Boating Holidays in the Cambridge area

The city of Cambridge in Eastern England is known around the world for its large university. Built in 1209 it is one the oldest universities in the world. Therefore, when going on a boating holiday in the Cambridge area you should take plenty of time to visit this historic institution. Here you can’t avoid being impressed by the breath-taking buildings if the campus. The university is also known in the sporting world for its intense and heated rivalry with the equally historic University of Oxford. Therefore, you are likely to see the rowing club of Cambridge University training on the river Cam when you sail through the city. Cambridge is also the home of the first written rules of football. These rules ended up being the groundwork for the rules the FA constituted when it was established in 1863.  

When your narrowboat glides along on the river Ouse an into the town of Ely you will quickly spot the most important landmark of the town: The beautiful cathedral from the beginning of the last millennium. The impressive stone building took more than 300 years to complete, and you will definitely be drawn to the huge architectonic masterpiece. Besides the magnificent characteristic towers, the cathedral is also home to a museum for art of tainted glass. Here you will see some the most beautiful artworks created from tainted glass anywhere in the world. Ely is located in the middle of the vast marshland of Eastern England. Until the 17thcentury the only way to visit the town was to sail here. Markets are an important of the town’s identity. They are held every week and are well worth a visit if you want to feel the special Ely atmosphere.  

Wicken Fen should be at the top of every nature lovers shortlist of places to see when going on boating holiday in England. The grand nature reserve is primarily made up of marshlands with small waterways and lakes spread out over the entire area. Here you can see up to 9.000 different species of animals and insects. This include a lot of rare species of butterflies and dragonflies. The area has long been a place of interest to scientist. For example, a young Charles Darwin came here to collect beetles for his studies of evolution in the 1820ies. Wicken Fen is located halfway between Ely and Cambridge. You’ll find many tracks that will lead you through the magnificent landscape. You can also study the use of wind power to pump water away at the old wooden mill in the reserve.  

The river Ouse winds its way through the landscape of Cambridgeshire and when sailing west on the river from the base in Ely you’ll pass under a very special bridge. In the market town of St. Ives, a medieval bridge from the 15th century crosses the river. This bridge is one of only four in all of England to have a chapel in the middle of the river. It is a very impressive sight when you sail here in your narrowboat. As a market town St. Ives is known for its markets which are among the largest in England. Every week there are multiple markets held here. This brings a lot of life to the streets from the early morning when the merchant set up their stalls. Here you’ll experience the true English market atmosphere and maybe make a good deal. By the river you’ll find a lot of small cafés and tea salons where you can enjoy a classic English afternoon tea with accompanying scones and small sandwiches.   

After sailing through multiple beautiful wetlands on the river Ouse the city of Huntingdon awaits you and your crew on your narrowboat. After the picturesque trip from Ely through St. Ives, Huntingdon is the perfect place visit an English pub and enjoy a pint of draft beer and a solid plate of food. There is a museum of one the most famous “Huntingdonians” Oliver Cromwell in the old grammar school where he used to study. Cromwell played an important part in the English civil wars where he was one of the leaders of the Parliamentarists rebellion against the king and the Royalists. The Parliamentarists eventually won the war making Oliver Cromwell the head of state until his death in 1658. Now you might think: “But wait. Isn’t Britain still a monarchy?” That is true. Only 2 years after the death of Oliver Cromwell King Charles the 2ndretook the throne and one of his first order was dig out Cromwell’s body from the Westminster Abbey and behead him.