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

Image: St Wendreda’s Church short walk from our Marina
(credit below)

The idyllic ancient architecture, candlelight, holly and ivy, and special services such as carols, advent, christingles and nativities make this a wonderful time of year to visit a church.

However, official statistics from the Church of England* suggest that Christmas is now the only time that British families go to church. While festive services remain ever popular, Sunday congregations are seeing a steady decline in attendance. If you’re planning a canal boat holiday on the East Anglian waterways we would hate for you to miss out on the stunning churches that we have on our doorstep.

Here are four churches you won’t want to miss on your canal boat holiday next year.

St Wendreda’s Church

Before you set off from Foxboats marina in March, check out St Wendreda’s Church which is just a short walk away. This beautiful church is the oldest in our town and is known for its magnificent double-hammer beam roof with 120 carved angels; it is regarded as one of the best of its kind. John Betjeman described the church as “worth cycling 40 miles in a head wind to see.” (If you want to try this you are welcome to bring your bicycles on a narrowboat holiday!)

St Peter’s Church

As you cruise through the Middle Levels you will come to the village of Upwell on the Well Creek; one of the most picturesque villages on the Fenland waterways. St Peter’s Church originating in the 13th century, is well worth a visit because of the unusual tower. Inside there are 25 carved oak angels in the roof looking down into two Victorian galleries.

Ely Cathedral

If your holiday plans are taking you along the River Ouse then you must visit Ely’s skyline-dominating cathedral. Its origins have been traced back to AD 673 and it has a historical connection to William the Conqueror. The cathedral is known as the ‘ship of the Fens’ because of its dominant position in the landscape, visible from miles away. Its most notable feature is the central octagonal tower, with a lantern above.

The gothic architectural design is stunning and you can also take a tour, around the Stained Glass Museum, which has a fascinating collection of rescued stained glass windows stretching back 1,300 years.

Ely has good moorings, and there is plenty more to see in this charming, ancient town so it’s worth stopping overnight.

Kings College Chapel

If you have time on your holiday, do continue from Ely along the River Cam to Cambridge where there are many churches and chapels to visit, as well as the impressive university colleges. Don’t miss St Peter’s Chapel, the smallest church in Cambridge dating back to the 12th century. St Mary the Great is known as the university church and all distances in Cambridge are measured from its location. And finally, King’s College Chapel is a true masterpiece of English craftsmanship.

Not Just for Christmas

So, while it may be that more people will watch the Queen’s speech this year, than go to a Christmas church service, remember that churches aren’t just for Christmas. They are a wonderfully preserved part of our heritage, with stories to tell and incredible craftsmanship to behold. Make sure to include some churches into your holiday plans with Fox Narrowboats next year.

For more surprising stories of things you didn’t know about the Fens and Cambridgeshire subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar; look for ‘Follow Blog’. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just surprisingly interesting articles about our local waterways!)

*The Telegraph 28th October 2016.

Image Wiki Commons
By David Iliff (User:Diliff) – Commons file St Wendreda’s Church Ceiling, March, Cambridgeshire, UK – Diliff.jpg, CC BY 3.0,

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

winterise narrowboat

(The Answer Might Surprise You!)

Have you ever wondered if it’s cold in winter, living on a narrowboat? I spent 13 years living on canal boats and during that time many of my friends were concerned that I was “roughing it;” imagining that I was living simply without any modern comforts. People would ask me if it was cold in winter, and whether living aboard was a bit like camping? But nothing could be further from the truth: Modern narrowboats are extremely comfortable. Here are four surprising creature comforts you will find on a Fox narrowboat.

1) Heating

Gas central heating is fitted on all of our boats, so being cold is not an option. While we don’t hire out the boats during the winter months, customers may like to use the heating during autumn or spring time holidays: The good old British weather can be a little unpredictable! The gas heating runs off of propane gas bottles that are supplied with the boat and are included in the price. You will notice wall-mounted radiators throughout the boat. (See the video below).

Upon your arrival you will also find the beds ready made up for you with freshly laundered sheets, duvets and pillow cases, so that your nights on board are always cosy and warm.

2) Entertainment

Although you might imagine a narrowboat holiday is the perfect time to go “unplugged” and recover from any smart phone addiction, you will actually find a 12v mobile phone charging point on every boat, plus WiFi and a USB charging point in the saloon! All boats are fitted with a 12v and 230v socket for charging mobile phones, laptop computers and camcorders.

You will also find a radio and CD player on board, a flat screen TV with DVD player, and a flat screen TV in the master cabin. So when you’re not out exploring the villages, towns and beautiful scenery you can relax in comfort on the boat.

3) Fine Dining

Don’t imagine that your meals on a boat have to go back to basics. The galley on board is fully equipped with a four burner hob, full sized oven, microwave, toaster, and 240v electrics. There is also a fridge with a small freezer compartment and beautiful Denby crockery, for serving up your culinary masterpieces. Just like at home you can order your groceries online and we’ll put them on board for you, ready for the start of your trip.

4) Mod Cons

Other surprising modern conveniences on board include a hoover and a hairdryer. All of our boats are fully equipped for your comfort during your holiday. Click here for a full list of what’s on board. The hire price also includes all fuels used (diesel and gas), VAT, car parking, towels and bedlinen.

Have a look around Silver Fox – a luxury narrow boat suitable for a family or a group.

 

Silver Fox – Narrowboat from Paula Syred on Vimeo

Winterised

Right now the planks and poles have been removed from our hire boats and we’ve started our winter maintenance. Some of the UK waterways freeze during the winter, so before they do we “winterise” our boats by pumping the bilges, emptying the water tanks and switching everything off. (Read more: How Winter Threatens to Damage Your Narrowboat – 3 Ways to Protect Yourself)

So, yes it is cold in winter on a Fox Narrowboat, but only because they are not in use! For a holiday at any other time of year they are well equipped for a warm and comfortable luxury break. We are now taking bookings for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Search narrowboat breaks.

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

ely cathedral used for film set

From historical drama, to biography and romance, Cambridge and Ely have featured in many impressive films over the years. To celebrate this, Fox Narrowboats have put together a list of some of the best real movie locations that you can actually visit by narrowboat.

Maurice (1987)

In this romantic drama, a young man tries to come to terms with his sexuality, in the oppressive atmosphere of Edwardian society. The university scenes were filmed at Cambridge. Exterior shots are of Trinity College, at the Quad and under the Wren Library. The Gothic William IV Porter’s Lodge can be seen at King’s College, where the Latin grace was also filmed, in the Dining Hall.

The punt trip is on the River Cam at Clare Bridge, and the romantic scene between Maurice Hall (James Wilby) and Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) in the field is near Ely in Cambridgeshire. Wandering the magnificent colleges of Cambridge is just one film location you can include in your narrowboat itinerary.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

This movie stars Cate Blanchett when Elizabeth’s barge sails down the Thames, but it was actually filmed on the River Cam! In this historical drama a mature Queen Elizabeth endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada, and romantic disappointments. You can travel down the River Cam yourself when you hire a Fox narrowboat.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2007)

In this story, Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) competes with her hitherto little-known sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson) for the affections of the young King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). The grand ceremonial areas of the palace are represented by Ely Cathedral. You can clearly see its elaborately carved spiral Organ Stairs. The cathedral was also seen as ‘Whitehall” in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and featured in the popular Netflix series The Crown.

The Kings Speech (2011)

Ely Cathedral stood in for Westminster Abbey in Colin Firth’s 2010 historical drama about King George VI. Founded in 673, the history and architecture of the cathedral will overwhelm you, making it a must-see if you’re narrowboating on the River Great Ouse.

The Theory of Everything (2014)

This dramatised biography follows the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. Locations featured include St John’s College, the Kitchen Bridge, the River Cam, the Cambridge Bridge of Sighs, and several Cambridge streets.

For more films featuring Cambridge check out The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015), Chariots of Fire (1981) Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) The History Boys (2006) and Sylvia (2003) (about the relationship between the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.)

Why not chill out on a cosy Autumn evening with one of these movies, and picture yourself exploring these epic locations on a narrowboat holiday next year?

Our route guides to Ely and Cambridge will talk you through the boating journeys, showing highlights on the waterways and places to visit.

1 March to Ely – Approx 18 cruising hours return trip

2 Ely to Cambridge – Approx 5 hours narrowboat cruising each way

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

ultimate guide dogs canalboats

Are you looking for a dog-friendly holiday?

Have you seen our pet-friendly boats?

Want to explore some pretty new dog-walking routes?

If you’re wondering if you can even take your dog on a narrowboat then Fox Boats could be just what you’re looking for. Perhaps we’re biased but we think narrowboating is the ultimate in dog-friendly holidays and day trips. After all, what good is a day out if you can’t take your best friend?

When you first arrive on board you might want to allow your faithful friend to fully explore the narrowboat, so that he can get used to his new home. Before you get going, prepare a bowl of clean drinking water, and then make sure there is also a bowl of water whenever you’re moored up, so that he doesn’t drink the river water.

Dogs like to watch the fields and trees go by as the boat cruises along, and there are different smells and things to see with every passing moment. Smells of the countryside, such as sheep, rabbits, squirrels and ducks will delight your dog as you travel together. The waterways are busy with wildlife, so be aware that some dogs may be tempted to jump and chase when they’re on dry land!

Every time you step ashore a whole new walk awaits your dog, with exciting smells and things to see. Towpaths are great for walking, just watch out for bikes (especially on the Cam to Cambridge). Games of fetch are out of the question though, unless you don’t mind losing your ball into the water. It’s best to keep your dog on the lead when mooring up, or when the boat approaches any locks, as it can be very dangerous if a dog falls in. (Do take a spare towel for the dog in case he does accidentally fall in.) The banks of the waterways can be steep and difficult for dogs to climb out of, so consider bringing a dog life jacket. Jackets with handles on the top allow the owner to haul the dog safely back on board. Remember to also bring anything you else might need: the dog bed, lead and poop bags for example. You might also want to bring a spare lead in case you lose one overboard.

Towpaths and footpaths are popular with nature lovers and dog walkers alike. Enjoy the unique Fenland countryside by walking alongside the boat as you approach a lock. Or take a longer stroll when your boat is moored up. It’s a great way to discover beautiful new places with your pet by your side. Taking a break from your usual dog walking routes at home means you can discover a variety of new scenery. If you and your dog want to walk alongside the boat as it travels, it’s easy to keep up as the maximum cruising speed is just 4mph.

However, when you’re both tired of exercise and your pet is weary, but happy, you can relax on board the boat and watch the scenery go by. Passing pretty houses, bridges and villages will delight the humans among the crew. Waterside pubs are often dog-friendly, with beer gardens where you can sit outside. The humans can eat and the dog can meet other friendly dogs. If you’re struggling to find a dog-friendly pub there’s also the option of picking up a takeaway and heading back to the boat. Waterside pubs are marked on the maps and cruising guides provided with the boat. The Fox Narrowboat team have also shared their top three pubs for a Fenland narrowboat holiday here.

If you want to bring your dog on a boat trip, just make sure you let us know at the time of booking. There is a charge of £30 per pet, per week. You can refer to the holiday narrowboat layouts to find our pet friendly holiday narrowboats. Dogs are always welcome on our day boats.

Find out more about our dog-friendly accommodation.

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Foxes News

urban fox boat hire featuredToday we are feeling a little sad as we handed Urban Fox over to her new owners.  We now have Leisurely Fox for sale if you missed out on securing your own holiday narrowboat.

We are however extremely excited about the launch of our new boat Rural Fox for the 2019 season.

The base plate was laid on 30th August and the hull is now starting to take shape. With a length of 47 feet or 14.23 metres there will be slightly more room in the galley and shower room than on Urban Fox. There is still a great deal to complete before the hull is water tight and very shortly the main hire fleet will require preparing for winter.  Alan was heard telling Emily that she needed to ensure that all of the new equipment was ready for installation.  We then heard mutterings from her that she had the curtains in hand but couldn’t see now they could be fitted yet! We are however pleased to share the progress of the project to date.  Close inspection of the bow shows the lower shape which has been so successful in our day boat hire. With some changes to the livery and coach works we are looking forward to showing you a new and more contemporary feel.  Rural Fox  will accommodate 2 to 4 people and the innovative design will mean the accommodation can be in 2 doubles or a double and two single beds. All of our 2019 and 2020 holidays are now available for booking and currently there is 15% discounts on Sliver Fox and Platinum Fox and 10% discount on Rural Fox on all bookings

artist imression Rural Fox
Base Plate
Hull
Lower bow

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles

fox boat hire riverside highlights

It’s been a great summer on the East Anglian waterways this year; narrowboaters have enjoyed sunny cruises, music festivals, cream teas, tiny villages, cathedrals and colleges, locks and moorings, pubs and restaurants, holidays and day trips.

Here’s a roundup of what sort of things boaters have to up to during this year’s cruising season in Cambridgeshire.

1) Open Day and St George’s Fayre

We had a busy week in April when 300 people interested in boating visited our marina for the Drifters hire boat open day. Later that week thousands of people enjoyed March’s St Georges Fayre, which is a big festival of live music, market stalls, a parade, and fun fair, with dance performances and dragons! Some boaters were able to book a holiday that coincided with these events. Warning: Time Running Out for Boaters Who Love Live Music  Maybe next year you’ll be one of them?

2) The Unknown Village That Reduced Stress

Boat-lovers looking to manage their stress this summer discovered that a little exercise, spending time in nature, and practising mindfulness are all effective ways of winding down. We found five ways that a canal boat trip to an English village can wash your troubles away. 5 Ways This Unknown Village Can Soothe Your Soul

3) Festivals by Narrowboat

After kicking off the festival season this year with St George’s Fayre we had a summer full of fun in Cambridgeshire. Boaters who love live music were able to combine their narrowboat holiday with one of these free outdoor events. Our Top 3 Free Summer Festivals by Narrowboat.

4) Local Knowledge: Places to Visit

One of our mooring customers, Chris Howes, is Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association Eastern Region and last year won the A P Herbert cup for the greatest distance travelled to the IWA festival of water 2017. This summer he wrote a guide to the local waterways to help any boaters attending the St Neots Festival of water.  Places to Visit: Nene, Great Ouse and Middle Levels

5) Handy for Londoners

Some of our customers are Londoners, wanting to avoid spending hours in traffic before their holiday even begins. Our narrowboat hire base is just over an hour from London, but a world away from the city noise. Imagine travelling from Kings Cross through the English countryside to where your own cosy narrowboat awaits you. Here are five great reasons to take a narrowboat holiday near London.

6) Old Bedford campaign to be Restored

Back when Charlie and Pat Fox first set up Fox Narrowboats in the 1960’s, navigation on the Middle Level was very different from today. Mooring customer John Revell described some of the changes in the area that have been achieved through waterways restoration campaigns, and wrote about the Old Bedford Campaign Cruise that took place in August.

7) Holiday Planning Tips

With so much countryside, wildlife, heritage and things to see and do on the East Anglian waterways some boaters found it was fun to roughly plan a route before coming. Our first planning tip was that you should never over-estimate how far you can go on your holiday! How to Plan a Fenland Narrowboat Hire Holiday

8) Boating: Just for the Day

Our more local customers live in Peterborough, Wisbech, Ely or Huntingdon. When they want to get together with some friends and family they like to hire a narrowboat, just for a day. A relaxing boat trip on the Cambridge river network is the perfect end to a wonderful summer. Find out Why You Should Hire a Narrowboat for the Day, near Ely

Now that the summer is over, the poles and planks have been removed from our hire boats and we’ve started our winter maintenance jobs. If you’re curious to know how we ‘winterise’ a narrowboat check out our 3 basic steps to help you protect your narrowboat or canal boat from the cold.

We’re pleased to say bookings are now coming in for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Have a look at our boats and see if you’d like to join us for an adventure next summer.

Hey! Are you new here? Subscribe on the right to receive more secrets of the undiscovered Fenland waterways, by email. Our stories of summer cruises could be just what you need to get you through the darker winter months! (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

By Photos taken for William Winfield; uploaded by Kimberlyblaker

Credit: By Photos taken for William Winfield; uploaded by Kimberlyblaker –
Wiki creative commons licence

Visit Ely Cambridge and Peterborough for some incredible history

Was your summer too busy to take a break?

Are you waiting for term time, to get cheaper deals?

Want to find bargains by booking last minute?

Our September narrowboat holiday deals could be just what you’re looking for.

Sometimes life and work gets in the way. We get it. Suddenly it’s Autumn and you still haven’t booked a break away with your nearest and dearest. The good news is that now the school term has begun it’s a great time to pick up a last minute narrowboat holiday deal.

Our luxury narrowboats can be hired for weekend, midweek or week breaks as well as holidays up to 14 nights. We also have two boats for day hire which take up to 10 people.

Here are three things you can do this Autumn on a Fenlands narrowboat holiday.

1) Visit Ely

Visit Ely’s skyline-dominating cathedral with its origins traced back to AD 673. Discover its historical connection to William the Conqueror and check out the stunning architectural design. Then take a quirky tour, around the Stained Glass Museum, which has a fascinating collection of rescued stained glass windows stretching back 1,300 years. This Autumn they have a varied programme of lectures and workshops in painting, fusing, leading and copper foiling.

Oliver Cromwell’s House, near Ely, is a now a museum and offers a peek into the 17th century, with re-created period rooms and some fascinating exhibitions revolving around the Civil War. They also now host Escape Rooms, a fun, interactive and immersive puzzle activity designed around the heritage of the building.

2) Visit Cambridge

In Cambridge you can go on a punting tour and see famous landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, all while relaxing and floating down the River Cam. Visit the university grounds by taking a walking tour seeing some of the 31 ancient colleges. When visiting churches and chapels don’t miss St Peter’s Chapel, the smallest church in Cambridge dating back to the 12th century. St Mary the Great is known as the university church and all distances in Cambridge are measured from its location. King’s College Chapel is a true masterpiece of English craftsmanship.

The Cambridge food tour is a walking tour introducing the visitor to pubs, fish-and-chip shops, delis and speciality shops. If you enjoy shopping you’ll find high street brands, local markets and bohemian boutiques in Cambridge.

3) Visit Peterborough

From the bustle of the huge shopping complex to the serenity of open fields and historic buildings Peterborough is well worth a visit. Ferry Meadows Country Park is a convenient place to moor the boat, with over 250 acres, a watersports centre, lakes for boating and sailing, and the nostalgic Nene Valley Railway. Explore Peterborough to enjoy history, wildlife, walking, cycling, eating, markets and shopping.

Whichever city you visit you will be travelling in style on one of our comfortable narrowboats. Before leaving our hire boat marina you will be fully trained as a narrowboat steerer and one of our instructors will explain how to operate the locks.

Day boat hire begins at £175 and you can search all of our special offers for longer breaks here: SPECIAL OFFERS. You can get up to 15% off when you book online, and prices include fuel, insurance and a damage waiver.

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Pubs & restaurants

gathering at Salter’s Lode prior to the cruise. Photo Mike Daines

Following on from the IWA Campaign cruise on the Old Bedford river on 19th and 20th August 2018 prior to the IWA Festival at water at St Neots we can update you on the progress.

Only one narrow boat made it through the Old Bedford Sluice at Salter’s Lode, which demonstrates the difficulties in accessing the Old Bedford River from the tidal Ouse.  Two other narrow boats and a 22ft sailing yacht, which had crossed The Wash to take part, also attempted to get through the sluice gate, but failed despite valiant efforts by all concerned.  These attempts took place over three different tidal windows when a level was reached, to allow passage through the single guillotine gate, but the tidal entrance was too shallow and silted to allow any but the shallowest boat through.

Three portable craft were put directly into the Old Bedford River by the sluice gate at Salter’s Lode, and so a flotilla of 4 boats set off and reached Welney, about half way along the waterway, by the Sunday evening.

On the Monday morning the four boats continued their journey along the river, encountering much more weed along this section which made the passage slower, and

Old Bedford River Campaign Cruise photo by Mike Daines

arrived at the closed lock at Welches Dam soon after midday.  Those supporters viewing the flotilla from the bank included some of the boaters who had been unsuccessful in getting through the sluice, the crew of a boat who had arrived at the other end of the Horseway Channel (who had walked the short distance to Welches Dam lock along the towpath of the derelict Horseway channel), and a TV news reporter with camera and drone.  After photos and interviews had taken place, the flotilla set off to return to Salter’s Lode, and the narrow boat successfully passed back through the Old Bedford Sluice on the ebbing tide on the Monday evening.

Chris Howes, IWA Eastern Region Chairman and skipper of Lily May, the one narrow boat that managed to get on to the river, said “On behalf of IWA and the other boaters taking  part in this event I would like to thank EA and MLC staff for their support in enabling the campaign cruise to take place.  We look forward to working further with EA to come to a resolution regarding the continued closure of Welches Dam and the difficulties in accessing the Old Bedford River, as well as working with them on other initiatives in the Anglian Region.”

Pat Fox wife of our company founder Charlie accompanied Chris Howes on the journey from Salters Lode to Welney on the Sunday.  When Pat and Charlie were running the business Pat says that  in the 1970’s their hire boats regularly used the Old Bedford river to access the Great Ouse at Denver many of these customers used the Ship Inn at Purls Bridge and the Three Tuns at Welney for moorings and refreshment.  On the campaign trip Pat met Peter Cox  a local historian from Tipps End.

Pub sign Three Tuns Welney

Peter visited the marina on Friday 31st August to place the Three Tuns boat register with Fox Narrowboats for safe keeping.  Peter takes up the history of the Three Tuns.

Peter Cox hands over the register to Pat Fox

This old exercise book, referred to as a Boat Register, was kept at the pub and used as a ‘visitors book’ for boaters (mostly on NBs) from May 1968 to Dec 1997 during the time that Mabs and John Waring ran and lived at the old-fashioned Fenland riverside pub. There are some large gaps in recorded visits – I don’t know if that’s an error by the pub, or indicative of navigation problems.

I doubt it was co-incidence that the Register was started shortly after John Waring arrived at the Three Tuns from the Middle East in 1967/68 to join his wife Mabs (Madge) who became licensee in 1966, nor that the first entry was by the then Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), Lionel Munk, who arrived in NB ‘Sheerwater II’ on 14th May with other IWA members.

 

 


Five NBs at the Three Tuns, 29th March 1997. (details in the Register).
(Photo by Patrick Barry who lived at Welney Hotel, Bedford Bank West.)

Mabs died in 1995 and John took on the licence, and when he died in 2001 the brewery closed the pub with the Register locked inside. Luckily it was salvaged in 2008 just prior to the pub’s demolition and handed to me “to look after” as I’m a local historian and webmaster of the Welney Website. As keeper not owner, I cannot gift the book to anyone, but am happy to offer it to Fox Narrowboats on a long-term loan basis to use as they wish, provided they return to me if requested or make it available to anyone with justified reason for claiming ownership or a better reason for being its keeper.

Peter Cox, Tipps End, Welney, August 2018. (p@whfh.org.uk)

Fox Narrowboats are corporate members of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA). The IWA is the membership charity that works to protect and restore the country’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.  IWA is a national organisation with a network of volunteers and branches who deploy their expertise and knowledge to work constructively with navigation authorities, government and other organisations.  The Association also provides practical and technical support to restoration projects through its expert Waterway Recovery Group.

If you enjoyed this article you may wish to read

John Revell’s inspiration ahead of the Old Bedford campaign cruise

John Revell Old Bedford river conquered

 

#LoveYourWaterways #FabulousFens

 

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

nene valley festival 2018

Many boaters love the quiet River Nene for its stunning countryside and attractive villages, beautiful lock surroundings, stone cottages, and thatched rooves. From Fox Narrowboats the river can be accessed by travelling through the Middle Levels to Peterborough, an ancient city at the edge of the fens.

The Nene Valley Festival celebrates the natural and historic assets of the area through a nine day programme of outdoor events, theatre productions, concerts, guided walks, brewery tours, food and drink festivals, wine tasting, art and craft workshops, and more. So if you’re planning a narrowboat holiday for this September, check out these four reasons not to miss the Nene Valley Festival.

1) Nature

From our hire boat marina in March, to Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough is a 12 hours return trip – ideal for a short break. However, if you want to take in some of the events of the festival you might enjoy planning a longer trip. Turning right from our marina cruising along the Old River Nene your boat will cross the Grenwich Meridian. (The full route to Peterborough is described here: March to Ferry Meadows Country Park.)

Ashline Lock and the ancient market town of Whittlesey is a pretty place to stop along the way. Beyond Whittlesey you pass through open country, and on the approach to Peterborough you will see the cathedral across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock. Celebrations for the 900th anniversary of Peterborough Cathedral have been ongoing this summer.

Narrowboating is a wonderful way to get close to nature. During the Nene Valley Festival there will also be guided walks, wildlife trails, wildlife craft activities at Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre, Woodston Ponds Nature Reserve and Ferry Meadows Country Park.

2) Family Activities

A short branch of the River Nene leads from Stanground lock, with Stanground Village on the left and a nature reserve on the right, before you cruise out onto the wide waters of the Nene. Turn left here and you will find visitor moorings along the length of the park which are convenient for the city centre.

During the festival Peterborough Cathedral will be displaying Tim Peake’s Soyuz spacecraft – Soyuz TMA-19M – and a Space Descent VR experience – something different for all the family.

On September 19th families can enjoy a gentle stroll along the River Nene to Wansford where there will be time to look around the Nene Valley Railway station before returning to Ferry Meadows by train. (This walk is suitable for 8 years and over.) Visit the Nene Park Trust website for details and to book Ramble From River to Rail

On September 23rd in Ferry Meadows Country Park at the Shiver-me-Timbers! event, youngsters can make pirate hats and hooks before taking part in a search for pirate’s treasure.

As you cruise up river from the centre of Peterborough you will see parts of Nene Park, which occupies some 500 acres of meadows, lakes and woods and runs for around six miles alongside the River Nene.

3) Heritage

On a longer holiday you can take your boat beyond Peterborough towards Fotheringhay and Oundle. From Ferry Meadows to Fotheringhay is a 12 hours return trip.

On September 15th, as part of the festival, there is a Blue Badge Guided Walk of Oundle, starting at the Market Place. Discover a town built in stone, an ominous well, good gracious grocers and wacky and worthy headmasters. The buildings here date back from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Market Day is Thursday with a selection of at least 20 market stalls.

On the same day there is a Hidden Heritage Tour starting at Peterborough Museum. Just turn up or pre-book. This is an entertaining guide to the fascinating and undiscovered past of Peterborough – from earliest times, to the secrets of the Saxon abbey and Cathedral precincts, to the modern city.

4) Art – Nemo on Tour

Nemo is an art installation that recreates the sounds of the River Nene by pouring and splashing water through a series of wheels, pipes and mechanisms. Nemo is on tour at various locations around the Nene Valley in September. The most convenient for those travelling by boat will be on 23rd September, when Nemo will be at Peterborough Family Festival, Peterborough Cathedral Square, from 11am to 4pm.

Offering some of Britain’s most spectacular views and stunning landscapes, the impressive Nene Valley is an oasis of tranquillity with a variety of family activities and heritage to explore. Upstream from Peterborough the river has a number many interesting towns and villages on the way to Northampton. The Nene eventually links up with the Grand Union canal. Read more about The River Nene, (routes, maps and top attractions).

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Note: This article refers to the Nene Valley Festival 2018. For up to date info on the festival check the official website. Nene Valley Festival.

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Ely & Cambridge, Featured articles, Get healthy, Pubs & restaurants

chill fenland narrow boat break

Where can you go to unwind and reconnect your mind, body and soul? (Hint: it’s in nature.)

Head to the Fenland waterways, where the skies are big and the boats go slow!

National #RelaxationDay is every August 15th, reminding us that rest and self-care are so important for our mental and physical health. This Relaxation Day why not slow down, take it easy, and read these suggestions for how to unwind? Whether you’re out on a day boat trip, or with us for a narrowboat holiday, here are 10 ways to chill out on a narrowboat.

1) Steer the Boat.

If it’s your first time boating, don’t worry. Our qualified instructors will give you training during the boat handover. By the time you leave our marina you will feel relaxed about steering a narrowboat.

We find our local canals to be much less crowded than others; which makes boating here a truly relaxing experience. (BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson described the Fenlands as “a hidden gem,” in the Ely Standard.)

2) Turn off all Electronics.

With ongoing concerns about smart phone addiction and technology dependency in modern society, we are beginning to recognise the benefits of going “unplugged” and reconnecting to the natural world once in a while. Don’t panic though – Wi-Fi is available on all of our boats, which also have in-car chargers and 240v power supplies. So you can reconnect your electronics again any time you feel the need to!

3) Walking Outside.

A good old fashioned country walk is a classic way to unwind. Towpaths and footpaths are ideal for nature lovers and ramblers. Enjoy the unique Cambridgeshire countryside by walking alongside the boat as you approach a lock. Or take a longer stroll when your boat is moored up.

“Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.”

4) Sit in Nature.

Whether you’ve rambled to the middle of nowhere and are sat meditating under a tree, or have decided to do some cloud-gazing while sitting comfortably on the back deck; absorbing your natural surroundings is a lovely way to relax. Watch out for flora, fauna and waterfowl and leave your troubles behind you.

5) Meander Around Town.

Peterborough, Ely and Cambridge offer plenty to see and do when you are off exploring away from the boat. Smaller places like Wadenhoe, Upwell and Outwell are great for a picturesque wander around too.

6) Go to a Farmers Market.

The Fenland’s rich black soil is some of the most productive in the country offering a wonderful variety of crops. The traditional markets scattered around the Fens are a great source of fresh local produce. Here’s a quick guide to market days in our various local towns.

7) Go for a Coffee Break.

After all that walking through markets and towns you may want to take a break. From The Old Barn Tea Rooms in Wadenhoe, to the trendy cafés of Cambridge, there’s a choice of places to relax with a coffee.

8) View Some Art.

In Ely you can visit Babylon Art Gallery on the Waterside, and The Stained Glass Museum at the cathedral. Ted Coney’s Family Portraits in Ely is an unusual pop-up gallery which opens on Sunday afternoons. In Cambridge you will be spoilt for choice with an impressive range of collections at Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle’s Yard, Ruskin Gallery, New Hall Art Collection, and Byard Art Gallery. If you are travelling on the River Nene there are several art galleries to see in Peterborough.

9) Write Postcards.

Buy your postcards in the galleries, market towns and ancient streets of the Fenlands, and then amble back to your boat to write some good old fashioned postcards. A handwritten note is so much more personal than a Facebook status or an email. Have fun with posh pens, different colours or glittery gel pens, and relax as you reflect on your day and connect with loved ones.

10) Watch the Stars.

Say goodbye to light pollution and moor your narrowboat somewhere quiet and rural. Get comfortable and allow your thoughts to clear as you begin to connect with nature. Stargazing can alleviate stress and increase happiness. Have you ever thought that while looking at the stars, you’re actually looking at the past? The stars are millions of light years away so by the time their light reaches us, they may not even exist anymore…

If you feel you’d benefit from some relaxation days on a narrowboat check out our Narrowboat Hire Special Offers.

You may also like: Feeling Stressed? 5 Ways This Unknown Village Can Soothe Your Soul

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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