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

narrowboat-hire-easy-cruisingIf you’re new to narrowboating and haven’t tried a canal boat holiday before there may be some mistakes that you don’t even know you’re making. Before planning your first narrowboat holiday you may have several misconceptions about boating and inland waterways. So, here are five myths busted by an experienced narrowboater.

1) Barge Holiday or Long Boat Holiday?

A long boat is a Viking boat – so the chances are you are thinking about a narrowboat! However, many people refer to all canal boats as barges, because of their origins as cargo-carrying boats. These days a barge is usually a wide-beam cargo-carrying boat, and a colourful holiday boat is more likely to be a narrowboat.

2) I Can’t Drive a Narrowboat!

Yes you can! You may also be surprised to learn that you need absolutely no prior experience and the team at Fox Boats will make you more than welcome, showing you the ropes and advising you on routes, mooring places and pubs! We’ll make sure you’re comfortable with handling the boat before you set off, and will show you how to operate a lock (it’s easier than it looks.) We want you to feel confident enough to really enjoy your holiday on the Fenland waterways.

3) Is it dark in there?

I used to live on a narrowboat and this was a question that I got asked sometimes. A typical narrowboat may have 10 windows, two portholes and glass doors at the front. A boat that is all portholes can sometimes be a little dark inside, but many boats are light and airy within. Some designs have a little ‘pigeon box’ on the roof which lets light in through the ceiling. Others may have a sort of glass fish-eye lens in the ceiling. Fox hire boats are light and airy with plenty of windows either side.

4) It’s a Bit Like Camping Isn’t It?

No, it really isn’t. A narrowboat will generally have running water, heating, a full size cooker, gas and a fridge. It is much more comfortable to go on a canal boat holiday than to spend the night in a tent. A typical narrowboat from our hire fleet offers a radio and CD player, hoover, microwave, hairdryer, 240v electrics, 12v mobile phone charging point, a USB Charging point in the saloon, a flat Screen TV with DVD, and gas central heating. So a narrowboat holiday is definitely not “roughing it”!

5) Are the Fenland Waterways Connected to the Norfolk Broads?

No, they are separate waterways, but many of the British canals and inland waterways are connected to one another. The canals in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds are all connected, in fact there are about 2000 miles of navigable canals in the UK. This main part of the canal network is connected to the Middle Level Navigations (where we are) by travelling the River Nene through Peterborough and Northampton to the Grand Union Canal.

A boating holiday on the Fenland waterways is a bit like boating on the Norfolk Broads, but with more than twice the distance available to navigate. This means the waterways are less crowded, allowing you to peacefully cruise through nature reserves, villages, towns and expansive flat landscapes undisturbed.

To find out more about boating on the Fenland Waterways you may like to follow us on Facebook or sign up to receive fun and informative blog articles by email. (See ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right.) We never share or sell email addresses, you details are safe with us.

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

fenland-waterways-cotterstock-churchWhen you’re looking for a canal boating holiday you have to decide where to go. The Norfolk Broads offer a cruise without locks, The Llangollen canal offers a stunning view from the Pontcysyllte aqueduct and Birmingham offers more miles of canal than Venice. The Kennet and Avon is known for the Caen Hill Flight and the Regents Canal offers the famous sights of London.

But if you’re looking for peace and tranquillity on your narrowboat holiday you may cast aside those “celebrity” waterways in favour of the East of England’s best kept secret; the Fenland waterways. Here are four little-known waterways that every discerning holiday boater should know.

The River Nene

At the end of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal boats can connect with the River Nene, the tenth longest river in the UK. This navigable river meanders through the valleys, hills, villages and towns of Northamptonshire, before arriving in Peterborough. Here you will find a Cathedral, Queensgate Shopping Centre, Key Theatre and the Nene Valley Railway. Ferrymeadows Country Park on the Nene in Peterborough offers watersports, walking, jogging, cycling, horse-riding, a train ride, and fishing surrounded by meadows, lakes and woodland. There are also a number of cafes and a busy events and activity programme.

From here you can then boat onwards to the Middle Levels.

The Middle Level

These quiet waterways are a combination of natural rivers and man-made channels offering a very relaxing way to visit a variety of picturesque towns and villages. The levels are actually below sea level and have to be pumped up to sea-level in order to keep the land drained. The town of March offers several places to eat beside the water and a beautiful church just a short walk from Foxboats marina. You can take your hire boat right through the centre of the two villages Upwell and Outwell, cruising past pubs, houses, gardens and shops.

The River Great Ouse

If you’re looking for a charming journey through olden England then head for the fourth longest river in the UK. A boating holiday on The Great Ouse can take in Ely Cathedral, the historic market town of St Ives, the Oliver Cromwell Museum, Buckden Great Tower (where Catherine of Aragon was imprisoned) and the market town of St Neots.

The River Cam

The Cam is a tributary of the River Great Ouse and joins it just south of Ely at Popes Corner. Cambridge is a stunning city and a boating holiday along the River Cam will take in Kings College Chapel and the Bridge of Sighs. You can moor your hire boat below the last lock, by Jesus Green at the limit of the navigation and explore all of the history, entertainment and food that Cambridge has to offer.

Any one of these four rivers can offer you a fantastic boating holiday, and can be easily reached from our hire boat base at March, Cambridgeshire. Our Fenland market town is just a short journey from London and is situated on the banks of the old course of the navigable River Nene. If you’re looking for a great uncrowded alternative to those more well-known English waterways; and if you’re into discovering beautiful fenland countryside and historic towns and cities all at your own pace then you are probably looking for the East of England waterways. (But don’t tell those other navigations – they do get jealous!)

Now, which of our boats appeals to you, for this summer’s holiday cruise?

Still undecided? Sign up for free blog updates to get the best waterways tips that those other UK canals don’t want you to know! (See ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar to the right of this article).

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Charity, Foxes News
St Georges Fayre 2015
St Georges Fayre 2015

St Georges Fayre

Our fundraising for charity of the year  2016 MAGPAS Air Ambulance is now well underway. Our Easter treasurer hunt was well supported by our mooring customers and netted £34.50 We are looking forward to again running boat trips at the March St George’s Fayre on Sunday 24th April.  Boat trips leave from March Town Bridge on the hour and half hour from 10am until 4pm  costing £3.  Advanced booking is already open if you contact the office on 01354 652770.

Once again Gary will be your skipper as you view March from the waterway, may be spot the build plate under the town bridge and perhaps you will see an elusive kingfisher swoop in front of the boat in search for a meal.

Come and experience for yourself why Ratty said “There is nothing–absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” – Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows,

Private evening skippered trips will also be available later this year. The cost is £100 per boat and is for up to 10 guests. It involves a skippered boat trip for 1 ½ hours commencing at 7pm, a steward is on had to serve tea, coffee and biscuits.  The trip journeys through the town of March with its picturesque moorings and return. Trips can be booked by telephoning 01354 652770. These trips are idea for family celebrations and small interest group activities. The dates available are 23rd, 24th,25th,  26th May, and  20th, 21st, 23rd June. Contact us for details.

Magpas logo for printing (large)

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

March Summer Festival

march summer festival 2016 juneMarch Summer Festival is a free event and in 2016 it will be held on 10th June. You can expect music and activities appealing to all ages and tastes and an open air stage set up in West End Park for the weekend.

March is nestled in the Fens on the Middle Level Waterways close to the River Ouse and River Nene. If you enjoy live music, (pop, dance, jazz, brass and folk) alongside a funfair and a variety of food vendors then why not kick off your narrowboat holiday with a festival?

Last year wet weather refused to dampen the spirits of the people of March as they celebrated their sixteenth Festival Weekend. Hundreds of people gathered at West End Park to enjoy the music, parade of walkers, classic vehicles and floats and a variety of stalls and amusements. (There is a gallery of photographs of the event, courtesy of Anthony Hylton, at The March Summer Festival website.)

The weekend opened with ‘Rock in the Park’ on Friday evening. On Saturday the rain didn’t stop thousands of people lining the streets to watch the carnival parade, which involved over 500 people, plus a horse and cart! The main festival then began with local presentations and a fancy dress competition followed by an energetic dance routine performed by over 100 dancers.

The crowds also enjoyed a David Bowie tribute performer, ‘Picnic in the Park’ and a fun dog show. Later on, a day out in a Fox narrowboat for 10 people was one of 17 great prizes that were won in the Grand Draw. Our marina is surrounded by some very picturesque rivers. After the festival you could hire one of our narrow boats for a relaxed boat trip and cruise the Fenland waterways taking in the scenery and wildlife. There’s lots of room at the front and rear of the boat so that everyone can be outside. Inside the day boat has a galley, dinette, toilet and seating area. You could cruise through March eastwards towards the lovely village of Upwell, or alternatively take a trip west passing Floods Ferry Marina Park, arriving at Ashline Lock and the town of Whittlesey. For a longer journey, try taking out one of our holiday narrowboats for a three, four or seven day trip.

For other tips and ideas on enjoying the Fenland waterways this summer subscribe to our blog today. We never share or sell email addresses, we just send you occasional articles about boating. (See Follow Blog in the sidebar on the right.)

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