Ely, Cambridgeshire Pre-Departure Information

Preparation & Planning

BOATERS HANDBOOK VIDEO

The best way to be prepared for your forthcoming trip is to read or watch watch the video on the Boaters Handbook, a guide to basic boat handling and safety by the Canal & River Trust. When you receive your handover tuition at the hire base you will be asked if you have watched/read this guide and be asked to sign handover documentation to confirm this.

Watch the Boaters Handbook Video.

It’s also good to get familiar with the operation of own narrowboats and you can do this by watching our Induction video on the link below.

Watch the Induction to a Black Prince Narrowboat Video

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

It’s good to have an idea of your planned route before you go, although please bear in mind that it’s good to be flexible due to the changing nature of the canals and rivers. See all the Route Options for Ely here. If you have any particular questions about the route, places to moor up and stay etc, you can contact the base directly on the contact phone / email shown above before your trip and the team will be able to help you.

How to Find Us

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

NATIONAL RAIL:

www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545
Nearest Airport: Stanstead
www.stansteadairport.com Tel. 0844 335 1803

Nearest Railway Station: Ely

TAXI/MINI CABS

A10 Taxis Tel: 01353 661010
Fencabs Tel: 01353 669966
Alans Taxis Tel: 01353 665050

Approximate prices: (Prices courtesy of A10 Taxis – subject to change)
Stanstead Airport to Bridge Boatyard £95

FLYING INTO LONDON

From Heathrow airport, get the London underground tube to London Kings Cross station.

From Gatwick airport, get the Gatwick Express to London Victoria station, then get a London underground tube to London Kings Cross station.

From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Kings Cross station.

From London Kings Cross station, get a First Capital Connect train to Ely

From Birmingham International airport, get train to Birmingham New Street station and then train to Ely.

Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.

HOW TO FIND US BY CAR

From the South: M11 Exit at junction 14 then merge ontoA14. Exit at Junction 33 take first exit at roundabout marked A10. Followsigns to Ely for 12 miles. On outskirts of Ely take 3rd exit at roundabout marked Ely Rail Station. Follow sighns to Ely Rail Station (onA142 to Newmarket). Bridge Boatyard is situated on the sliproad for level crossing for high sided vehicles adjacent to Ely Rail Station.

From the North: M6 at Corley Service Area branch left and take A14 signposted Felixstowe. Exit at Junction 33 and follow directions as above.

www.theaa.com/route-planner

Please note that fuel is not included in the price of your holiday. This will be charged for on your return to the hire base. The average per day cost, depending on how far you travel, is approximately £18 – £20.

Groceries

There are a number of good shops in Ely (inc. Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) and a Tesco supermarket close to the boatyard.

Alternatively you can pre-order a supermarket delivery to the base. Please book a slot to the base address between 10am and 2pm on the date of your departure.

Please note that the freezer compartment on board is no bigger than a shoe box so best to keep freezer items to a minimum. The base will not have anywhere to keep your shopping refrigerated so bear this in mind when doing your shop and choosing a delivery slot. You do not need to order food for the whole of the holiday, there will be ample opportunity to buy food along the way and perhaps sample local produce and specialities.

Handy Links

See our Frequently Asked Questions

Watch the Induction to a Black Prince Narrowboat Video

Watch the Boaters Handbook Video

Plan your journey! See all the Route Options for Ely