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Narrowboat History

Narrowboating is a fantastic way to enjoy the pleasures of the British countryside. With thousands of miles of canals and rivers for you to navigate, you can have an excellent weekend trip or a 2 week holiday and see something new and different every single day.

Originally introduced for the transport of goods in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, canals enabled much quicker movement of goods across country. During the industrial revolution, they set the pace for economic growth in the UK, with much faster results compared to road transport. The benefits of faster transport were immediately seen all across the country. For example, the cost of coal in Manchester fell by 75% when the Bridgewater Canal was completed. Unfortunately, in time, the developing railways and road transport became faster and more reliable than the narrowboat trades of the canals. By the late 19th century this sadly led to the canals going into decline and then disrepair as railways and vehicles were developed and overtook them.

Happily though, a recent boom in interest has bought people back to the waterways of Britain. From happy weekends away to actually living on a narrowboat, more and more people are returning to the canals. The canals themselves are often a perfect way to view the countryside, and many strips of water are home to some now rare animals, plants and birds seldom found elsewhere.

There are a growing number of hire firms in most large towns and cities that can provide narrowboats for a romantic weekend away with your partner, weeklong family holiday with the kids, or even a stag weekend visiting riverside pubs in the local area. Many different sized boats are usually available, and there are a few around that have disabled access now as well.

Many local authorities are now working on canal repairs and even bringing some disused canals back into working order. This is because they recognize the increasing number of holiday makers wanting to explore the waterways.

Depending on the type of holiday you are looking for, there are a number of different locations you can try. If you like travelling through locks and exploring different locations, from the 2 mile long flight of 16 locks at Caen Hill on the Kennet and Avon Canal, to the 41 mile stretch on the Lancaster canal where there are no locks at all; there is something for everyone on Britain’s canal systems. If you are feeling brave, you could try tackling the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, which is a 1,007 feet long cast iron trough supported 126 feet above the river by 19 masonry piers. This is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in Britain. Certainly not a feat for the faint hearted! You could also try the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, a unique lock that moves you 24 meters (79ft) up to the next level of the canal in a rotating boat lift. If these seem a bit daunting, then there is often nothing simpler than just pottering up and down your local canals and taking the opportunity to just wind down and relax, maybe take your binoculars and do some bird watching. You might even see a kingfisher if you are lucky! Or visit one of the many riverside pubs that line the canals.

If you are one of the people enjoying the British countryside from your narrowboat, make sure that you are not without insurance. If you were to accidently collide with another boat, damage someone’s property, injure someone, get stuck in a lock gate, or even sink, Narrowboat Insurance could help you cover your costs.