Good coffee can make a cold towpath morning feel much more civilised. On a narrowboat, though, choosing a coffee maker is not quite the same as choosing one for a house kitchen. You have limited worktop space, limited storage, limited power and, depending on your set-up, limited water. The best narrowboat coffee maker is usually…
A good pair of binoculars can make narrowboat life even more enjoyable. Whether you are spotting kingfishers, reading distant bridge numbers, checking lock landings, or simply enjoying the view across a reservoir, the right optics are genuinely useful on board. Choosing the best narrowboat binoculars is not quite the same as choosing binoculars for hillwalking,…
Choosing the best canal guide books can make a huge difference to how relaxed, safe and enjoyable your cruise feels. A good guide helps you find moorings, locks, water points, winding holes, pubs, shops and places worth exploring on foot. Digital maps are useful, but printed canal guides still have a place on board. They…
Finding the best narrowboat apps can make canal life calmer, safer and far easier to plan. Whether you are cruising for a weekend, heading out for a summer adventure or living aboard full time, your phone can be one of the most useful tools on the boat. Apps can help with route planning, stoppage checks,…
Good navigation is one of the quiet pleasures of canal travel. Whether you are planning a week afloat, moving onto a liveaboard narrowboat, or tackling a new cruising ring, the right map helps you understand distances, locks, moorings, services and places worth stopping. The best canal maps are not always the most detailed or the…
A phone is one of the most useful items to have aboard a boat. It helps with navigation, weather checks, photos, banking, bookings, emergency calls and staying in touch. It is also one of the easiest things to damage around water. Whether you are cruising the canals, hiring a narrowboat for a week, paddleboarding from…
Narrowboats are a popular choice for people who want to experience life on the waterways of Britain. These boats are designed to be compact and efficient, with every inch of space carefully planned out. One of the most important features of a narrowboat is the cooker, which is essential for preparing meals on board. A…
Music, radio and podcasts can make narrowboat life even more enjoyable, whether you are cruising on a bright morning, cooking in the galley or relaxing on the towpath. The challenge is choosing a speaker that can cope with damp air, splashes, knocks and limited space. The best waterproof speaker for narrowboats is not simply the…
Narrow boats are a popular choice for those looking to live a simple and adventurous life on the water. However, living on a narrow boat can come with its own set of challenges, one of which is the limited space available. This raises the question of whether it is possible to have a washing machine…
Choosing the best LED lights for narrowboats can make life aboard more comfortable, practical and energy efficient. Good lighting helps you cook safely, read without eye strain, move around after dark and create a warm, homely atmosphere in a compact space. Because a narrowboat has limited battery capacity, low ceilings, changing temperatures and sometimes damp…
