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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles

staycation brexit

 

The Guardian recently reported that more and more Brits are staying at home, instead of holidaying abroad, and overseas tourists are now tempted to choose a UK holiday because of the favourable exchange rate post-Brexit. Figures from TravelSupermarket found that the drop in the value of the pound against the euro means that a holiday in Europe will cost a UK family more now than it would have done before Britain voted to leave the EU.

A survey by online deals site vouchercodes.co.uk found the increased cost of holidaying abroad is likely to lead to more and more British people deciding to holiday in the UK this year. The tourism board says the recession is encouraging holiday-makers to stay local and look for value.

Staycation; a combination of the words ‘stay’ and ‘vacation’ is a relatively new word describing the trend of holidaying at home and locally due to the tough economic climate. The advantages include less time spent travelling, and more cultural familiarity. Staycations are also good news for our economy!

Here are Three Great Reasons to Take a Narrowboat Staycation

1) Travel expenses are minimal. Your holiday budget can be mostly spent on dining and local attractions because there will be no need for car journeys to these places, as you will be travelling by boat!

2) There will be no long waits at airports, which can be stressful with children. Bundle everything into the car and enjoy familiar road signs and traffic rules. Then abandon motor traffic altogether in favour of a slower pace of transport. There is plenty of car parking at our base, which is free to our customers for the duration of their holiday.

3) Self-catering has a certain novelty when you are cooking on a narrowboat; standing at the kitchen sink or hob can be a pleasure when your view is lush green foliage or the local water fowl. On sunny summer days try cooking outside; the towpath or riverside is abundant with picturesque barbeque locations.

What better way to enjoy the villages and towns, culture and countryside of Britain, than from a floating holiday home that travels at four miles per hour? Colourful, traditional narrowboats are unique to England offering comfortable beds, bathroom and shower, TV, DVD, central heating and access to the Fens: The best-kept secret of the inland waterways. Away from the queues at the locks on the main canal network, or the challenges of finding a mooring in London, the Fenland waterways offer so much peace and tranquillity.

See what dates we have left for 2016 or book your 2017 holiday with us.

PS. To find out more about narrowboat staycations 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!)

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Featured articles
Kind permission: Jan Pickles
Kind permission: Jan Pickles

Kind permission: Jan Pickles

As summer draws to a close there are still plenty of fun local events, exhibitions and fairs planned for Autumn in the Fens. Here are eight great incentives to book a September narrowboat holiday.

1) It’s Quieter

If you already follow our blog you may know that the Fenland waterways are the quieter alternative to the Norfolk Broads. Some boaters prefer the East Anglian waterways to the main canal system because of the uncrowded peace and tranquillity they offer. In September the waterways are even quieter still, leaving more choices of perfect mooring spaces for the autumn boater.

2) March and District Museum.

Your Fox Narrowboat holiday will begin at our hire base in March, and on September 9th Geoffrey Lee will be giving a talk on the History of Fire Fighting at The March Museum. The building itself dates from 1851 and was originally a girls’ grammar school. Set up as a local folk museum, the displays show the life and times of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries and ongoing to the present day. The museum is run by volunteers, and there are no paid staff.

3) Skylark Garden Centre

The Skylark Garden Centre in March offers a Giant Maize Maze, Pesky Pigeon, Tractor Ride, Pig Racing and more. The Skylark Maize Maze and Funyard runs throughout September, on the weekends.

4) Peckover House

A short cruise away from March is the picturesque village of Upwell. From this pretty mooring you can take the quick bus journey to the Georgian town of Wisbech to visit Peckover House. Here the current exhibition is A Georgian Town in the Fens: A miniature model of Wisbech in 1795, accompanied by an overview of how the town would have been to live in during the late Georgian age. The ‘model village’ includes everything, from the grandest houses to the smallest privies.

5) Wisbech Fair

Wisbech Statute Fair is a funfair held in September, occupying the whole of Chapel Road Car Park and part of Somers Road Car Park. The Fairground rides and stalls are sited in Chapel Road Car Park.

6) September Ball

Situated on a stretch of the historic Well Creek waterway, The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell offers moorings, and is hosting a September Ball. Entertainment will be provided by a live four-piece band, The Funtime Frankies. There will also be a cocktail and canape reception followed by a hog roast hosted by the Fruit Pig Company.

7) Whittlesey Festival

If your narrowboat holiday takes you onto the River Nene you may discover the ancient Fenland market town of Whittlesey. The Nene – Ouse Navigation link meanders alongside the Manor fields, south of the town.

Whittlesey Festival is held on the first Sunday of September and begins with a community parade through the town alongside an impressive classic car display. A climbing wall, swing boats and pony rides will be found on the church yard green and the market place hosts live singers, musicians, marching bands and dance displays throughout the day. The streets will be lined with speciality stalls, including arts and craft.

If you’re headed up the Nene you may also like our article The 3 Best Moorings When Narrowboating on the Nene.

8) It’s Cheaper!

When the hustle and bustle of the summer season is over we offer some very affordable bargain breaks. Check out the prices of our boats, depending on the size of your party – and note that booking online gives you a further discount! Choose a three night short break (Fri-Mon) or a seven night week (Mon-Mon or Fri-Fri). Our all-in price includes hire, damage waiver and fuel.

Check September prices here

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

fishing on a boating holiday

I love lazily cruising underneath overhanging trees with the sun sparkling on the water’s surface and a mug of coffee on the roof in front of me. I also like looking at the guide book to plan this evening’s mooring stop, and having a barbeque on the bank for dinner. But if you’re interested in walking, nature, heritage, drawing, painting, photography, market towns and rural villages, country pubs and city shopping, a canal boat holiday can include all of these too. Tailor your holiday to your own tastes by including museums, historic towns, stately homes, festivals or fishing tournaments. Here are three cool ideas to add to your narrowboat holiday plans.

1) Fishing

For both the keen seasoned angler and novice alike, the tradition of taking fish from the waters of the Fens lives on. Fishing is allowed on the waterways provided that you have a current Environment Agency rod licence, and you don’t need to carry your fishing gear very far: Just step off your canal boat! Most clubs will not object to you fishing from the boat, but some may require you to purchase a day ticket. (This varies from area to area, please check with us on arrival at Fox Boats.) Ferry Meadows Country Park on The Nene offers opportunities for fishing, and the Ely area offers roach and bream. Free fishing is permitted on the Ely Ouse River in the town centre.

2) Shopping

Before you set off, you may like to visit the supermarket in March; situated half a mile from our marina. March town centre is about a mile away offering a varied selection of shops, and markets are held in the town on Wednesday and Saturday.

Known for its university, beautiful architecture, students and bicycles, Cambridge is full of quirky English charm, history and shops. You’ll find most of the main national shop names on the streets of Cambridge, but you’ll also discover the local charms and quaint architecture of craft workshops, antique centres, jewellers, and art galleries.

Ely is one of the smallest cities in England. Well known for its ancient narrow streets, timbered houses, medieval gateway and attractive waterfront it is also the place for antique shopping. The largest collection of antique centres in East Anglia can be found on the waterside front. It’s also an ideal stopping point for stocking up on holiday food provisions.

If you enjoy shopping in historic market towns try Whittlesey, St Ives or Oundle. For the excitement of city shopping, check out Peterborough or Northampton.

3) Discovering History

The Oliver Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon contains some interesting exhibits of life during our Civil Wars. If you visit Cambridge you’ll see the beautiful architecture of the many colleges of the famous university, and if you stop at Ely you can discover the stunning cathedral, known as The Ship of the Fens. Oundle Museum is on the outskirts of Oundle and exhibits trace the history of the settlement over the last 2,000 years. This thriving market town has buildings dating back from the 17th, 18th and 19th century.

Travelling by narrowboat is a charming and nostalgic way to travel through ancient villages and towns, and a very relaxing way to discover parts of England you’ve never seen.

Check availability now and book your own adventure!

  1. For more cool ideas of what to do on a canal boat holiday 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!)

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Navigation articles, Towns & villages
with kind permission: Jan Pickles
Wansford Station EA Boat Moorings jan pickles

with kind permission: Jan Pickles

 

The River Nene passes through Cambridgeshire and Northants where it connects the east of England to the rest of the UK waterway network. If you’re looking for a less-crowded narrowboat holiday where you can enjoy stunning countryside and attractive villages, these three narrowboating writers recommend these three moorings.

1) Wadenhoe

Blogger and narrowboater Sue from nb No Problem has been cruising the waterways and canals of England since 2000 when they bought their first narrowboat to retire on. She loves cruising the East Anglian rivers with her husband Vic and border collies Meg and Penny. The Nene is her favourite river and she advises taking it slow so that you can enjoy the beautiful lock surroundings with ancient mills. She recommends stopping in Wadenhoe Village and checking out stone cottages, thatched rooves, the post office, and the Kings Head. Wadenhoe House is a Jacobean 17C manor house, once home to the Delacy family who were found to be involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

2) Earls Barton

Jan Pickles (co-author of UK River and Canal Info) has a 58ft traditional narrowboat called ‘Drifter’. She says, “We love the peace and tranquillity of the River Nene, as opposed to canals at this time of year. It’s much cheaper for us to buy a gold licence as we spend most of our time down on the Nene.

There are few designated moorings here. The land is all pretty much privately owned by farmers etc, so it’s not the same as the canals where you can pretty much moor anywhere you like.

With the Nene you have to think a little more carefully about where to attempt a bankside mooring. This usually involves me watching over the bow to ensure there’s enough depth and I carry a pair of shears for the few thistles and stingy nettles.

We love Earls Barton. You can now easily moor as a visitor at Whitemills Marina (lock 9) and it’s about a 20 minute walk into a lovely little town, which boasts its own butchers and bakery, fire station and lovely tea rooms.”

3) Wansford Station

Jan says, “Wansford Station has a 48 hour Environment Agency mooring where you can watch the steam train of the Nene Valley Railway chuff by. There’s a tea room there too.”

Amy-Alys Tillson lives aboard a 70 foot historic narrowboat in Cambridge, M.B Willow. She also likes to stop at the EA mooring at Wansford on the Nene because of the Nene Valley Railway. “You can stop and hop on a steam train to Yarwell or Peterborough.” She also recommends the twin villages of Upwell and Outwell for pretty village walks and churches.

Jan Pickles says, “Many new boaters are worried about the Nene because she does have a tendency to flood. We have found however that you just need to be sensible, register for strong stream advice and always keep one eye on the weather. Even when the weather is good, we never tie ropes too tight.”

You may like to read more about the Nene’s top attractions and check out the Fox holiday routes that cover the Nene here: River Nene. Our narrowboat holidays on The Nene can be taken as a week, weekend break or midweek breaks. Check availability today: River Nene Narrowboat Holidays

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Canal boaters & writers, Featured articles, Guest & customer articles
With kind permission: Jan Pickles
Jan Pickles Narrowboat Peterborough Embankment

With kind permission: Jan Pickles

If you’re planning a narrowboat summer holiday on the East Anglian waterways it’s fun to do a bit of online research before you go. There are a few Facebook groups dedicated to our local waterways such as Friends of the River Nene, Fen Boaters and Middle Level Boaters.

So I asked the local boaters on Facebook if they had any tips and suggestions of favourite moorings and best places to visit on the Cam, Ouse, Nene and Middle Levels?

Fred Ray responded with a link to his beautiful photo blog. Fred explored the Fen waterways before Easter last year, with his family on board narrowboat Calamity Jayne. One of the highlights was a visit to Ely cathedral. Fred was impressed and overawed by the sheer scale and beauty of the building. The ‘Ship of the Fens’ dates from the 11th century. Fred’s blog displays examples of the intricate stonework, stained glass windows and painted vaulted ceilings. They visited the West Tower and climbed 288 steps to get some stunning shots of the flat fenlands all around, and looked down onto the top of the octagonal Lantern Tower. He even spied their boat from up there, moored down on the river! Their day out in Ely also offered shopping, playing in a country park and chip butties for lunch.

I also read on Facebook that the Five Miles in Upware, near Ely is has real ales, good food and plenty of moorings. On a Friday night they have a live band and during the summer live music in the garden. The Five Miles From Anywhere Inn is a modern, family-friendly pub-restaurant with a grassy riverside garden on the River Cam.

A visitor to our Facebook page recently suggested The Ship Inn at Brandon Creek. “They serve consistently great home cooked food and cater for celiacs and gluten diets really well. Best Treacle tart ever. Mooring over night when you go there too. There are also Environment Agency moorings alongside the pub: A truly pretty spot between two rivers – just like an island.”

Jan Moyes says, “We do have a house, but we don’t go there very often!” They spend most of their time on their boat, Pennymist. She says, “Cambridge is my favourite place and we have always been lucky in getting a mooring at Jesus Green lock, but there is not a lot of mooring. On the Nene, Midsummer Meadow is one lock and ten minutes cruise from Northampton and a much quieter mooring. Also The Kings Head at Wadenhoe is good. Most EA moorings on the great Ouse are good. I really like the Five Miles From Anywhere – and it’s a great place name! Upwell to Burwell is a nice little detour – lovely little village.”

‘H’ and Jan Pickles (and their three cats) have been exploring the Great Ouse and its tributaries on an old Seamaster river cruiser, and have collated their years of experience into a website that can be accessed on the move via mobile devices. UK River and Canal Info offers the kind of information that boaters only discover over years of exploring, so is a real help to holiday makers that are new to the area. They like to visit Wadenhoe, on the River Nene.

Jan says, “You can moor at the bottom of the pub gardens for free if you eat in The Kings Head. If you prefer not to eat, it’s a fee. There’s an E.A. water point there too, which is handy.

Further up the village you have the Old Barn Tea Rooms. They do a wicked cooked breakfast and lovely cakes, as well as gifts, plants and even free range eggs can be purchased there.

You can also moor a little further upstream against the SSSI (site of special scientific interest). It costs nothing to moor there and the pub and tea rooms are still within easy reach.”

Any one of these places is within easy reach of our hire boat base in March, and can be included in your holiday plans.

For more Fenland boaters recommendations and tips, plus our local boaty news and gorgeous narrowboating pictures make sure you’re following our Facebook page, and 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!)

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

ouse fest 2016OuseFest is a local Cambridgeshire event that falls right in the middle of the summer narrowboat holiday season. There are more than 100 fun, local events planned over the fortnight of 18th to 31st July, which celebrate the Ouse Washes Landscape and communities.

The Ouse Washes are an area in the Fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. They cover the area between two diversion channels of the River Great Ouse: the Old Bedford River and the New Bedford River and they are known for their wildfowl and nature reserves. The Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership scheme focusses on the distinctively rural, open and tranquil landscape surrounding the Ouse Washes and its unique heritage, and is Heritage Lottery funded.

Over the two week period the local area will be host to guided walks, photography workshops, fun days, family-friendly nature activities, exhibitions, poetry readings, workshops, talks, theatre performances and film screenings. There are many opportunities to learn about the history, wildlife and traditions of the Fens. A full programme of events is available at the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership website.

Many of the OuseFest events can be visited by boat. For example there is a free Made in the Fens Craft Workshop on Saturday 30th July 1pm – 4pm at Ely Museum, Market Street, Ely, and there are other craft workshops, including rag rugging, in other locations.

On Saturday 23rd July St Ives Town Team presents ‘The Merrie Wives of St Ives’, or ‘Much Ado About Tommy Do’: A summer evening on the quay, including a play and barbeque with hog roast.

These are just three options you can choose out of a very varied programme of events.

Amy Tillson is Marketing and Events Assistant for OuseFest. She says,

“OuseFest 2016 has plenty going on near the waterways. Boaters could visit all the events happening in the major riverside towns: Downham Market, Denver, Ely, Earith and St Ives. There’s also a fantastic Fenland storytelling event on July 28th at the Ship Inn (on the Great Ouse at the junction with the Little Ouse) and a Family fun day on Sunday 24th July at Prickwillow Museum on the River Lark where they will be running their pumping engines. On the same day, Stretham Old Engine (on the Great Ouse) will also be running their fascinating pumping engine”.

So don’t delay, check today if the hire boat you want is available during OuseFest 2016  Check availability

More local news, events and holiday tips will be emailed directly to you if you subscribe in the right sidebar of our blog. (We never share or sell email addresses, this is simply an automated way to receive our blog updates – look for Follow Blog.)

Prickwillow image credit to Prickwillow Museum

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

canal boat guideIf you’re planning your first ever narrowboat summer holiday this year then there could be three common mistakes that you don’t even know you’re making. The experienced boater knows the answers to these three questions: Get rid of holiday doubt and uncertainty once and for all with our three top tips for a trouble-free summer cruise.

1) What if it Rains?

Choosing an English canal boat holiday means that you must embrace the great British weather – this is where taking your holiday-home with you as you travel gives you unrivalled creature comforts! Should it be raining or windy or both, your options are to moor up until it all blows over, or carry on regardless with an umbrella, some team spirit and an extra helping of optimism. Depending on where you are when the bad weather strikes you might moor at a pub, or explore a local village or town. If you’re in the middle of some glorious piece of nowhere, enjoy the feeling of being isolated in nature, while grabbing a snack, playing cards or board games, reading a book or drawing and painting. Our hire boats also have a stereo and a flat screen TV with Freeview so you won’t be bored! Anyway, there’s no need to rush to reach your destination. Canal boating is all about enjoying the moment!

2) Where Should we go?

To find out how long your journey will take you, try using CanalPlanAC, an online tool for planning your route, taking into account distances and locks. This website has an extensive collection of beautiful waterway photographs and shows pubs and shops along the way. The default calculations are based on seven hours travelling each day, and on all days being the same length, but for a more relaxed holiday you might want to plan on travelling for about four hours per day, so that you have time to explore upon land from time to time. The website allows you to change the default options to plan your own ideal journey.

The Fox Waterways Route Guide will also steer you through different boating journeys, showing the highlights of the Fenland waterways and places to visit.

3) What if it’s Busy?

School holidays can be a busy time on England’s canals (that’s late July to early September) but busy just means that occasionally you might have to wait to use a lock, or the best mooring places (e.g closest to the pub) may be taken when you arrive. That’s why choosing the Fenland waterways can be a good option; they offer a much less crowded alternative to the Norfolk Broads. However, remember a busy area on a canal is nothing like the misery of being stuck in a traffic jam on the road! Queuing for a lock can mean chatting to other boaters, or just relaxing on your back deck with a cup of tea.

Check availability here: Search hire boats and dates.

The Best Kept Secret

“He is very partial to the Eastern Counties, especially the Broads and rivers of Norfolk. You remember he was on his way to Oulton Broad when he disappeared?”

“Yes; and one must admit that the waterways of Norfolk and Suffolk, with all their endless communications, would form an admirable hiding-place. In a small yacht or covered boat a man might lose himself in that network of rivers and lakes and lie hidden for months, creeping from end to end of the county without leaving a trace.”

From The Shadow of The Wolf R Austin Freeman (1925)

Adam Henson (BBC’s Countryfile) described the Fenland waterways as a “hidden gem”. If you are looking for an admirable hiding-place to get away from it all and lose yourself in a network of navigations then this is the holiday you are looking for!

More waterways secrets and holiday tips will be emailed directly to you if you subscribe in the right sidebar of our blog. (We never share or sell email addresses, this is simply an automated way to receive blog updates – look for Follow Blog.)

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Foxes News
medowgate web 003

March Explorer

Community Involvement With Meadowgate School.

Tracey Baxter our Finance Director jumped at the chance of organising a boat trip for some Sixth Form students from Meadowgate school in Wisbech, following an approach by the lock keepers daughter at Marmont Priory lock Chrissie Norton, who works at the school.Medowgate Web 001

The students and their assistants joined the March Explorer at Marmont Priory Lock. They helped with the operation of the gates and paddles before cruising along Well Creek through the villages of Upwell and Outwell taking a turn at the helm.

duck 4

wildlife to spot

There was a fish and chip lunch in Outwell and lots of wildlife to spot including coots, grebe, heron, swans and ducklings.

Tracey said, “It was great to get out of the office for the day and to take the trip to Outwell which is one of my favourites on the whole of the UK Inland Network. I’ve done this journey more times than I would care to remember since the waterway reopened to navigation in the 1970’s thanks to the work of the Well Creek Trust.  Each time there is something different to see and experience.”medowgate web 002

 

 

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Pubs & restaurants

As the summer narrowboat holiday season approaches we asked the Fox Narrowboats team what are some of the best pubs on the Fenland waterways? They were only too pleased to do some pub-related research, and suggested these three riverside pubs along some of our favourite holiday narrowboating routes.

The Acre

the-acre-pub-marchThe Acre is a popular riverside pub not far from our holiday hire boat base. Known for its friendly staff, prompt service and home-cooked Sunday carvery (sometimes accompanied by live jazz) this pub is a local favourite of ours.

Fox Boat’s Tracey says, “We popped into the Acre for a quick lunch recently. The service was quick and the food, breaded Camembert was well cooked and attractively served.”

The Acre has been recently refurbished, has a warm friendly atmosphere and is good value for money. It’s very convenient for boaters as the moorings are close to the pub, but booking is advisable.

The Acre
9 the Acre, March, March PE15 9JD

The Swan on the River

swan pub march riversideCruising from March to Ely will take you about 18 hours as a return trip, and we recommend The Swan for your refreshments while you’re in the area. There’s a lovely atmosphere, great service from friendly staff and dogs are welcome. The outdoor seating area is really lovely in the summer months.

Fox Boat’s Paula says, “We went to The Swan on the River on a Wednesday evening. The pub was busy and there was a good vibe about the place. The bread that accompanied my prawn cocktail was homemade and I chose liver and bacon for my main which was on a two-course-for-£11 deal.

My partner had a starter of creamy mushrooms and a main of steak. All the food was well cooked and well-presented so we will definitely go back again.”

There are six free, visitor moorings at The Swan but they cannot be reserved in advance.

The Swan on the River
1 Sandhill, Littleport, Ely CB6 1NT
http://www.swanontheriver.co.uk

The Cutter

cutter pub march riversideIf you do head down the River Ouse to Ely you must also check out The Cutter. This award winning, busy pub was taken over and restored by TLC Inns in 2006 and offers great service, frequent menu changes and fantastic river views, with an outside seating area. You can also eat in the informal bar or in the more formal, airy, stylish restaurant. It’s the perfect place to enjoy large food portions while watching canal boats meandering along the river.

The Cutter
42 Annesdale, Ely CB7 4BN
http://www.thecutterinn.co.uk

If you can picture yourself meandering down the river this summer visiting riverside pubs, then check our availability now for this summer’s canal boat holiday!

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Navigation articles

project hereway fenland waterways restorationIf you’re new to narrowboating in Cambridgeshire you may not know about the planned restoration of the Forty Foot River between Welches Dam and Horseway Lock. Project Hereward intends to restore this historic navigation link between the Middle Level and the Great Ouse and bring this waterway back to life for all users.

Here are six secrets about Project Hereward that every Fenland boater should know.

1) This 2 ½ mile channel of 40 foot drain was navigable as recently as 1995, but is now neglected and overgrown with vegetation: Not a fish or a boat in sight.

2) Historical importance: As it was constructed around 1649 it actually pre-dates the Duke of Bridgewater’s first canal by over 100 years!

3) The Forty Foot River is midway between March and Ely and is the broken link in a chain of waterways from the Great Fen in the West to Wicken Fen in the East. When restored it would link the rest of the UK canal network through the Middle Level to the Great Ouse system.

4) It could be a key part of the future Fenland Waterways Link because it will make it possible for boats to travel from the Middle Level to the Great Ouse System without crossing the tidal river at Salter’s Lode.

5) Although there are already over 600 boats on the Middle Level Navigations this new waterway would draw more leisure craft to the waterways and holiday and day-boat hire would increase. Because this will be an easier and more convenient route from the River Nene to the Great Ouse, more boats will be expected to travel through the Middle Levels benefitting many local businesses and attractions.

6) Phases 1 and 2 are already underway! Phase 1 is to evaluate existing problems on the forty foot drain between the locks. Phase 2 is to create a detailed plan of action for a revitalised Waterway For All, and negotiate with the Environment Agency and riparian landowners.

What Next?

The Project Hereward team meets formally every month: Phase 3 is to cost the plan!

The waterways that make up the Middle Level system are a mixture of natural rivers and man-made channels that were started early in the 17th century. Our hire boat base in March is at the heart of the Middle Levels. Browse possible holiday routes here and explore the Middle Levels for yourself this summer!

You may also like: Fox Boats Mooring Customer is First Narrowboat in Old Bedford in 2015.

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