The Kennet Navigation is one of the most varied sections of the Kennet & Avon Canal. Running west from the River Thames at Reading towards Newbury, it mixes river navigation, canal cuts, broad locks, town moorings, rural stretches and a few places where careful planning makes all the difference. This Kennet Navigation canal guide is…
Food storage on a narrowboat is all about making a small space work harder. With limited cupboards, a compact fridge and the gentle movement of the boat to consider, every tin, jar and packet needs a sensible home. The good news is that a narrowboat galley can be wonderfully efficient once it is organised well….
Running aground is one of those things that can happen to almost any narrowboater. A shallow edge, a hidden silt bank, a misjudged winding hole or a low water level can all bring the boat to an unexpected stop. The good news is that most groundings are not serious. With a calm approach and the…
Learning how to keep warm on a narrowboat is one of the most important parts of comfortable life afloat. A boat can be wonderfully cosy in winter, but it needs a slightly different approach from a house. Because narrowboats are long, metal, and surrounded by cold water, heat management matters. The good news is that…
The River Wey Navigation is one of the loveliest waterways in the South East, offering a calm mix of river cruising, historic locks, wooded banks, meadows, villages and useful town stops. This river wey canal guide is written for narrowboaters who want practical planning advice before setting off, whether you are arriving from the Thames…
Running aground is a common part of canal boating, especially on shallow pounds, winding holes, bends, bridge approaches and soft towpath edges. The good news is that most groundings are minor and can be sorted with calm, careful action. If you are wondering how to get a narrowboat unstuck, the key is to avoid panic,…
Winter living on a narrowboat can be wonderfully peaceful. The canals are quieter, towpaths feel calmer and a warm cabin on a frosty evening is hard to beat. It also brings extra challenges, from damp air and short daylight hours to frozen taps, muddy paths and higher fuel use. These narrowboat winter living tips will…
Living on a narrowboat in winter can be peaceful, beautiful and deeply rewarding, but it also asks for a bit more planning than life afloat in the warmer months. Short days, cold mornings, frozen towpaths and damp air all change the rhythm of boat life. The good news is that winter aboard does not have…
Basingstoke Canal Guide for Narrowboaters The Basingstoke Canal is one of the most distinctive waterways in the south of England. Quiet, leafy and full of wildlife, it offers a very different cruising experience from busier cruising rings and through routes. This Basingstoke Canal guide is written for narrowboaters planning a visit, whether you are arriving…
A narrowboat caught on the cill is one of the most serious lock incidents a boater can face. It can happen quickly, especially when descending a lock, and it can put the boat, crew and nearby helpers at risk. The good news is that cilling is usually preventable. With a clear understanding of how locks…
