Exploring the Distance and Journey of Narrowboats: A Comprehensive Guide
How Far Can You Travel on a Narrowboat?
The distance you can travel on a narrowboat depends on several factors including the waterways available, the speed of the boat, the time you have for your journey, and the presence of locks and bridges. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on the theoretical and practical aspects of navigating the UK's canal network via narrowboats.
Speed and Factors Affecting Travel
Narrowboats typically travel at a speed of about 3 to 4 miles per hour or 4.8 to 6.4 kilometers per hour. This speed is crucial in determining the distance a narrowboat can travel in a given period.
Locks and Bridges can significantly slow down your journey. Navigating a lock can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the waterways are. The presence of these structures is an integral part of the canal system and can be a significant challenge, especially in peak times.
A Detailed Overview of the UK's Canal Network
The UK has over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of navigable waterways, including canals and rivers suitable for narrowboats. The Canal and River Trust, formerly known as British Waterways, oversees 2,200 miles of these waterways. However, it is important to note that not all of these waterways are interconnected.
For instance, certain canals in Scotland are not connected to those in England, leading to a fragmented system. This very large image click here to zoom in is a map of the whole English system. As you can see, there are some canals on the Norfolk coast that do not connect to the rest of the system.
Historical and Modern Perspectives
The historic extent of the UK's canal network is remarkable, stretching from coast to coast, east to west, and covering a vast area from London up to the Scottish borders. It's estimated that there were more miles of canals in Birmingham than in Venice. While these canals were designed to cope with some changes in altitude, they are generally not suitable for significant hill ranges. As a result, navigating the canals becomes more challenging in areas with significant terrain, such as the Sussex Downs to the south of London and the Pennines running north of the Midlands.
During the 19th century, the canal network fell into disrepair as bulk transport shifted to rail, and road transport improved. However, from the middle of the 20th century, work began by amateur enthusiasts to reopen derelict canals for leisure purposes, gradually restoring these valuable waterways to their former glory.
Pioneers in Narrowboat Travel
Narrowboats, due to their very nature [very long, very narrow, and very shallow], are specifically designed for flat water and slower flows, making them unsuitable for sea travel. Nevertheless, intrepid owners have been known to attempt crossing from Dover to Calais, a challenging feat that requires a particularly calm day.
Actors such as Prunella Scales and Timothy West have been long-time proponents of narrowboat travel, making numerous tours around the UK canals and even venturing into France. Similarly, Timothy Spall and his wife were enthusiastic narrowboat owners who completed a circumnavigation of the mainland UK by narrowboat over several years, in short stages.
These examples demonstrate that narrowboat travel is not exclusive to actors, but it is certainly easier for them to gain media coverage and commission TV series showcasing their exploits.