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

fox canal boat st george

Every day’s a school day! We don’t stop learning on the date that we leave school. If you’re a narrowboat geek like me, you will love learning about all things canals and boats. The East Anglian waterways are not only a great place for a holiday, they are also a great way to immerse yourself in heritage and culture. Here are six good lessons to learn about canals this term.

Art

If you’re arty do bring along your drawing and painting supplies as the scenery here is so beautiful. On a narrowboat holiday you can visit art galleries in Peterborough, Ely and Cambridge. There are also several small, independent galleries around Peterborough. Ely’s visitor moorings are close to The Babylon Gallery and while you’re in Ely The Stained Glass Museum at the cathedral is worth a visit.

Read: Four Fenland Galleries for the Classy Canal Boater

If you’re curious about the origins of traditional canal folk art read: The Fox Boats Guide to Traditional Canal Ware Cargo carrying boaters were known for their lace work, Measham Ware and painted roses and castles.

History

We’re a bit spoilt around here for heritage sites to visit. From the university colleges of Cambridge to Ely Cathedral and Oliver Cromwell’s House, a narrowboat trip can be a nostalgic cruise into the past. Read about our local museums, big and small in Are Museums Ever Fun? The Answer Might Surprise You

You could also visit more unusual heritage sites such as Streatham Old Engine or The Prickwillow Engine Museum. Stretham Old Engine is the last survivor in the southern Fenland of over 100 steam-powered pumping stations applied to fen drainage in the 19th and early 20th centuries. https://strethamoldengine.org.uk

Religious Education

If you are boating on the Great River Ouse and Cam then don’t miss Ely Cathedral, known as ‘The Ship of the Fens.’ But starting with St Wendreda’s Church near our marina in March, there are many local, unusual churches worth visiting. The former monasteries, now churches and cathedrals, of Crowland, Ely, Peterborough, Ramsey and Thorney have given the Fens the unofficial title of “Holy Land of the English.”

Read: Four Churches to Visit When it’s not Even Christmas

And: The Forgotten Churches You Should Visit by Boat

Languages

When you begin boating on ‘the cut’ (the canal) you start to learn all sorts of weird and wonderful slang words and boating terms such as cheesing the ropes, cracking the paddles or butties and motors. Read: The Canal Lingo Those Toe Rags Won’t Tell You About

You can also prepare yourself for International Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19th September, and learn useful phrases like,  “Shiver me timbers”, “Avast!” and “Pass the grog!” Read: Ahoy! 3 Fine Holiday Tips for Talk Like a Pirate Day

English Literature

If your mum, wife, or gran is a lady who enjoys narrowboating, then consider getting her a book revealing the quirks and charms of parenting on board. Five Books for the Narrowboat Mum

Richard Mabey’s book ‘Nature Cure’, describes his recovery from severe depression through walking, watching and writing about the Eastern region’s beautiful landscapes. Read: How to Get Top Author’s ‘Nature Cure’ on a Narrowboat Holiday

If you’ve heard about eBooks, but are unfamiliar with the technology this simple guide to using Google Books could be the answer you are looking for. How to Read Narrowboat Books Without Actually Buying Any

One of my favourite boating books is Eily Gayford’s memoir The Amateur Boatwomen, about her time training all-woman canal boat crews during the Second World War.

Maths

Here’s a good maths problem. You’re looking for a good holiday deal, but struggling to budget when the future is so uncertain. A narrowboat staycation is the ideal choice for these unpredictable times. If you subtract the cost of travelling abroad, then subtract the hassle of airport queues then a canal boat holiday is a no brainer! Look out for various deals and last-minute cancellations on our Facebook page, Fox Narrowboats, or book early by searching for deals on our website. Make your budget stretch further by self-catering on board. An all-inclusive pricing policy makes it so much easier to budget for your holiday. At Foxboats our all-in price includes hire, damage waiver, fuel and gas.

You may also like: Boating on a Budget – 3 Low Cost Alternatives

Want even more education? Read: Back to School: 5 Lessons to be Learned on a Narrowboat Holiday

Hey! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to receive more insider knowledge about canals and narrowboating. (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, Get healthy, Holiday deals & special days
day boat hire fox narrowboats

Navigation planning on a Fox day boat

With September just around the corner and the children back to school, why not take a mid-week day afloat for some relaxation?

Taking a day off to go messing about in boats will boost your mental health and create special memories with your loved ones. Get up close to nature and take photos as you travel at a leisurely pace through the Middle Level in Cambridgeshire. A typical return boat journey will take six or seven hours, so it’s a chance to really slow down. Go with a group of friends for an unusual hen party or stag do, or celebrate a special family occasion. Our day boats carry up to 10 passengers, and everyone can have a go at steering.

A short train journey from Cambridge or London, you will find us in the Fenland market town of March. If this is your first time narrowboating we will show you the ropes. We’re a friendly family-run business, so you can ask us any questions before you set off. You can either cruise east towards the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell, or west through Ashline Lock to Whittlesey.

Our colourful day boats are the March Adventurer and the March Explorer. Both boats have a seating area and a toilet, and you will find the galley on board complete with hob, fridge, and a sink. Each boat has a dinette, equipped with crockery and cutlery so you can make snacks and hot drinks as you travel. (Grab food at Sainsbury’s or Iceland, in March, or at the riverside village store in Upwell.)

For a special occasion order food from Glam Grazing by Gem and it will be in the fridge on board when you arrive. Choose from a traditional afternoon tea, a gentleman’s afternoon tea or a selection of graze boxes. The Sweet Treat Box is perfect for a birthday as it includes Prosecco and a selection of homemade, freshly prepared cakes. There is also a children’s afternoon tea and a gluten free option.

There’s enough room on the boat for everyone to sit outside, and dogs are welcome.

Read: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide.

If it rains there is a see-through cover at the front of the boat, or you could take shelter in a cosy country pub along the way.

Enjoy the views, the heritage and the wildlife as you cruise on the water. Day boating customers have spotted kingfishers and other birds, and animals grazing in the fields as they drift lazily through the countryside.  If you like to stay active you can walk alongside the boat sometimes, and help with the locks.

Check out the stunning local scenery in this short video clip:

A mid-week break in September means you avoid the summer holiday crowds, and save money on the cost of boat hire. The autumn colours make the scenery quite idyllic at this time of year. The flat landscape allows you to travel under a panorama of big skies, perhaps passing through a mesmerising windfarm if you are headed to Outwell.

You may also like: 5 Memorable Things to See on a Day Boat Trip

There are some great offers available this September with some days reduced from £225 to £200. Search Day Boat Hire.

For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out in Cambridgeshire, enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in -box. (We never share or sell email addresses, this is just to send you our latest blog posts.)

Photo & Video Credit: Fox Narrowboats

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Narrowboaters knowledge

narrowboat under bridge summer

Last week an extreme heat warning was put in place by the Met Office, as this year’s second heatwave continues to affect the whole of Britain. The public were urged to use water wisely as drought had affected several areas. Liveaboard narrowboaters and those on canal boat holidays had to think about the best ways to manage boating in a heatwave.

1) Early Start

Some boaters like to set off at 7.00am and finish boating by 10.00am to avoid the fiercest heat of the day. If you’re steering, or sitting on deck for any length of time, wear sunscreen and a hat, because the sunlight is strong when it bounces off the water. Wearing light coloured clothing will help to reflect the heat.

2) Low Water Levels

A second month with almost no rainfall is putting many waterways under pressure. The Middle Level waterways are kept topped up by taking water from the River Nene. In a heatwave boaters may need to be aware that with lower water levels you will need to cruise at a slower speed and keep an eye out for submerged obstacles. On some navigations it is possible to share a lock with another boat, therefore saving water. On the rivers Nene, Ouse and Cam a lack of rainfall can cause lower flows and river levels. You can check online for the latest navigation advice: Navigation Notices for Great Ouse and River Nene. When mooring the boat make sure that that ropes and lines allow for changeable river levels.

3) Moor in the Shade

A steel narrowboat can get pretty warm on the inside during hot weather, so if possible avoid mooring in direct sunlight. Over-hanging trees are a blessing in a heatwave! Allow a breeze to flow through the boat by opening all the doors, side hatches, roof hatches, vents and windows. (But lock and secure the boat again if you are leaving it unattended.)  Close the curtains on the side of the boat that faces the sun.

Some of the old working boatmen used to drape wet cloths over the cabin roof and sides in hot weather, to cool the boat.

4) Don’t Swim

It can be tempting to consider cooling off in the river, but navigable waterways are not intended for swimming, and can be dangerous as powered craft may not see you in the water. In some waterways it’s possible to contract a potentially serious bacterial infection called Weil’s disease. In July this year a 16 year old boy died after getting into difficulties while swimming in a canal in West Yorkshire. The Canal and River Trust website warns that there are also hidden risks of open water swimming, including submerged debris, fishing wire, reeds and unexpected cold-water shock.

If you want to include swimming in your Fox Narrowboats holiday there are public swimming pools and lido’s in Peterborough, Ely and Cambridge.

5) Keep Hydrated

Keep a stock of soft drinks and water on board, and try not to drink too much caffeine or alcohol, which are diuretics and can cause your body to lose fluid.

One of the great things about travelling by boat is being able to moor up at a waterside pub for a cooling drink. Here are a few of our favourite pubs you can visit by boat: Three Waterside Pubs to Visit on Holiday

A waterways guide book will be supplied with your hire boat, which will tell you about pubs, and where there are water points to refill the boat’s water tank. However, the boat will be supplied with plenty of water in advance of your holiday.

Your Summer Cruise

These tips should ensure that even in a heatwave your summer cruising is safe and comfortable. The Anglian waterways are absolutely stunning in this glorious weather. If you’re reading this at home or in the office, perhaps you are wishing you were on a narrowboat holiday right now? Check availability and plan your next canal boat break or day trip.

Hey! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to receive more helpful holiday tips about the Fenland Waterways. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

Credit: Deposit Photos Licence

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog
fox narrowboat holiday cc jem bulbrook

Image credit: Jem Bulbrook Photography

Looking for a short break on an English narrowboat?

Have you explored the stunning scenery of the Fenlands yet?

Searching for a rural escape that’s not too far from London?

Our online booking offers could be just what you need right now. Searching for last minute holiday bargains can be time consuming, so we’ve put together our top three deals for this August.

Platinum Fox narrowboat (sleeps 4-6)

Platinum Fox; a 55 foot narrowboat with a cruiser stern, is fitted in American Oak and features a microwave, TV and DVD. The cruiser stern allows for the whole crew to spend time together during the trip. (See what a cruiser stern looks like.) The berths are arranged as two singles and two doubles. On board you will find 240v electrics, a hoover, hairdryer, a USB charging point, a fully equipped galley, and central heating. The beds will be made up for your arrival with fresh bed linen and duvets.

Our holiday hire boat prices include all fuels used (diesel and gas), VAT, car parking, towels and bedlinen.

Offer

Three nights starting Friday 5th August, 2022, standard price is £1449

Book online and pay just £1420

Rural Fox narrowboat (sleeps 2-4)

Newly built in 2019, Rural Fox is a luxury narrowboat ideal for a couple or a small family. With a fully fitted galley and a comfortable saloon with a folding table for eating, this is a lovely little boat. She has the same facilities as Platinum Fox, and the hire price includes all fuel etcetera.

See the pictures of when the Fox Boats team were building and fitting out Rural Fox: Hello Rural Fox!

She is a 47 foot boat with a cruiser stern, and the berths can be arranged as two doubles, or one double and two singles; with two in the cabin and two in the saloon.

Offer

Three nights starting Friday 19th August, 2022, standard price is £1549

Book online and pay just £1518

Cape Fox narrowboat (sleeps 4-6)

Cape Fox is a 60 foot luxury narrow boat suitable for family or a group, and sleeps up to six people. This boat features two bathrooms. This hire boat is brand new in 2022; built by the Fox Narrowboats boat yard to the same very high standard with skills handed down over generations.

The berths can be arranged as two doubles, or one double and two singles, or four singles, in two cabins and the saloon. You can expect the same facilities included as with the other boats, detailed above.

Offer

Three nights starting Friday 19th August, 2022, Standard price is £1649

Book online and pay just £1616

If these dates don’t suit you, try our easy narrowboat holiday search option to check for more last-minute discounts.  First select your hire type, number of guests, and preferred holiday start date, using the holiday search box. You can then immediately see the offers available, on different narrowboats, with breaks beginning on different dates. Prices start from just £699.

Fox Narrowboats short breaks are on the Middle Level, River Nene and Ouse in Cambridgeshire. Before setting off you will be shown how to steer the boat, and children will be provided with life jackets, and made to feel part of the crew. You can even bring your dog!

You may also like to search for available dates in September, when the waterways are quieter. Why not spend this autumn enjoying peaceful countryside walks, villages, churches, and cosy pub lunches?

You may also like: The Magic of Autumn Canal Boating

Please note, we have a limited number of narrowboats for hire at our marina, and when we feature special offers these holidays often sell quite quickly, so all of these featured discounts are subject to availability.

We are a small, friendly, family-run business, so do give us a call if you have any questions. +44 (0) 1354 652770

To ensure you don’t miss out on our latest holiday tips and advice, sign up to our blog updates in the side bar on the right. Look for ‘Follow Blog’ and click ‘Subscribe’.

Image Credit: Jem Bulbrook Photography

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog
chesters house estate

Chester House Estate courtyard – cc Chesters

Do you like the sound of life in the slow lane?

Attractive villages and stunning countryside?

Want to avoid the crowds on your narrowboat holiday?

You’re going to love visiting the River Nene.

A new floating pontoon has recently been funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Environment Agency. This will allow boaters to moor on the River Nene at north Northamptonshire’s leisure and heritage destination, Chester House Estate. The estate offers beautiful walks, a cafe, restaurant, shopping courtyard, outdoor play area, a museum, and different events throughout the year. Chester House can be visited on an extended narrowboat trip when travelling towards Northampton, as this navigable part of the river passes through Cambridgeshire and Northants where it connects the east of England to the rest of the UK waterway network.

chesters house estate river nene

aerial view of Chester House Estate with river nene – cc Chesters

However, travelling at four miles an hour on a holiday from Fox Narrowboats you are unlikely to reach Chester House Estate in a hurry – even though it is just a short drive by car! But you will be spoilt for choices of beautiful walks, cafes, restaurants and shopping on your boat journey, as you explore Wadenhoe, Peterborough, and Fotheringhay, while cruising at a leisurely pace.

chesters house estate restaurant

Chesters House Estate restaurant – cc Chesters

Much of the land around the Nene is privately owned by farmers, so when you stop you will usually need a designated mooring; these are marked in your guidebook provided with your hire boat. Whitemills Marina also welcomes visitors and has a marina-side Boathouse Café.

nene mooring chesters house estate

nene mooring Chesters House Estate – cc Chesters

Heading towards Peterborough from our narrowboat hire base you may like to stop in Wadenhoe village, to see thatched rooves and stone cottages, and relax at the Kings Head.

There is also a mooring and tea room at Wansford Station where you can watch the steam train of the Nene Valley Railway pass by. This preserved railway runs from Peterborough to Yarwell Junction. Narrowboaters can board a train at Overton (Ferry Meadows station). Imagine yourself travelling back in time, while relaxing in a restored wooden panelled coach on a heritage train.

Read: Three Reasons to Visit the Nene Valley Railway by Narrowboat

In September a variety of events are taking place for the annual Nene Valley festival. Moor up in Ferry Meadows Park and try free fishing lessons, or take a tour of Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, formerly Peterborough Infirmary, and see a Victorian operating theatre. You may also like the Saxon Stones, and a variety of special displays at St Margaret’s Church in nearby Fletton.

If you still want to carry on cruising then from Ferry Meadows park to Fotheringhay is a 12 hour return trip. In 1587 Mary queen of Scots was beheaded in Fotheringhay Castle. Today all that remains are the castle mound and a few stones. Views of the village are dominated by a perpendicular style church, dating in parts to the 15th Century. A local farmer charges for mooring at this quiet and peaceful village. For more details see Fox Route Four.

Cruising the River Nene, really is a stunning trip through peaceful countryside, with places to visit that take you on a nostalgic trip through England’s history: A real chance to get away from modern life. Yet, every narrowboat at Fox Boats comes equipped with all modern conveniences and creature comforts, so that you feel like you have a home from home.

You may also like: The 3 Best Moorings When Narrowboating on the Nene

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

Image Credits: Chesters House Estate

Chester House can be visited on an extended narrowboat holiday of 11 or 14 nights.

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Foxes News
Alan celebrates 40 years at Fox Narrowboats

Staff at Fox Narrowboats were celebrating last Friday evening when they had a BBQ at the marina to celebrate Alan Stimpson’s 40 years of Service with the company.  Alan who is the lead boatbuilder with the firm joined the company in 1982 following 6 months on the Youth Opportunities Programme.  Since that time Alan has gained qualifications in Welding, Power Boating, Inland helmsman, Marine Electrics and Woodworking. During his time with the company Alan has seen the marina undergo two extensions enabling the marina to accommodate up to 200 boats. Built three sea going yachts and three boats with disabled access for St John Ambulance and built a Canal boat exported to Rhode Island USA as well as bespoke narrowboats.  When asked what he enjoys about working with the company his reply was “Every day brings new and different challenges, no two days are ever the same. People coming on holiday with the company are usually happy and excited about doing a new experience.”

As part of his celebration of this milestone Alan was treated by the company to a flying and track driving day at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.  This included a flight in a Dragon Rapide, a Tank Driving experience and time in the Spitfire simulator as well as a tour of the American Museum, the Battle of Britain Museum, and the Land Warfare Museum.  Later Alan will return to Duxford for a flight in a Tiger Moth.

Tracey Baxter, Finance Director at Fox Narrowboats said “we are delighted to recognise Alan’s long service with the company.  Over his time here he has become a good colleague and friend. The company has seen many changes since Alan joined as we have grown and developed over the years and Alan is always keen to see progression and what we may be doing in the future.”

Alan celebrates 40 years at Fox Narrowboats
Flight in a Dragon Rapide
Staff celebrating with Alan
Alan with a Spitfire
Alan driving a tank
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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog

cape fox hire narrowboat new 2022

Are you looking for that elusive family holiday; the one that can please all of the people all of the time? Relaxing, yet adventurous, a change from everyday life, without the modern day hassle of traffic and airports?

We’ve got the perfect family holiday for you. Enjoy beautiful scenery and quality time together, explore new places and learn to steer a boat and work a lock.

Boating appeals to all ages; so everyone can be as active or relaxed as they like. You could buy fish and chips, or find a pub or restaurant along the way, as you travel. Our boats are fully equipped with a cooker, fridge and sink, crockery and cutlery.

A picnic offers the opportunity to spend some quality family time together, gets everyone outdoors and costs very little money. Find out where to shop, where to stop and what to bring in: How to Use Your Canal Boat Holiday to Plan the Perfect Picnic

Beginning in March at our hire boat base, you can travel the Middle Level and visit the Ramsey Rural Museum or the twin villages of Upwell and Outwell. Stop at The Crown Lodge Hotel moorings, meet friendly lock keepers, and see wind farms and kingfishers. The River Great Ouse is a beautiful river which takes you to visit St Ives, Ely and Cambridge. Alternatively, the River Nene towards Peterborough offers stunning countryside, attractive villages, and beautiful lock surroundings with ancient mills.

For the Parents

Maybe mum would like to stop at the visitor moorings on the waterfront in Ely? While you’re there you can visit the antiques centre, the city centre shops, the famous Ely Cathedral and the museum at Oliver Cromwell’s House.  Or in Cambridge try shopping, restaurants and punting, while admiring the incredible architecture. Buy her a book before you go: Books for the Narrowboat Mum.

Check out The Ultimate Mother’s Day Surprise

Perhaps Dad sees himself in the role of Captain? Before you set off, one of our qualified instructors will explain how to steer the boat and operate the locks, so you will be fully trained in boat handling. Pubs are marked on the maps and cruising guides, to provide refreshments for the crew.

There is nothing like the feeling of steering a narrowboat, gliding under tree branches, noticing ducks passing you by on the rippling water. There is an amazing sense of freedom, and a feeling of being connected to nature, in a way that you don’t get when travelling cocooned inside a car. Travelling slowly allows you to notice everything that is around you.

Read: What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?

Fox Boats staff can help you to decide upon a holiday route, but you may also like to look at the options online: Fox Boats Routes. Even if you have never navigated a lock before you will find it is manageable with two adults on board. Older children may enjoy helping with locks and mooring the boat, you just have to make sure they understand all of the relevant safety information.

For the Kids

Make some simple safety rules for younger children, such as no running on the towpath, stay close to a grown-up and keep away from the edge.

If your older children like ghost stories or fantasy novels (Philip Pullman based part of Northern Lights in the Fens) why not include some paranormal investigation into next year’s boating holiday? Our local ‘Horrible Histories’ include ghost stories, legends of drownings, and tales of disappearances and violence.

Read: How to Hunt Fenland Ghosts, Even When it isn’t Halloween

For cosy family evenings on board our boats have WiFi, DVD players and charging points for your devices.

Festivals

Most festivals offer children’s activities, live music, market stalls, food stalls and real ales at the beer tent. You could plan your holiday to coincide with St George’s Fayre, Strawberry Fayre, March Fest, Ely’s Aquafest, or Ely Folk Festival.

Read: Four Festivals to Visit by Narrowboat this Summer

You may find that discovering rural England at a lazy three miles per hour with your family by your side is a holiday memory to treasure. If you’re ready to try booking a daytrip or a holiday for this year or next Check availability here.

You may also like: The Top 5 Tips for a Family Narrowboat Break

Hey! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to receive more helpful holiday tips about the Fenland Waterways. (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 Amazing things to do, Canal Blog, Featured articles

nene valley railway steam train

Will your short break or holiday with us be taking you to the river Nene? If so, you may want to check out the events happening at the Nene Valley Railway this summer.

A canal boat holiday on The River Nene offers stunning countryside and charming villages with stone cottages and thatched rooves. This navigable river in Cambridgeshire is a lovely, quiet waterway, but on the way there is a variety of things to see and do.

The Nene Valley Railway is a preserved railway running between Peterborough, Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction. Narrowboaters can board a train at Overton (Ferry Meadows station). Relax in a restored wooden panelled coach and go back in time, on a heritage steam or diesel train.

Here are three steam railway events to enjoy on your narrowboat holiday this summer.

Afternoon Tea

It wouldn’t be a British summer holiday without a traditional afternoon tea. Enjoy the luxury of first class continental carriages, as your afternoon tea is served to your table. Sit in an open carriage, or have a premier afternoon tea in a private compartment. Afternoon tea services depart from and terminate at Wansford Station in Stibbington. This trip is for people aged 12 and over, and no dogs are allowed accept assistance dogs.

Family Fun

There are several ‘Summer Holiday Family Fun Wednesdays’ planned for 2022, and on 25th August you can book in for ‘Family Fish and Chips with Steam’! This includes a family trip on board a heritage train whilst you all enjoy a freshly cooked chippy supper from Fryz of Bretton Chip Shop. This train departs from Wansford Station and your pre-ordered meal will be served to your table when you get to Orton Mere Station. Dogs are permitted on this service.

1940’s Nostalgia

Later in August a nostalgic entertainer, brings you classic ‘Bud Flanagan’ from the era of  the 1940’s, up to his last recording in 1968 of the ‘Dads Army theme’. This music and comedy evening starts with a vintage sing along show, followed by a train journey to Peterborough.  On the trip through the Nene Valley, Bud will mingle with the guests and perform nostalgic 1940’s songs to keep those feet tapping.  After leaving Peterborough, there will be a fish and chip supper as the train heads for Yarwell.  Then Bud will round off the evening with a Dad’s Army themed set on board the train before arrival at Wansford at 9pm.

In August the railway are also offering a premium steam driving experience, which includes theory and practical driving of a steam locomotive.

Read more: Nene Valley Railway Events and News

To get to the Nene Valley Railway by boat from our hire boat base in March you would travel through the Middle Level waterways. The full route to Peterborough is described here: March to Ferry Meadows Country Park; and it is a 12 hour return trip. However, we recommend making this a longer trip to enjoy the waterways at a leisurely pace. For example, the ancient market town of Whittlesey is an attractive place to moor, and there’s so much to do in Peterborough.

You may also like: The Canal Boat Holiday That Train Enthusiasts Will Love

We still have some availability left for July and August holidays and short breaks. Come and cruise the waterways of Cambridgeshire. Explore the river Great Ouse and its tributaries, or the lovely river Nene.

PS. If you book a holiday for autumn this year you could also check out the Nene Valley Festival. This celebrates the natural and historic assets of this beautiful part of the county through a diverse nine day programme of events aimed at both residents and visitors to the area.

Don’t miss more tips about upcoming events in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right. (We never share or sell email addresses, we just send links to our latest blog articles.)

Image credit: Shutterstock

 

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

traditional canal boat ware

Do you like to watch brightly painted narrowboats go by?

Are you curious about the origins of canal folk art?

Do you have any traditional canal ware at home?

Many boaters are interested in the art and collectable items that were once used to decorate the traditional back cabins of cargo-carrying narrowboats. If you don’t own a boat yourself, you may like to have some of these pieces in your own home. In a traditional boatman’s cabin you may find antique ribbon and lace plates and original Measham pottery. You may also see horse brasses, oil lamps, cabin lace and rag rugs. Although working on canal boats was hard and messy work, boaters were proud of their small living spaces, and kept them painted, decorated and polished.

Roses and Castles

Traditionally narrowboats and their fittings were decorated with painted roses and castles. The designs sometimes included other flowers and landscapes, and might be seen on cupboard doors and drawers inside the boat, and the water cans on the roof (known as Buckby cans). Castles were often painted on the inside of the stern doors.

The origins of this style of folk art are unclear. Dating back to the 1850’s when rail was already becoming more popular than canal transport, roses and castles have been compared to the painted style on Romani vardos (gypsy caravans). It is thought that perhaps some Romani’s took work as boatmen and brought their designs to the waterways. The garland of roses design is similar to decorations on Sheraton furniture at the start of the 19th century. But it is likely that roses and castles originally came from Birmingham and the Black Country. Although the boats were owned by the cargo carrying companies and painted in the company livery, the roses and castles were added by the boatmen themselves.

Measham Ware

Measham is a village in Leicestershire, on the Ashby Canal, where teapots decorated with a dark brown glaze, colourful flowers and a painted motto, were sold around the end of the 19th century. This Measham Ware, popular with canal people, was made in villages near Measham, particularly Church Gresley. It was sometimes known as barge ware. Boaters might place an order for a personalised teapot as they passed through Measham and collect it on their return journey. Measham Ware can still be seen at the Measham Museum, and at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Modern reproductions can be bought these days, but authentic pieces are rarer.

Museums

If you’d like to visit a museum on a narrowboat holiday with Fox Narrowboats you can choose from the museums in Peterborough, March, Ely and Cambridge, or the more unusual Prickwillow Museum, which tells the story of the drainage of the Fens, the history of the local area, and showcases some of the region’s finest examples of restored diesel engines.

Read: Are Museums Ever Fun? (The Answer Might Surprise You.)

Canal Ware

Online, there is a beautiful collection of narrowboat themed items for sale at Lockside Antiques. Also check out eBay and Etsy. This canal ware artist, based in Braunston, will paint an item of your own furniture if you provide it: Traditional Canalware. Canal ware and other boat themed items can also be bought at chandleries in boatyards.

Nostalgia

Fox Narrowboats is in a great position, nestled in the centre of the Middle Level Waterways, not far from the idyllic riverside villages of Upwell and Outwell. On a boating holiday beginning at our marina in March, you can lose yourself in narrowboat nostalgia, gently chugging along at three miles an hour.

You may also like 10 surprising ideas for canal holidays, taken from the highlights of our previous blog posts. The Top 10 Narrowboat Holiday Ideas.

For more ideas to add to this year’s holiday plans, sign up for digital updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and get insider knowledge about the Fenland Waterways.

Image credit: deposit photos

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

fens waterway lock marmont priory

Do I need to bring anything for using a lock?

What’s the latest time I can go through a lock?

How can I best prepare for a lock?

If you are new to narrowboats, or planning your first canal boat holiday you may have some questions about using the locks on the Fenland waterways. Passing through a lock requires a windlass, decent ropes and fenders, and sometimes a life jacket, all of which are provided with your hire boat. Smaller locks are operated by you and your crew, and some larger tidal locks are operated by lock keepers.

The ones that are operated by boaters can be operated at any time of the day or night, but we recommend doing this in clear daylight, for safety’s sake! If you have read our previous article, How to Work a Lock (Even if You’ve Never Done it) you will already know how to moor up, set the lock, open the gates and use a windlass. Locks can be dangerous, so full training is given by our friendly RYA qualified instructors before you even leave the hire boat base, at the start of your holiday.

On the Middle Level heading from March towards Ely you will pass through Marmont Priory lock, before arriving at the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell. If you’re new to boating in this area, there are three things you should know.

You’ll Have to Plan Your Journey Times

Salters Lode lock is a tidal lock, and is therefore operated by a lock keeper at certain times. When tides are very low there may be days it cannot be used, so boaters may need to call the lock keeper in advance. On the Middle Level side of the lock there are good holding moorings, in total around 150 feet. It’s a bit trickier to enter from the river than it is from the canal, but the lock keepers will give you plenty of advice.

Passage through Denver lock is also tidal so boaters should ring the complex to check passage times. (Any numbers needed will be provided with your hire boat.) Mooring at Denver is good because mooring rings or bollards are available. Boater’s facilities there include chemical toilet disposal, a boater-operated pump-out, a boatyard pump-out and a water point. But most holiday boaters should not need to use anything other than a water point.

We Have Amazing Lock Keepers

You may be surprised to know there is a British Marine Inland Boating Lock Keeper of the year award! The Esme Dowling Award is presented each year by hotel boat and hire boat operators in British Marine membership to navigation authority staff or volunteers who have gone the extra mile in delivering excellent customer service. In 2020 three Fenland Lock Keepers were finalists in the award. (1)  The runner up certificates were presented to Ben Di-Giulio and Dan Pollard of the Denver Lock and Complex and Paul Grodkiewicz of Salter’s Lode.

These certificates were presented to them by our very own Paula Syred, with a letter of thanks from the British Marine Inland Boating Chair. Paula is Vice Chair of British Marine Inland Boating and Managing Director of Fox Narrowboats. The presentation took place at Denver Lock on Thursday 10th June 2021.

We Have Different Words

The definition of the word ‘lock’ is a section of a waterway, closed off with gates, in which boats are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section. But as well as a noun, it’s also a verb, which means to pass (a boat) through a lock.

Liveaboard boater Amy, from M.BWillow says,

“Some things vary by area. In the Fens, paddles are known as slackers or penstocks and on the Severn a narrowboat is a longboat, and what we call a cabin shaft on the canals is a hookshaft on the Severn.  In the Fens we also call a dock or mooring a staithe, and a man-made drainage channel is a lode.

Read more: The Canal Lingo Those Toe Rags Won’t Tell You About

We hope that’s given you an idea of just some of the ways the Fenland waterways can be a bit different. They are also quieter than the other waterways, with an unusually flat landscape, offering stunning views of very big skies. Start planning your boating holiday today by checking boat availability.

You may also like, Amy’s Top Safety Tips for the Salters and Denver Tidal Crossing.

Ref: (1) Middle Level Commissioners website.

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