river cruise peterborough uk

Fox Route 3

Map | 23 Miles | 3 Locks | Short Break

Google Waterways Map – GPS & 400 POI’s

Route 3 – March to Ferry Meadows Country Park

12 hours cruising return trip – ideal for a short break

3 day short break 4 hrs cruising per day (intermediate)

• Free moorings
• Peterborough Catherdral
• Nene Valley Steam Railway
• Nene Valley Park
• Miniature railway
• Pony riding

Floods Ferry & Greenwich Meridian

Turning right from our marina along the Old River Nene this route passes Floods Ferry (long term moorings only) and crosses the Greenwich Meridian. Beyond this is Floods Ferry Junction where the Old Nene forks left and our route turns right down Whittlesey Dyke.

benwick nene river cruise (off route 2 miles) | credit kevin banks

After three miles cruising you approach Angle Corner where to the left Bevill’s Leam joins our route and opposite on the right is the entrance to the Twenty Foot River. Continuing straight on you find the dyke narrows as the outskirts of Whittlesey are approached. Ashline Lock (a boater operated manual lock) marks your arrival at this historic market town and above the lock there are visitor moorings next to the Leisure Centre.

Peterborough Approach

Soon after leaving the Whittlesey moorings there is a bridge on a 90° bend which even an experienced boater must treat with respect. You then pass two of the many pubs in the town before heading through some more open country and travelling beside a deep brick pit. Brick making has long been an industry of the town and of much of the area east of Peterborough although most of the clay pits are now worked out. On the approach to Peterborough the cathedral can be seen clearly visible across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock.

peterborough cathedral licenced

Peterborough City

A short branch of the River Nene leads from the lock, with Stanground Village on the left and a nature reserve on the right, before we go under the railway bridge that takes us out onto the wide waters of the Nene. Turn left here and you will find visitor moorings along the length of the park which are convenient for the city centre.

peterborough embankment narrowboat | credit jan pickles

As you cruise up river from the centre of Peterborough you will see on the right a series of open spaces and wild areas that form part of the huge Nene Park that occupies some 500 acres of meadows, lakes and woods and runs for around six miles alongside the River Nene. You pass the entrance to the channel that leads to the rowing lake then the sculpture park can be seen. The entrance to the park is served by Nene Valley Railway  at Ferry Meadows which has steam trains, 7 miles of track and 3 stops.

nene valley railway stream train nene park licenced

Ferry Meadows Country Park

Two miles up river from Peterborough Bridge is Orton Lock the first of a series of Guillotine locks that are a feature of the Nene. The Guillotine gate is electrically operated by boaters but the top mitre doors (gates) must be manually operated. Above the lock are the moorings of the Peterborough Yacht Club and then you come to the entrance to Ferry Meadows Country Park which is on the left just before the footbridge that crosses the River Nene. A short connecting channel will take you into Orton Lake, one of the many lakes in the park. Head towards the left-hand side of the lake and you will see the pontoons provided for visitor moorings.

ferry meadows nene park fox narrowboat break

Ferry Meadows is the focal point of Nene Park and offers offering a Caravan Club site, cycle hire, visitor centre, shop, play areas, miniature railway, cycling, walking, kite-flying, pony riding, nature-spotting and fishing as well as substantial facilities for various water sports at the water sports centre and on its associated ponds and lakes.

Archived illustrated .pdf map (2013)

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5th October 2022

Cruise Guide to the River Nene

Navigable from Northampton to The Wash, the Nene is a vital link from the canal system to the Fenlands and an attractive waterway in its own right

The River Nene has in the past had a bit of a reputation among boaters from the rest of the network – and it can probably be summed up in two words: “flooding” and “guillotines”. We’re not talking about the sort of guillotine used for execution (although the subject of decapitation does come up later, as you’ll see), but the characteristic vertically rising gates at the bottom end of every lock which – in their unpowered hand-operated days – were viewed with some trepidation on account of the number of turns of the handle needed to open and close them. But these days almost all of them have been electrified, so that’s got rid of one reason for not visiting this attractive river.

And the flooding? Yes, inasmuch as all river-based waterways carry some risk of closure to navigation as a result of high water following heavy rain – but probably not significantly more so than most other rivers, thanks to the flood control work that’s been done in the past. And one part of that flood control work included the installation of the guillotine gates – and it’s thanks largely to that work in the 1930s that the river is still navigable today. So in a way, if it hadn’t been for flooding and guillotines, we might well not have been able to cruise the Nene at all. And that would be a shame, because it’s not only a lovely rural river, but it’s a crucial link in the chain of waterways linking the Grand Union Canal (and the rest of the waterways network) to the Fenlands and the Great Ouse system.

Getting there from the canal system

That chain of waterways begins with the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union. So visiting boaters will arrive on the Nene having turned off the Grand Union Main Line onto the Arm at Gayton Junction, then descended the 17 narrow locks (yes, widebeam boaters, I’m afraid those 17 locks mean you can’t reach the Nene from the southern waterways) to enter the river in the shadow of the Carlsberg brewery in an industrial area just west of Northampton town centre.

And that’s almost the only urban industry you’ll see in the journey down this almost entirely rural route. Even the rest of the route through Northampton is largely surrounded by the attractive Becket’s Park – which gives its name to the first lock. Also sometimes called Northampton Lock, this one is conventional enough with normal mitre gates (or ‘pointing doors’ as they tend to be called on the eastern waterways) at both ends. That hasn’t always been the case: until around 40 years ago it was one of three locks on the river which featured ‘radial guillotine’ gates, curved structures which swivelled upwards on pivots set in the lock walls. These had an even more fearsome reputation than the normal vertical guillotines, as they needed around 150 turns of a handle to open or close them – but two of them were rebuilt during a flood control scheme around 40 years ago.

Incidentally if you’re coming from the Canal & River Trust’s waterways and you don’t have the ‘gold’ (CRT plus Environment Agency) licence, you’ll need an EA licence before you go any further – and also an EA key for the locks on the Nene – both are available from Northampton Marina, which is accessed via the weir stream heading off to the right above the lock.

Downstream from Northampton

There are visitor moorings in the park for access to the town’s facilities, and then as the river leaves the town centre it splits into various channels, some added during the flood control works, with the navigation channel not always obvious. Look out for signs, but basically take the rightmost channel to reach the next lock, which also once had a radial guillotine bottom gate (the curved shape of the lower gate recesses in the chamber walls bears witness to this). A third lock, also with conventional gates, was newly built at the same time, bypassing one which now lies derelict on a silted-up backwater half a mile away.

Northampton Lock has conventional mitre gates, unlike most on the River Nene

As well as diverting the navigation and creating flood relief channels, the same scheme also created ‘the Washlands’ – a large area surrounded by an earth embankment, which can be deliberately flooded as a way of storing surplus water for later release at a controlled rate. The navigation passes through this embankment twice: in each case a large sluice gate can be raised by remote control to close it off if necessary – so if you happen to hear the alarm bell sound as you pass through, don’t hang around! (Seriously, it’s highly unlikely that anyone would be boating there in conditions where the sluices needed to close.)

After this heavily modified length of river, it’s a pleasant change to be back on the original course of the river, and approaching the first ‘traditional’ lock at Weston Favell. Why have I put ‘traditional’ in quotes? That’s because compared to most canal and river locks which might well date back a couple of hundred years, these are relatively modern, being a product of the 1930s…

History: from flash-locks to guillotines

Leaving Cogenhoe Lock, with its typical Nene guillotine gate

Although never really busy, the Nene had carried a modest trade from when it was made navigable in the mid-to-late 18th century – helped a little by the opening of the Northampton Arm in 1815 – until the arrival of competition from the railways in the mid-19th century. But from then on, parts of it fell into decline and decay, not helped by the large number of ‘staunches’ – primitive locks (also known as flash locks) consisting of a single set of gates – still in use on the lower lengths of the river. By the beginning of the 20th Century parts of it were virtually derelict , and in 1930 it was described as “in unparalled decay and dilapidation”.

But although by then the potential trade was small, the importance of maintaining the river for land drainage and flood control led to the establishment of the Nene Catchment Board which put in place a programme of work to rebuild the waterway. During the 1930s the staunches were abolished, and all the locks were reconstructed – as navigation structures which also served to control the water. Hence the upper mitre gates were designed so that a certain amount of water would spill over them, while in flood conditions the top gates could be chained back and the guillotine lower gate raised (known as ‘reversing’  lock), turning the lock into a large extra weir sluice. As a result, not only was flooding reduced, but a reliable and well-maintained navigation replaced a near-derelict waterway.

As built in the 1930s the guillotines (which should always be left raised when you leave the lock, whether you’re heading upstream or downstream) were raised by 100 turns of a handle. You’ll be relieved that Weston and the next few locks have all been electrified, so use your EA key to open the control box containing the pushbuttons to open and close the gate.

Cruising through an attractive reach near Earls Barton

Downstream to Wellingborough

Northampton has been left behind, and an attractive length winds its way past Billing (where the Billing Aquadrome, a leisure park formed from flooded former gravel pits, includes a marina), Cogenhoe, Earls Barton and Great Doddington. The villages are set back from the river (presumably to avoid floods), but are all with a mile or so.

Near Doddington Lock, with the old mill building in the distance

Locks occur with great regularity – the Nene has 38 locks altogether, more than any other British navigable river apart from the Thames – as we descend towards Wellingborough, where there are moorings along the Embankment for the town centre’s shops and pubs just under a mile away. Speaking of which, visitor moorings are one thing that’s been in short supply on the river – there are few official sites, a handful of ‘unofficial’ ones where mooring is permitted by permission of the landowner, but in recent years the Friends of the River Nene have been active in creating new moorings for members (similar to those on the Great Ouse provided for many years by the Great Ouse Boating Association) and it’s well worth joining the Friends, especially if you like quiet out-of-the-way moorings. You can find out more about them here .

Whitworth’s Mill, Wellingborough, destination of the last freight on the Nene

While you’re passing through Wellingborough, you can’t help but notice the large Whitworth’s flour mill buildings by the riverside: this was the destination of the last regular trade on the river, with the Willow Wren fleet of narrowboats carrying grain to the mill right up to 1969.

Former gravel pits have been a feature of the Nene valley for much of the way from Northampton, and they continue beyond Wellingborough with several of them now forming wetland nature reserves. Ditchford Lock has the last remaining radial guillotine gate on the river (and the only one in the country, until the reopening of Carpenters Road Lock in East London a couple of years ago) – but mercifully it is electrified, so no 150 turns of the handle needed any more.

Ditchford Lock has the last remaining radial guillotine lock gate on the river

Historic bridges and hand-powered guillotines

The author operates one of six surviving hand-wound guillotine lock gates on the river

The towns of Irthlingborough and Higham Ferrers face each other across the river valley, linked together by a modern road bridge but also by the old Irthlingborough Bridge, a ten arch structure probably dating from the 14th Century. It crosses just above a bend in the river, and it’s not particularly well lined-up for boats approaching, so take it carefully.

A couple of miles downriver from Irthlingborough is Upper Ringstead Lock, and here you’ll finally get to try your muscles out on one of the last manually-operated guillotine gates on the river. It’s about 100 turns to raise (and the same to lower), and it’s now operated by a large wheel (these replaced the old handles on safety grounds a few years ago). It isn’t particularly hard work, but you can imagine they got a bit tedious when there were 38 of them on the river. Now there are half a dozen, spread out between here and Warmington.

A winding length leads past Woodford to Denford where the river straightens and makes for Thrapston and Islip: another pair of twin settlements facing each other across another ancient bridge. There’s a handy pub each side of the river, and visitor moorings (with rather awkward access in longer boats) up a little inlet on the left. Parts of the bridge (known as the Nine Arches) are even older than the one at Irthlingborough, with reports of it being repaired as long ago as 1224, but with much rebuilding in subsequent centuries. It too is at a somewhat awkward angle for approaching craft. Incidentally, some say that this is where the river actually becomes the Nene, having been the ‘Nen’ since Northampton. But we’re not getting into any arguments about it…

Another five miles of meandering river lead to Wadenhoe, and something of a rarity: a waterside pub, complete with overnight moorings.

Cruising past watermeadows near Thrapston

On to the winding lower river

Whatever the truth regarding the change of name, the River’s character has begun to change a little, with the steep-sided valley now beginning to widen out, as the river passes Barnwell (with Oundle Marina sited between the two locks) to reach Oundle town. Its extravagently winding course means the Nene actually passes close to Oundle twice: at Lower Barnwell Lock, and then three miles downstream at Oundle Wharf. The latter has an ‘unofficial’ overnight mooring – with a request to vacate it early for fishing matches.

The 18th century bridge at Fotheringhay

The distinctive spire of Fotheringhay Church can be seen for some distance – there are visitor moorings in the village, plus the remains of the castle that was the subject of my earlier ‘decapitation’ reference (see inset), and a handy pub. Despite the increasingly flat countryside the locks continue to occur regularly, but beyond Warmington they’re all electric for the rest of our journey.

Steam trains and watermeadows

Listen out at Yarwell for the sound of steam trains, as it’s the first of several close encounters between the river and the Nene Valley Railway , a heritage line which has preserved and restored a section of the route which once ran all the way up the valley to Northampton. A long, gradual right hand turn leads past Wansford-in-England (there’s an old tale about how it got its name, including a haystack and a character called Drunken Barnaby) and Stibbington to Wansford Station, where the railway crosses the river, with visitor moorings in just the right place to pose a photo with your boat and a steam train. (We were lucky enough to get Flying Scotsman when we were last there!)

An attractive mooring near Wansford

The surroundings continue to level out, with flat countryside on either side and fewer locks. Water Newton Lock is accompanied (like several on the river) by an attractive old mill building, then (after crossing the steam railway again) the river skirts the edge of the Ferry Meadows Country Park. One of several lakes in the park is accessible by boat via a channel leading off on the right, with moorings for visiting the Park. The final lock on the non-tidal river, Orton Lock, is accompanied by another station on the steam railway.

Water Newton Lock and former mill

Peterborough and the Fenlands

Peterborough rather sneaks up on you, with the riversides wooded almost right into the city centre. For visitor moorings and a chance to visit the city with its cathedral and other attractions, carry on through the railway bridges and the Town Bridge, and you’ll see the Embankment stretching some distance on your left with plenty of mooring space.

This isn’t the end of the river by any means, but it’s as far as many inland boaters travel on it. The reason is that they’re heading for the start of the route via the Middle Level Navigations across to the River Great Ouse, which bears off right under a railway bridge about half a mile past the Town Bridge.

Peterborough bridge, with the old customs house on the right

Inland boaters continuing on the final five miles of the non-tidal Nene beyond Peterborough will probably be doing so for one of two reasons: either as the first stage of an adventurous trip down the tidal river and across the Wash to the River Witham; or simply to complete their cruise of the entire non-tidal river to turn around before the start of the tideway at Dog-in-a-Doublet Lock (and perhaps stop for a drink at the pub of the same name). They’ll find that the river has undergone a complete transformation, from a natural meandering and sometimes rather narrow river to a wide, straight fen-like channel, clearly of artificial construction.

by Martin Ludgate

Our Deputy ed is a guru on all things to do with canals.

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Rutland Water Cruises is a family-run business operating boat trips since 1986, cruising around the reservoir during daylight hours from April to October each year.

Rutland Belle plies from Whitwell on the North Shore and calls in at Normanton on the South Shore. Visitors can enjoy the scenery from the water, amidst the sailors, anglers and waterbirds, whilst listening to commentary highlighting points of interest.

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What could be better, on a balmy summer evening, than cruising beautiful Rutland Water whilst trying a fantastic selection of different gins, from renowned suppliers, including uniquely distilled here in Rutland, locally sourced inspiring flavours of Multum Gin Parvo.

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Set sail on one of our river cruises with us to discover fascinating history, new cultures and breath-taking landscapes. No matter where you choose to go, we believe river cruises offer one of the best ways to see the beautiful countries the globe has to offer.

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Looking for cruise holidays in 2024? Look no further than Travel Department! Sail with us down the River Nile and through Egypt with us, enjoying multiple excursions to see the sights you’ve always wanted to see. Ancient Egypt is on everyone’s bucket list and it’s no surprise; Temples of Horus, the Valley of Kings and the High Dam are all amazing landmarks that we’ll get to see on our river cruise.

See more of Austria , Hungary , Germany and Slovakia with our escorted river cruise holiday. Taking you into the heart of most cities you visit, travelling by river cruise gives you more time to explore some of Europe’s most exciting places. Like the highlights of France , gliding down the River Seine in the luxurious MS Amadeus Diamond, a 4-star boutique hotel on the water. From the Eiffel Tower to the beautiful Gardens of Giverny, our European river cruises from Ireland are the best way to holiday.

Another great example of our cruises for 2024 is our Rhine River cruise, taking you through The Netherlands, Germany , France & Switzerland. With optional excursions and guided walking tours, we create our itineraries so you get the most out of your travels.

Whether it's the Rhine, Danube, Seine or the Nile, on all our river cruise holidays, we include return flights, guided transfers, and full board accommodation aboard the ship, so all you need to do is start packing for the trip of a lifetime!

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Sail To The Heart of the City

As the ships used on our European river cruises and Nile cruises are smaller than traditional ocean liner cruise ships, we are able to dock in the heart of almost every city we visit. By making our way into the centre of each city, our holiday will include more time to explore all of the incredible destinations that we offer. Each river cruise includes several ports of call including visits to world-renowned cities like Vienna, Budapest and Paris.

Explore More With Included Excursions

On all of our holidays, we make sure to include plenty of guided tours and trips to help us get the most out of our time away. Our river cruises are no different and offer multiple shore excursions, some included and some optional, throughout our journey. We’ll have the opportunity to visit the home of classical music in Vienna, explore the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and hear the history of one of Europe’s oldest universities in Salamanca, Spain. On each excursion, we’ll be accompanied by a local, expert guide.

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While travelling on our river cruises, we’ll have the opportunity to experience local culture through unique onboard entertainment. On our river cruise holiday through Vietnam, we’ll participate in the ancient art of Tai Chi and traditional cooking demonstrations. On our river cruise through Germany, we’ll hear traditional Bavarian music and sample authentic regional cuisine. Whether it be traditional dance lessons in Cambodia or a folklore show in Budapest, each river cruise offers something unforgettable for us to enjoy.

Savour Local Flavours

One of the best ways to learn about a new culture while travelling is to sample their local delicacies. Whether it’s goulash in Hungary or pretzels in Bavaria, every country or region has something new to discover. When travelling with us, each of our river cruise holidays offer full board and an exciting selection of both authentic regional cuisine and international dishes. So, we can enjoy Port in Porto or Pho in Vietnam.

What To Expect On A River Cruise Holiday

River cruises are a fantastic way to discover hidden gems in multiple destinations as we cruise along the most stunning waterways in Europe and beyond. We hand pick our 4 and 5 star ships to make sure they offer a range of fantastic facilities, including restaurants, bars, spas and lounge areas. Beyond the amenities of the ship itself, we’ve chosen a superb selection of cruises to some of the world’s most wonderful destinations. Choose from cruises along the Danube, Rhine, Nile, Mekong and more. Some of our most popular European river cruises are along the Danube, which include excursions to the famous European cities of Munich, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, among others. With expert, local guides to give us the history in some of the places we visit, we’ll be sure to get the most out of our ports of call.

River Cruise Holiday FAQs

Are river cruises expensive.

Our river cruises are fantastic value for money as flights, transfers, accommodation aboard the ship, meals and some guided offshore excursions are all included in the price. Drinks are not included and will have to be signed for whilst on board, along with other expenses like beauty treatments and extra excursions. A final bill for these extras will be given to you on your last evening onboard. Local wine is included with dinner with Lueftner cruises and an optional drinks package is available with Nicko cruises.

What river cruise shore excursions are included?

A number of excursions are included in your package and other optional tours can be booked on board at extra cost. We’ll be sure to get the most out of our ports of call as excursions are led by local guides who will give us the best insights in some of the places we visit. This usually consists of short walking tours of beautiful historical towns, full day tours and sometimes we’ll have free time to do our own exploration. The advantage of a river cruise is that your ship takes you to the heart of each destination, giving you more time to experience the attractions and enjoy your time ashore. A Travel Department Representative will be onboard for your holiday to deal with any issues that may arise. They have experienced all the places you are to visit and will be happy to make recommendations for free time activities.

What are the river cruise cabins like?

Accommodation varies from ship to ship, and the style and layout of cabins will differ, depending on which deck/cabin type has been booked. Travel Department’s River Cruise holidays include a lower deck cabin as standard and upgrades to middle and upper decks are available at a supplement. Many lower deck cabins have smaller, non-opening windows, while middle and upper deck cabins generally have opening panoramic windows. Detailed information can be found in the individual holiday descriptions. All cabins have a bathroom with shower and are equipped with a hairdryer, safe and air conditioning. 

What on-board facilities of a river cruise ship are provided?

General facilities vary from ship to ship but most include a sun deck, bar/lounge area and restaurant. Wi-Fi is also available at an additional cost but please note that due to the movement of the ship and varied geographical locations, the signal can be weak. When not exploring the ports of call, it is possible to relax on the top deck or in the lounges reading or sunbathing, chatting with fellow passengers or just watching the river life pass by. 

How long will we be sailing for on a river cruise ship?

Although each itinerary varies, on most tours much of the sailing takes place overnight, so you will wake up in a different destination and be ready to disembark and explore a new place. When the sailing is by day, there are opportunities to relax on the top deck or in the lounge and take in magnificent landscapes and scenic river views; such as castles and abbeys along the Rhine or Danube, or the villages and vine-clad hills of the Douro Valley. 

Is there a dress code on river cruises for dining?

On our river cruises there is no formal dress wear for meal times but the cruise operator does ask that you dress smart-casual for dinners and special meals. All of the towns on the cruising route offer their own traditional specialties and the food on board sometimes will mirror these. Following dinner each evening entertainment is provided by the onboard musicians or local groups displaying their traditional song and dance. Quizzes and other types of evening entertainment are also sometimes provided.  

Are gratuities included on a river cruise?

Gratuities for your river cruise crew are not included in your holiday. The amount of your tip is left to your discretion and should be seen as a reward for good service. If you would like a recommendation we suggest, as a guideline, €8 per guest per day for general staff and €2 per guest per day for the Cruise Director.

Are river cruising holidays suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Generally, river cruise holidays are not suitable for those with reduced mobility. Many of the ships do not have lifts and often ships are moored beside other vessels which you will have to walk across to get to your own. Likewise, some guided excursions will involve periods of walking and standing, at times on uneven or cobbled surfaces. There will be steep inclines or steps to negotiate at some locations. For all our tours we have an activity level guide to help you decide which holiday suits you best. For specific advice regarding our river cruises and to discuss any special needs, please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist.

Can you get motion sickness on a river cruise?

It’s usually very smooth sailing on a river cruise, unlike some ocean cruises where the seas can get rough, so there’s a much smaller chance of travel sickness. 

What if there is an emergency?

We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

Reviews, Travel Tips & Advice To Inspire Your Next River Cruise Holiday

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Waterways > Using the waterways > Boating > Canal route planning

Canal route planning

Cruising rings & times.

When planning the route you want to take through the UK’s canals, you will need to consider how much time you have, how far you would like to travel and what attractions you might want to see on the way. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind how active your crew will be and how many locks there are on the waterway.

You also might want to consider whether there will be any stoppages or restrictions along your planned route.

Waterway cruising rings offer boaters a way of exploring part of the waterways system without necessarily having to see the same bit of a canal or river twice. 

Cruising time and distance

Once you know how many days you want your trip to last, you’ll need to work out how many cruising hours you have available.  The first and last days of your holiday will probably not be full days.  You will need to decide how many hours you want to cruise each day.  If you cruise early or late in the year you will have fewer daylight hours.

A useful way to calculate a waterway journey time is to allow 3 miles an hour and ten minutes for each lock (6 locks an hour).  The actual time taken to go through each lock will be less if there is little traffic, you have a good number of crew and the locks are close together in a flight and aren’t any other boats waiting to use the locks.  Narrow locks also tend to take less time than broad locks.

You can calculate cruising routes and times using CanalPlan AC , a free interactive guide to the waterways, or Chris Clegg’s Canal Time Map , which is an A4 laminated sheet showing the connected UK waterway network divided into 2 hour sections with over 450 places shown.  To calculate the time to cruise between any given places, just count the dots and multiply by 2 hours.

Stoppages and restrictions

Navigation authorities occasionally have to close sections of the network for emergency repairs and maintenance work.

Find out the relevant navigation authority for the waterway you are planning to visit on our A to Z of the waterways .

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Trent-Severn Waterway

The Historical Waterway

(adapted from information provided by Friends of the Trent-Severn Waterway)

The Trent-Severn Waterway is known to many as a recreation paradise. Yet this waterway has played a significant role in history during the period of Native occupation and throughout the development of Ontario's lumber, agriculture and recreational industries.

This magnificent waterway is made up of 386 kilometers of rivers, channels and lakes spanning Central Ontario, joining the Bay of Quinte with Georgian Bay. The Trent-Severn Waterway is divided into five main Regions. From southeast to northeast, they are: Trent, Otonabee, Kawartha, Talbot and Severn.

As early as 1900 B.C., Native groups travelled the natural waterway formed by the Kawartha Lakes. Archeological sites dot the waterway, giving evidence of its importance for both transportation and migration. In fact Petroglyphs Provincial Park near Burleigh Falls harbors one of the largest concentrations of Indian rock carvings in Canada.

The first lock was established in 1833 with a small wooden lock at Bobcaygeon. This marked the beginning of 87 years of construction along the waterway. As sporadic construction of the locks occurred, communities along the waterway gained access to lucrative southern markets. The lock system construction received an extra boost in 1878, with the newly elected government of Sir John A. MacDonald promising completion of the lock system. In 1920, construction was finally completed making it possible to travel from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario.

The Trent-Severn Waterway profoundly influenced the pattern of settlement. Most remarkable being Scott's Plains, now Peterborough. Its location at the head of a navigable port made it the primary passage for shipping manufactured goods and agricultural produce to southern ports along Lake Ontario.

Over time, the waterway's commercial value decreased, as industry began to use more efficient modes of transportation. However, for two centuries, Trent-Severn Waterway has lured tourists and cottagers to the region in pursuit of an array of recreation and leisure activity.

As early as the 1830's, fish and game clubs, conservation clubs and regattas emerged along the Kawartha Lakes. Canoeing was the past-time of choice, with the locally manufactured “Peterborough Canoe” receiving international fame.

The absence of roads, gave way to steamboats, bringing passengers and supplies to resorts and cottages dotting the lakes. However, in the 20th Century, steamships vanished, as visitors opted for automobiles and motorboats.

Today, the Trent-Severn Waterway bustles with boating and other tourist activity year round. Visitors flock from many corners of the globe to experience (first hand), the geographic and historic significance of this regions wondrous waterway.

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Home » Attractions » Tours & Day Trips » Liftlock & The Riverboat Cruises

Liftlock & The Riverboat Cruises

Address: 92 George Street North Peterborough, ON K9J 3G6

Phone: 705-742-9912

Description

See Peterborough and the Trent Severn Waterway like you never have before with Liftlock & The River Boat Cruises. Climb aboard our double decker side wheeler The Island Princess, or our modern single deck boat, The Skylark VIII and see the amazing beauty of the Kawarthas.

We offer sitghtseeing cruises, dinner cruises, weddings and private charters. Our boats and tours operate from May to October.

Contact us today for more information or to book your tour. Our amazing staff and crew will make it our goal to ensure you have a one of a kind trip that you’ll remember for years to come.

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A look inside Uniworld's opulent suites

These gorgeous floating abodes are as tempting as the places they sail to

Founded by the same company behind the highly successful Red Carnation hotels (of which gorgeous Summer Lodge and The Rubens at the Palace are part), Uniworld is one of the most awarded luxury river cruise lines.

Forget cookie-cutter or bland rooms that you’ll want to spend more time out of than in. On a Uniworld cruise, the staterooms all feel a little more considered and are places that invite us to linger and relax. Frankly, even the smallest staterooms don’t feel disappointing.

Across the fleet, many of the entry-level stateroom options feature British-made Savoir beds (a brand that prides itself on exceptional mattresses and only makes a limited quantity every year). And the marble bathrooms are stocked with a selection of luxurious Asprey bathroom products, and fluffy bathrobes and slippers.

But it’s the best suites onboard Uniworld ships that are particularly head-turning. A more-is-more approach means these pockets of decadence feel ultra-opulent and sumptuous. The individual style mirrors the location they sail in, honouring their surroundings in art and fabric selections. For instance, in Venice , authentic Murano glass adorns the spaces, and the restaurant serves a local menu, so you don't feel you've really left when you get back on board after a day exploring the Venetian islands .

With river cruising gaining popularity , we've selected our favourite suites from an ever-expanding fleet of river ships that tempt us to splurge on an upgrade when we next sail.

The Royal Suite, Mekong Jewel

The Mekong Jewel is quite the sight as it meanders along the famous Mekong River. It’s an all-suite ship, but the finest is the Royal Suite. A hardwood four-poster bed looks out through floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to a wraparound private deck complete with scarlet cushioned sun loungers and a bubbly hot tub – the perfect way to end a day after exploring the likes of Phenom Penh and Angkor Wat.

We love how the décor of the Royal Suite pays homage to its surroundings, with beautiful Asian-inspired screens and orchids giving it a sense of place. And then there’s the bathroom – marble from top to bottom with an ornately painted double vanity and a large bath with a view.

Sail through Vietnam and Cambodia onboard Uniworld’s Mekong Jewel with Good Housekeeping on a 17-day holiday with departures throughout 2024 and 2025.

The Grand Suite, S.S. La Venezia

While smaller than the Royal Suite aboard the Mekong Jewel, the Grand Suite onboard S.S La Venezia is a golden masterpiece with a bedroom and living area separated by ornate sliding doors.

As a guest of the Grand Suite on the resplendent S.S. La Venezia, you’ll have in-suite butler service. When you board, a butler will unpack your belongings, carefully storing them for the wonderful days and evenings ahead. We love the bold leopard print upholstery and the abundance of strikingly bold Fortuny textiles, an acclaimed Venetian fabric designer, throughout the whole ship.

Experience the S.S. La Venezia with Good Housekeeping Holidays, joining a sailing of the Venetian Lagoon in 2024 in the company of celebrity chefs and singers.

SAIL VENICE WITH JAMES MARTIN

SAIL VENICE WITH RUSSELL WATSON

SAIL VENICE WITH AFTER-HOURS SIGHTSEEING

The Grand Suite, S.S Bon Voyage

Oh, how we adore The Grand Suite onboard the S.S Bon Voyage , a beautiful ship that sails the rivers around Bordeaux , taking its guests to French villages and sought-after vineyards.

The full marble bathrooms are a striking style statement – some of the Grand Suites bathrooms feature fabulous jade-hued stone, and others are opulent in onyx. Across the ship, chic French finishes are pulled off with aplomb – and Le Salon Champagne is inspired by the style of Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle in Morocco.

Set sail aboard the glorious S.S Bon Voyage to explore the rivers around vineyards around Bordeaux on our special departures.

SAIL BORDEAUX WITH RAYMOND BLANC 

SAIL BORDEAUX WITH TOM KERRIDGE 

SAVE BORDEAUX AND SAVE £500 

The Royal Suite, River Tosca

A little more understated than other Uniworld suites, finished in an elegant palette of taupe and blush pink, the two Royal Suites aboard River Tosca are cosy abodes with separate seating areas.

This stylish ship sails the River Nile, taking 82 guests with her. The Royal Suites are pampering cocoons, but it’s hard to resist the draw of the sundeck, where deep cushioned loungers have a front-row view of the passing scenery, and there’s a tempting plunge pool for refreshing beneath the Egyptian sun.

Step aboard the River Tosca, a Uniworld ship, on a Good Housekeeping Holidays cruise in September 2024. You’ll be joined by your favourite historian, Lucy Worsley when you take afternoon tea and hear about Agatha Christie’s time in Egypt writing Death on the Nile.

FIND OUT MORE

Maharaja Suite, Ganges Voyager II

Fresh fruit and flowers await lucky guests of the all-suite Ganges Voyager II , a remarkable ship that sails around India. There’s just one of the top suites – the Maharaja Suite. It has a gorgeous four-poster bed and a style that honours the local style and craftsmanship and intricate design features. We also love the Heritage Suites, located at the front of the ship with Juliet balconies to enjoy the passing views.

Sail the Ganges and discover India’s Golden Triangle in November 2024 with a special guest appearance by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar.

Looking for inspiration for your next holiday? Grab a cuppa and browse our brochure packed with unique escapes.

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