🚤 10 Essential Tips for Buying a Narrowboat
What Every First-Time Buyer Needs to Know Buying a narrowboat is an exciting step — whether you’re planning weekend escapes, a full-time liveaboard lifestyle, or a floating holiday home. But it’s also a big investment, and with so many styles, sizes, and systems to consider, it pays to do your homework. Here are 10 essential […]
🚪 What Is a Lock Flight? A Canal Boater’s Guide
Unlocking One of the Most Impressive Features of the Waterways If you’re new to canal cruising or planning a boat holiday, you’ve probably come across the term “lock flight” and wondered what it means. In simple terms, a lock flight is one of the most fascinating and impressive engineering features of the UK’s canal system […]
🚧 Common Narrowboater Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Learn from Others and Cruise with Confidence Whether you’re on your first narrowboat holiday or you’ve been on the cut for years, everyone makes a few mistakes now and then. Narrowboating is full of charm — but it comes with a learning curve too. To help you cruise more smoothly, here are some of the […]
🚧 How a Canal Lock Works: A Simple Guide for First-Time Boaters
Making Sense of the Locks That Lift and Lower Your Narrowboat If you’re new to canal boating, the idea of steering a boat into a big chamber, closing gates behind you, and moving up or down in the water can sound a bit daunting. But don’t worry — canal locks are clever, simple pieces of […]
🚤 How to Drive a Canal Boat: A Beginner’s Guide to Taking the Tiller
Everything You Need to Know to Cruise with Confidence Driving a canal boat (also called “steering” or “helming”) might seem daunting at first — especially if it’s your first time. But don’t worry — it’s much easier than it looks. With a little patience, some basic technique, and a steady hand, you’ll be confidently cruising […]
🛥️ What to Expect During Your Canal Boat Handover
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started on the Water If you’ve never hired a canal boat before, one of the most common questions is:“What happens when we arrive — do we just get handed the keys and set off?” Absolutely not! A proper canal boat handover is a key part of the holiday — it […]
🚤 First-Time Canal Boaters: 12 Things You Should Know Before You Set Off
Tips, Truths & Reassurances for Your First Canal Boat Holiday So, you’re about to take your first canal boat holiday — exciting! Life on the waterways is slow-paced, scenic, and utterly unique. But if you’ve never taken the tiller before, it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous. Don’t worry — you don’t need to […]
🌹🎨 Rose and Castles: The Iconic Art of Canal Boats
If you’ve ever strolled along the UK’s canals or cruised on a narrowboat, you might have noticed the bright, colorful decorations adorning the boats’ hulls, cabins, and interiors. This charming folk art style is known as Rose and Castles — a unique tradition that’s become synonymous with canal boating culture. But what exactly is Rose […]
🚤 The 7 Wonders of the Waterways: Must-See Marvels on the UK Canals
The UK’s inland waterways are full of hidden gems, breathtaking sights, and engineering marvels that have fascinated boaters and walkers alike for centuries. Whether you’re cruising on a narrowboat holiday or just love exploring the canals, these 7 Wonders of the Waterways are bucket-list-worthy destinations that showcase the rich history, beauty, and ingenuity of Britain’s […]
How Were Canals Built? 🚜💧
Discover how canals were built in the UK, from early engineering techniques to the hard work of navvies and the creation of locks, aqueducts, and tunnels that shaped the waterways.
🎩 The Waterways Chaplain: A Friend on the Towpath
Supporting Lives Along the UK’s Canals and Rivers If you’ve ever walked the towpath or moored your boat and been greeted by a friendly face in a flat cap and high-vis vest, you might just have met a Waterways Chaplain. But who are they, and what do they do? In a world where life on […]
Why the Canals Still Matter Today 🚤🌿
A Living Legacy with Modern Meaning For many people, the word “canal” conjures up images of the Industrial Revolution: smoke, coal barges, and horse-drawn boats winding through soot-covered towns. And it’s true—the canal network helped power Britain’s transformation into a global economic force. But the story didn’t end when the factories fell silent. Today, centuries […]
Stanley Lock Flight: A Portal to Liverpool’s Past ⚓🏙️
Where Industry, Engineering, and History Flow Together Tucked away in the northern part of Liverpool, not far from the city’s vibrant docks, lies a fascinating and often overlooked piece of canal heritage: the Stanley Lock Flight. Comprising four imposing locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, this stretch of water isn’t just a passageway—it’s a […]
The History of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal 🚢🏛️
A Journey Through Time Along Britain’s Longest Canal Today, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is a haven for peaceful cruises, towpath walks, and waterside wildlife. But behind its quiet charm lies a remarkable history—one of ambition, engineering, and the industrial revolution. Spanning over 127 miles and linking the cities of Leeds in West Yorkshire to […]
👻 Ghosts on the Cut: Eerie Canal Tales from the UK Waterways
Canal Ghost Stories That Will Send a Chill Down the Towpath The UK’s canal network is more than just tranquil waters and scenic villages — it’s also a living museum of the past. Built during the Industrial Revolution, many canals have seen centuries of human toil, tragedy, and untold tales. So it’s no surprise that […]
🛥️ Beginner’s Glossary of Canal Terms
Canal Boat Holiday Lingo Made Simple New to narrowboating? Welcome aboard! If you’re planning your first canal boat holiday, you may hear a few terms that leave you scratching your head. Don’t worry — canal folk are friendly, and you’ll be talking like a boater in no time. To help you get started, here’s a […]
🚤 Canal Boat Holiday Hires for Older Couples: The Perfect Getaway
If you’re an older couple looking for a relaxing, scenic, and leisurely holiday, a canal boat trip might be just what you need. Canal boating offers a gentle pace, beautiful surroundings, and plenty of opportunities to unwind—making it an ideal choice for those wanting a stress-free escape. Here’s why canal boat holidays are perfect for […]
🚤 Are Canal Boat Holidays Suitable for First-Timers?
Why a Boat Holiday Might Be Your Next Favourite Escape If you’ve ever dreamed of a relaxing break on the water, you might be wondering:“Are canal boat holidays suitable for first-timers?” The short answer? Absolutely.A boat holiday on the UK’s canals is one of the most beginner-friendly travel experiences you can enjoy — no previous […]
Ainscough Mill – A Steam Powered Flour Mill
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 […]
Pillboxes on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal
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 […]