Narrowboat holiday destinations from March, Cambridgeshire

From Drifters base at March Marina on the Old River Nene in the heart of the Fenland waterways, you can experience river cruising through the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Bedfordshire countryside. You’ll journey through picturesque landscapes, seeing some wonderful wildlife and exploring rich heritage sites, historic market towns and peaceful villages.

3-night destinations from March

Peterborough and back (31 miles, 4 locks, 12 hours)

Head west from March Marina along the Old River Nene. At Floods Ferry Junction, take the right-hand fork and turn down Whittlesey Dyke. After a few miles of cruising, you’ll reach the outskirts of the ancient market town of Whittlesey. There are visitor moorings just after Ashline Lock from where you can walk into Whittlesey. There you’ll find the 17^th century Buttercross and town trails to follow. Next you’ll pass a couple of riverside pubs and you’ll cruise on through the Cambridgeshire countryside.

As you approach Peterborough, you’ll see the city’s magnificent cathedral. Navigate through Stanground Lock and join the River Nene, passing a nature reserve on your right. Go under the railway bridge and then turn left to moor up at the visitor moorings. Peterborough has many attractions, including the stunning Gothic façade of Peterborough Cathedral and the Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery. There’s a great choice of places to eat out, including Prezzo, Cote and the Boathouse. Return to March Marina.

Alwalton and back (45 miles, 6 locks, 15 hours)

Cruise west from March Marina along the Old River Nene to Whittlesey Dyke Junction. There are visitor moorings just after Ashline Lock from where you can walk into the ancient market town of Whittlesey. There you’ll find the 17^th century Buttercross and town trails to follow. Travel on from Whittlesey heading west onto King’s Dyke towards Stanground Lock. After the lock, continue north-west on the River Nene to Peterborough Junction, then head west to Alwalton Lock. Moor up near the lock to visit this historic village, which is a conservation area with lots of listed buildings, including the Norman church of St Andrews. The Cuckoo pub is in the village, within walking distance of moorings near the lock. Turn here and return to March Marina.

4-night destinations from March

Ely and back (60 miles, 6 locks, 18 hours)

Heading east out of the marina and cruise through the pretty market town of March. Moor up to explore the town’s attractions, including the 15th Century St Wendreda’s Church, famous for its 120 carved angels. There are two places to eat in March – Cobblestones and Ye Olde Griffin. Cruising on from March you’ll pass through Marmont Priory Lock and the villages of Upwell and Outwell. Navigate on through the countryside to Salter’s Lode Lock. The next stretch to Denver Sluice is tidal, so you’ll need 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. Moor up at Denver to explore the village and visit the Denver Mill Café Bistro or the riverside Jenyns Arms. After Denver you’ll pass junctions with the River Wissey and the Little Ouse River, along with the village of Littleport. When you reach Ely, there are moorings a short walk from the city centre. There you can visit the city’s stunning Norman cathedral, containing the only pavement labyrinth in a UK cathedral, Oliver Cromwell’s house and the old Gaol.

7-night destinations from March

Cambridge and back (93 miles, 10 locks, 30 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Ely and continue cruising on the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, a National Trust nature reserve. Join onto the River Cam, passing through a couple of locks on the way to the village of Fen Ditton. When you reach Cambridge you can moor up to explore the many historic sites in this beautiful university city, including the Fitzwilliam Museum and King’s College Chapel.

Wadenhoe and back (90 miles, 30 locks, 34.5 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Peterborough and continue on to Orton Lock, one of several Guillotine Locks on the River Nene. After Orton Lock, continue through peaceful countryside until you reach the village of Wansford. There you can moor up to visit the Paper Mills pub and Thomas the Tank Engine’s Nene Valley Railway. Travel on along the River Nene to the historic village of Fotheringhay, where Mary Queen of Scot’s was beheaded. Travel past the villages of Oundle and Barnwell until you reach the riverside Kings Head pub at Wadenhoe. The beautiful village of Wadenhoe is part of a conservation area with many listed buildings and an ancient medieval settlement. Turn your boat around and return to March Marina.

Huntingdon and back (117 miles, 16 locks, 38.5 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Ely and continue along the Great Ouse, passing the entrance to the River Cam. Navigate on to the historic market town of St Ives, famous for its 15^th century chapel bridge, one of only four in England. There’s a market on Mondays and a great choice of places to eat, including the historic Dolphin and White Hart pubs. You can also visit the Norris Museum & Library, with fascinating artefacts including fossilised bones of giant reptiles. Cruise on past a series of riverside villages. When you reach Huntingdon you can moor up to visit this historic town, home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum. There’s a great choice of independent shops, cafes and restaurants to explore, including the Brampton Mill and The Cock gastropubs. Turn and cruise back to March Marina.

10/11-night destinations from March

Cambridge, Huntingdon and back (143 miles, 20 locks, 47.5 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Cambridge and on the return journey, cruise back up the River Cam to the junction at Pope’s Corner, where you’ll join the Great Ouse. Head towards St Ives and then Huntingdon. Then cruise all the way back to March Marina.

14-night destinations from March

Stoke Bruerne and back (172 miles, 124 locks, 81 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Wadenhoe then cruise on along the River Nene to the historic village of Earls Barton. There you’ll find an Anglo-Saxon church, supermarket, pubs and takeaways. When you reach Northampton Junction, you’ll transfer onto the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. You’ll need to go through 17 locks before you reach Gayton Junction. Turn left and head south down the Grand Union Canal Main Line. Cruise through the 1.74-mile long Blisworth Tunnel into the picturesque ‘canal village’ of Stoke Bruerne, home of the Canal & River Trust’s Canal Museum. There’s a choice of canalside pubs. Go through the Stoke Bruerne and turn at the bottom to return to March Marina.