Duchess 4 
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Ely is home to a beautiful Norman cathedral which was originally founded as an abbey in the year 673 and contains the only pavement labyrinth in a UK cathedral.
Your destination, St Neots, a rural market town on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire border. St Neots is also firmly rooted in history. In the 18th and 19th century it was famous for its corn milling, brewing and railways.
The building was reconstructed in 1083 after being destroyed by invaders in 970. The famous architect George Gilbert Scott then completed a restoration of the cathedral in the 19th century.
After leaving Ely, you cruise peacefully down the Old West River towards St Ives. The town is most renowned for being one of only four in England to have a chapel on a bridge. St Ives is also a popular market town, once the home of some of the biggest markets in the country. Try to plan your visit for a Monday, when the current market takes over the town centre.
Once you’ve stocked up with supplies, you can head in to town to see the Oliver Cromwell statue in the square before retiring to one of the ancient pubs such as The White Heart and The Dolphin, both of which boast over four hundred years of history.
You then move on to the Oliver Cromwell Museum in the ancient market town of Huntingdon. From there, cruise on to Buckden, famous for the Great Tower where Catherine of Aragon was once imprisoned and the ancient St Mary’s Church.
All Cambridgeshire Attractions
Moorings along the river bring you within walking distance of Cambridge’s famous sights. The colleges and their courtyards are dotted through the city, and the River Cam is alive with students trying to master a punt. A short visit gives you time for a stroll through the historic centre before heading back to your own, rather more reliable, boat.
The medieval bridge in St Ives is one of only a handful in England with a chapel built into it. Dating from the 1400s, it’s a striking feature of the town and a rare piece of medieval engineering you can still cruise beneath. A reminder that waterways have always been part of local life.
From the river, Ely’s cathedral rises above the fens like a beacon. Moor up and it’s only a short walk into this small but impressive city. The cathedral, known locally as “the Ship of the Fens” is worth the visit alone, and the surrounding streets have a quiet charm. A leisurely wander and a stop for coffee will easily fill a couple of hours, ideal just before or just after your narrowboat cruise in Cambrideshire.
Ely’s cathedral dominates the skyline for miles around and is one of the most impressive in England. Founded as an abbey in 673 and rebuilt as a cathedral in 1083, it has been carefully restored over the centuries. Highlights include the octagonal lantern tower and the pavement labyrinth designed by George Gilbert Scott. A great place to visit before or after your holiday from Ely.
St Ives sits on the River Great Ouse and is best known for its long-running markets. The Monday market takes over the town centre, while smaller ones run throughout the week. The town itself has riverside walks, a lovely town centre and, of course, the medieval bridge. You can moor easily in the town including overnight to make the most of the range of restaurants and pubs.
Cruising through the Fens offers a very different landscape – flat, open and full of wildlife. Marsh harriers, herons and swans are regular sights on the rivers and it’s a place for unhurried boating and photography rather than rushing ashore.
How to book
Book our Ely to St Neots and return canal boat holiday by using our online Availability Search, or by calling Black Prince on 01527 575 115.
Other routes from this base