Boating.
If you are new to boating or an old hand visiting Anglian Waterways for the first time, we have some advice to help you on your way.
The River Nene is an important regional navigation, rising at sources near Bradby, Naseby and Yelvertoft, and becomes navigable at Northampton where these tributaries combine.
Navigation starts at the junction with the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal near Cotton End Lock and extends 147km (91 miles) to the sea. The first experience visiting boaters will have navigating the River Nene is likely to be at Northampton, after passage through the canal systems 17 locks.
Originally a commercial navigation it is now used almost entirely for recreation. Flowing through the Nene Valley, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and bordering Norfolk, the Nene gives contrasting views of eastern England. In Northamptonshire the river meanders through farmland and the industry of Northampton, Wellingborough and Irthlingborough.
Further downstream there are numerous traditional stone villages and quiet country churches to enjoy.
Peterborough dominates the route through Cambridgeshire with the city’s cathedral visible on the horizon across great stretches of fenland.
The Nene was tidal to Peterborough until the construction of a tidal lock and sluice at the Dog in a Doublet in 1937. The tidal Nene flows through parts of Lincolnshire to the once bustling port of Wisbech, with its Dutch style waterfront architecture, and on to the port at Sutton Bridge.
The final leg enters the Wash between two towers known as the “the light-houses”.
Learn more about the history of the river here.
Managing the River
The Environment Agency manages a significant proportion of the region’s rivers network, known as the Anglian Waterways stretching from Bedford to the Humber Estuary. This includes the rivers Great Ouse, Nene, Ancholme, Welland, Glen, Stour and the Black Sluice navigation.
The Anglian waterways are a unique asset and cover over 568km (353 miles) of river with associated locks and other facilities. They form part of our environmental and cultural inheritance and contribute to the local distinctiveness of this area. They also act as a catalyst for urban and rural regeneration, stimulate leisure, recreation and tourism, and can contribute to an integrated transport system.
Visit the Anglian Waterways website here.
Locks
Along the rivers there are a number of locks which require a lock key to operate.
The Navigation maps for all the rivers will include more information on the exact location of the locks and contain other useful information. Watch this space for updates on the website’s development.
Email Waterways-ANRentMoor@environment-agency.gov.uk for further information about the maps, lock keys and other information.
Facilities
Facilities provided by the Environment Agency (EA) for the use of boaters on the River Nene are free of charge unless otherwise stated. Charges may apply at other, non-EA operated sites.
EA moorings are designed with your safety in mind, particularly for when river flows and levels may be higher than usual. Visitor moorings can get very busy during the summer months. Make time to plan ahead and arrive in good time.
Local marinas, boat clubs, councils, some landowners and other organisations all provide a variety of moorings, sanitary facilities, slipways, chandlery and fuel sales along the River Nene. Charges apply at some sites; please check local signage for details.
Check www.northamptonmarina.co.uk from where you can print or download the latest guide to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
ea water points
development projects
There are two major and exciting waterway development projects which the Environment Agency are supporting proposed in the Anglian region, with similar aims and objectives.
They also have comparable economic and regeneration benefits to the region together with additional planned environmental and social outputs and outcomes.
The Fens Waterways Link is a major scheme proposed to connect the cathedral cities of the East of England including Lincoln, Peterborough, Ely, and the university city of Cambridge. It will create 240km of interconnected waterway, including 80km of new waterway and increased access to 160km. The link will create a number of new circular routes for regional boating as well as wider opportunities for recreation, tourism and the environment.
The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park is an ambitious project to connect the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes with the River Great Ouse at Bedford. It will provide a 26km cross-country link that connects east and west, opens up the Marston Vale region, and provides amenities and opportunities for communities in the rapidly-developing Milton Keynes South Midlands area.
Registration
All vessels kept, used or let for hire on Anglian Waterways must be registered with the Environment Agency (EA) or with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) on a Gold Licence. Please note a CRT standard river and canal licence does not cover you on Anglian Waterways.
Annual or short term (1, 7 or 31 days) EA registrations can be obtained by contacting the boat registration team on 03708 506 506.
Resources
- River Nene Navigation Notices: Please be aware Navigation Notices listed here are only updated Monday to Friday during office hours
- River Advice for Boaters: Strong stream advice, river conditions, reach closures and restrictions affecting boaters on Anglian waterways. Visit here.
- Boating Checklist: Visit here.
- Guide to Visitor Moorings, Water Points, Pump-Out and Elsan facilities along the River Nene: Visit here.
- Downloads: Below is a range of downloadable guides giving more site information for different places along the River Nene and River Great Ouse (this can be accessed via the Middle level navigation)
Denver Site Information: Click Here
Northampton Site Information: Click Here
Upware Site Information: Click Here
