Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Peterborough and Return - 31 miles, 4 locks, 12 hours total
Start your journey by heading west from the marina on the Old River Nene. Continue to Floods Ferry Junction, where you take the right-hand fork and turn down Whittlesey Dyke. After a few miles of cruising, you’ll be approaching the outskirts of Whittlesey and once you reach Ashline Lock there are visitor moorings if you wish to stop off and visit the ancient Fenland market town. Continue on from Whittlesey and cruise under the bridge, past a couple of riverside pubs and through into the open countryside. Soon the outline of Peterborough Cathedral will come into focus as you approach the city. Cruise through Stanground Lock and join the River Nene, passing the nature reserve to your right and continuing under the railway bridge where you turn left and moor up at the visitor moorings. Once you’ve explored this interesting cathedral City, turn at the moorings for your return journey to March.
Intermediate route: Alwalton and Return - 45 miles, 6 locks, 15 hours total
A great option for a fairly active weekend break or a relaxed midweek holiday with time to stop off and explore along the route. Departing the base at March, start your journey by cruising west on the Old River Nene and head to Whittlesey Dyke Junction. Continue through Ashline Lock, where there are moorings if you wish to visit the market town of Whittlesey whihc has some pubs and shops. Cruise on from Whittlesey, under the bridge, heading west onto King’s Dyke towards Stanground Lock. Once through the lock, continue north-west on the River Nene to Peterborough Junction, where you head west to Alwalton Lock. Moor up near the lock to visit Alwalton; this village is a conservation area, being home to lots of listed buildings including the Norman church of St Andrews. There is a pub and a restuarant within walking distance of the moorings near the lock. Turn here for the journey back to base.
Active route: Ely and Return - 60 miles, 6 locks, 18 hours total
An interesting cruise through the Fenlands consisting of some great river cruising, with picturesque scenery and some country pubs. Heading East out of the marina will bring you to the pretty market town of March. There are free visitor moorings should you wish to stop off and visit some of the town’s attractions, including the 15th Century St Wendreda’s Church - famous for its roof with 120 carved angels. Continuing on from March you’ll pass through Marmont Priory Lock, leading to the villages of Upwell and Outwell, bypassing houses, pubs and gardens - plenty of visitor moorings available. Cruise on through open countryside to Salter’s Lode Lock. The stretch between Salter’s Lode Lock and Denver Sluice is tidal, so it is important to contact the Lock Keeper at Denver Lock to check the tide times for your trip. After the tidal stretch you'll be on the Ely section of the Great Ouse and there are moorings at Denver if you wish to visit the village. After Denver you'll pass junctions with the River Wissey and the Little Ouse River, along with the village of Littleport, before reaching Ely. Moorings are available a short walk from the city. Ely itself has many attractions, including Oliver Cromwell’s house, the old Gaol and a 14th Century Anglican Cathedral.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Cambridge and Return - 93 miles, 10 locks, 30 hours total
Heading east out of the marina will bring you to the pretty market town of March. There are free visitor moorings should you wish to stop off to visit some of the town. Cruise on from March, passing through Marmont Priory Lock and the villages of Upwell and Outwell, where there are moorings available. Cruise on through open countryside to Salter’s Lode Lock. The stretch between Salter’s Lode Lock and Denver Sluice is tidal, so it is important to contact the Lock Keeper at Denver Lock to check tide times for your trip. After the tidal stretch you will be on the Ely section of the Great Ouse and will pass the junctions with the River Wissey and the Little Ouse River, along with the village of Littleport, before reaching Ely. Once you’ve visited this small and rather impressive city, continue cruising on the River Ouse to Wicken Fen - a nature reserve owned by the National Trust and home to over 9000 recorded species. Join onto the River Cam, passing through a couple of locks on the way to the village of Fen Ditton, shortly before arriving into the city of Cambridge. A fantastic city to explore, take some time to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, King’s College Chapel or have a go at punting on the river before returning to March.
Intermediate route: Wadenhoe and Return - 90 miles, 30 locks, 34.5 hours total
A beautiful scenic cruise taking in some of Cambridgeshire’s best countryside, visiting picturesque, historic villages en route. Departing the base at March, start your journey heading west on the Old River Nene towards Whittlesey Dyke Junction and continue through Ashline lock, where there are moorings if you wish to visit the market town of Whittlesey where there are a few pubs and shops. The city of Peterborough with its beautiful cathedral will soon be getting closer; a couple of miles on from Peterborough is Orton Lock, one of several Guillotine Locks on the River Nene. Once through the lock, continue on through peaceful countryside until you reach the village of Wansford, with its picture-perfect views. This is a lovely place to stop off for a pub lunch or to pay a visit to Nene Valley railway - the home of Thomas the Tank Engine! Continue along the River Nene to the village of Fotheringhay which is a very attractive village with a dark history, being the place of Mary Queen of Scot’s beheading. Carry on cruising past the villages of Oundle and Barnwell until you reach the riverside pub at Wadenhoe and moor up (free if eating in the pub). This beautiful village is part of a conservation area featuring many listed, historic limestone buildings and an ancient medieval settlement. Turn here to begin your journey back to base.
Active route: Huntingdon and Return - 117 miles, 16 locks, 38.5 hours total
Cruise east out of the marina past the pretty market town of March, mooring up to visit some of the town’s attractions including the 15th Century St Wendreda’s church. Continue on from March, passing through Marmont Priory Lock and the villages of Upwell and Outwell. Cruise on through open countryside to Salter’s Lode Lock. The stretch between Salter’s Lode Lock and Denver Sluice is tidal, so it is important to contact the Lock Keeper at Denver Lock to check tide times for your trip. After the tidal stretch you will be on the Ely section of the Great Ouse, passing the village of Denver and the junctions with the River Wissey and the Little Ouse River on the way to Ely. Moorings are available at the waterfront, a short walk from this lovely city, home to many attractions including Oliver Cromwell’s house, the Old Gaol and an amazing 14th Century Anglican Cathedral. Cruising from Ely, continue along the Great Ouse, passing the entrance to the River Cam. Cruise to the historic market town of St Ives, with its beautiful Tudor-style timber buildings and plenty of pubs and eateries to choose from. Continue on past some attractive riverside villages before arriving into Huntingdon. This quaint, historic town is the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell and home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum. There is a fantastic assortment of independent and boutique shops, cafes and restaurants. Turn at Huntingdon for the return journey back to March.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Cambridge, Huntingdon and Return - 143 miles, 20 locks, 47.5 hours total
Heading east out of the marina will bring you to the pretty market town of March. There are free visitor moorings should you wish to stop off and visit some of the town. Cruise on from March and pass through Marmont Priory Lock and the picturesque villages of Upwell and Outwell. Cruise on through open countryside to Salter’s Lode Lock. The stretch between Salter’s Lode Lock and Denver Sluice is tidal, so it is important to contact the Lock Keeper at Denver Lock to check tide times for your trip. After the tidal stretch you will be on the Ely section of the Great Ouse, passing the village of Littleport before reaching Ely, home to Oliver Cromwell’s house, the Old Gaol and an amazing 14th Century Anglican Cathedral. Once you’ve visited this impressive Cathedral city, continue along the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, a nature reserve owned by the National Trust - home to over 9000 recorded species. Join the River Cam, passing through a couple of locks before arriving into the city of Cambridge. Take some time to explore this fantastic university city - visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, King’s College Chapel or have a go at punting on the river. Cruise back up the River Cam to the junction at Pope’s Corner, where you'll join the Great Ouse, heading towards the historic market town of St Ives with its beautiful Tudor-style timber buildings and plenty of pubs and eateries to choose from. Continue on past some attractive riverside villages before arriving at Huntingdon. This quaint, historic town is the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell and home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum. There is a fantastic assortment of independent and boutique shops, cafes and restaurants. Turn here for the return journey back to March.
Active route: Stoke Bruerne and Return - 172 miles, 124 locks, 81 hours total
A beautiful scenic cruise taking in some of Cambridgeshire’s best countryside and visiting picturesque, historic villages en route. Departing the base at March, start your journey heading west on the Old River Nene towards Whittlesey Dyke Junction, continuing through Ashline lock, where there are moorings if you wish to visit the market town of Whittlesey where there are a few pubs and shops. The city of Peterborough with its beautiful cathedral will soon be close. A couple of miles on from Peterborough is Orton Lock; one of several Guillotine Locks on the River Nene. Once through the lock, continue on through the peaceful countryside until you reach the village of Wansford, with its picture-perfect view - it’s a lovely place to stop off for a pub lunch or to pay a visit to Nene Valley Railway- the home of Thomas the Tank Engine! Continue along the River Nene to the village of Fotheringhay, a very attractive village with a dark history - being the place of Mary Queen of Scot’s beheading. Carry on cruising past the villages of Oundle and Barnwell until you reach the riverside pub at Wadenhoe and moor up (free if eating in the pub). This beautiful village is part of a conservation area featuring many listed, historic limestone buildings and an ancient medieval settlement. Cruise on from Wadenhoe, meandering your way through beautiful countryside and past riverside towns, to the village of Earls Barton. Situated on the north bank of the River Nene, this pleasant little village is known for its Anglo-Saxon church and offers an array of facilities including a supermarket, pubs and takeaways. The next part of the journey towards Gayton Junction becomes rather lock-heavy, including a flight of 14 locks leading up to the junction. Once at Gayton Junction, cruise south down the Grand Union Canal towards Blisworth, home to the 3rd longest navigable tunnel in Britain at 3057 yards long. Travelling through the tunnel takes around 45 minutes to an hour and once through the tunnel you arrive at the canal village of Stoke Bruerne. The village is the home of a quaint National Waterways Museum, highlighting over 200 years of history on the canals. Cruise past a couple of canalside pubs and down through the Stoke Bruerne Locks, use the winding hole at the bottom of the locks to turn around and begin your cruise back to base.
