Ely Base

Begin your relaxing holiday from our base in Ely, in the picturesque heart of the Fenland waterways, overlooked by its magnificent cathedral. Our fleet of Duchess 2 and 4 boats offer holidays for parties of 2 to 5 people and a selection of routes that will see you cruising through cities, towns and villages along the beautiful waterways, making Ely the ideal base to begin exploring.

Suggested Routes from Ely: (Friday and Monday starts only)

Ely to Cambridge Wicken Fen & Return

38 Miles, 3 locks, 3 Night Cruise – 4 hours a day (ROUTE A)

From our base in the city of Ely with its beautiful cathedral, you will cruise the unspoilt waters of the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, a stunning wetland nature reserve. Continuing on the River Cam to Cambridge, visit its world famous university and discover its cultural highlights, including King’s College Chapel and enjoy a stroll through the backstreets.

Click here to find out more about the Ely Base, Wicken Fen, Cambridge and return canal boat holiday

Ely to St. Ives and Return

45 Miles, 3 locks, 3 Night Cruise – 4 hours a day (ROUTE B)

Cruise from Ely on the Old West River to Earith village where you can enjoy some wonderful birdwatching. Move on then to the historic market town of St. Ives, with its 15th century Chapel Bridge and Norris Museum and Library.

Click here to find out more about Ely to St Ives and return, canal boat holiday

Ely to St. Neots and Return

77 Miles, 9 locks, 3 Night Cruise – 8 hours a day / 4 nights – 6 hours a day (ROUTE C)

From our base in Ely, take the Old West River and on to the historic market town of St. Ives, with its 15th century Chapel Bridge, Norris Museum and Library and moving on to the Oliver Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon. From there, cruise on to Buckden with its famous Great Tower (where Catherine of Aragon was once imprisoned), ending at the market town of St. Neots.

Click here to find out more about Ely to St Neots and return, canal boat holiday

Ely to Bedford and Return

107 Miles, 16 locks, 1 Week Cruise – 5 hours a day (ROUTE D)
Cruising from our base in the city of Ely with its beautiful cathedral, travel the unspoilt waters of the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, a stunning wetland nature reserve. Continuing on the River Cam to Cambridge, visit its world famous university and discover its cultural highlights, including King’s College and enjoy a stroll through the backstreets. Return to Popes Corner and cruise south to the historic market town of St. Ives, with its 15th century Chapel Bridge and Norris Museum and Library. Moving on through the pretty villages of Houghton, Wyton and Hemingford Grey to reach Huntingdon, home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum.

Click here to find out more about Ely to Bedford and return, one week canal boat holiday

Ely, Cambridge to Huntingdon and Return

89 Miles, 8 locks, 1 Week Cruise – 4 hours a day (ROUTE E)

Cruising from our base in the city of Ely with its beautiful cathedral, travel the unspoilt waters of the River Ouse to Wicken Fen, a stunning wetland nature reserve. Continuing on the River Cam to Cambridge, visit its world famous university and discover its cultural highlights, including King’s College and enjoy a stroll through the backstreets. Don’t miss King’s College Chapel and a stroll along the backstreets. Return to Popes Corner and cruise south to the historic market town of St. Ives, with its 15th century Chapel Bridge and Norris Museum and Library. Moving on through the pretty villages of Houghton, Wyton and Hemingford Grey to reach Huntingdon, home to the Oliver Cromwell Museum.

Click here to find out more about Ely, Cambridge to Huntingdon and return canal boat holiday

Ely Link (Ely to Brandon, Mildenhall (limit of Navigation Judes Ferry 1.5miles from Mildenhall), Cambridge, Bedford and Return

191 Miles, 20 locks, 2 Week Cruise – 4.5 hours a day (ROUTE F)

From the charming city of Ely, with its huge cathedral, you can cruise the unspoilt waters of the Little Ouse, Great Ouse, Old West, Cam and Lark rivers stopping off along the way in Cambridge, with its famous university. Be sure not to miss King’s College. Other highlights include historic St. Ives, the Oliver Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon and the Medieval town of Mildenhall. Continuing on to Bedford, you’ll find something for the whole family, including ten-pin bowling, cinemas and a swimming pool.

Click here to find out more about Ely two week cruise to Cambridge, Bedford and Return

Public Houses With Moorings.

There are plenty of pubs along the routes from Ely with moorings so that you can drop by for refreshments….

• The River Great Ouse-
• Denver Sluice- Jenyns Arms
• Brandon Creek- The Ship Inn
• Littleport- The Swan Restaurant and Bar
• Ely- The Cutter Inn
• Stretham- The Lazy Otter
• Earith- The Crown Inn
• Needingworth – Pike & Eel Inn
• Holywell- Old Ferryboat Inn
• St Ives- The Dolphin Hotel
• Houghton- The Jolly Butchers (short walk to pub)
• Hartford Marina- Millhouse Restaurant
• Huntingdon- Bridge Hotel
• Brampton- Brampton Mill
• Eaton Socon- The Mill Tavern

In addition there are pubs within walking distance of moorings in:
Ely, Earith, St Ives, Hemingford Grey, Hemingford Abbots, Houghton, Huntingdon, Godmanchester, Offord Cluny, The Paxtons, St Neots, Great Barford and Bedford

TRIBUTARIES

• The River Cam-
• Upware- Five Miles from Anywhere
• Clayhithe- Bridge Hotel
• Fen Ditton- Plough Inn
• Cambridge- Fort St George
• Cambridge- The Boathouse

In addition there are pubs within walking distance at Waterbeach and Cambridge

The River Wissey-
There is a pub at Hilgay in walking distance of moorings.

The River Little Ouse-
There are pubs at Hockwold and Brandon in walking distance of moorings.

The River Lark-
West Row- Judes Ferry House Inn

There are also pubs at Isleham and Prickwillow has a social club within walking distance.

The Relief Channel-
Stowbridge- The Heron
Wiggenhall- The Cock

There are also pubs at Downham Market

The Lodes-
The Anchor at Burwell on Burwell Lode.
Dykes End at Reach on Reach Lode.
On the Wicken Lode there is access to a pub in Wicken