Blog

Keep Your Narrowboat Running Smoothly All Year Round Whether you’re living aboard full-time or enjoying a relaxing boat holiday, one thing is certain: your engine is the heart of your narrowboat. With just a little care and attention, you can keep it running efficiently and avoid unexpected breakdowns on the cut. Here are 10 essential […]

Why Life at 4mph Might Just Be Your Perfect Getaway Looking for a break that’s peaceful, picturesque, and a little out of the ordinary? A canal boat holiday could be just what you need. Whether you’re after slow travel, a family-friendly escape, or something a little different, cruising the UK’s waterways offers charm you just […]

If you’ve ever taken a walk, paddle, or narrowboat cruise along a canal, you’ve likely noticed an array of signs peppered along the route. While some are self-explanatory, others may leave you guessing. These signs play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation, environmental protection, and the smooth sharing of the space between boaters, walkers, […]

Canals are not just serene stretches of water winding through the countryside—they’re also home to some of the most fascinating infrastructure in the UK. Among these, canal bridges stand out for their blend of history, engineering, and charm. Whether you’re a boater navigating under them, a walker crossing them, or a history lover admiring them, understanding canal […]

Planning a canal boat holiday is exciting—but packing for life on the water is a bit different from your typical getaway. Space is limited, the pace is relaxed, and you’ll be spending most of your time outdoors or cruising peacefully through the countryside. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned narrowboater, here’s a […]

If you have ever sailed with us it is highly likely you will have noticed the very imposing ‘Ainscough Mill’ as we travel east after passing through ‘The Wharf’. It’s been the home of luxury apartments for the last ten years but it has an interesting history with strong links to the Leeds and Liverpool […]

Following the British Expeditionary Force’s chaotic evacuation from the Dunkirk beaches in 1940 there was a very real threat of invasion by the rampant German military. Their plan for invasion was code named ‘Operation Sea Lion’ and they planned to sail by August 15th. The aptly named General Sir Edmund Ironside was tasked by Sir […]

This spell of very cold weather has led to stretches of the canal network icing up and has us remembering the devastating winter of 1962/3 which effectively killed the canal network as a commercial proposition. From December 1962 through to March 1963 the canal network was completely frozen and unpassable despite the efforts of icebreaker […]

It’s easy to take our local canal for granted if you are a frequent walker or a cyclist. We have some beautiful countryside alongside the canal including the 7 mile Rufford Branch which boaters can use to access The Ribble Linkand onto the Lancaster Canal and 42 miles of lock free cruising. This post looks […]

When you sail with us our experienced skippers will try and include a little insight into the history of the Leeds and Liverpool canal whilst you enjoy a relaxing sail along one of the oldest and longest navigation canals in the UK. The concept of a series of navigation canals came as a result of […]