is moored up. Pack a picnic and go off discovering the Fenland countryside. Like any other cardiovascular exercise, brisk walking boosts endorphins, which can reduce stress hormones, alleviate mild depression, improve mood and increase self-esteem. There are some lovely walks around the village of Wadenhoe. (See 5 Ways This Unknown Village Can Soothe Your Soul.)

2) Jogging on the Towpath.

If you feel like picking up the pace a bit the towpath can be a scenic running track, usually far from any noisy traffic sounds. The advantage of running on a towpath, or beside any man-made navigation, is that they are usually flat ground. You may know that the Fenlands are famously flat, so there will be no running up hills if you are exercising on your narrowboat holiday with us!

If there are a lot of locks on your journey you may find yourself ahead of your crewmates on board the boat and you may like to prepare the next lock for their approach.

3) Work the Locks.

To fill or empty a lock you will need to wind paddles with a device called a windlass, (included with the boat) and this can require some strength if the mechanism is stiff. First the boat must be temporarily moored up, by pulling in the ropes, and then you need to open and close the lock gates by pushing the balance beams. So there are plenty of opportunities to get active and burn calories at a lock. Let your crew mates know though, that there should be no running at a lock, because there is a danger of falling in, and they can be very deep.

Before hiring one of our boats you will be fully trained in how to steer it, and operate the locks, by one of our RYA qualified instructors. Why not join us for a day boat hire to increase your confidence, and get active for a day?

4) Mooring Up.

At the end of any journey offer to help moor up and you will find yourself hauling the boat towards the bank with a rope. If you are using mooring pins they may need to be banged into the river bank with a mallet, and this can also be quite a strenuous activity too. After an hour or two of walking, jogging, working the locks, mooring up and enjoying the scenery, you may find your heart to be pumping and your endorphins truly boosted.  It may even feel more like fun than exercise!

5) Rest and Recuperation

Of course a narrowboat holiday is not all about the cardiovascular exercise and stimulating workout. Moor up near any town or village to enjoy a well-earned rest in a riverside pub, or a cuppa in a country tea room. You deserve it!

If you’re looking for an unusual way to maintain your fitness this year, do consider booking a hire boat holiday or a day trip with us. We’re currently taking bookings for this year’s season. Will you join us on an adventure?

If you enjoyed this article about cruising your way into fitness, subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar; look for ‘Follow Blog’. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

You may also like: 5 Family Goals You Can Achieve on a Narrowboat Holiday

You may also like: How Narrowboats Can Help You to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

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

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Historic sites

fenland formation and history

Fenland Coverage

The fens spreads out over an area of approximately 1500 square miles (3900 sq. km), mainly Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire and a small section of Norfolk. The area is well known for its biodiversity and geodiversity. Most of the Fenland lies within a few metres of sea level the area now includes the lowest land in the United Kingdom.

History starts about 8000 BC

At the end of the latest Ice Age known in Britain as the Devensian approximately 10,000 years ago, Britain and continental Europe were joined by a ridge between Friesland in the Netherlands and Norfolk in England. The ice melted and the sea level climbed and produced the present coastline.

Next 2000 years

The higher sea levels flooded the previously inland woodland of the Fenland basin, over the next 2000 years, creating a mixture of saltwater and freshwater wetlands.

Silt and clay soils were deposited in the saltwater areas and along the beds of tidal rivers, while peats developed in the freshwater marshes.

Neolithic Age & Bronze Age settlements

Early Neolithic and Bronze Age human settlements were covered by peat deposits with water levels peaking in the Iron Age. Evidence of a Mesolithic settlement has been found in Cambridgeshire along the fen edges and on the low islands within the fens. Top archaeological sites include Flag Fen and Must Farm quarry and Stonea Camp

Roman period and after

Water levels fell once again. During this time the Romans built the Fen Causeway that runs for 24 miles between Denver, Norfolk and Peterborough in the west. The Townlands, places like Wisbech, Spalding & Boston developed, parishes were laid out as elongated strips, to provide access to the products of fen, marsh and sea.

Middle Ages to 13th Century

In Anglo-Saxon England, a number of Christians sought the isolation that could be found in the wilderness of the Fens, who were later to become saints; Guthlac, Etheldreda, Pega, and Wendreda. Hermitages on the islands became centres of communities which later developed as monasteries with massive estates. During most of the 12th century and the early 13th century, the south Lincolnshire fens were afforested, but then deforested around Magna Carta late in the 13th century.

Draining the Fens 1600 to modern day

A massive 200 yr drainage operation was undertaken to culminate to modern day farmland. Though some signs of Roman and medieval hydraulics survive, land drainage was begun in earnest during the 1630s by the various investors who had contracts with King Charles I

Two cuts were made in the Cambridgeshire Fens firstly to join the River Great Ouse to the sea at King’s Lynn and secondly the 100 foot drain which joins the old and new Bedford rivers. The project took about 20 years, but even after its completion the area was still susceptible to flooding. Further drainage work was carried out by the Bedford Level Corporation 1663 and Black Sluice Commissioners in 1765 but real success came in 1820 when the windpumps were replaced by coalfired steamengines such as the Stretham Old Engine. In time these were replaced by diesel powered stations, a great example can be found at Prickwillow Museum. Small electric stations are used today.

Restoration

In 2003, the Great Fen Project was initiated to return parts of the Fens to their original pre-agricultural state. The periodic flooding by the North Sea, which renewed the character of the Fenlands.

Exploring the fens

Discover the fens in a boat with Fox Narrowboats. You can take day hire trips or canalboat style holidays to cruise around at your own pace for short breaks up to a full 2 week break.

Image Attribution:

Flag Fen Dwelling | Wikipedia (Eng) Kev747. CC BY-SA 3.0

Wind Pump (Wicken Fen) | Wikipedia (Eng) Dr Paul G Tuli. CC BY-SA 3.0

Old Drainage Map  (mid-17th-century atlas) | Jan Janssonius [Public domain]

Most of this article has been produced with information from Wikipedia mainly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fens

For more on past and future of the Fens

https://www.fensforthefuture.org.uk/the-fens/

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