Canal Holidays Guide to the Cambridge Waterways
Cambridge Waterways Overview
| Distance | Time | Locks |
|---|---|---|
| 120 miles | about 45 hours cruising | 14 locks |
- Usually covered in a week.
- Out-and-back trips and short breaks are available from all bases.
Our Customer Comments | Holiday Options & Bases
The navigable rivers in the Fenlands travel through a low-lying rural landscape with very few locks, ideal for a leisurely cruising holiday.
This uncommercial and uncrowded area has much natural interest and good waterside pubs, plus historic Cambridge easily reached from our base.
The city of Ely is noted for its magnificent cathedral, and from our base take the unspoilt River Ouse to the wildlife reserve of Wicken Fen. A weekend break gives you time to reach the University city of Cambridge and see its historic colleges, riverside and interesting backstreets.
A midweek break gives you longer to explore Cambridge, or alternatively cruise west to the market town of St Ives.
In a longer cruise continue along the Great Ouse through Huntingdon, home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum, and the market town of St Neots to Bedford.
Bedford is a bustling town with great facilities for the family, including cinemas, swimming pool, and ten-pin bowling.
Places of Interest
- Ely: A stunning cathedral set in the grounds of a Benedictine monastery. Oliver Cromwell's home, museums, good shopping, a market on Thursdays and a sports centre with a pool.
- Cambridge: Moor outside the town and walk around the colleges - King's College Chapel is a must - but there are plenty of others worth visiting as well. Or take a relaxing punt down the river to Grantchester.
- Ramsey: A picturesque town with Abbey remains, sixteenth century Gatehouse and fascinating Rural Museum charting Fenland history.
- Nene Valley Steam Railway: This has five miles of track and interesting engines for all railway and steam fans. Nearby is the Ferry Meadows Country Park - 500 acres of lake, nature trails, horse riding and more.
Possible Holidays Options on the Cambridge Waterways
Narrowboat Bases on the Avon Ring
Click on a boat base below for more information and possible routes from that base.