Top Tips for getting ready for summer cruising on your canal boatAs the summer time approaches, that long narrow boat cruise will be in your thoughts. It can be a fun filled experience; exploring new areas, discovering new sights, , meeting new people and generally having a great time. BUT it won’t be such a great experience if you aren't prepared. Read our top tips for getting ready and what to take with you!Boating equipmentBoating equipment should include the followi....

Stoppages on the UK canal and River systemEngland and Wales has over 2,000 miles of Rivers and man made canals. So it's inevitable that at times the waterways may need to have restrictions or closures, these are called stoppages and can be due to a variety of reasons such as; maintenance works, lack of water during dry weather or leakage causing the canal or river to be too shallow for passage, or someone left the lock gates open and there's low water in the pound! other reasons could be; high w....

London to the Chiltern Hills. Walk,Jog, or Run it. Happening on the 27/28 June 2015A fantasticevent is going to be held on the 27th and 28th of Junealong the Grand Union Canal, which just happens to be the longest waterway inBritain and right on our door step!On the 27thJune Saturday morning walkers, runners and joggers will set off from CentralLondon at Little Venice and start the 100km trip all the way to the ChilternHills. They will travel along the towpath through fantastic country side taki....

A longnarrow boat cruise can be a fun filled experience discovering new sights, exploring newareas, meeting new people and generally having a good time. BUT it won’t besuch a great experience if you don’t plan your journey before you go. For amemorable cruise and for all the right reasons keep these tips in mind:Destination.The firstthing to do is to decide where you want to go. This may sound obvious butplanning the journeys destination and working out how long it will take you....

Before you leave the marina and go on a cruise it is important that you have planned your journey. You wouldn’t go on any other type of holiday without first planning your trip and the same goes for canal cruising. Firstly you should plan your journey, know where you want to go and work out the time it is going to take to get there and back. The average cruise speed of a narrow boat is 4 m.p.h so there isn’t the option of putting your foot down should you be running late! Paper work!....

Half a days cruising Wilton Marina to WeedonWe are at the time of year where it is difficult to cruise as there are many stoppages on the canal and also the weather can also hamper any attempt by freezing up the canal.However even though the locks are currently closed at the Buckby Flight (see the most up to date stoppages list here) just outside of the marina you can still cruise your narrow boat to Weedon Bec.Weedon (as it is also known) is a small village located about 6 m....

We set off on Monday evening from Whilton Marina to lock up the Buckby flight, we were joined by seven Swedish men in their forties, they were on a hire boat and did not have clue how to operate locks. By the time we reached the top they were getting the hang of it. We moored for the night, walked our two Jack Russells and met with some friends. Tuesday morning we set off up the Leicester arm and had a great cruise (despite the rain) locking up the Watford Flight and mooring at Crick, just past ....