Ely Base – Cambridge to Huntingdon and return

Ely Base, Cambridge to Huntingdon and return canal boat holiday

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This one week canal boat holiday from Ely to Huntingdon takes around four hours per day of cruising. Your journey begins at the Black Prince base in the lovely city of Ely, northeast of Cambridge. Go and see Ely cathedral, which was originally founded as an abbey in the year 673, before being destroyed by invaders in 970. Reconstruction as a cathedral followed in the 11th century, before it was famously restored by the architect George Gilbert Scott in the 19th century.

This journey passes through the pretty villages of Houghton, Wyton and Hemingford Grey before reaching Huntingdon, home of the Oliver Cromwell museum.

Narrowboat hire from Ely to Huntingdon

From Ely, you will cruise down the unspoilt rivers of the Ouse, the fourth largest river in the UK, towards Wicken Fen – a brilliant wetland nature reserve. With the vast majority of East Anglia’s fenland now covered by arable cultivation, Wicken Fen is particularly special. It is one of just four wild fens to survive in the Great Fen Basin of East Anglia. It offers scenic walks through fenland, farmland, marsh and reed beds and proves the chance to see a host of endangered species.

After spending some time in Wicken Fen, you will move on to the city of Cambridge and visit its world famous University, which was founded in 1209. Here you will have the opportunity to make the most of its stunning cultural highlights. You can visit the historic King’s College Chapel, which was completed in 1515 by King Henry VIII.

With stunning great windows and preserved gothic architecture, it remains a traditional symbol of the city, and was once described as “the most exquisite piece of Italian decoration surviving in England” by the architect Nikolaus Pevsner.

Upon returning to Popes Corner, you will cruise south towards the market town of St Ives. The town is renowned for its chapel bridge, one of only four in England, which was built in the 15th century.

St Ives has been home of some of the biggest markets in the country, with its Monday market a delight that takes over the town centre. After visiting the centre, you can see the Oliver Cromwell statue in the town square before heading off to Huntingdon and its museum to England’s most famous republican.

Book our Ely to Huntingdon canal boat holiday by using our online Availability Search, or by calling Black Prince on 01527 575 115.