Are Narrowboats Being Squeezed – Our Of Existence?
If you don’t know, “Narrowboats” are slender boats known as “Continuous cruisers” because they navigate England’s sprawling network of canals and rivers in England and Wales.
They are used for day trips for tourists all over the country, but also as permanent floating homes as well!
As The Washington Post reports, they are known as “continuous cruisers”, a booming population of nomadic boaters who live on Britain’s canals and navigable rivers without paying for a permanent mooring spot, sometimes in central London, flanked by some of Britain’s most exorbitantly expensive real estate.
I found this picture online, and it gives you an idea of how many Narrowboats can be moored alongside apartment buildings in the middle of cities alla cross the country. Check out this map of the canals:
As you can see, there are a lot of places to cruise….but that may be changing!
As The Washington Post reported:
“In November, the Canal and River Trust (CRT), the nonprofit organization charged with managing 2,000 miles of historic canals and rivers in England and Wales, will announce an overhaul of regulations and licensing fees that itinerant boaters fear could force them off the water.”
“Among the changes believed to be under consideration: higher license fees, permit systems to limit the number of continuous cruisers in some areas and rules that would require them to travel more miles each year, potentially splitting them from shoreside jobs and schools where children are enrolled.”
According to The Post, there are more than 8,500 nomads on the water, increasing more than 15% in the past few years…it will be interesting to see what the government does and the impact it could have on these water “nomads”…no permanent home except on the water.
All of this of course reminded me of the story I posted about this lifestyle:
“Travels By Narrowboat!”
“Country House Gent” is the YouTube and social media persona of Kevin Shelley, the creator and presenter of the TV series “Travels by Narrowboat”. He is known for documenting his life on the canals of the UK after he decided to change his life completely, with his content appearing on his own YouTube channel.
I find his series fascinating, because he shows a unique part of England you won’t see – here is an in-depth look at his series and some videos as well:
Here’s a recent episode from Kevin – it’s a good primer to understanding the tone and feel of the show:
In the US, there is a large group of people known as “nomads”: no permanent homes, they move around the country all year long…it’s a unique and dangerous lifestyle that was captured well by the 2020 Best Picture:
A terrific Writer named Richard Grant wrote a fascinating book about this lifestyle as he traveled along with them….see that story here:
Grant is a great writer, and here is my link to another book he wrote – his terrific journey through Mexico’s Sierra Madre…
It’s a great book and you should check it out…
And Grant also wrote an amazing book about his efforts to navigate Africa’s “Crazy River”…read all about it here:
Let me know if you’ve read any of these great books, and if you’ve seen Shelley’s “Narrowboat” series.
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Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, London, Memoirs, nature, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
I had no idea there were so many canals in the UK. This is a fascinating post!
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Thank you for this…I stumbled upon Travels By Narrowboat and you should check some out on YouTube, he’s fun…watch one where he makes a meal in his very tiny kitchen!
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Thanks! Will do!
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I love the idea of canal boats. I hope they continue to operate.
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I do as well, but Pete mentioned that there are a lot that never move, just stayed moored in canals in cities, and a bit of an eyesore at times it seems from pics I saw online – the ones that continue to roam freely around the country should indeed be protected
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I am very familiar with the narrowboats in those expensive areas of London such as Maida Vale, Camden Lock, and Regent’s Park. Some people never move them at all, and this is what is causing some of the controversy, and the eventual steep rise in fees. One of my stepsons lived on a canal boat for a year or two, but that was in Hertfordshire where mooring fees are much lower. He rented it from the owner, and never moved it during that time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We have some marinas in Los Angeles where the boats are permanently moored as well..they are sea worthy but never move…thanks for the comment!
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This is a cool post….I have always thought about living on a boat….great post as usual. chuq
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Thanks for reading and commenting – much appreciated!
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😎
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Some years back when I decided to ‘go the rest of the trip’ on my own this was one of my biggest dreams – take my pension over to the England I so love and hire or slowly buy one of these boats and wander all over the huge canal system! Well – one of those dreams which did not quite come to pass 🙂 !
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It does seem serene and peaceful, but storm clouds are overhead it seems…thanks for the comment!
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